The planned refloating operation for the historic research vessel Prof. W. Besnard, which sank at the Valongo pier in the Port of Santos on March 13, has been delayed. The critical test, initially scheduled for Friday, March 8, was called off because the sea conditions were not favorable for the complex procedure.
According to Alexandre Salamoni, director of the Marfort Serviços Marítimos company contracted for the emergency salvage, the tide window was too short. The tide remained low for only 30 to 40 minutes, which was insufficient to power up all 13 suction pumps installed on the vessel and begin the water removal process.
The operation, which carries a cost of R$ 8.6 million, relies on a specific tidal condition. The team requires the tide to stay low for at least two hours to create a stable environment for the pumps to work effectively, gradually removing the water that caused the ship to sink after accumulating rainwater.
Salamoni expressed confidence that the necessary conditions will be met in the coming week. The forecast indicates a suitable tidal window will open between March 11 and 14, providing the extended low-tide period needed for the safe execution of the refloating plan.
Safety remains the paramount concern for the salvage crew. Salamoni emphasized that the process will not be rushed, and they are prepared to make as many attempts as necessary to ensure the operation is completed securely. The detailed execution plan has already received approval from the Brazilian Navy.
Once the Prof. W. Besnard is successfully refloated, the next phase will involve a thorough inspection of its hull to assess its navigability. Following this assessment, the vessel will be towed to a shipyard and handed over to the Santos Port Authority (APS) for further study and final disposition.
The 49.3-meter-long ship has a storied history. Built in 1966 for the São Paulo state government, it conducted over 260 voyages for scientific research, visiting more than 10,000 collection points. Notably, it carried the first Brazilian research teams to Antarctica. After a major fire in 2008 left it inoperable, it was donated to the Instituto do Mar (Imar) NGO for refurbishment before the recent sinking incident.
Based on reporting from g1.