Mexican navy training Tall Ship crashes into bridge in NYC!

[Squidly-Diddly]

While the whole crew was standing all over the rigging with lights everywhere. Two dead, lots injured. https://x.com/dwnews/status/1924048504730628365

Engine failure or tow line snapped or something. Brooklyn Bridge OK. Can't wait to hear from who was in charge of this, but we probably never will. At least that scaffold under the bridge didn't detach and crash down.

Would an olde school "tall ship" upper masts and rigging be pretty easy to repair, even after all smashed up? I assume it was done routinely after battles with simple hand tools and literate helpers and only one or two skilled carpenters.

I say just cut down a couple trees and float them out to the ship with a hand saw and chisel and let them figure it out.

 

[BlueBell]

I've seen six videos of the incident now.
It would appear the S/V was stuck in reverse.
No safety line to the tug?
No anchors dropped?
No engine shut down to stop reverse thrust?
Not a good day for Mexico's tall ship.
Several crew in critical condition.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

I've seen six videos of the incident now.
It would appear the S/V was stuck in reverse.
No safety line to the tug?
No anchors dropped?
No engine shut down to stop reverse thrust?
Not a good day for Mexico's tall ship.
Several crew in critical condition.

you'd think having a strong current set to drag you under a nearby structure much lower than your vessel would have everyone alert, nervous and "sweating blood".
"beware the Lee Shore"

 

[rwatson]

you'd think having a strong current set to drag you under a nearby structure much lower than your vessel would have everyone alert, nervous and "sweating blood".
"beware the Lee Shore"

There was NO strong current or wind. You can see the ship powering in reverse towards the bridge in one video.

The Tug had just finished pushing the bow downstream, and had no hope of getting astern to help.

The initial inquiries point to a reversible prop control problem.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

seems like a crazy number of things to go wrong and no action from skipper. Wouldn't having someone ready to drop anchors be SOP when ship handing in fairly close quarters? I get how an engine could die and not restart fast enough, like with the other bridge crash, but what would prevent shutting off the engine?

They gonna say it was prop, rudder issues AND a runaway diesel? And clutch? I'd bet this was some extra-curricular unauthorized peacocking by the captain that went sideways.

 

[BlueBell]

Now the focus is all about blame, ridiculous.

I believe this is a classic case of bridge ( wheelhouse ) mismanagement.
Situational conflict between the Pilot and the Captain.
Completely understandable and avoidable.

Almost 5 minutes between leaving the dock and hitting the bridge.
No anchors, no engine shut down, no tug intervention.
Lives lost, serious trauma, both mental and physical, to all involved.

It reminds me of how terrible the statistics are for tall-ships.

A sad, sad day for the Mexican Navy.

 

[rwatson]

Of course its about blame.
Every tragedy is a result of some sort of fault(s), either human or mechanical.

The comment "Completely understandable and avoidable." is pretty simplistic, since no-one has any idea what transpired yet. It might very well be totally unavoidable. So any "I believe this is a classic case of bridge ( wheelhouse ) mismanagement." is totally speculative and uninformed.

Also, the comment "Almost 5 minutes between leaving the dock and hitting the bridge" is pretty irrelevant.

The REAL issue is that last two minutes, when the order for "half ahead" was given, and the engine power got applied in reverse, instead of forward.

That could have been any of half a dozen totally unforeseen mechanical issues, as a perusal of the comments from experienced sailors will reveal.

 

[braoun]

It's tragic, especially with the crew at the top of the rig. But yes, historically the masts were often replaced at sea or in port with few means. A good carpenter, straight trees, and courage were often enough. I hope they can fix it without too much modern bureaucracy.

Tutuapp​