Mexico’s Navy (Semar) confirmed that the training ship ARM Cuauhtémoc (BE-01), known as the “Ambassador and Gentleman of the Seas,” was involved in an accident while maneuvering out of the port of New York, United States.
The incident occurred when the ship’s mast struck the Brooklyn Bridge, causing significant damage to the vessel and halting its training voyage titled “Consolidation of Mexico’s Independence 2025.” At the time of the collision, several crew members were on the mast. Footage of the impact has been widely shared on social media, showing the severity of the crash.
According to an official Navy statement, 22 crew members were injured, 11 of them seriously. Tragically, two sailors died as a result of their injuries.
Naval and local authorities are on-site conducting inspections of the ship and assessing the condition of the crew. For now, the planned voyage has been suspended. The Navy emphasized that it is coordinating all necessary efforts to support those affected and to keep their families informed.
“The safety of our personnel is a top priority for this institution, along with transparency in operations and the pursuit of excellence in training Mexico’s future naval officers,” the Navy stated.
The Cuauhtémoc had docked in New York on May 13 as part of an international voyage scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries over 254 days. The journey is part of the bicentennial celebration of Mexico’s Independence, to be commemorated on November 23.
Before the accident, the Navy had described the mission as a symbol of peace, goodwill, and international cooperation. “Our training ship is more than just a vessel: it is the friendly face of Mexico, carrying the values, pride, and warmth of every Mexican to each port it visits,” the Navy said in a message on social media.
A total of 277 crew members are on board the Cuauhtémoc, including 147 cadets from the Heroic Naval Military Academy—64 of them women—who are completing their professional training as part of the voyage.
