NTSB Provides Update on Brooklyn Bridge Ship Collision

Initial Findings and Investigation Scope

• 🚢 The NTSB is investigating the collision of the Mexican Navy tall ship Kuatame Kuatamok with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17th.
• 💔 The incident resulted in two fatalities and dozens of injuries among the 277 personnel on board.
• 🔍 NTSB investigators are on scene to gather perishable evidence, emphasizing that this is the start of a long process with no conclusions or probable cause determined yet.
• 🗓️ A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a full investigation typically taking 12-24 months, potentially including urgent safety recommendations.

Areas of Investigation

• ⚓ The investigation will focus on three main areas: the crew and their operations, the vessel's condition, and the environmental factors (weather, wind, current, tide).
• 🛠️ Specialized teams have been formed, including those for nautical operations, marine engineering, bridge engineering, survival factors, and recorders.
• 🤝 Collaboration with Mexican government counterparts is underway to gain access to the ship and its data.

Bridge and Vessel Condition

• 🌉 Initial assessments by the New York City Department of Transportation indicate no significant structural damage to the load-bearing elements of the Brooklyn Bridge.
• 🚢 Damage was noted on a bridge traveler, but not to the bridge's structural integrity.
• 📊 The NTSB is reviewing the NYC DOT's risk assessment regarding bridge collapse vulnerability, following recommendations from the Baltimore Key Bridge incident.

Timeline and Preliminary Data

• ⏳ The vessel departed Pier 17 around 8:20 p.m. on May 17th, intending to sail south.
• 💨 Preliminary data shows the vessel's stern motion and speed increased, reaching up to six knots.
• 🚨 At 8:24 p.m., a VHF radio broadcast requested assistance, followed by further requests.
• 💥 The vessel's mast struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge at 8:24:45 p.m., with the vessel coming to a stop at 8:27 p.m.

Ongoing Inquiries and Next Steps

• 📹 Investigators are canvassing for CCTV and security camera footage, and requesting public submissions of video evidence via [email protected].
• 📈 The investigation will examine the vessel's speed, acceleration, and engine performance, including electronic control modules.
• 🗣️ Interviews with the tugboat pilot, harbor pilot, ship captain, and other crew members are planned.
• ❓ The NTSB is not confirming preliminary reports from other agencies, such as potential power failure issues, as they have not yet accessed the vessel's engine or data recorders.
• 🚢 The ship is currently docked on the east side of Manhattan and will be towed to a repair facility once deemed structurally sound, with the crew living aboard.