Mexican nationals and New Yorkers gathered in mourning after two cadet sailors died in a crash involving the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican naval training vessel that struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night.
More than 300 people braved the pouring rain on Wednesday to honor the sailors, remembering those who served their country with pride.
The vessel, en route to Iceland, had just departed Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan at 8:20 p.m. on May 17. According to investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, it was supposed to head south on the East River — away from the Brooklyn Bridge — but instead traveled north.
“A VHF radio broadcast was sounded requesting assistance from other tugboats in the area of the Brooklyn Bridge,” said Brian Young, the NTSB’s investigator in charge. “That was followed by two other requests for assistance. At 8:24 and 45 seconds p.m., the vessel’s masts struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge. At 8:27, the vessel came to a stop.”
The Cuauhtémoc was being assisted by a tugboat at the time of departure. The crash killed two crew members — América Yamileth Sánchez Hernández, a 20-year-old cadet, and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, a 23-year-old sailor. The crash left two others in critical condition, and injured about 19 more of the 277 people on board.
Federal investigators were in Manhattan on Monday to begin their probe. Michael Graham, an NTSB board member, said a team of experts in nautical operations, marine and bridge engineering, and voyage recordings met in Brooklyn on Sunday to begin reviewing the incident. The investigation will also include interviews with the crew, reviews of policies and procedures, and examination of any available recordings.
At the vigil, New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered condolences.
“Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children,” he said of the young victims, “but everyone will get through this. I will be on the ship when it is ready.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also spoke at the gathering.
“I stand with the people of Mexico during this difficult time,” he said. “This is not a time for divisiveness for them. They come here to live the American Dream and help keep this country moving forward.”
The memorial featured a mariachi band, food, candles and a large banner displaying the faces of the fallen sailors. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
