The Cuauhtémoc: A Symbol of Mexican Pride
The ARM Cuauhtémoc, a steel-hulled, three-masted barque, is one of the Mexican Navy’s most celebrated vessels. Built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1981 and launched in 1982, the ship measures approximately 297 feet in length, 40 feet in width, and boasts masts reaching up to 160 feet in height. Named after the last Aztec emperor, the Cuauhtémoc is often referred to as the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas” for its role in promoting Mexican culture and goodwill on international voyages. Since its commissioning, the vessel has traveled over 400,000 nautical miles, visiting 228 ports across 73 countries, and has twice won the prestigious Tall Ships’ Races.
The Cuauhtémoc serves primarily as a training vessel for Mexican naval cadets, offering hands-on experience in traditional seafaring techniques, including navigation by sextant and sail handling. Each year, after classes conclude at Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School, the ship embarks on an extended training cruise to hone the skills of its cadets and officers. In 2025, the Cuauhtémoc departed Acapulco on April 6 for a 254-day journey to 22 ports across 15 nations, with a planned itinerary that included stops in Kingston, Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; New York City; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Aberdeen, Scotland, for the city’s Tall Ships race in July.
On May 13, the Cuauhtémoc docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, where it welcomed dignitaries, media, and the public for free tours. The visit was part of a goodwill mission to celebrate Mexico’s independence and promote the upcoming Sail4th tall ship event, scheduled for July 4, 2026, to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The ship’s towering masts, adorned with lights and a large Mexican flag, made it a striking presence against the New York skyline, drawing crowds to the waterfront.
The Collision: A Night of Chaos
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Cuauhtémoc was departing Pier 17, bound for Iceland, when disaster struck. As part of a ceremonial tradition, dozens of naval cadets in white uniforms were positioned on the ship’s yardarms, high above the deck, creating a dramatic visual as the vessel prepared to sail. However, during a maneuvering operation in the East River, the ship lost power and steering control, likely due to a mechanical malfunction, according to preliminary reports from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the ship’s captain.
The East River’s strong tidal current, exacerbated by an incoming tide, pulled the Cuauhtémoc toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Eyewitness videos captured the harrowing moment when the ship, moving rapidly in reverse, approached the bridge’s underside. The vessel’s 147-foot masts taller than the bridge’s navigational clearance of 127 feet at its center struck the structure, snapping all three masts in succession. Debris, including portions of the masts, rigging, and lights, rained down onto the deck, where crew members were stationed. The impact left several sailors dangling from the rigging, clinging to ropes and harnesses in a desperate bid for safety.
Bystanders along the Brooklyn waterfront, including residents Nick Corso and Alicia Jones, described a scene of pandemonium. “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts,” Corso told AFP. Jones, near the Dumbo ferry dock, recounted her disbelief as the ship failed to alter course: “It seemed so obvious that it wasn’t going to clear the Brooklyn Bridge… I just kept thinking, ‘They’re gonna turn around, right?’ And they didn’t.” Another witness, Flavio Moreira, told CNN he saw crew members “being dragged” and “swinging back and forth” as the masts collapsed.
The collision caused immediate chaos on the waterfront. Crowds fled from the water’s edge, and emergency responders, including the NYPD Harbor Unit, FDNY marine units, and SCUBA teams, converged on the scene. Marine units transported rescue teams to the vessel, where they began evacuating and treating the injured. A total of 27 people were removed from the ship for medical treatment, with most transported to Bellevue Hospital. The Brooklyn Bridge, a vital artery for over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, was temporarily closed to traffic but reopened by 10:30 p.m. after a preliminary inspection found no significant structural damage.
Casualties and Aftermath
The human toll of the crash was devastating. Two crew members, who fell from one of the ship’s masts, were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to a law enforcement official cited by CNN. The Mexican Navy reported that 22 crew members were injured, with 11 in critical condition and nine in stable condition. All victims were crew members; no injuries were reported among pedestrians or motorists on the bridge. The absence of casualties on the bridge and the fact that no one fell into the East River were small mercies in an otherwise tragic incident.
The Cuauhtémoc, heavily damaged and unable to continue its voyage, was towed to Pier 35, less than a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge, where it remained docked on May 18. City divers inspected the ship’s rudder to determine if it could be safely moved, while the Office of the Medical Examiner worked to repatriate the bodies of the deceased. The Mexican Navy announced that the crew would be transported back to Mexico, and the ship’s voyage data recorder was secured for analysis by investigators.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her grief on social media, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York. Our solidarity and support go out to their families.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the city’s first responders, noting, “We are praying for everyone on board and their families and are grateful to our first responders who quickly jumped into action, ensuring this accident wasn’t much worse.”
Investigation and Causes
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deployed a “go-team” to New York City on May 18 to investigate the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that a mechanical failure, possibly involving a power cut or rudder malfunction, caused the Cuauhtémoc to lose control. NYPD Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles noted that the ship was moving in the “wrong direction” and was pulled under the bridge by the river’s current. A senior city official told CNN that the captain reported losing steering control, though these details remain subject to verification.
