The Cuauhtémoc, a tall ship of the Mexican Navy that was severely damaged in a collision with the Brooklyn Bridge last spring, is set to embark on its first sea trial since the accident. This initial voyage will serve as a test run, with the ship scheduled to depart from Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Co in Staten Island around 2pm on Wednesday, and it is expected to return from the ocean near New York on Saturday.
Sal Morino, vice president of Caddell, mentioned that this trial is an operational check to verify that all equipment is working correctly.
The ship suffered about $500,000 in damages during the May incident, which involved hitting the Brooklyn Bridge.
Morino stated that extensive repairs on the Cuauhtémoc are now complete, including the restoration of three masts that were lost in the crash. The crew also conducted thorough inspections of various parts of the ship, from the running gear to the thrusters.
If all goes well during this week’s short sea trial, the Cuauhtémoc could be cleared to leave New York, effectively concluding its six-month repair period.
The vessel’s return is also significant because Mexican Navy ships are slated to participate in a celebration of the US’s 250th birthday next summer, as originally intended before the accident—if everything goes according to plan.
While nothing is finalized, Chris O’Brien, president of Sail4th 250, expressed optimism on social media in July about the ship’s “triumphant return.”
The investigation into the collision remains ongoing. Early findings indicate that the Cuauhtémoc moved backward and accelerated unexpectedly before striking the bridge.
At the time of the accident, a number of cadets were on the masts, which means they were essentially securing the masts in place. Unfortunately, two crew members fell to the deck and later died from their injuries, while another 19 people sustained injuries.
The ship also impacted a seawall on the Brooklyn side of the East River before the crew managed to deploy its anchors.
Reports indicate that while the Brooklyn Bridge itself did not suffer structural damage, there was some loss of paint. Moreover, tests on the ship’s pilots and tugs showed no presence of alcohol or drugs, and weather conditions were noted to be clear at the time of the incident.
However, the report does not clarify why the pilot’s commands were not followed or why the Cuauhtémoc accelerated prior to the collision. It may take another year before answers to these critical questions are fully uncovered.
