By Anna Young, Larry Celona and Joe Marino
Published May 17, 2025, 9:09 p.m. ET
A massive Mexican navy tall ship making a festive visit to New York slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday — toppling its huge masts into the deck in a horrifying scene that left multiple crew members seriously injured, according to fire officials and sources.
A search and rescue operation was underway to pull people out of the water after one of the towering 147-foot masts on the Cuauhtémoc — which has a crew of 277 — collided with the bridge’s road deck just before 9 p.m., sources told The Post.
The Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc hitting the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening. Obtained by NY Post
Crew seen hanging from the mast after the boat hit the bridge. Paul Martinka
The mast of the Cuauhtémoc seen snapped in half. Citizen
TikTok (Archive)
About 200 people were on board when the ship hit the bridge. Citizen
A search and rescue mission was launched after the crash. Citizen
Three people are in critical condition, with about a dozen others seriously injured, sources said.
Harrowing footage from the scene showed the high mast slamming the deck of the bridge and crashing dozens of feet below the deck. Other masts then appeared to go down after it.
Several crew members were injured in the crash. Paul Martinka
Police boats at the scene of the collision. Citizen
Spectators watching the search and rescue mission following the terrifying crash. Citizen
Terrified onlookers standing under the bridge on the Brooklyn side could be seen bolting from the scene as the vessel headed for the park.
“She’s about to crash,” one startled witness could be heard saying in the footage.
“Oh s–t!”
Victims are being transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, with those in critical condition being taken to a nearby hospital for additional treatment.
The ARM Cuauhtémoc seen docked at the South Street Seaport on May 13, 2025. James Keivom
Cadets on the deck of the Cuauhtémoc during its trip from Staten Island to Pier 17 on May 13, 2025. James Keivom
Cadets standing on the mast of the boat on May 13. James Keivom
The Cuauhtémoc seen near the Brooklyn Bridge days before the crash. James Keivom
The vessel, built in Spain in 1982, had been in the city as part of a promotion for next year’s Sail4th tall ship event, which celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
It is expected to be one of 30 Class A International Tall Ships that will parade through the Harbor on July 4, 2026.
Source (Archive)
Additional footage:
Source (Archive)
Statement from the Mexican Navy:
Source (Archive)
Published May 17, 2025, 9:09 p.m. ET
A massive Mexican navy tall ship making a festive visit to New York slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday — toppling its huge masts into the deck in a horrifying scene that left multiple crew members seriously injured, according to fire officials and sources.
A search and rescue operation was underway to pull people out of the water after one of the towering 147-foot masts on the Cuauhtémoc — which has a crew of 277 — collided with the bridge’s road deck just before 9 p.m., sources told The Post.
The Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc hitting the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening. Obtained by NY Post
Crew seen hanging from the mast after the boat hit the bridge. Paul Martinka
The mast of the Cuauhtémoc seen snapped in half. Citizen
About 200 people were on board when the ship hit the bridge. Citizen
A search and rescue mission was launched after the crash. Citizen
Three people are in critical condition, with about a dozen others seriously injured, sources said.
Harrowing footage from the scene showed the high mast slamming the deck of the bridge and crashing dozens of feet below the deck. Other masts then appeared to go down after it.
Several crew members were injured in the crash. Paul Martinka
Police boats at the scene of the collision. Citizen
Spectators watching the search and rescue mission following the terrifying crash. Citizen
Terrified onlookers standing under the bridge on the Brooklyn side could be seen bolting from the scene as the vessel headed for the park.
“She’s about to crash,” one startled witness could be heard saying in the footage.
“Oh s–t!”
Victims are being transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, with those in critical condition being taken to a nearby hospital for additional treatment.
The ARM Cuauhtémoc seen docked at the South Street Seaport on May 13, 2025. James Keivom
Cadets on the deck of the Cuauhtémoc during its trip from Staten Island to Pier 17 on May 13, 2025. James Keivom
Cadets standing on the mast of the boat on May 13. James Keivom
The Cuauhtémoc seen near the Brooklyn Bridge days before the crash. James Keivom
The vessel, built in Spain in 1982, had been in the city as part of a promotion for next year’s Sail4th tall ship event, which celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
It is expected to be one of 30 Class A International Tall Ships that will parade through the Harbor on July 4, 2026.
Source (Archive)
Additional footage:
Source (Archive)
Statement from the Mexican Navy:
Source (Archive)
Last edited:
The sails are furled.
