Mystery Deepens After Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge

Investigators Search for Answers After a Mexican Navy Training Vessel Crashes Into the Brooklyn Bridge, Leaving Two Dead and Sparking an International Response

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has officially begun what it calls a “long process” to determine why a Mexican Navy sail training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the historic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening. The tragic incident claimed the lives of two crew members and left more than two dozen injured, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory international goodwill visit.

NTSB officials say investigators are still waiting to gain full access to the damaged vessel, which remains moored at Pier 36 along the East River. At a news briefing Monday, NTSB board member Michael Graham emphasized that no interviews have been conducted and no onboard data has yet been reviewed.

“This is just the beginning,” said Graham. “We’re not here to speculate or assign blame while on scene. The facts will guide us.”

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, but Graham noted that full investigations can span one to two years. The agency has deployed a multidisciplinary team of specialists in marine navigation, engineering, and human performance to assist in unraveling the complex series of events that led to the crash.

Mexico's navy went to New York in a training ship which failed to note clearances during a failed pass under the bridge—they hit the Brooklyn Bridge ~ 2 dead 19 seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/G0dLQyGqL2

— Dane (@UltraDane) May 19, 2025

A Night That Changed Course

The 270-foot-long Cuauhtémoc had been docked in New York since May 13 as part of its “Bicentennial of the Consolidation of Independence at Sea” voyage. Scheduled to depart for Iceland on May 17, the ship began moving away from Pier 17 just after sunset. Instead of heading downriver, it inexplicably reversed toward the bridge, ultimately striking the span around 8:20 p.m. as horrified onlookers watched.

The three masts — towering 147 feet high — were sheared off upon impact with the underside of the bridge. Videos captured cadets in ceremonial white uniforms clinging to the remains of the rigging. In the aftermath, 27 individuals were treated for injuries. Tragically, two lives were lost: cadet América Yamilet Sánchez from Veracruz and Marine Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, 23, from Oaxaca.

A Mechanical Mystery

The cause of the crash is still unclear, but early focus is on the vessel’s engine and the tugboat that assisted in its departure. Brian Young, the NTSB’s lead marine investigator, confirmed that the Cuauhtémoc cleared the dock as planned — but then began to drift in reverse.

“We’re examining everything from the engine status and inspection history to tugboat coordination and onboard decision-making,” Young said. “There’s a lot we don’t know yet.”

Contrary to social media speculation, the NTSB has not confirmed that a power outage occurred, though New York City Mayor Eric Adams initially mentioned a loss of power. The ship’s black box, engine logs, and crew interviews will help clarify what went wrong.

Brooklyn Bridge Stands Strong

Despite the alarming collision, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge has emerged mostly unscathed. According to the NTSB’s highway safety team and New York City transportation officials, there is no significant structural damage to the bridge’s load-bearing elements. The only affected part was a movable inspection platform, and the bridge reopened to traffic by midnight on May 18.

A Shared Effort

The Mexican Navy has been closely cooperating with U.S. authorities during the investigation and emergency response. On Monday morning, 179 of the ship’s cadets and officers returned to Veracruz, while two injured cadets remain under care in New York.

“This was a ship of peace and pride,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in a statement. “We mourn those we lost and are committed to understanding how this tragedy happened.”

As the NTSB continues its meticulous work, questions remain — and answers will come in time. For now, the investigation moves forward one detail at a time, with the memory of the lost guiding a search for the truth.