Brooklyn Bridge ship crash investigation underway today by federal, local agencies
New York City and federal officials have begun their investigation into why a Mexican tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people.
Videos show the moment the Cuauhtémoc's masts hit the bridge and snapped with 277 people on board. Sailors were seen dangling from wires after the masts broke. At least 19 were hurt and two were still in critical condition after the accident, officials said Sunday.
The Cuauhtémoc was docked at Pier 36 a day after what the Coast Guard called The Coast Guard has been guiding the ship's crew on repairs and how to move it safely from the area.
The Mexican navy said the collision happened at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday as the vessel was departing the South Street Seaport for Iceland. Sailors were standing on the yards along the mast for a ceremonial departure when the ship lost power, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
The tall ship drifted backward and ultimately struck the Brooklyn Bridge, snapping off the tops of the masts as some sailors clung to wires for safety.
Officials said the Brooklyn Bridge was not structurally damaged.
The governor of Veracruz in Mexico, Rocio Nahle, the name of one of the victims who died.
"I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez. My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family," Nahle wrote in Spanish on social media.
NTSB dispatching go-team to investigate crash
On Sunday morning, the National Transportation Safety Board said it was dispatching a go-team to investigate the crash.
New York City Emergency Management held an interagency meeting regarding the crash Sunday morning that included the mayor's office, FDNY, NYPD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the MTA.
"We will ensure a robust investigation and support for those impacted while maintaining the safety and security of the Port of New York," the Coast Guard said.
Sen. Schumer questions if DOGE cuts played a role
In his weekly Sunday morning press conference, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer questioned whether cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, may have played a role in the incident.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Mexico and those who lost their lives and who were injured in last night's Brooklyn Bridge vessel crash," Schumer said.
The senator said a tugboat was not being used to assist the vessel as it departed, and that one arrived after.
"We know that the Trump administration has been meddling in U.S. Coast Guard operations, from staffing to command and comms, and I have the general sense of a DOGE dysfunction in parts of the Coast Guard, to put it mildly," Schumer said. "After being fully briefed on last night's Brooklyn Bridge accident, one thing is very clear. There are many more questions than answers as to how the accident occurred and whether it could have been prevented."
Schumer said the Coast Guard has a system called vehicle traffic service, or VTS, that's similar to how the FAA handles air traffic control.
"There are indications that this service called the VTS may not have been fully or adequately functional in light of that hiring freeze. We don't know the answer to that question. We need answers. If this were the case, Brooklyn Bridge accident could be a national harbinger, demanding immediate attention," Schumer said.
Schumer pointed to Admiral Linda Fagan's being relieved of her duties as commandant of the Coast Guard on Jan. 21.
"In the time since the post of commandant have been vacant without a permanent commandant nominee. Furthermore, the current hiring freeze at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, which the Coast Guard is part of, may have limited the ability of the Coast Guard to fully staff up at the VTS, the vehicle traffic service, the shore-wide system that provides quote air traffic control for the seas, especially in congested areas and restricted waters like New York Harbor," Schumer said.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a statement saying the VTS "was fully functional during the incident, operating in accordance with established procedures to manage commercial traffic and facilitate safe navigation. Our response included launching a crew from Station New York, establishing a temporary safety zone, and coordinating with NYPD, FDNY, and NYC DOT."
Schumer said that while the bridge itself wasn't structurally damaged, a monitoring system beneath it that operates as part of the bridge's inspection system was damaged.
