After nearly six months docked in New York, the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc has officially departed the Port of New York, marking the end of an extended stay that followed its collision with the Brooklyn Bridge in May 2025.
The Cuauhtémoc, a tall sailing vessel often called “The Ambassador of the Seas”, was damaged while maneuvering through the East River during a ceremonial visit. The accident, which occurred amid strong tidal currents, left minor structural damage to the ship’s rigging and masts, prompting an extensive inspection and repair process.
Since May, the vessel has remained under the supervision of U.S. Coast Guard and New York Port Authority officials. Repairs were carried out at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where Mexican naval engineers worked alongside American specialists to restore the ship to full operational condition.
In a farewell statement, Captain José Luis Romero expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the two nations:
“New York became a second home for us during these months. We leave the city not only with our ship restored, but with heartfelt appreciation for the support and friendship we received.”
The Cuauhtémoc is now en route to Veracruz, Mexico, where it will resume its international training voyage with a crew of more than 80 naval cadets. The ship, commissioned in 1982, serves as a floating classroom and symbol of Mexican maritime heritage, visiting ports around the world to promote cultural diplomacy.
New Yorkers, especially members of the Mexican community, gathered at the harbor to witness the ship’s departure — a gesture that reflected the vessel’s symbolic role as a bridge of friendship between Mexico and the United States.
Officials from the Mexican Consulate in New York described the successful departure as “a testament to cooperation and mutual respect between two maritime nations.”
The Cuauhtémoc is expected to arrive in Mexico within two weeks, concluding a remarkable chapter in its long and storied voyage.
