On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams addressed the tragic ship incident involving the Brooklyn Bridge and pointed to a recent proposal from Senator Chuck Schumer aimed at reducing funding for the Coast Guard.
During a segment on Fox 5’s “Good Day New York,” Adams was questioned about whether federal budget cuts could have negatively impacted the Coast Guard’s reaction to Saturday’s collision with the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican tall ship.
The mayor maintained that the Coast Guard’s response was “complete” during the event, asserting that New York City managed the situation effectively.
Adams shared his discussions with Coast Guard personnel on-site. He noted that in other regions, the Coast Guard often has to take on greater responsibilities in emergencies, largely due to minimal support from local agencies like police and fire departments.
“When he travels to different areas to tackle Coast Guard-related matters, the Coast Guard often fills many gaps, not New York City,” Adams explained.
The mayor commended the teamwork of various agencies, including the Harbor Unit, NYPD, FDNY, police, and EMS.
He remarked, “It’s unclear what information the senators have, but I know there was a comprehensive response on both sides of the river. Our city typically manages crises very well.”
The host challenged Adams about whether the budget reductions were a factor.
Adams replied, “Unless the senator has information that I’m unaware of, I don’t see how the Coast Guard’s role was affected.” He emphasized, “We have the necessary boats and personnel, and we effectively evacuated 19 injured individuals from the ship.”
Two crew members tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Adams, while navigating his re-election campaign, is collaborating with the Republican Trump administration and maintaining a distance from his fellow New Yorkers.
In a separate interview, Adams recounted conversations with sailors who were trapped in the rigging during the accident. “One crew member mentioned that it takes about five minutes to climb up there, which really highlights the height,” he said.
The incident has been attributed to a mechanical failure that hindered the ship’s maneuverability, which reportedly led to serious injuries for a young Mexican naval cadet named Amy Yamilett Sanchez, 20, along with her fellow crew members, Adal Järe Marcos, 22, and several others.
