How Does a Ship Hit the Brooklyn Bridge? Inside the Cuauhtémoc Collision
Community
May 17, 2025
What happened and why?
On a calm spring evening in New York City, a dramatic and unexpected maritime accident shocked onlookers: the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The spectacle—one of the world’s most iconic bridges struck by a visiting naval vessel—left several crew members injured and raised questions across the internet: How could this happen? What went wrong?
As boaters ourselves, we’re breaking down how a trained crew aboard a modern sail-training ship could find themselves in the grip of New York Harbor’s infamous East River current—and what every mariner can learn from it.
What Happened: Cuauhtémoc vs. the Brooklyn Bridge
Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge during what should have been a routine departure maneuver. The vessel, with a crew of 277 mostly cadets, was wrapping up a diplomatic visit to Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. Instead, it found itself pinned by the East River’s current and jammed against the bridge’s roadway. One of its 147-foot masts crumpled violently onto the deck.
At least four people were critically injured, with dozens more treated for minor injuries. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, temporarily closing all lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge and initiating search and rescue operations. Our hearts go out to all these people who are injured and with the safety of all those taking part in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Why It Could Happen: East River Currents Are No Joke
The East River is one of the trickiest waterways on the U.S. East Coast. Despite its name, it’s not a river at all—it’s a tidal strait with fierce, reversing currents that can top five knots during tidal shifts. Combined with narrow navigation lanes, bridge pylons, ferry traffic, and wind funneling through Manhattan’s canyons, it’s a crucible for even the most seasoned captains.
Sailing ships, especially tall ships like the Cuauhtémoc, have large surface areas exposed to wind and often limited propulsion flexibility. If the ship lost engine power—even briefly—while under sail or maneuvering close to shore, it could easily be swept sideways into fixed structures like bridge towers.
Other possibilities include:
Mechanical failure of the propulsion or steering system
Unexpected current reversal during a poorly timed departure
Human error during the departure maneuver or anchoring
Hoping for the best
As details emerge we will updater this post. In the meantime we hope the best for all those injured this evening and for the safety of all the first responders currently on the scene.
It’s still early in the investigation, but the Cuauhtémoc incident will likely serve as a case study for mariners around the world. The mix of strong tidal flow, tight maneuvering space, and possible engine or navigation issues created a perfect storm of risk.
We’ll continue updating this post as more details emerge. If you’re tracking voyages near New York Harbor—or anywhere with challenging waters—download SeaPeople to follow live tracks, plan safe passages, and learn from the experiences of thousands of mariners worldwide.
Banner image from Instagram account @unwoke.thoughts
Video: TouTube user @benrcass
