Posted on 05/18/2025 6:52:02 AM PDT by Morgana
Mexican sailors were seen dangling from a navy training vessel's main mast moments after the ship smashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.
The sailors had been standing atop the Cuauhtémoc's 150-foot masts in the lead up to the ship striking the iconic structure on Saturday as part of a traditional greeting.
The massive Navy vessel, reportedly carrying nearly 300 passengers, hit the iconic New York City bridge, triggering a colossal rescue response and leaving two dead and dozens more severely injured.
In multiple eyewitness videos, the towering masts are seen snapping and partially collapsing as they crash into the bridge's deck. Sailors perched high above are thrown into chaos, with some seen clinging to the shattered beams high up in the air.
Bystanders Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told the Associated Press they were sitting outside watching the sunset when they saw the vessel strike the bridge and one of its masts snap.
Looking closer, they said they noticed someone hanging from high on the ship.
'We saw someone dangling, and I couldn't tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,' Katz said.
They reported seeing two people taken off the ship on stretchers and transferred to smaller boats.
The Navy personnel had been standing on the masts of the Mexican Navy ship as part of a ceremonial greeting and show of respect upon entering a port.
This tradition, known as 'manning the yards,' is a longstanding maritime custom practiced worldwide.
The sailors aboard the Cuauhtémoc appeared to have been engaged in this time-honored ritual during the harrowing crash.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Some comments appear a bit cold. Young men lost their lives in a stupid blunder. Honor these young sailors. Remember Mexico was an ally in WW II. Looked like the ship was going in reverse, uncontrolled.
Remember Mexico was an ally in WW II.
So was The Soviet Union....just sayin’.
“But within minutes the Mexican ship lost power and began drifting backward, unable to counter the current.”
They hit stern first.
Even if there’s no appearance of damage to the bridge, they may need to close the bridge for a spell to do an assessment.
We still have a big sailboat as well, the USS Constitution. I think the idea is to use it for training purposes to instill the need for teamwork. Also, used for ceremonial purposes, like this one from the Mexican navy.
They had no intention of proceeding up the river. The ship departed her berth at the South Street Seaport and was to head to sea, next port Reykjavik.
It was not solely the current that set her into the bridge. The videos that I saw show her reversing nearly straight across the river at what appears to be two to three knots. It seems most likely that her gearbox got stuck in reverse as she backed out from her berth.
Knowing their proximity to the bridge, it was foolish for the tug to cast off her line before the ship was established on her passage to sea.
Knowing their proximity to the bridge, it was foolish for the tug to cast off her line before the ship was established on her passage to sea.
The tugboats in New York Harbor are not operated by the City of New York. Instead, they are primarily operated by private towing companies like McAllister Towing and Moran Towing. These companies provide services like ship docking, harbor assistance, and offshore towing.
One of those companies is in heap of big trouble (a little Indian lingo there!)
10 sailors died on the USS John McCain when it collided with the Liberian flagged tanker Alnic MC near Singapore back in 2017...
The damn Mexican flag was bigger than any sail on that ship.
“¡Tarados!” Red Forman
This is yet another example of cultural appropriation. “Manning The Yards” is just a clever cover up expression for “Pining for the Fjords”.
I didn’t even know Mexico had a Navy.....
Breaking: NYC Southern District orders all 200 crew and passengers on ill-fated sailing ship to be immediately issued Green Cards and debit cards as compensation for the tragic bridge-violence suffering.
A Navy vessel WITH SAILS?
Sure a surprise to me....I should have read further before I questioned “sails” on a Navy ship!!!
What is a ship with sails doing with POWER?
Driving along with the current of course.
Maintaining a proper lookout at all times?
Regards,
“”next port Reykjavik.””
That’s a long way from home. They at least picked a good time of year to go there.
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