The Mexican Navy ship that killed two mariners in a disastrous Brooklyn Bridge crash is being invited back to New York – because nothing says “America’s 250th birthday” like celebrating a deadly foreign maritime failure.
At a Glance
- The Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc, which killed two mariners and injured 19 others when it crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in May, may return to New York in 2024
- The ship was inexplicably sailing backward and accelerating before the collision, despite commands to move forward
- Organizers of America’s 250th birthday celebration have invited the repaired ship to participate in a six-day event from July 3-8, 2024
- The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the incident, which could take up to two years to complete
From Fatal Crash to “Triumphant Return”
Only in Biden’s America would we roll out the red carpet for a foreign naval vessel that recently killed people in our waters. The Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc, which slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge in May in a completely avoidable tragedy that killed two mariners and injured 19 others, is being invited back to New York for America’s 250th birthday celebration next year. Because nothing says “happy birthday America” like commemorating a deadly foreign maritime accident! The ship’s repairs will reportedly cost over $500,000, focusing on replacing its three masts that were destroyed during the collision. But hey, what’s half a million dollars when there’s a “symbolic maritime relationship” to uphold?
“We see it as a kind of triumphant return” – Chris O’Brien
Chris O’Brien, president of Sail4th 250, somehow thinks inviting back a ship that killed people is appropriate, calling it a “triumphant return.” Yes, you read that correctly. Triumphant. Perhaps in this administration’s bizarro world, maritime disasters are now considered triumphs. The ship would join 30 international tall ships and 40 gray hull vessels for the celebration, entering New York Harbor beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Let’s just hope they’ve learned how to steer by then.
The Disastrous Backward Cruise That Defied Logic
The details of the May collision read like a manual on how NOT to operate a naval vessel. According to the NTSB investigation, the Cuauhtémoc was inexplicably sailing backward and accelerating before the collision, despite clear commands to move forward. The ship’s captain had reported no issues with propulsion or steering systems before the incident, making this bizarre backward acceleration even more baffling. Videos showed absolute chaos during the crash, with people running in terror and Navy cadets hanging from the ship as its masts collided with the Brooklyn Bridge.
“They’re going to be executing their repairs and so the invitation is still open for them to join us.” – Chris O’Brien
The docking pilot initially directed the ship to move backward, then gave commands to move forward, but the ship continued moving backward and even increased speed just before impact. After the collision, investigators found scraped paint and a deformed rudder post, yet the Brooklyn Bridge itself sustained no significant structural damage. At least something in this story was built to last! All crew members, pilots, and tugboat personnel passed drug and alcohol tests, leaving us with the burning question: if everyone was sober, how in the world did this happen?
A Mockery of Maritime Safety
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the collision, a process that could take up to two years to complete. They’re examining the ship’s propulsion system, crew experience, and operating procedures. Meanwhile, we’re supposed to celebrate this vessel’s return before we even fully understand what went wrong. This is the perfect metaphor for how our government operates these days – invite back the problem before understanding its cause. The Cuauhtémoc was on a training cruise scheduled to visit at least 15 countries and was heading to refuel before departing for Iceland when the incident occurred.
“I can’t speculate there, but we are maintaining positive lines of communication.” – Chris O’Brien
The Mexican Navy has one year to repair the Cuauhtémoc if they want to join what’s being billed as the largest flotilla to sail through New York and New Jersey. A “senior government official” will supposedly be present at the event, though their identity remains undisclosed. Perhaps they’re too embarrassed to be associated with this maritime circus. This isn’t about maritime cooperation – it’s about political theater at the expense of common sense and respect for those who lost their lives. Only in today’s America would we celebrate failure, incompetence, and tragedy as if they were virtues worthy of a national birthday party.
