Latest news with #SalMercogliano
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Turbulent Waters May Have Contributed to Mexican Tall Ship's Crash Into Brooklyn Bridge
When a Mexican navy tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, it was maneuvering in turbulent waters. The tide had just turned, and a fast current was heading up the East River as a 10 mph wind set in. While such hazards are easily handled by an experienced captain, mistakes can be costly in the heavily transited New York harbor, where narrow, curvy channels, winds howling off the jagged Manhattan skyline, and whirlpool-like eddies can combine to make for difficult passage. In the case of the 300-foot Cuauhtemoc, two sailors were killed and 19 were injured Saturday evening when the training ship struck the iconic bridge, toppling the vessel's three masts like dominoes as it drifted toward a crowded pier. It's unknown what caused the collision, and an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is likely to take months. But footage of the collision shot by horrified onlookers show the ship hurtling into the bridge in reverse at full speed, suggesting the captain lost control of the engine. There are also questions about whether a tugboat escort peeled away too soon and should have been rigged to the ship or stayed with it until it headed out to sea. Similar tugboat concerns emerged when a large cargo vessel crashed into a bridge in Baltimore last year. Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner who has powered multiple ships through the New York harbor, said all those 'worst-case scenarios'—the ship's height, a strong current, heavy wind, and the absence of a more controlled tugboat escort—all contributed to the tragedy. 'The prudent thing would've been to leave two hours earlier, when the tide was going out. That would've been the ideal time,' said Mercogliano, who writes a widely followed shipping blog. 'But I don't think they ever envisioned that their engine would've propelled them into the bridge.' Related Stories 5/15/2025 5/14/2025 Still, he said an even deadlier catastrophe was avoided by the ship's steel rigging, which prevented the masts from falling into the water, as well as the fact that the crew stayed harnessed in position rather than taking the risk that some members could tumble from a 12-story height as they scrambled down the rat lines. 'You could have had guys strapped in drowning in the river,' he said. 'This could have been a lot worse.' Mexican authorities told the family of América Yamilet Sánchez that the 20-year-old sailor died after falling from one of the Cuauhtemoc's masts, her aunt María del Rosario Hernández Jacome said Sunday at the family's home in Xalapa in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Earlier in the day Saturday, Sánchez, who was studying engineering at the Mexican naval academy, had spoken with her mother and excitedly told her that the ship's next stop would be Iceland. Her parents traveled to Mexico City on Sunday to arrange for the return of their daughter's body, Hernández said. Relatives and friends arrived at the family's home carrying flowers. A small altar was set up on the patio with a photograph of Sánchez and candles. The Cuauhtemoc visited New York as part of a 15-nation global goodwill tour and was departing when it struck the bridge at around 8:20 p.m., briefly halting traffic atop the span. Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge escaped major damage, but at least 19 of the 277 sailors aboard the ship needed medical treatment. Two of the four people who suffered serious injuries later died. The Cuauhtemoc sailed for the first time in 1982. It is almost 300 feet long and its main mast has a height of 160 feet, about 30 feet higher than the span of the Brooklyn Bridge. The vessel, which arrived in New York on May 13, backed out from the tourist-heavy South Street Seaport, where it had been docked for several days welcoming visitors. It's unknown if the Mexican captain requested a dock pilot to assist with the unmooring, but a harbor pilot was on board to sail it through the harbor, as required. Tracking data from Marine Traffic and eyewitness videos show that an 1,800-horsepower tugboat, the Charles D. McAllister, gently nudged the vessel as it backed astern into the channel but dropped off before the vessel turned. Seconds later, as the ship continued drifting in the wrong direction, the tugboat tried to overtake the vessel but arrived too late to wedge itself between the fast-moving ship and the Brooklyn riverbank. McAllister Towing, the company that would have operated the tug and been responsible for any docking pilot aboard, declined to comment. Following last year's crash in Baltimore, Mercogliano said, port authorities there tightened rules to require a tug escort and slower speeds for vessels sailing through the harbor entrance past the partially collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The ship in that crash, the MV Dali, was a 95,000-ton container ship about 50 times heavier than the Cuauhtemoc. Accidents in New York harbor are rare because large cargo ships and modern warships generally avoid the area due to the low height of the bridges. But in July 2026, the harbor is expected to play host to the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Mercogliano said investigators will evaluate whether the Mexican crew performed the recommended safety checks prior to their departure. Typically that involves testing the engine's propellers, rudder and propulsion six to 12 hours in advance to make sure everything is working properly and nothing is left to chance. 