The Professor Besnard, one of the most emblematic vessels in Brazilian oceanographic research, heeled over at the Parque Valongo wharf in the Port of Santos on Friday night (13th). The ship, which does not belong to the Port of Santos and is owned by the Institute of the Sea, was attended to by the Operations Directorate (Diop) of the Santos Port Authority (APS), which determined that the vessel poses no risk to navigation in the port channel.
APS president and chief executive Anderson Pomini stated that the federal public company has been closely monitoring the situation of the ship. He acknowledges that the vessel holds great historical importance for national research, having conducted more than 150 marine research expeditions. However, he noted that the ship is currently inactive due to hull damage that allowed water to enter and caused the vessel to heel over.
Pomini reiterated that the situation was quickly brought under control by the Port Authority, with full support from the Port Captain's Office. But for safety reasons, in the coming days, the ship will be stabilized by a specialized company and taken to a shipyard.
The ship belongs to the Institute of the Sea, a non-profit civil association that does not have resources for its recovery. Pomini emphasizes that, should conditions permit, the Port of Santos is interested in recovering the ship with support from its partner companies, but if that does not happen, part of the vessel will be preserved at Parque Valongo. "The Port of Santos, being a public company, cannot pay this cost directly, but can mobilize partners, companies and the maritime community, and we are already doing so. We understand that preserving our history is caring for the future."
```
