The oceanographic research vessel Professor Besnard heeled over early Friday evening (13th) at the Parque Valongo berth in the Port of Santos, mobilizing teams from the port authority to assess the situation.
According to information from the Santos Port Authority, the Operations Directorate (Diop) was activated to inspect the vessel, which began to list toward the quay wall.
The ship belongs to the Institute of the Sea and temporarily occupies a space granted in the area while awaiting action from the owners regarding a possible restoration.
Port authority emergency teams were on site and confirmed that the incident poses no risk to navigation in the port's access channel.
As a preventive measure, the vessel's moorings were reinforced, preventing any possibility of displacement toward the port channel.
Furthermore, an environmental containment boom was installed in the area as a safety measure. According to the port authority, the action was adopted as a precaution, since the vessel had previously undergone a complete process of oil and residue removal.
The Port Guard maintains permanent surveillance at the site to prevent people from attempting to access the vessel, which could pose a risk due to the ship's list.
The Harbourmaster's Office was also informed of the occurrence and is monitoring the situation. According to the Operations Directorate, all appropriate measures have been taken and there is no risk to navigation in the Port of Santos.
The Professor Besnard is considered one of the most emblematic vessels in Brazilian oceanographic research, having participated over decades in numerous scientific expeditions devoted to the study of the seas and marine biodiversity.
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