'It's not like your car where you're just throwing your shifter,' he said. On Sunday, the damaged ship was moored at Pier 35 in lower Manhattan. A stream of people, including those who appeared to be investigators and crew, could be seeing getting on and off the vessel. The Coast Guard said damage to the Cuauhtémoc was being assessed. The Coast Guard established a 50-yard safety zone around the ship as the investigation by both the U.S. and Mexican governments got underway.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Four ‘worst-case scenarios' led Mexican ship to hit Brooklyn Bridge, expert reveals
A marine expert has revealed the four 'worst-case scenarios' which caused a Mexican naval ship to crash into Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people and injuring and 19. Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner, said the ship's height, a powerful current, strong winds and the lack of a more controlled tugboat escort all resulted in the crash on Saturday (17 May). 'The prudent thing would've been to leave two hours earlier, when the tide was going out," Mercogliano told AP. 'But I don't think they ever envisioned that their engine would've propelled them into the bridge.' However, Mercogliano claimed the tragedy 'could have been a lot worse' had the ship's steel rigging not been in place, which stopped the masts from falling into the water.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Turbulent waters may have played role in Brooklyn Bridge tall ship crash
There are also questions about whether a tugboat escort peeled away too soon from the ship, and should have been rigged to the ship or stayed with it until it headed out to sea. Similar tugboat concerns emerged when a large cargo vessel crashed into a bridge in Baltimore last year. Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner who has powered multiple ships through the New York harbour, said all those 'worst-case scenarios' – the ship's height, a strong current, heavy wind and the absence of a more controlled tugboat escort – all contributed to the tragedy. 'The prudent thing would've been to leave two hours earlier, when the tide was going out. That would've been the ideal time,' Mercogliano, who writes a widely followed shipping blog, said. 'But I don't think they ever envisioned that their engine would've propelled them into the bridge.' Still, he said an even deadlier catastrophe was avoided by the ship's steel rigging, which prevented the masts from falling into the water, as well as the fact that the crew stayed harnessed in position rather than taking the risk that some members could tumble from a 12-storey height as they scrambled down the rat lines. 'You could have had guys strapped in, drowning in the river,' he said. 'This could have been a lot worse.' The family of 20-year-old cadet America Yamilet Sanchez were told she had died after falling from the mast, Sanchez's aunt Maria del Rosario Hernandez Jacome said. Sanchez, who was studying engineering at the Mexican naval academy, had spoken with her mother only hours before the planned departure, her aunt said, excitedly telling her about the ship's next destination – Iceland. Her parents travelled to Mexico City on Sunday to arrange for the return of their daughter's body. Relatives and friends arrived at the family's home in Xalapa, Veracruz, carrying flowers on Sunday. A small altar was set up on the patio with a photograph of Sánchez and candles. The second victim was 23-year-old sailor Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, according to the mayor of his hometown, San Mateo del Mar, in Oaxaca. Loading Ship was on a goodwill tour The Cuauhtemoc visited New York as part of a 15-nation global goodwill tour and was departing when it struck the bridge about 8.20pm, briefly halting traffic atop the span. Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge escaped major damage, but at least 19 of the 277 sailors aboard the ship needed medical treatment. The Cuauhtemoc sailed for the first time in 1982. It is almost 90 metres long and its main mast has a height of 50 metres, about nine metres higher than the span of the Brooklyn Bridge. On Saturday evening, the vessel, which arrived in New York on May 13, backed out from the tourist-heavy South Street Seaport, where it had been docked for several days welcoming visitors. It's unknown if the Mexican captain requested a dock pilot to assist with the unmooring, but a harbour pilot was on board to sail it through the harbour, as required. Tracking data from Marine Traffic and eyewitness videos show that an 1800-horsepower tugboat, the Charles D. McAllister, gently nudged the vessel as it backed astern into the channel but dropped off before the vessel turned. Seconds later, as the ship continued drifting in the wrong direction, the tugboat tried to overtake the vessel but arrived too late to wedge itself between the fast-moving ship and the Brooklyn riverbank. McAllister Towing told The New York Times that one of its vessels assisted the Cuauhtémoc as it departed Pier 17, and after the ship hit the bridge, the company's crew provided extra help and notified the authorities. 