The Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc is planning a return to New York in 2026, a poignant goal after a catastrophic collision with the Brooklyn Bridge this year.
At a Glance
- The Mexican Navy’s tall ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in May 2025, killing two mariners and injuring 19.
- The ship was reportedly moving backward and accelerating into the bridge despite commands to move forward.
- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the propulsion malfunction.
- Organizers hope the ship can be repaired in time for a “triumphant return” for America’s 250th birthday celebration in July 2026.
A Catastrophic Collision at the Brooklyn Bridge
The Mexican Navy’s famed tall ship, the Cuauhtémoc, was the scene of a horrific tragedy in May 2025 when it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident claimed the lives of two mariners and injured 19 others after the ship’s propulsion system apparently malfunctioned, causing it to accelerate backward and slam into the iconic bridge.
The impact of the collision sheared off the vessel’s three towering masts. An investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into the cause of the uncommanded reversal is underway and could take up to two years to complete.
A Race to Rebuild
The ship is now undergoing extensive repairs, estimated to cost more than $500,000, with the primary focus on replacing the three destroyed masts. The goal is to have the ship seaworthy again in time for a major maritime event in New York Harbor in the summer of 2026.
An Invitation for a “Triumphant Return”
Despite the tragedy, organizers of a planned maritime festival for America’s 250th birthday hope the Cuauhtémoc will be able to join the celebration. Chris O’Brien, president of Sail4th 250, told the New York Post that the invitation for the ship to participate remains open.
“We see it as a kind of triumphant return,” O’Brien said, expressing hope that the vessel can be repaired in time. The six-day event, scheduled for July 2026, is expected to feature 30 international tall ships and 40 gray-hull naval vessels.
The potential return of the Cuauhtémoc is being seen as a powerful symbol of resilience and the enduring camaraderie between the Mexican and U.S. naval forces in the wake of a terrible accident.
