A ceremonial goodwill trip went sour on the night of May 17, 2025, when the Mexican Navy’s tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The accident killed two naval cadets and injured at least 19 other people, leaving a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a celebratory trip celebrating the completion of cadet training.
Around 8:26 p.m. EDT, the Cuauhtémoc was leaving Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport to begin the next phase of its 254-day worldwide training cruise. Shortly after leaving, the ship suffered an unexpected power loss. The mechanical breakdown exposed the ship to the powerful currents of the East River and resulted in it drifting helplessly towards the Brooklyn Bridge.
Even with the help of the harbor pilot aboard, who had just 80 to 90 seconds to respond, the ship’s massive masts, standing 157 feet tall, came into contact with the bridge underside, which has a height of 134.5 feet at mean tide. The collision made the masts crumple, and sailors hanging on the rigging were swept into the rigging and onto the deck below.
Casualties and Injuries
The accident took the lives of two young sailors: América Yamilet Sánchez, aged 20, from Xalapa, Veracruz, and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, aged 23, from San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca. They were both on the mast at the moment of the crash.
Besides the deaths, 19 crewmen were injured, two of whom were in critical condition. FDNY, NYPD Harbor Unit, and U.S. Coast Guard emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene and administered immediate medical care, transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals.
The FDNY got the initial distress call a mere 45 seconds prior to the accident. Marine units were dispatched quickly, setting up dual command centers on both the Brooklyn and Manhattan sides of the bridge. Rescue personnel boarded the ship in order to treat injured passengers and survey the damage.
Although the accident was serious and chaotic, officials confirmed that no passengers went into the river, and structural integrity of the Brooklyn Bridge was never compromised.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the cause of the power loss that led to the collision. Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, but a comprehensive report may take over a year to complete.
The Mexican Navy has promised complete cooperation with U.S. authorities and is holding an internal review. Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles highlighted the commitment of the Navy to be transparent and assist the families of the victims.
Historical Context
The Brooklyn Bridge, finished in 1883, has a rich history of maritime accidents. In the last 150 years, a number of ships have crashed into the bridge, though deaths have been minimal. The collision of Cuauhtémoc is the first documented fatalities due to such an accident.
The Cuauhtémoc was towed back to Pier 36 after the collision for repairs. Most of the crew, including two officers and 172 cadets, made it back to Veracruz, Mexico, on May 19. The dead cadets’ bodies were repatriated on the same day, and memorial services were conducted in honor of those who died.
Conclusion
The disastrous collision of the Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a grim reminder of the dangers involved in naval navigation, even in time of peace training. As an investigation into the accident is ongoing, Mexican and American authorities are determined to determine the reasons for the accident and to take steps to avoid any more disasters.
