Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii
| Bulgaria in Antarctica |
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Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), "Св. св. Кирил и Методий", is a Bulgarian polar research vessel owned by the Bulgarian Naval Academy, the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia, and the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute.[1][2] The vessel is named after Sts. Cyril and Methodius,[3] it was built in 1984 and it is 65m long.[4]
History
33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition 2024–2025
On 7 November 2024, Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii left Varna with a crew of 34, beginning the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, and on 28 December, the vessel reached the St Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base on Livingston Island.[5] On 10 January, the ship's crew became the first Bulgarians to visit Smith Island.[6] In January 2025, the vessel delivered equipment to the Spanish Antarctic base Gabriel de Castilla on Deception Island.[7] On 30 January, the vessel sailed from Livingston Island to Byers Peninsula, Greenwich Island, and King George Island to transfer personnel between Bulgarian, Spanish, and Ecuadorian bases.[8] In early February 2025, the vessel sailed to Deception Island and back to transfer of six Spanish scientists.[9] On 16 February, the vessel departed Livingston Island with all passengers and participants of the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition on board[10] and on 18 February, they crossed Drake Passage[11] on their way to Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, where they docked on February 22.[12] Some participants of the expedition returned to Bulgaria by flying from Argentina, while the vessel continued its voyage home.[13][14] On 11 April 2025, Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii returned to Varna, concluding the expedition. The research vessel travelled 19,725 miles in 155 days during this voyage, which was its third expedition to Antarctica.[15]
34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition 2025–2026
On 7 November 2025, the vessel has departed from Varna on its 4th voyage to Antarctica with Bulgaria's 34th Antarctic expedition. The ship is expected to reach the St. Kliment Ohridski Base on Livingston Island by the end of December 2025.[16][17]
See also
References
- ^ "Bulgarian Polar Research Vessel "Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy (RSV-421)" – W.A.P." (in Italian). 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Commander Danailov on the Risks and High Points of Bulgaria's 33rd Antarctic Expedition". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "The Sts Cyril and Methodius ship returns from its third Antarctic mission". bnr.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "NAVAL RSV 421, Research Vessel - Détails du bateau et situation actuelle - IMO 8112586 - VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Bulgarian Ship Arrives at St Kliment Ohridski Base on Livingston Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Bulgarians Set Foot on Smith Island in Antarctica". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ GNA (2025-01-13). "Bulgarian Naval Research Vessel delivers equipment to Spanish Antarctic base on Deception Island". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Bulgarian Naval Research Vessel Reaches King George Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Bulgarian Naval Research Vessel RSV 421 Returns from Deception Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Bulgarian Naval Research Vessel RSV 421 Departs from Livingston Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "RSV 421 Crosses Smoothly through Drake Passage". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "RSV 421 Arrives in Comodoro Rivadavia". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Part of 33rd Antarctic Expedition Returns to Bulgaria". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Last Group of Participants in 33rd National Antarctic Expedition Returns". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Antarctic Research Vessel Travelled Nearly 20,000 Miles in 155 Days". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
- ^ "Research ship "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" departs for Antarctica". bnr.bg. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
- ^ "BTA to Once Again Have Correspondent on Board RSV 421 Research Vessel during 4th Voyage to Antarctica". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-11-07.