'While the cause of the incident is still under investigation, McAllister Towing is fully co-operating with the relevant authorities and will continue to support the review process as needed,' a statement said. After last year's crash in Baltimore, Mercogliano said, port authorities there had tightened rules to require a tug escort and slower speeds for vessels sailing through the harbour entrance past the partially collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The ship in that crash, the MV Dali, was a 95,000-tonne container ship about 50 times heavier than the Cuauhtemoc. Some vessels avoid harbour because of low bridges Accidents in New York harbour are rare because large cargo ships and modern warships generally avoid the area due to the low height of the bridges. But in July 2026, the harbour is expected to play host to the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Mercogliano said investigators would evaluate whether the Mexican crew performed the recommended safety checks before their departure. Typically, that involves testing the engine's propellers, rudder and propulsion six to 12 hours in advance to make sure everything is working properly. 'It's not like your car where you're just throwing your shifter,' he said. On Sunday, the damaged ship was moored at Pier 35 in lower Manhattan. A stream of people, including those who appeared to be investigators and crew, could be seen getting on and off. The Coast Guard said damage to the Cuauhtémoc was being assessed. The Coast Guard established a 46-metre safety zone around the ship as the investigation by both the US and Mexican governments got under way.
The Age
19-05-2025
- General
- The Age
Turbulent waters may have played role in Brooklyn Bridge tall ship crash
There are also questions about whether a tugboat escort peeled away too soon from the ship, and should have been rigged to the ship or stayed with it until it headed out to sea. Similar tugboat concerns emerged when a large cargo vessel crashed into a bridge in Baltimore last year. Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner who has powered multiple ships through the New York harbour, said all those 'worst-case scenarios' – the ship's height, a strong current, heavy wind and the absence of a more controlled tugboat escort – all contributed to the tragedy. 'The prudent thing would've been to leave two hours earlier, when the tide was going out. That would've been the ideal time,' Mercogliano, who writes a widely followed shipping blog, said. 'But I don't think they ever envisioned that their engine would've propelled them into the bridge.' Still, he said an even deadlier catastrophe was avoided by the ship's steel rigging, which prevented the masts from falling into the water, as well as the fact that the crew stayed harnessed in position rather than taking the risk that some members could tumble from a 12-storey height as they scrambled down the rat lines. 'You could have had guys strapped in, drowning in the river,' he said. 'This could have been a lot worse.' The family of 20-year-old cadet America Yamilet Sanchez were told she had died after falling from the mast, Sanchez's aunt Maria del Rosario Hernandez Jacome said. Sanchez, who was studying engineering at the Mexican naval academy, had spoken with her mother only hours before the planned departure, her aunt said, excitedly telling her about the ship's next destination – Iceland. Her parents travelled to Mexico City on Sunday to arrange for the return of their daughter's body. Relatives and friends arrived at the family's home in Xalapa, Veracruz, carrying flowers on Sunday. A small altar was set up on the patio with a photograph of Sánchez and candles. The second victim was 23-year-old sailor Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, according to the mayor of his hometown, San Mateo del Mar, in Oaxaca. Loading Ship was on a goodwill tour The Cuauhtemoc visited New York as part of a 15-nation global goodwill tour and was departing when it struck the bridge about 8.20pm, briefly halting traffic atop the span. Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge escaped major damage, but at least 19 of the 277 sailors aboard the ship needed medical treatment. The Cuauhtemoc sailed for the first time in 1982. It is almost 90 metres long and its main mast has a height of 50 metres, about nine metres higher than the span of the Brooklyn Bridge. On Saturday evening, the vessel, which arrived in New York on May 13, backed out from the tourist-heavy South Street Seaport, where it had been docked for several days welcoming visitors. It's unknown if the Mexican captain requested a dock pilot to assist with the unmooring, but a harbour pilot was on board to sail it through the harbour, as required. Tracking data from Marine Traffic and eyewitness videos show that an 1800-horsepower tugboat, the Charles D. McAllister, gently nudged the vessel as it backed astern into the channel but dropped off before the vessel turned. Seconds later, as the ship continued drifting in the wrong direction, the tugboat tried to overtake the vessel but arrived too late to wedge itself between the fast-moving ship and the Brooklyn riverbank. McAllister Towing told The New York Times that one of its vessels assisted the Cuauhtémoc as it departed Pier 17, and after the ship hit the bridge, the company's crew provided extra help and notified the authorities. 