Introduction
On Saturday, the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York during an exit maneuver. The tragic outcome resulted in the death of a cadet and a sailor, with 19 crew members suffering injuries, some severe.
The Incident
During the maneuver, the vessel lost power and was swept by the East River’s current and winds towards the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship’s masts struck the bridge structure, causing the unfortunate collision.
The Cuauhtémoc had entered through the Verrazano Narrows, with a clearance of nearly 70 meters above the water. The ship, measuring 48.5 meters in length, should have passed under the bridge without issue. However, for unknown reasons, it was displaced into an area where passage was not possible.
Political Exploitation and Misinformation
Despite the ongoing investigation, some individuals seized the opportunity to spread misinformation or advance political agendas. Panista Senator Lilly Téllez tweeted, “Don’t lie, President Sheinbaum. You used the ship for political propaganda of the judicial reform and Lenia Batres. You are responsible for the deaths, injuries, and international embarrassment due to your ambition to consume the Judicial Power.”
There is no connection between the ship and the judicial reform. Téllez’s accusations lack evidence, demonstrating opportunism, irresponsibility, and disregard for the facts. Her statements reveal a deep ignorance of naval operations, maritime factors during exit maneuvers, the captain-port pilot relationship, remolcador operations, and international protocols in accident scenarios.
Public Reactions
Social media reactions have been premature and foolish, displaying a lack of understanding regarding naval operations, maritime factors, and accident protocols. Criticisms against the Navy for the error dominate discussions, while others express condolences for the deceased and support for the injured. Some users have called for non-politicization of the incident and awaited findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S.
The Investigation
The NTSB is now leading the investigation, estimating a preliminary report within 30 days, though the process may take up to two years. Key aspects to be clarified include:
- What caused the loss of power
- Who had control of the vessel at the time: the captain or a port pilot
- Which remolcadores were assigned and why they failed to prevent the impact
- Coordination failures with local authorities
- Technical condition of the ship, emergency system effectiveness, and decisions made prior to the accident
Conclusion
The Cuauhtémoc was intended to exit via the same route it entered—the Verrazano Narrows. The collision with the Brooklyn Bridge was not a result of a deliberate decision but an accident. The precise causes will be determined by investigators; all else is noise.
