The Mexican Navy Training Vessel Incident: NTSB Preliminary Report

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the May 17 accident involving the Mexican Navy training vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc BE 01 colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident resulted in two fatalities and nineteen injuries among the crew.

According to the NTSB report, the three-masted steel vessel, carrying 277 crew members and cadets, was departing from Pier 17 in Manhattan when it struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge at approximately 2024 eastern daylight time. The collision damaged all three masts of the ship, causing injuries ranging from minor to serious. The estimated damage is expected to exceed $500,000.

The vessel, built in 1982 and powered by a 1,300-hp diesel engine, was assisted by the tugboat Charles D. McAllister while maneuvering away from the pier. The vessel’s air draft was reported to be 158 feet, exceeding the Brooklyn Bridge’s vertical clearance of 127 feet at mean high water.

During the departure, both a sea pilot and a docking pilot were on board, along with the ship’s captain on the conning deck. Weather conditions were favorable with westerly winds at 10-15 knots and clear visibility.

The NTSB report indicates that at 2024:42, the upper sections of all three masts of the Cuauhtémoc made contact with the Brooklyn Bridge one by one while the vessel was traveling at approximately 5.9 knots astern.

Following the collision, the vessel continued astern under the bridge, with its stern hitting a seawall on the Brooklyn side of the East River. Emergency responders arrived promptly, transporting injured crew members to local hospitals. The vessel was later towed to Pier 36 in Manhattan.

Inspectors from the New York City Department of Transportation assessed the damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, finding no significant structural damage but identifying impact points and minor scrapes on the bridge.

The NTSB investigation is ongoing, focusing on the vessel’s propulsion system, crew experience and training, and operating policies. Drug and alcohol tests for the pilots and tugboat captain were negative. As the investigation continues, the Cuauhtémoc has been taken to a local shipyard for repairs and further examination.

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