Preliminary report shows timeline of Mexican Navy tall ship accident that killed two in New York City

Accident events

​On the planned departure day, May 17, a sea pilot boarded the vessel at about 19:02, and a local docking (harbour) pilot arrived about 19:45. Both pilots conducted a master/pilot exchange with the ship’s captain.

The pilots stated that the ship’s captain reported the propulsion and steering systems were in good order, and there were no deficiencies. The docking pilot stated that the time of the vessel’s departure was scheduled to coincide with slack tide (the time between ebb and flood currents at which the current was the weakest), which was to occur about 20:11 that evening.

Weather conditions were reported as westerly winds 10 to 15 knots, water temperature about 60°F (15°C), and air temperature about 77°F (22°C). Visibility was clear.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Brooklyn Bridge (site NYH1920) station predicted slack water, with a depth of eight feet (two metres), at 20:12, and 0.13 knots of flood current at 20:18.

At departure, the ship’s captain and both pilots were on the open conning deck directly above the vessel’s enclosed navigation bridge. The docking pilot used the sea pilot’s portable pilot unit (a portable navigation support system containing real-time navigation data and other features for guiding vessels) throughout the transit.

For the East River transit, several Cuauhtémoc personnel were positioned in formation on each of the horizontal yards (spars crossing the masts from which the sails are set) on the foremast and main mast, as well as the horizontal boom below the mizzen (aft) mast, and the bowsprit. All the sails were furled in their stowed position.

The vessel’s six mooring lines were let go about 20:16. About 20:19, the twin screw tug Charles D. McAllister assisted Cuauhtémoc off the pier.

The docking pilot gave astern commands to the captain on the conning deck, which were acknowledged by the captain, translated to Spanish, and relayed to another crewmember on the deck below, outside of the navigation bridge. This crewmember then relayed the orders to crewmembers within the navigation bridge, where commands were inputted.

Between 20:20 and 20:22, Cuauhtémoc moved astern and away from Pier 17 at 2.5 knots. Once clear of the slip, the docking pilot gave a stop command, gave a dead-slow-ahead order, and directed Charles D. McAllister to reposition on the starboard bow of Cuauhtémoc. As the crew of the tug took their line in, the docking pilot ordered additional commands in the ahead direction.

Charles D. McAllister began pushing on the starboard bow of Cuauhtémoc. The stern of Cuauhtémoc began to swing toward the Brooklyn Bridge. At the order of the docking pilot, Charles D. McAllister stopped pushing against the ship, backed away, and manoeuvred toward the stern of Cuauhtémoc along its starboard side.