Background on the Mexican Navy Ship Cuauhtémoc
The Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc is a sail training vessel and a significant part of Mexico’s naval education program. It serves as a platform for cadets to gain practical experience in navigation and seamanship.
The Incident
On May 17, the Cuauhtémoc collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, causing substantial damage estimated over $500,000, according to a preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Casualties and Injuries
The accident resulted in the tragic loss of two cadets, América Yamileth Sánchez (20) and Adal Jair Maldonado (23), while 19 others sustained injuries.
Extent of Damages
- The ship’s upper sections of the three masts, including the middle mast, the mainmast, and the bowsprit, were either broken or bent after passing under the moving Brooklyn Bridge.
- The rudder post was deformed, and the rudder was positioned perpendicularly to the ship on the starboard side.
NTSB Preliminary Report Details
The NTSB report provides a timeline of events from 8:19 PM when the Cuauhtémoc departed the pier with assistance from a tugboat to 8:27 PM when it struck the eastern riverbank’s dock. During this period, the ship increased its stern speed from 3.3 knots to 5.1 knots.
At the time of collision with the bridge, the ship was traveling at approximately 5.9 knots from the stern.
Pre-Departure Inspections
Prior to departure, the captain confirmed that propulsion and steering systems were in good condition with no deficiencies.
Both the captain and two pilots involved in the departure operation underwent alcohol and drug tests, yielding negative results.
Cuauhtémoc’s Journey
The Cuauhtémoc set sail from Cozumel on May 3 and arrived in Manhattan on May 13, spending four days at a training voyage of 254 days with 15 country stops.
Brooklyn Bridge Integrity
Fortunately, the Brooklyn Bridge, a prominent New York City tourist attraction, did not suffer any significant structural damage following the incident, according to authorities.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the incident? The Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.
- What were the consequences of the collision? The accident resulted in the deaths of two cadets and injuries to 19 others. The Cuauhtémoc suffered over $500,000 in damages.
- What details were provided by the NTSB report? The report outlined a timeline of events, noting that the ship increased its speed before colliding with the bridge at approximately 5.9 knots from the stern.
- Were there any pre-departure inspections or tests? Yes, the captain confirmed that propulsion and steering systems were in good condition, and alcohol/drug tests on the captain and pilots came back negative.
- How did the Brooklyn Bridge fare after the collision? The bridge did not sustain any significant structural damage, as confirmed by authorities.
