The Professor W. Besnard, a historical vessel previously utilized by Brazil for Antarctic operations, tilted and became unsupported at the bottom of the estuary in the Port of Santos, São Paulo. This incident occurred on Friday the 13th at Parque Valongo and startled passersby. The Port Authority of Santos announced that the ship's reason for tilting has not been officially disclosed, and the vessel was inoperable at the time, docked at the park awaiting restoration processes by its owners.

Authorities rapidly implemented safety measures in response to the situation. The Port Operations Directorate (Diop) of the Port Authority of Santos (APS) declared that they took steps to isolate the affected land area and installed containment barriers in the sea to prevent any environmental accidents. While the ship itself has historical significance, the lack of stability raises concerns regarding maritime safety and the protection of local ecosystems associated with such incidents.

As a ship owned by the Institute of the Sea, the Professor W. Besnard occupies a space at the port that has been temporarily allocated until the owners commence restoration efforts. The tilt of this historical ship not only draws attention to maritime safety practices at the port but also emphasizes the need for ongoing maintenance and management of historical vessels to prevent future accidents and preserve heritage.