The ship’s voyage data recorder is expected to provide critical insights into the sequence of events, including any control inputs and the timing of the power loss. The investigation will also examine whether the ship’s mast height, which exceeded the bridge’s clearance, was adequately accounted for during navigational planning. Videos showing a tugboat near the Cuauhtémoc at the time of the crash have raised questions about whether additional tug assistance could have prevented the collision.
Historical precedents exist for such incidents. In 1921, the schooner Edward J. Lawrence struck the Brooklyn Bridge while being towed, and in 1935, a German freighter, Tirpitz, damaged its masts after hitting a steel girder on the bridge. More recently, in 1986, a South Korean freighter grazed the bridge’s underside. These incidents highlight the challenges of navigating tall vessels through the East River’s constrained waterways, particularly under bridges with limited clearance.
Broader Implications
The Cuauhtémoc’s crash raises significant questions about maritime safety, particularly for tall ships operating in busy urban waterways. The incident underscores the need for rigorous mechanical checks, precise navigational planning, and robust contingency measures to account for tidal currents and potential equipment failures. The ceremonial practice of positioning sailors on the yardarms, while visually striking, may also come under scrutiny, as it placed crew members in a vulnerable position during the collision.
For the Mexican Navy, the incident is a blow to the prestige of the Cuauhtémoc, a vessel that has long served as a symbol of national pride and naval tradition. The cancellation of its 202│5 training cruise, which was intended to visit multiple international ports, represents a setback for the training of its cadets and Mexico’s diplomatic outreach. The Mexican government has pledged transparency in the investigation and support for the affected families, but public and international scrutiny will likely intensify as more details emerge.
In New York, the incident has prompted renewed discussions about the safety of the Brooklyn Bridge, a 142-year-old landmark that remains a critical piece of infrastructure. While the bridge sustained no major damage, the crash highlights the potential risks posed by maritime traffic in the East River. City officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, who called the incident “exceptionally reckless and negligent,” may push for enhanced regulations or oversight for large vessels navigating near the bridge.
Conclusion
The collision of the ARM Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025, is a tragic reminder of the inherent risks of maritime operations, even for a vessel as storied and well-regarded as the Cuauhtémoc. The loss of two lives and the injuries sustained by 22 others have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a festive goodwill visit. As the NTSB investigation unfolds, the focus will be on identifying the precise causes of the crash and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, the damaged Cuauhtémoc remains docked at Pier 35, its masts broken and its mission halted. The incident serves as a sobering lesson in the fragility of even the most carefully planned operations and the profound consequences of mechanical failure in high-stakes environments. As New York City and Mexico mourn the losses, the resilience of their shared commitment to safety and cooperation will be tested in the days and months ahead.
The ARM Cuauhtémoc, a steel-hulled, three-masted barque, is one of the Mexican Navy’s most celebrated vessels. Built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1981 and launched in 1982, the ship measures approximately 297 feet in length, 40 feet in width, and boasts masts reaching up to 160 feet in height. Named after the last Aztec emperor, the Cuauhtémoc is often referred to as the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas” for its role in promoting Mexican culture and goodwill on international voyages. Since its commissioning, the vessel has traveled over 400,000 nautical miles, visiting 228 ports across 73 countries, and has twice won the prestigious Tall Ships’ Races.
The Cuauhtémoc serves primarily as a training vessel for Mexican naval cadets, offering hands-on experience in traditional seafaring techniques, including navigation by sextant and sail handling. Each year, after classes conclude at Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School, the ship embarks on an extended training cruise to hone the skills of its cadets and officers. In 2025, the Cuauhtémoc departed Acapulco on April 6 for a 254-day journey to 22 ports across 15 nations, with a planned itinerary that included stops in Kingston, Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; New York City; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Aberdeen, Scotland, for the city’s Tall Ships race in July.
On May 13, the Cuauhtémoc docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, where it welcomed dignitaries, media, and the public for free tours. The visit was part of a goodwill mission to celebrate Mexico’s independence and promote the upcoming Sail4th tall ship event, scheduled for July 4, 2026, to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The ship’s towering masts, adorned with lights and a large Mexican flag, made it a striking presence against the New York skyline, drawing crowds to the waterfront.
The Collision: A Night of Chaos
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Cuauhtémoc was departing Pier 17, bound for Iceland, when disaster struck. As part of a ceremonial tradition, dozens of naval cadets in white uniforms were positioned on the ship’s yardarms, high above the deck, creating a dramatic visual as the vessel prepared to sail. However, during a maneuvering operation in the East River, the ship lost power and steering control, likely due to a mechanical malfunction, according to preliminary reports from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the ship’s captain.
The East River’s strong tidal current, exacerbated by an incoming tide, pulled the Cuauhtémoc toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Eyewitness videos captured the harrowing moment when the ship, moving rapidly in reverse, approached the bridge’s underside. The vessel’s 147-foot masts taller than the bridge’s navigational clearance of 127 feet at its center struck the structure, snapping all three masts in succession. Debris, including portions of the masts, rigging, and lights, rained down onto the deck, where crew members were stationed. The impact left several sailors dangling from the rigging, clinging to ropes and harnesses in a desperate bid for safety.
