On May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two crew member deaths and 22 injuries, 11 critical. The New York Times and other sources reported that the 297-foot vessel, carrying 277 people on a goodwill tour, lost power around 8:20 p.m. while departing Pier 17, causing its 160-foot masts to strike the bridge’s underside, snapping all three masts. Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. extends condolences to the victims’ families and offers a detailed look at the incident’s facts, legal implications, and historical parallels.
Incident Details
The Cuauhtémoc, a three-masted barque built in 1981, was on a 254-day training cruise from Acapulco, Mexico, to 22 ports across 15 nations, including a stop in New York from May 13–17. As it departed for Iceland, the ship, adorned with Mexican flags and ceremonial sailors on its yardarms, experienced a mechanical failure, losing power and steering. This caused it to drift backward in the East River, colliding with a bridge pillar. Eyewitness videos captured masts breaking, debris falling, and sailors dangling from harnesses, some injured by the impact. The New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department (FDNY) responded swiftly, with no reports of crew members falling into the water. The injured were treated at hospitals, including Bellevue, and the ship was towed to Pier 36. The Brooklyn Bridge, with a 127-foot clearance at its center, sustained
no structural damage and reopened to traffic by 10:30 p.m.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed grief over the loss of two crew members, and the Mexican Navy is collaborating with U.S. authorities to review the incident. Mayor Eric Adams noted the mechanical failure, and the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, analyzing the ship’s voyage data recorder to determine the precise cause.
Legal Questions
The collision raises several legal questions under United States Federal maritime law, which governs accidents in navigable waters like the East River:
1. Liability: Maritime law typically holds a vessel’s owner responsible for navigational errors or mechanical failures caused by the crew member, typically its captain, who was operating the vessel suggesting the Mexican Navy could face liability for damages or injuries. However, as a foreign military vessel, the Cuauhtémoc may be protected by sovereign immunity, potentially limiting U.S. claims for damages.
2. Negligence: The NTSB will investigate whether inadequate maintenance, crew training, or navigation protocols contributed to the power loss. If negligence is found, victims’ families may pursue wrongful death or personal injury claims against responsible parties, such as the ship’s operator or maintenance contractors.
3. Jurisdiction: The incident occurred in U.S. waters, giving U.S. authorities jurisdiction to investigate and as basis for using U. S. Courts for any litigation to determine who was at fault.
4. Victim Compensation: Families of the deceased and injured crew members may seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress. Claims could target insurance policies, the Mexican government, or third parties, depending on the NTSB’s findings.
“Maritime accidents like this require thorough investigations to uncover the root cause and ensure accountability,” said Mark Apostolos, an attorney at Sullivan Papain. “Victims and their families deserve clarity and fair compensation, which hinges on a
careful analysis of the law as well as the facts and circumstances as to why this tragedy occurred.”
Similar Accidents
The Cuauhtémoc collision is not the first maritime incident involving the Brooklyn Bridge or similar structures:
1. 1921, Brooklyn Bridge: The schooner Edward J. Lawrence struck the bridge while being towed, causing minor damage. No fatalities were reported, but the incident highlighted navigation challenges for tall vessels.
2. 1935, Brooklyn Bridge: The German freighter Tirpitz hit a steel girder, bending three of its four masts. No deaths occurred, but the accident raised concerns about bridge clearance.
3. 1986, Brooklyn Bridge: A South Korean freighter grazed the bridge’s underside, causing minimal damage. The incident underscored the need for precise navigation in the East River.
4. 2024, Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore: A more catastrophic parallel occurred on March 26, 2024, when the cargo ship Dali lost power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six construction workers and collapsing the structure. The incident, also under NTSB investigation, led to significant legal claims against the ship’s owner and operator for negligence in maintenance and navigation.
5. 2019, Rotterdam Bridge Collision: A Dutch cargo ship collided with a bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands, due to a steering failure, injuring two crew members. The investigation found inadequate maintenance, resulting in fines and compensation claims.
These cases illustrate recurring issues with mechanical failures, clearance miscalculations, and navigation in busy waterways, often leading to legal action for negligence or safety violations.
Next Steps
The NTSB investigation, expected to take months, will analyze the Cuauhtémoc’s maintenance records, crew actions, and harbor conditions (e.g., tides, weather) to pinpoint the cause. The Mexican Navy’s internal review will complement this effort, focusing on vessel operations. Legal claims may emerge once liability is clarified, potentially involving wrongful death or injury lawsuits. Sullivan Papain, with extensive experience in maritime and accident litigation, is prepared to guide affected individuals through this process.
If you or a loved one was impacted by this incident or a similar accident, contact Sullivan Papain for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys are here to explain your legal options and pursue justice based on the investigation’s outcomes.