The head of the Mexican Navy said the Mexican Navy tall ship that hit the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend did not issue any distress calls before the collision, but asked for support.
Navy Chief Raymundo Morales said Tuesday that the port pilots manipulated the Cuauhtémoc ship and did not have much time to stop the ship because it was short from the bridge.
"We are currently unable to speculate whether the port pilots have used all available measures properly," Morales said in a press conference with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Brooklyn Bridge suffered no structural damage after deadly Mexican naval ship crash
The Mexican Navy sailboat crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge and was moored in New York City in Manhattan on May 18, 2025. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Two sailors were killed and more than 20 others were injured when the 150-foot-tall Mexican Navy training ship hit the bridge at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. All the injured were on the boat, and none of the 277 people on the boat fell into the water.
Video of the crash showed that three masts on the ship were captured after hitting the bridge. The video also shows sailors clutching the rigging ropes on the damaged mast.
U.S. officials investigating the accident will check for possible engine failures and the role of the tug that helps the ship exit the dock. Officials said the investigation will take at least 30 days.
Authorities tend to see the views of the Mexican Navy Highland boats after authorities crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan on May 18, 2025. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"Of course, it will rely on the cooperation and support of the Navy and the insurance company responsible for the ship," Sheinbaum said.
Morales said two trainees who were seriously injured were being treated at New York hospitals, where their families were traveling with them.
"Their lives are not in danger and they may be released from the hospital on Wednesday," he said. "Two trainees who died unfortunately were transferred back to Mexico on Monday, and their bodies are now with their families."
Video display
Mexican naval training ships attacking the Brooklyn Bridge were moored in Manhattan on May 18, 2025 in New York City. (ana fernandez/afp via Getty image)
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Cuauhtémoc built-in Bilbao, SpainAccording to International Sailing Training, in 1981, he won two tall boat races. The ship in New York City is part of a promotion for next year's event to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Reuters contributed to the report.