Brooklyn Bridge ship crash investigation underway as we speak by federal, native businesses

New York Metropolis and federal officers have begun their investigation into the lethal crash of a Mexican tall ship into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night time. 

Two folks have been killed within the incident, and at the very least 19 others have been harm, together with two critically, officers mentioned. 

The collision happened because the Mexican navy coaching ship Cuauhtémoc was departing the South Avenue Seaport for Iceland with 277 aboard. 

Sailors have been standing on the ship’s yards as a part of a ceremonial departure when it apparently misplaced energy and commenced drifting backward, finally crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge. The tops of the ship’s three masts snapped off, and sailors have been left dangling by wires from the highest. The principle mast of the ship was some 160 ft excessive. 

Officers mentioned the bridge wasn’t structurally broken. 

Federal and native groups investigating the crash

On Sunday morning, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned it was dispatching a go-team to analyze the crash. 

New York Metropolis Emergency Administration held an interagency assembly relating to the crash Sunday morning that included the mayor’s workplace, FDNY, NYPD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York Metropolis Financial Growth Company and the MTA. 

Officers are additionally limiting entry to Pier 36, the place the Cuauhtémoc was moved to after the crash. The Coast Guard is offering steering to the ship’s crew on repairs and how you can transfer it safely. 

In an announcement on social media, the Coast Guard referred to as it a “devastating tragedy.” 

“We’ll guarantee a strong investigation and help for these impacted whereas sustaining the protection and safety of the Port of New York,” the Coast Guard mentioned. 

Sen. Schumer questions whether or not federal cuts performed a task

In his weekly Sunday morning press convention, Senate Minority Chief Charles Schumer questioned whether or not cuts by the Division of Authorities Effectivity, or DOGE, could have performed a task within the incident. 

“Our hearts exit to the folks of Mexico and people who misplaced their lives and who have been injured in final night time’s Brooklyn Bridge vessel crash,” Schumer mentioned. 

The senator mentioned a tugboat was not getting used to help the vessel because it departed, and that one arrived after. 

“We all know that the Trump administration has been meddling in U.S. Coast Guard operations, from staffing to command and comms, and I’ve the overall sense of a DOGE dysfunction in components of the Coast Guard, to place it mildly,” Schumer mentioned. “After being totally briefed on final night time’s Brooklyn Bridge accident, one factor could be very clear. There are a lot of extra questions than solutions as to how the accident occurred and whether or not it might have been prevented.”

Schumer mentioned the Coast Guard has a system referred to as car visitors service, or VTS, that is just like how the FAA handles air visitors management. 

“There are indications that this service referred to as the VTS could not have been totally or adequately useful in gentle of that hiring freeze. We do not know the reply to that query. We want solutions. If this have been the case, Brooklyn Bridge accident may very well be a nationwide harbinger, demanding instant consideration,” Schumer mentioned. 

Schumer pointed to Admiral Linda Fagan’s being relieved of her duties as commandant of the Coast Guard on Jan. 21. 

“Within the time because the submit of commandant have been vacant with out a everlasting commandant nominee. Moreover, the present hiring freeze on the Division of Homeland Safety, DHS, which the Coast Guard is a part of, could have restricted the power of the Coast Guard to totally workers up on the VTS, the car visitors service, the shore-wide system that gives quote air visitors management for the seas, particularly in congested areas and restricted waters like New York Harbor,” Schumer mentioned. 

Schumer mentioned that whereas the bridge itself wasn’t structurally broken, a monitoring system beneath it that operates as a part of the bridge’s inspection system was broken.