The refloating of the vessel Professor Wladimir Besnard, which listed at Valongo Pier in early March, is expected to cost over R$ 8.6 million. The information appears in the Federal Official Gazette this Tuesday (31st). According to the Santos Port Authority (APS), the case has been treated as a priority since the incident, with a focus on navigation safety and environmental preservation.
The service will be carried out by Marfort Serviços Marítimos and includes a diving plan, operational safety, hoisting, refloating methodology, pollution containment, and shipyard docking. According to APS itself, the operation is scheduled to begin later this week and is expected to last up to five days. The agreement is valid for six months.
Listing
The vessel listed on March 13th, but part of its structure remains out of water because it ran aground on the estuary floor. According to the president of the Institute of the Sea (IMar), Fernando Liberalli, the accident occurred after the vessel took on water. He clarified that at the beginning of the month, heavy rains were recorded and the suction pumps were out of operation due to theft of the wiring.
Although the vessel is owned by IMar, APS decided to assume responsibility given the emergency situation declared by the Port Authority. The vessel, privately owned, is to be taken by APS to a shipyard for assessment. The repairs are to be carried out by IMar, which is seeking partners.
The Brazilian Navy previously informed that the vessel posed no imminent risk to navigation, as it was resting on the seabed and remained moored to the pier. Despite this, APS implemented measures to ensure safety.
History
The Professor Wladimir Besnard holds great historical importance for national research. The vessel participated in Brazil's first expedition to Antarctica and conducted over 150 marine research expeditions, which reinforces its historical and institutional value.
