- NTSB Reveals New Details in Deadly Brooklyn Bridge Ship Collision.
- Cuauhtémoc Crash: Ship Was Moving Backward at Over 6 MPH Before Impact.
- Federal Probe Uncovers Key Moments Before Mexican Navy Ship Struck Bridge.
Federal investigators have shared new insights regarding the incident involving the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc, which collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 18, 2025. Tragically, this accident led to the deaths of two Mexican Navy personnel and left more than a dozen others injured among the 277 individuals onboard, reports Marine Insight.
Ship Was Moving Backwards at High Speed
The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals that the Cuauhtémoc was reversing at a speed of 5.9 knots (which is over 6 mph) when the collision occurred. This finding is just one of several new details that have come to light in the agency’s initial investigation.
Timeline of the Events Leading to the Collision
The incident took place during a routine departure from the dock. A sea pilot boarded the ship at 7:02 p.m., followed by a local pilot at 7:45 p.m. At that point, the ship’s captain confirmed that both the propulsion and steering systems were operating normally.
The ship was untied from the dock at 8:16 p.m., with a tugboat helping to push it away. A docking pilot instructed the vessel to move backward, and this command—originally given in English—was translated into Spanish before being communicated to the navigation bridge.
Communication Chain and Translation Process
Commands from the pilots were translated into Spanish for the crew on board. A crew member on the lower deck passed the translated orders to those on the navigation bridge, who then input them into the ship’s controls. The NTSB report highlights this communication chain but does not currently assign any blame to it.
Collision and Acceleration Before Impact
Once the vessel cleared the pier, a stop command was given, followed by a directive to move forward slowly. A tugboat pushed against the front of the ship, but the rear started swinging toward the bridge. The tugboat halted its push and moved to assist from the back. Despite these efforts, the ship’s backward speed nearly doubled in the last minute before the crash, leading to a direct collision with the Brooklyn Bridge around 8:23 or 8:24 p.m.
Damage and Casualties
The Cuauhtémoc showed clear signs of damage, with scraped paint on its port side and a bent rudder that was turned sideways. Tragically, the accident resulted in two fatalities and left over a dozen people injured. Fortunately, the bridge itself didn’t suffer any serious structural damage.
Videos Capture Moment of Impact
Several bystanders managed to capture the dramatic crash on video. The footage revealed the ship’s illuminated masts colliding with the iconic bridge, while crew members clung to the rigging, desperately trying to avoid falling.
Cause Still Under Investigation
While local authorities initially pointed to a potential loss of mechanical power, the NTSB has yet to confirm this theory. The board has made it clear that their final report could take more than a year to complete, and for now, no definitive cause has been established.
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Source: Marine Insight
