site.btaResearch Vessel Covered 20,000-Plus Miles on Latest Antarctic Voyage, Commander Radko Muevski Says

During its latest expedition to Antarctica, the Bulgarian military research vessel Sv.Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) travelled more than 20,000 nautical miles and the crew worked for 56 days straight, the ship’s commander, Radko Muevski, told participants in a reporting camp for the 34th Bulgarian polar expedition, held in Aheloy.

The vessel departed from Varna on November 7, 2025, Muevski recalled. He highlighted the presence on board of cadets from the Naval Academy in Varna, who had the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge up to the Spanish port of Cartagena.

During the expedition, the crew traditionally assisted scientists in collecting seabed samples as well as field research, and they studied ocean currents, he added. Muevski also noted the ship’s encounters with icebergs, most of them drifting.

During this voyage, research was also conducted on the presence of microplastics in Antarctica.

Muevski explained that under various projects, scientists were able to take samples using buoys equipped with sensors, and drones were also deployed, with the vessel serving as the platform for operating this equipment.

The vessel also assisted foreign scientists. Muevski highlighted cooperation with the Turkish Antarctic program, as well as collaboration with researchers from Argentina, Chile, and Spain. “For the first time on this voyage, we also reached the continent,” he added.

He reported that during the expedition the ship transported 80 tonnes of cargo to Antarctica and 10 tonnes back to Bulgaria. More than 200 scientists and logistics personnel were transported aboard the vessel.

On the way back from Cartagena, in addition to Bulgarian cadets, cadets from Norway, Poland, and Romania also boarded the vessel. On April 9, the ship docked at the Maritime Station in Varna. According to the ship’s commander, the voyage to Antarctica and back lasted a total of 153 days.