Yes, those were sailors standing on the Mexican tall ship's masts

Mexican navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

Video shows people fleeing the busy stretch of sidewalk along the East River as a Mexican navy ship collides with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

It's hard to tell at first, but yes, there were sailors standing on the mast of the Mexican navy ship before it slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend. 

Many people have questioned why the sailors were positioned there, but it's actually a ceremonial practice called "manning the rail."

What is ‘manning the rail’?

Dig deeper:

According to the U.S. Navy, manning the rail is a tradition that evolved from the common practice of "manning the yard."

RELATED: Mexican navy ship hits Brooklyn Bridge, killing 2 crew members

The salute involves crewmembers standing evenly spaced out along the ship and cheering to honor distinguished persons. 

The U.S. Navy adopted the practice in 1824 and uses it in passing honors to the President of the United States, rulers of foreign nations or members of a reigning royal family. 

2 dead after Mexican Navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

Maritime analyst Sal Mercogliano joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac to react to Saturday's crash in New York involving a Mexican Navy ship.

"When a ship returned to port and approached the Lord Admiral, those on board would "presently man the ship and place every one of their companies both upon the upper and middle deck and also upon the waist and shrouds and elsewhere to the most advantage they can to make the bravest show and appear the greater number," according to Roger Marbecke’s 1596 manuscript of the English Cadiz Expedition.

What they're saying:

It's believed the Mexican navy ship followed the U.S. navy custom as a sign of respect. 

"Mexico is America’s ally," according to Jersey Coast Emergency News. "The sailors stand on top of the masts for ceremonies as a token of respect for the United States."

Mexican navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

The backstory:

The Mexican navy sailing ship was on a global goodwill tour when it struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday, snapping its three masts, killing two crew members and leaving some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air waiting for help.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage but at least 19 people aboard the ship needed medical treatment.

Two of the four people who suffered serious injuries later died, Adams announced on social media early Sunday.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

In a scene captured in multiple eyewitness videos, the ship, called the Cuauhtemoc, could be seen traveling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then, its three masts struck the bridge’s span and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving.

The vessel, which was flying a giant Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted into a pier on the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away.