Brooklyn Bridge disaster: Mexican Navy ship slams into NYC landmark, cadets killed

Why Did the Mexican Navy Ship Collide With the Brooklyn Bridge?

In a rare maritime tragedy in a densely urban waterway, the Mexican Navy‘s tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on the evening of May 17, 2025, killing two crew members and injuring at least nineteen others. The 1,800-ton training vessel had just departed from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport when it suffered a sudden power loss, causing it to drift uncontrollably into one of New York’s most iconic structures. The accident occurred around 8:20 p.m., as the ship was embarking on the next leg of its transatlantic goodwill tour.

The vessel’s towering masts, standing 147 feet high, struck the bridge’s 135-foot clearance span. The impact caused all three masts to collapse, triggering panic among cadets and officers on board. Two sailors who were atop the rigging during the maneuver—cadet América Yamilet Sánchez and marine Adal Jair Marcos—were killed instantly. The Cuauhtémoc was carrying 277 personnel at the time of the incident, including naval trainees, crew, and diplomatic officials.

Despite the dramatic nature of the collision, preliminary structural assessments confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no permanent damage. However, maritime safety experts and naval historians have called the accident one of the most severe involving a foreign military vessel in U.S. urban waters in recent memory.

What Is the Cuauhtémoc and Why Was It in New York?

The ARM Cuauhtémoc is a sail-powered barque operated by the Mexican Navy as a training and diplomatic outreach vessel. Launched in 1982 and named after the last Aztec emperor, the ship serves as a floating academy for cadets, teaching traditional seamanship, navigation, and naval protocol. It is also used as a symbol of Mexican naval heritage and international goodwill. Over its four decades of service, the Cuauhtémoc has visited more than 100 ports in over 60 countries.

Its 2025 voyage was part of an extensive 254-day mission involving port calls in 15 countries across the Americas and Europe. During its five-day visit to New York City, the vessel hosted joint ceremonies with the U.S. Navy and welcomed civilians aboard as part of its public engagement efforts. The ship’s departure from Manhattan was to be the beginning of its journey to Reykjavik, Iceland.

The East River, while a heavily trafficked waterway, presents significant challenges for large vessels—especially tall-masted sailing ships—which must navigate both tidal currents and strict vertical clearance restrictions. While the Cuauhtémoc has previously navigated New York waters without incident, the May 17 departure turned disastrous when its auxiliary propulsion systems reportedly failed, leaving it unable to maneuver in time.

How Did the Accident Happen and What Were the Immediate Consequences?

The ship began moving away from Pier 17 just after 8:00 p.m., assisted by tugboats and using onboard engines intended for close-quarter maneuvering. According to U.S. Coast Guard reports and early testimonies from surviving crew, the Cuauhtémoc suffered an electrical systems failure approximately ten minutes into the departure. Without propulsion and rudder control, the ship was caught by river currents and veered toward the bridge.

The front mast collided with the Brooklyn Bridge first, followed by the mid and rear masts, which snapped upon impact. Falling rigging, sail booms, and steel debris injured multiple people on deck. Some cadets were thrown into the river. New York Fire Department boats arrived within minutes, retrieving those in the water and providing immediate trauma care.

At least two injured personnel were listed in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital by the following morning. The deceased cadets, both in their early twenties, were among those stationed in elevated positions during departure preparations—standard practice during ceremonial exits. Mexican Navy officials later confirmed that both were graduates of the Heroica Escuela Naval Militar.

Mayor Eric Adams announced that the bridge had been temporarily closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic pending inspections but reopened the next morning after city engineers cleared it for use.

What Has Been the Response from Mexican and U.S. Authorities?

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and confirmed that Mexico would provide full support to all injured personnel and the ship’s remaining crew. The Mexican Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) has ordered a military inquiry, while Mexico’s Foreign Ministry is coordinating repatriation and consular services for the affected families.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a maritime “go-team” composed of mechanical engineers, naval architects, and transportation accident investigators. A full report is expected to take several weeks. The New York Police Department and Coast Guard are also assisting in evidence collection and shipboard inspection.

The incident has been described by U.S. maritime law scholars as “extraordinary” due to the rarity of international naval vessels striking major U.S. infrastructure. However, no diplomatic tension has emerged; officials on both sides have characterized the event as a tragedy and emphasized mutual cooperation in resolving the investigation.

How Rare Are Naval Accidents Like This in Urban Waterways?

While accidents involving large vessels are not unheard of, few involve foreign military ships in active civilian zones. One comparable incident occurred in 2007 when the Japanese destroyer JS Asayuki collided with a commercial trawler off San Diego. Another occurred in 2012 when a replica of the HMS Bounty sank off the U.S. East Coast due to Hurricane Sandy.

However, the Cuauhtémoc accident is unique due to its urban setting, tall-mast rigging, and proximity to critical infrastructure. Urban waterways such as the East River require precise timing and advanced redundancy systems due to their limited maneuvering space and high marine traffic density. Experts say the Cuauhtémoc’s hybrid propulsion system, designed primarily for deep-sea cruising and ceremonial voyages, may not have been fully suited for tight city port conditions if backup systems failed.

What Does the Future Hold for the Cuauhtémoc and the Investigation?

As of May 19, the Cuauhtémoc remains docked at Pier 11 under NTSB supervision. Salvage operations have cleared the damaged masts, and naval architects are assessing hull and superstructure integrity. The vessel will likely be towed to a shipyard, possibly in Norfolk, Virginia or Veracruz, Mexico, for full repairs.

Whether the ship can continue its diplomatic tour remains uncertain. The loss of masts makes it unseaworthy in its current form, and morale among the crew is visibly shaken. SEMAR has said it will prioritize honoring the fallen cadets and restoring crew welfare before any future voyage decisions are made.

Observers believe this incident may prompt international discussions on setting stricter navigation standards for ceremonial vessels in metropolitan waterways. Enhanced requirements for redundant power systems, tug escort mandates, or real-time bridge clearance monitoring may become standard following the Cuauhtémoc investigation.

What Is the Broader Diplomatic and Naval Significance?

The Cuauhtémoc has long symbolized Mexico’s soft-power naval strategy—building international goodwill through cultural diplomacy and shared maritime traditions. Its visits to ports like New York represent more than mere logistics—they reflect bilateral respect and naval camaraderie.

The Brooklyn Bridge accident, while tragic, has also drawn attention to the importance of coordinated urban-military maritime protocols. Experts in naval diplomacy note that this incident may lead to better protocols between U.S. and foreign naval ships operating in U.S. urban harbors.

Public sentiment in Mexico has been overwhelmingly sympathetic, with widespread tributes on social media and across military forums. Calls for a national day of mourning have been echoed by retired naval officers, and the accident has sparked broader discussion on the risks faced by cadets in training missions.