'While the cause of the incident is still under investigation, McAllister Towing is fully co-operating with the relevant authorities and will continue to support the review process as needed,' a statement said. After last year's crash in Baltimore, Mercogliano said, port authorities there had tightened rules to require a tug escort and slower speeds for vessels sailing through the harbour entrance past the partially collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The ship in that crash, the MV Dali, was a 95,000-tonne container ship about 50 times heavier than the Cuauhtemoc. Some vessels avoid harbour because of low bridges Accidents in New York harbour are rare because large cargo ships and modern warships generally avoid the area due to the low height of the bridges. But in July 2026, the harbour is expected to play host to the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Mercogliano said investigators would evaluate whether the Mexican crew performed the recommended safety checks before their departure. Typically, that involves testing the engine's propellers, rudder and propulsion six to 12 hours in advance to make sure everything is working properly. 'It's not like your car where you're just throwing your shifter,' he said. On Sunday, the damaged ship was moored at Pier 35 in lower Manhattan. A stream of people, including those who appeared to be investigators and crew, could be seen getting on and off. The Coast Guard said damage to the Cuauhtémoc was being assessed. The Coast Guard established a 46-metre safety zone around the ship as the investigation by both the US and Mexican governments got under way.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
The real reason behind Mexican Navy ship crashing into Brooklyn Bridge revealed
A Mexican Navy training vessel, Cuauhtémoc, crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening(May 17), resulting in the death of two sailors and leaving 19 others injured. The incident occurred around 8:20 pm local time as the ship was departing from the South Street Seaport, heading towards its next destination, Iceland. Initial investigations indicated that the ship lost power during its maneuver, causing it to drift uncontrollably in reverse. Footage captured by onlookers shows the vessel moving backward at full speed, with its three towering masts striking the bridge and snapping like dominoes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vietnam: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Why did it happen? The sudden loss of control is believed to have been exacerbated by turbulent waters, strong currents, and a 10 mph wind, making navigation particularly challenging in the narrow and busy New York Harbor. Live Events Also Read: Has the Brooklyn Bridge been damaged due to the crash? Maritime experts have raised concerns about the timing of the ship's departure and the adequacy of its tugboat escort. Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner, noted that departing two hours earlier would have been more prudent when the tide was going out. Additionally, there are questions about whether the tugboat, Charles D. McAllister, disengaged too soon, leaving the Cuauhtémoc vulnerable to the challenging conditions. Loss of life Among the victims was 20-year-old América Yamilet Sánchez, a naval cadet from Veracruz, Mexico, who fell from one of the masts during the collision. The other deceased crew member was sailor Adal Jair Marcos. Ongoing investigation After the collision, emergency responders, including the FDNY, NYPD, and Coast Guard , swiftly arrived at the scene and established a 50-yard safety zone around the ship, assessed the damage, and provided medical assistance to the injured. Fortunately, the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no major structural damage and was reopened to traffic after inspection. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, and authorities are examining factors such as mechanical failure, crew preparedness, and the role of the tugboat escort. FAQs What was Cuauhtémoc doing in New York? Cuauhtémoc, a 300-foot-long tall ship launched in 1982, was on a global goodwill tour, scheduled to visit 22 ports across 15 nations. Its visit to New York was part of this mission, aiming to foster international relations and provide training for naval cadets. Who is investigating the incident? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. Coast Guard, and Mexican naval authorities are jointly investigating the accident to determine the exact cause. What happens next? The damaged ship is docked at Pier 35 in Manhattan. An investigation is underway, and safety recommendations are expected in the coming months. This incident may lead to stricter harbor navigation rules, especially for tall ships.
