Cause of shocking ship crash exposed.
A Mexican navy training ship crashed into the iconic Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend, killing two crew members and injuring 19 others.
Bridge’s history highlighted.
The Brooklyn Bridge has a history of accidents, with incidents recorded in 1921, the 1930s, and 1986 involving collisions with ships.
The Edward J. Lawrence schooner struck the bridge in 1921 while being towed under its central span.
A freighter in the 1930s damaged three masts after hitting a steel beam, blaming high tides for the mishap.
In 1986, a South Korean freighter scraped the bridge underside, destroying a radar but causing no bridge damage.
Following the crash, the Cuauhtemoc was moored at Pier 35 in Lower Manhattan for damage assessment.
Investigators and crew were seen disembarking, while a 46-meter safety zone was set up around the ship.
Large cargo and warships usually avoid the area due to low bridge clearance, making this accident an unusual event.
This accident recalls a similar crash last year in Baltimore, where port authorities tightened regulations to prevent repeat incidents.
However, the Baltimore ship was 50 times heavier, making Cuauhtemoc’s collision a very different scenario.
Shocking navy ship collision exposed.
The vessel, named Cuauhtemoc, collided with the underside of the bridge, snapping its masts as it drifted dangerously close to the promenade below.
Horrified onlookers watched as the tall ship lurched into the structure, with people fleeing from the scene as the damaged vessel moved closer.
Fortunately, despite sailors being seen clinging to the rigging of the broken mast, no one fell into the water, officials confirmed.
Among the victims was 20-year-old cadet America Yamilet Sanchez, who tragically fell from one of the masts during the incident.
Videos show heavy water traffic around 8:20 pm, the exact time the accident occurred, suggesting a congested and challenging navigation environment.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep sorrow, extending her condolences to the families of those lost in the tragedy.
The Cuauhtemoc was on a promotional tour, destined for Iceland, when the unexpected disaster struck.
Eyewitness videos and tracking data show a tugboat, Charles D. McAllister, attempted to assist but disengaged before the ship veered off course.
The tugboat attempted to rejoin the rescue but failed to wedge itself between the vessel and the riverbank in time.
McAllister Towing, responsible for the tug, declined to comment on the incident or its role in the navigation.
McAllister Towing, responsible for the tug, declined to comment on the incident or its role in the navigation.
Suspected cause of crash identified.
Initial speculation from New York police suggests the ship’s captain lost control due to mechanical issues, but the investigation is ongoing.
Marine experts argue that treacherous tides, fast currents, and narrow channels in New York Harbor heavily contributed to the accident.
The East River’s fast-moving currents collided with strong winds, creating a “worst-case scenario” for any vessel navigating the area, said former merchant mariner Sal Mercogliano.
Mercogliano noted the timing was unfortunate: “The prudent thing would’ve been to leave two hours earlier, when the tide was going out.”
Despite the difficult conditions, no one predicted the ship’s engine would propel it uncontrollably into the bridge.
Investigators will focus on whether the Mexican crew conducted thorough pre-departure safety checks on propulsion and steering systems.
These checks usually include testing engines, propellers, and rudders hours before sailing to avoid surprises.
Former mariner Mercogliano explained, “It’s not like your car where you’re just throwing your shifter.”
Despite the crash, the 142-year-old Brooklyn Bridge sustained no serious structural damage.
NTSB investigation underway.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the inquiry, but the final report could take months to complete.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management confirmed the ship was heading in the wrong direction and never intended to pass under the bridge.
Authorities continue piecing together details to determine how this shocking disaster unfolded and why two lives were lost.