site.btaRSV 421 Makes History by Crossing Equator

The Bulgarian military research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (NAVAL RSV 421) crossed the equator at 03:19 hrs ship time (04:19 hrs Eastern European Time) on January 22, thus becoming the first military research vessel in Bulgarian history to sail beyond the zero parallel. RSV 421 entered the South Atlantic, keeping up its south-southwesterly course to South America on its way to Livingston Island in Antarctica, where it will support the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition.

The crew members who were on watch in the pilothouse at that time congratulated one another on the major event of crossing the equator and commented to BTA:

Merchant Captain Kiril Marinov: "This is a pleasure and a test, a rare occurrence in our everyday life. We feel motivated and willing to confront more and more challenges."

Petty Officer Ivan Nedelchev, helmsman: "We are very excited, because the servicepersons' normal job is to protect the national border. And now, this national duty that we have undertaken to fulfill, we view it as a major event. Crossing the equator is an important experience for every sailor, it is like baptism at sea."

Officer Candidate Andrei Petrov, assistant watch stander: "I feel inspired because this is my first time sailing from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. The event is of great significance. The flag of the Bulgarian Navy has never been raised south of the equator before."

RSV 421 is sailing across the Atlantic on its way to the Argentine port of Mar del Plata, the second stop in its voyage to Livingston Island in Antarctica. The ship is expected to reach Mar del Plata in early February.

BTA's Daily News editor Konstantin Karagyozov is the only member of the media who is travelling on board the ship to Livingston Island and back, and will cover the Bulgarian expedition on site throughout the stay in Antarctica.

All media outlets can use the Bulgaria-Antarctica BTA's Log for free.