Coast Guard says system was fully operational, contradicting Schumer’s claim of staffing issues linked to deadly crash.

Coast Guard Rejects Schumer’s Assertion on System Failure

The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday refuted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s claim that a federal hiring freeze may have contributed to the fatal crash of a Mexican Navy tall ship into the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident, which occurred Saturday night, resulted in two deaths and 19 injuries.

In a press release, Schumer suggested that a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) hiring freeze within the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard, may have limited the staffing of the Coast Guard's Vehicle Traffic Service (VTS)—a maritime navigation system akin to air traffic control.

“We know that the Trump administration has been meddling in U.S. Coast Guard operations, from staffing to command and comms,” Schumer said, asserting that the VTS may not have been operating at full capacity. “There are many more questions than answers as to how the accident occurred and whether it could have been prevented.”

However, the Coast Guard issued a direct rebuttal. In a statement, officials confirmed that the VTS was “fully functional during the incident and operating in accordance with established procedures to manage commercial traffic and facilitate safe navigation.” They also clarified that no other ships were involved in the crash that would have required VTS intervention.

“Our response included launching a crew from Station New York, establishing a temporary safety zone, and coordinating with NYPD, FDNY, and NYC DOT,” the Coast Guard added.

Investigation and International Response

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it had dispatched a “go-team” to investigate the collision. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the vessel involved was the Mexican Navy’s Cuauhtémoc, which lost power prior to the crash. The ship carried 277 people at the time of the accident.

“At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Adams said in a statement.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences for the lives lost, stating on X, “Our solidarity and support go out to their families.” She noted that the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy is providing aid to the injured with help from local authorities and diplomatic staff in New York.

As federal and city officials await the outcome of the NTSB’s investigation, the Coast Guard’s statement emphasizes that the systems designed to prevent such accidents were not compromised by staffing constraints. The cause of the ship’s mechanical failure remains under review.