The NTSB announced on Monday that it is looking into the potential involvement of tugboats in the incident where a Mexican ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge.
During a briefing, investigator Brian Young mentioned that part of their effort involves reviewing the procedures followed by tugs in the port, after the crash that claimed the lives of two young Mexican sailors.
Local tugboats were assisting larger vessels in guiding Mexican boats out of the harbor en route to Iceland.
There are now questions about whether the tugs may have released the ship too abruptly.
Young, along with NTSB board member Michael Graham, has cautioned that the investigation is still in its early stages. They are currently coordinating with the Mexican government and the cadets who are examining the ship.
Many sailors have already left for home.
Graham expressed his difficulties in gaining access to the ship, stating, “I haven’t had a chance to check the engine yet,” and, “I haven’t spoken to the crew. I’m collaborating with my counterparts in the Mexican government to gain access to the vessel.”
Young recounted the moments leading up to the collision involving the Cuauhtemoc, a three-mast training ship, mentioning it appeared to have lost maneuverability before striking the bridge.
This is the latest on the Brooklyn Bridge crash, including the tall Mexican Navy ship
“At 8:24 pm, the voyage data recorder indicated that the ship requested help from other tugboats near the Brooklyn Bridge,” he reported. “There were two additional requests for assistance, and at 8:24 and 45 seconds, the ship’s mast collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. By 8:27, the ship had come to a halt.”
Emergency response boats from NYPD and FDNY arrived on the scene shortly after, around 8:30 pm.
Disturbing footage showed a cadet clinging to the rigging around the ship’s 147-foot mast during the crash.
In addition to the two fatalities, more than twenty individuals aboard were injured.
Sources indicated that the Cuauhtemoc, constructed in Spain in 1982, was heading to the Brooklyn Waterfront for refueling before departing for Iceland, but experienced mechanical issues that delayed its operation.
The incident resulted in the tragic loss of Mexican cadets Yamilett Sanchez and Adal Jere Marcos.
Sanchez, an award-winning swimmer from Veracruz, shared a memorable photo of New York City’s waterfront on Facebook shortly before the incident. Marcos, who was known as “Tyson” to friends, had been on the Cuauhtemoc for nine months and often talked about his travels.
They were part of a crew totaling 277 members, comprising 213 men and 64 women, mainly cadets from the Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, Mexico’s Navy Officer Training Academy in Veracruz.
The voyage was a training cruise meant to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s naval independence and the expulsion of Spain from its territories.
The ship had set sail from Cozumel on May 4 for a 170-day journey, scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 different countries.
It was also anticipated to participate in a parade of Class A international vessels slated for July 4, 2026, though Mexican officials have yet to confirm their attendance.
Just last week at a ceremony at South Street Seaport, an event called “Manning of the Yards” saw many cadets assist in raising masts for display.
