NTSB gives first update on Brooklyn Bridge ship crash

The National Transportation Safety Board gave an replace Monday on the Mexican navy ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend. 

The National Transportation Safety Board began their remarks by expressing their condolences of the 2 sailors who died within the incident. 

“That is the beginning of an extended course of. We won’t be drawing any conclusions. We won’t speculate. We will even not be figuring out the possible trigger whereas we’re on scene,” Michael Graham of the NTSB stated. “We’re right here to assemble perishable proof, and that is what we can be doing the entire time we’ll on scene. And that’ll take as many days because it must be.”

Graham stated the preliminary report can be accessible in about 30 days. 

The NTSB stated their investigation will embody the crew, the vessel, and the environmental circumstances on the time of the collision.

The NTSB requested members of the general public contact them if they’ve video of the incident that they e-mail them at witness@ntsb.gov simply to tell them of the video, and they’re going to then present a hyperlink for that video to be uploaded. 

Officers offered the next timeline of the incident, which they stated started when the ship pulled away from the dock, meaning to sail down the East River to move for the ocean.

• 8:20 p.m. – the ship started backing away with the help of a tugboat
• 8:24 p.m. – there was a request for help from different tugboats 
• 8:24 p.m. – 45 seconds later, the ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge
• 8:27 p.m. – the ship got here to a cease
• 8:30 p.m. – FDNY and NYPD belongings had been on the scene 

Officers have decided the bridge is protected. 

The NTSB hasn’t but begun interviewing members of the crew of the 300-foot lengthy, three masted ship. The NTSB stated it’s working with the Mexican authorities to realize entry to the ship and see if it had any recorders. 

NTSB officers stated they’d be trying on the standing of the engines, and hope to speak to the crew about them. 

NTSB investigators started collecting evidence Sunday to piece collectively what occurred. The Coast Guard helped transfer the ship to security, however industrial water site visitors stays suspended within the space. 

In the meantime, folks have been leaving flowers and candles at Pier 36 on the Decrease East Facet to pay tribute to the crew members. 

2 killed in Brooklyn Bridge ship crash

Witnesses stated the crew wrapped up a ceremonial departure shortly earlier than 8:30 p.m. Saturday at South Road Seaport. Because the Cuauhtémoc ship took off for Iceland, it crashed into the bridge. 

Video confirmed all three masts snap off, leaving some crew members dangling from harnesses and holding onto wires. 

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams said on social media the ship misplaced energy earlier than the crash.   

Officers stated 277 folks had been on board, two folks had been killed and 19 had been injured. Authorities recognized one sufferer as 20-year-old cadet América Yamilet Sánchez.

“I deeply remorse the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez. My love, help, and solidarity exit to her household,” the governor of Veracruz, Rocio Nahle, wrote in Spanish on social media.

The second sufferer has been recognized as Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, according to Mexican authorities. 

Sanchez’s relations spoke out Sunday as they mourned their loss, holding on to pictures of her and one another. Her aunt questioned why the Mexican navy hasn’t accomplished extra to deliver the household to New York to recuperate her physique. One other member of the family referred to as the movies illogical, including it ought to’ve by no means occurred. 

Maritime consultants says it’s generally customary for sailors to face in formation on the vessel’s yards when leaving a harbor, which is what’s believed to be what was taking place because the crash happened. 

What else will investigators take a look at?

“Have been the anchors able to be let go? That is one factor. If the engine continued to go astern, then is there a process for shutting down the engine? In most ships, there are,” stated Capt. James Staples, a maritime knowledgeable not concerned within the crash. 

Mexico’s consulate common stated the ship is the nation’s ambassador of excellent will, and the nation is offering help to the crew. The consulate nonetheless referred us to the Mexican navy for the investigation, and we’ve but to listen to again. 

DHS says Schumer ought to “get his information straight”

The U.S. Division of Homeland Safety has responded to Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer’s considerations about whether or not cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, could have been an element within the incident. The DHS said in a social media post the senator’s questions of a hiring freeze and insufficient staffing are “false.”

“The US Coast Guard has been totally supported and been exempt from hiring freezes. Moreover, this incident had nothing to do with Vessel Site visitors Providers— when a ship loses propulsion in a excessive present space, the vessel wants to interact all capabilities to cease and ideally tugs are close by to help,” the put up learn. “We encourage Minority Chief Schumer to get his information straight earlier than he misleads the American folks.”

Throughout his weekly press briefing Sunday morning, Schumer defined the Coast Guard has a system referred to as car site visitors service, or VTS, which is analogous to FAA air traffic control. 

“There are indications that this service referred to as the VTS could not have been totally or adequately useful in mild of that hiring freeze. We do not know the reply to that query. We’d like solutions. If this had been the case, Brooklyn Bridge accident may very well be a nationwide harbinger, demanding fast consideration,” he stated. 

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

“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 employees up on the VTS, the car site visitors service, the shore-wide system that gives quote air site visitors management for the seas, particularly in congested areas and restricted waters like New York Harbor,” he stated. 

The U.S. Coast Guard issued an announcement Sunday saying the VTS “was totally useful through the incident, working in accordance with established procedures to handle industrial site visitors and facilitate protected navigation. Our response included launching a crew from Station New York, establishing a brief security zone, and coordinating with NYPD, FDNY, and NYC DOT.”