CUAUHTEMOC BE 01

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Training ship holds insurance in the range of $24 million

An insurance in the range of $24 million is held by the "Cuauhtémoc", the head of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales, confirmed during a press conference on June 10 at the National Palace, making it clear that this amount will be used to pay for repairs and compensation for the cadets killed in the allision. With this sum, all repairs will be paid, compensation for the deceased's debts will be covered, and any resulting damages will be covered. At the shipyard, the hull, steering system, and propulsion system will be inspected tol determine if there was an engine failure or other causes behind the accident. The investigation by the United States Coast Guard, the Military Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Transportation Agency continues, It is still unknown how long the vessel will need to undergo the necessary repairs before being able to return to sea to resume its duties as a training ship.

Repair phase started, while investigations are going on

The 'Cuauhtémoc' has formally begun its repair phase at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard. Since the weekend of June 8/9, security personnel from the GMD company, which manages the shipyard, have confirmed the start of work. Access to the area remains restricted to the public. The repairs could take one to two months, depending on the extent of the ship's internal damage. The Mexican government will assume all costs, including the occupation of the shipyard and the necessary repair work. The manoever to move the vessel from Pier 36 in Manhattan to the Brooklyn shipyard took three weeks of preparation and sought to prevent any additional incidents, working closely with the ship's captain and crew, marine inspectors, and experts in tall ships to ensure a safe operation. The move on June 6 was supervised by two helicopters that monitored the operation from 7:00 a.m. The transfer lasted approximately 75 minutes, during which ferry operations on the East River were suspended to ensure safety. In parallel with the repairs, the investigation into the causes of the May 17 accident remains active. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will coordinate additional oversight at the shipyard. The NTSB has reported that the investigation was progressing. The causes of the apparent mechanical failure that prevented the ship from reversing the inertia of the tide and wind, leading it to allide with the bridge, were being analyzed. The manner in which the ship was maneuvered by both the pilots and the New York Harbor pilot, as well as by personnel from the Navy, is also being investigated. Additionally, the assistance operations the vessel should have received from the company operating the only tug that assisted it at the time of the incident are being reviewed. The NTSB is expected to hold another press conference in approximately a week and a half to present a preliminary report on the causes of the accident. However, the full investigation and final recommendations were expected in approximately one year. Report with photo: https://www.meganoticias.mx/index.php/tuxpan/noticia/inicia-reparacion-del-buque-cuauhtemoc/630906

East River barred for shipping as Cuauhtémoc is moved

On June 6, the 'Cuauhtémoc' was towed from its berth at the pier 36 in lower Manhattan on the East River to the Brooklyn Navy Yard—an industrial park—, by the tugs 'Douglas J.' (IMO: 8991047), 'Mary Alice' (IMO: 7402738), 'J. Arnold White (MMSI: 368211990) and 'Meagan Anne' (IMO: IMO 8976281). The Mexican Navy announced it was the next part of a technical evaluation and the process to ensure the vessel once against sails as a symbol of Mexico. The move forced the closure of the East River to maritime traffic. The operation was involving the United States Coast Guard, New York Police Department port units, and other private sector units, The transfer of the vessel was scheduled to begin at approximately 6:45 a.m.LT and concluded at approximately 8:00 a.m., during which time the East River was to be closed between the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. The transfer time was selected and coordinated with the tide schedule. The East River has strong currents and the early morning was reported during the slack tide period so the vessel would encounter minimal resistance. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is continuing its investigation to clarify the causes of the allision. Although the entire process could take between 12 and 24 months, a preliminary report could be ready before the end of June. According to investigator Brian Young, the 'Cuauhtémoc' sailed from Pier 17 at 8:20 p.m. At that time, there was a headwind and a strong current in the East River pushing the ship toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Minutes after beginning the maneuver, the rear of the vessel (the stern) accelerated more than expected, reaching a speed of six knots (about 11 km/h). At 8:24 p.m., the crew issued a distress call over the radio to request support from other tugs. However, it was too late: the vessel's masts, over 48 meters high, allided with the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite the impact, authorities ruled out serious structural damage to the structure. After the accident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that she requested support from the United States Coast Guard to clearly determine what caused the allision: whether it was a mechanical failure, human error, or a failure of the towing service. Wilson Aramboles, chief of special operations for the New York City police, said the barque had lost power and was swept by the current toward one of the bridge’s pillars. Report with photo and video: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/video-damaged-mexican-sail-training-ship-moved-for-repairs