Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc reaches San Francisco a year after Brooklyn Bridge collision

A Mexican Navy tall ship with a tragic recent history arrived in San Francisco on Wednesday, sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge before docking along the Embarcadero.

The ARM Cuauhtémoc is the same vessel that struck New York's Brooklyn Bridge last year, killing two sailors and injuring 19 others. Its three masts were damaged in the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating what caused the accident.

Now repaired and back on an international training voyage, the Cuauhtémoc began its latest tour in Honolulu and is making its way along the U.S. West Coast. After a four-day stop in San Francisco, the ship is scheduled to continue to San Diego.

As the ship docked near the Bay Bridge, sailors stood on the masts and sang. Musicians and dancers greeted the crew with a welcome performance.

Marco Antonio Mena Rodriguez, Consul General of Mexico in San Francisco, described the vessel as a source of national pride. "The Cuauhtémoc, the magnificent vessel that you can see, is an object of pride for all Mexicans," he said. "It's been on the seas for the last four decades, and it's been 17 years since the last time it came to San Francisco. It carries a message of friendship and goodwill from Mexico all around the world."

Asked about his reaction to the Brooklyn Bridge accident, Mena Rodriguez said, "It was a very sad moment and we were very concerned, but the Ambassador of the Seas is already in operation and we're so happy about it."

While docked along the Embarcadero, visitors can board the ship for tours and get a close look at one of Mexico's best-known naval vessels.