The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) sailed from the port of Antalya on Wednesday to continue its journey to Antarctica, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
RSV 421 docked in Antalya on November 8 to take part in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). On Tuesday, it hosted a scientific discussion on international cooperation in the Antarctic region, attended by Bulgarian and foreign scientists and experts, and representatives of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Sofia University, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, the Turkish Polar Programme and the European Polar Board.
The vessel was seen off at the port by Bulgaria's Ambassador to Turkiye Angel Cholakov, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov and Commander Nikolay Danailov.
The RSV 421 departed from Varna on November 4 on its fifth voyage to Antarctica, as part of the 35th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. A formal military send-off ceremony was held at the Passenger Terminal of the Port of Varna.
The vessel set course for Antarctica to help support the Bulgarian polar expedition and the research activities at the Bulgarian St Kliment Ohridski Base on Livingston Island. The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna has emphasized that RSV 421's mission is essential for developing Bulgaria's polar presence, conducting scientific research and strengthening the country's role as an active participant in international Antarctic cooperation.
A BTA national press club has been operating aboard RSV 421 since 2022. Media representatives are also taking part in its fifth expedition. They are reporter Simona-Alex Mihaleva and photojournalist Milena Stoykova, who will remain aboard Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii until Antalya.
