site.btaDay 15: Bulgarian Research Ship Leaves Mediterranean for First Time, Heads for South Atlantic

The Bulgarian navy research/survey vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atlantic Ocean around 1800 hrs Central European Time on January 10.

The ship took less than 4 hours to negotiate the 35-mile-long channel between Spain and Morocco.

The Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii made history as the first Bulgarian research vessel to sail towards the South Atlantic.

On the eve of the 16th of its historic voyage to Livingston Island in the South Shetlands in support of the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, NAVAL RSV 421 proceeds at a steady speed of some 8.5-9 knots. The weather is fair, with an 11-12 m/s wind and smooth sea. 

The ship is steering southwestard to the Canary Islands. While the weather will hopefully be favourable, the crew stand by for a possible change in course when 421 reaches the archipelago so as to take cover from bad weather conditions. Later on, NAVAL RSV 421 will also bypass Cabo Verde. There, the vessel's alert status will be raised because of the risk of a pirate attack.

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.