NY Harbor Pilot Controlled Ship in Brooklyn Bridge Crash

Mexico City — The Mexican Navy has confirmed that the harbor pilot assigned by the New York City government was in full control of the training vessel Cuauhtémoc during its collision with the Brooklyn Bridge last Saturday.

Secretary of the Navy Admiral Raymundo Morales Ángeles disclosed during a presidential press conference that the pilot had between 80 and 90 seconds to react before the incident. "We cannot determine whether the pilot had enough time. They had between 80 and 90 seconds to react. We must analyze whether that time was sufficient given the wind conditions, currents, and distances," Morales stated when questioned about the accident.

Harbor Pilot Directed All Maneuvers

Morales emphasized that the Cuauhtémoc, a training ship serving as a diplomatic ambassador, adheres to international maritime regulations. "In New York, the vessel must be controlled by a specialized harbor pilot from the city government. Every maneuver from departure until the collision was under the pilot's command. The pilot decided how the operation was conducted," he explained.

The admiral noted that during the emergency, port communication procedures prompted a request for additional tugboat support from the U.S. Coast Guard. However, he refrained from speculating on whether the pilot utilized available resources effectively. "What we do know is that there was very little time because the distance from the dock to the bridge was extremely short."

Investigation Underway

The causes of the collision and potential liabilities will be determined by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard, and the vessel’s insurance adjusters. Morales indicated that preliminary findings may take at least 30 days.

The Cuauhtémoc, a symbol of Mexico’s naval training program, was on a routine voyage when the incident occurred. No injuries were reported, but the collision has raised questions about port safety protocols.

The Mexican Navy has pledged full cooperation with U.S. authorities as the investigation proceeds.