NTSB Preliminary Findings on Mexican Training Ship Cuauhtémoc Striking the Brooklyn Bridge

Summary

In this episode of 'What's Going On with Shipping,' Sal Magliano discusses the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on the Mexican training ship Quattmok's collision with the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident, which occurred on May 17, 2025, resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries. Magliano dives into the details of the ship’s operation, the crew's training, and the various contributing factors leading to the accident. He critiques the NTSB’s limited release of information and provides insight into the investigation, which is still ongoing. The episode highlights the complexities of maritime operations and safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mexican training ship, Quattmok, struck the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025, resulting in two fatalities and 19 injuries among the crew and cadets.
• 😀 The ship, a training vessel, had 277 crew members and cadets on board, with both experienced Navy crew and less-experienced cadets being trained on the ship.
• 😀 The incident was deemed a major marine casualty due to the loss of life and significant damages, with damage to the ship expected to exceed $500,000.
• 😀 The ship’s mass collapsed onto the vessel, resulting in the deaths of two cadets who fell due to unhooked safety harnesses while in the rigging.
• 😀 The NTSB’s preliminary report did not provide much new information, only revealing basic details of the accident and a few important aspects.
• 😀 The ship's propulsion system features a controllable pitch propeller, which allows the vessel to move forward or reverse without changing the direction of the propeller itself.
• 😀 There was no intention to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge, as both the crew and pilots knew the ship’s height exceeded the bridge’s clearance of 127 feet.
• 😀 Two pilots were on board: a docking pilot from Mallister Tugs and a local sea pilot from the Sandy Hook Pilots Association.
• 😀 There were issues with communication and order relaying, as orders from the pilots were translated multiple times before reaching the crew, potentially leading to confusion.
• 😀 The NTSB is investigating whether the engine malfunctioned, whether human error occurred during the order relay, or if mechanical issues were to blame for the ship's movement toward the bridge.

Q & A

What was the incident discussed in this episode?

The episode discusses an incident involving the Mexican training ship 'Qualmach' (possibly misspelled as 'Quattmok') hitting the Brooklyn Bridge. This occurred on May 17, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two cadets and 19 injuries.

What is the role of the Mexican training ship 'Qualmach'?

The 'Qualmach' is a Mexican Navy training ship, designed to train cadets, who often have limited experience, alongside experienced Mexican Navy crew members.

How many crew members and cadets were aboard the vessel during the incident?

There were 277 crew members and cadets aboard the 'Qualmach' at the time of the incident.

What kind of damage did the ship sustain?

The ship suffered significant damage, including the collapse of all three of its steel masts. Damage is estimated to exceed half a million dollars.

What led to the fatalities on board the vessel?

The fatalities occurred when two crew members who were in the upper rigging of the ship fell after the steel masts collapsed, due to their safety harnesses being unhooked.

Who was in charge of investigating the accident?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was named the lead agency for the investigation. Other parties involved included the Coast Guard, Mallister Towing, New Jersey, Sandy Hook Pilots Association, and the Harbor Pilots of New York and New Jersey.

What was the planned route for the 'Qualmach' before the accident?

The 'Qualmach' was scheduled to depart Manhattan and head toward Iceland after completing a four-day visit in New York.

What is a controllable pitch propeller, and why is it important in this incident?

A controllable pitch propeller allows the angle of the blades to be adjusted for forward or reverse movement without reversing the direction of the propeller. This feature was important as it relates to how the ship's propulsion system operated during the incident.

How did the pilot's communication work during the ship's departure?

The docking pilot and sea pilot communicated with the ship's captain from an open conning deck above the enclosed navigation bridge. The captain would relay the orders to the crew inside the bridge, and further down to those working on deck.

What caused the ship to increase speed and hit the Brooklyn Bridge?

The ship's speed increased unexpectedly after the pilot ordered the vessel to move ahead. The vessel was traveling about 5.9 knots when the three masts made contact with the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge.

What is still unclear about the incident based on the NTSB's preliminary report?

The NTSB's preliminary report leaves some unanswered questions, such as whether the ship's propulsion system was correctly operating in reverse or forward as intended, and whether any communication errors or mechanical failures occurred.