The Mexican navy tall ship that smashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in May was inexplicably sailing backwards — and picked up speed — before the fatal collision, according to officials. The ...

The docking pilot ordered the ship to move backward. Zack Zhang/Xinhua via Getty Images - PHOTO: The Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc's after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, May 17, 2025.

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The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the May 17, 2025 collision between the Mexican Navy training vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge ...

It was moving backward at 5.9 knots when it hit the bridge. At 8:27 p.m., the vessel stopped against the seawall on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.

Moments later, the upper section of all three of the ship's masts collided with the span of the Brooklyn Bridge. At the time of impact, the ship was moving backward at 6.7 mph, according to the NTSB.

By Doc Louallen and Clara McMichael, ABCNews Monday, June 30, 2025 NTSB releases preliminary report on deadly crash of Mexican navy ship into Brooklyn Bridge ...

This crew member then gave those orders to crew members in the navigation bridge, where commands were inputted. Between 8:20 p.m. and 8:22 p.m., the ship moved backward and away from Pier 17.