Bystanders along the Brooklyn waterfront, including residents Nick Corso and Alicia Jones, described a scene of pandemonium. “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts,” Corso told AFP. Jones, near the Dumbo ferry dock, recounted her disbelief as the ship failed to alter course: “It seemed so obvious that it wasn’t going to clear the Brooklyn Bridge… I just kept thinking, ‘They’re gonna turn around, right?’ And they didn’t.” Another witness, Flavio Moreira, told CNN he saw crew members “being dragged” and “swinging back and forth” as the masts collapsed.
The collision caused immediate chaos on the waterfront. Crowds fled from the water’s edge, and emergency responders, including the NYPD Harbor Unit, FDNY marine units, and SCUBA teams, converged on the scene. Marine units transported rescue teams to the vessel, where they began evacuating and treating the injured. A total of 27 people were removed from the ship for medical treatment, with most transported to Bellevue Hospital. The Brooklyn Bridge, a vital artery for over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, was temporarily closed to traffic but reopened by 10:30 p.m. after a preliminary inspection found no significant structural damage.
The human toll of the crash was devastating. Two crew members, who fell from one of the ship’s masts, were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to a law enforcement official cited by CNN. The Mexican Navy reported that 22 crew members were injured, with 11 in critical condition and nine in stable condition. All victims were crew members; no injuries were reported among pedestrians or motorists on the bridge. The absence of casualties on the bridge and the fact that no one fell into the East River were small mercies in an otherwise tragic incident.
The Cuauhtémoc, heavily damaged and unable to continue its voyage, was towed to Pier 35, less than a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge, where it remained docked on May 18. City divers inspected the ship’s rudder to determine if it could be safely moved, while the Office of the Medical Examiner worked to repatriate the bodies of the deceased. The Mexican Navy announced that the crew would be transported back to Mexico, and the ship’s voyage data recorder was secured for analysis by investigators.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her grief on social media, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York. Our solidarity and support go out to their families.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the city’s first responders, noting, “We are praying for everyone on board and their families and are grateful to our first responders who quickly jumped into action, ensuring this accident wasn’t much worse.”
Investigation and Causes
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deployed a “go-team” to New York City on May 18 to investigate the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that a mechanical failure, possibly involving a power cut or rudder malfunction, caused the Cuauhtémoc to lose control. NYPD Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles noted that the ship was moving in the “wrong direction” and was pulled under the bridge by the river’s current. A senior city official told CNN that the captain reported losing steering control, though these details remain subject to verification.
The ship’s voyage data recorder is expected to provide critical insights into the sequence of events, including any control inputs and the timing of the power loss. The investigation will also examine whether the ship’s mast height, which exceeded the bridge’s clearance, was adequately accounted for during navigational planning. Videos showing a tugboat near the Cuauhtémoc at the time of the crash have raised questions about whether additional tug assistance could have prevented the collision.
Historical precedents exist for such incidents. In 1921, the schooner Edward J. Lawrence struck the Brooklyn Bridge while being towed, and in 1935, a German freighter, Tirpitz, damaged its masts after hitting a steel girder on the bridge. More recently, in 1986, a South Korean freighter grazed the bridge’s underside. These incidents highlight the challenges of navigating tall vessels through the East River’s constrained waterways, particularly under bridges with limited clearance.
Broader Implications
The Cuauhtémoc’s crash raises significant questions about maritime safety, particularly for tall ships operating in busy urban waterways. The incident underscores the need for rigorous mechanical checks, precise navigational planning, and robust contingency measures to account for tidal currents and potential equipment failures. The ceremonial practice of positioning sailors on the yardarms, while visually striking, may also come under scrutiny, as it placed crew members in a vulnerable position during the collision.
For the Mexican Navy, the incident is a blow to the prestige of the Cuauhtémoc, a vessel that has long served as a symbol of national pride and naval tradition. The cancellation of its 202│5 training cruise, which was intended to visit multiple international ports, represents a setback for the training of its cadets and Mexico’s diplomatic outreach. The Mexican government has pledged transparency in the investigation and support for the affected families, but public and international scrutiny will likely intensify as more details emerge.
In New York, the incident has prompted renewed discussions about the safety of the Brooklyn Bridge, a 142-year-old landmark that remains a critical piece of infrastructure. While the bridge sustained no major damage, the crash highlights the potential risks posed by maritime traffic in the East River. City officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, who called the incident “exceptionally reckless and negligent,” may push for enhanced regulations or oversight for large vessels navigating near the bridge.
Conclusion
The collision of the ARM Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025, is a tragic reminder of the inherent risks of maritime operations, even for a vessel as storied and well-regarded as the Cuauhtémoc. The loss of two lives and the injuries sustained by 22 others have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a festive goodwill visit. As the NTSB investigation unfolds, the focus will be on identifying the precise causes of the crash and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, the damaged Cuauhtémoc remains docked at Pier 35, its masts broken and its mission halted. The incident serves as a sobering lesson in the fragility of even the most carefully planned operations and the profound consequences of mechanical failure in high-stakes environments. As New York City and Mexico mourn the losses, the resilience of their shared commitment to safety and cooperation will be tested in the days and months ahead.
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