Commander Muevski: RSV 421 Meets New Challenges on Fourth Antarctic Voyage

BTA correspondent Mila Edreva, BTA correspondent Valentina Dobrincheva, Kaloyan Kirilov

Commander of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) Radko Muevski, at Varna Marine Station, Varna, April 9, 2026 (BTA Photo/Krasimir Krastev)

Varna, on the Black Sea,

09.04.2026 16:02

(BTA)

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Antarctica

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) and its crew developed a strong capacity to support Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions after four voyages, RSV commander Radko Muevski said at a welcome ceremony for the vessel at Varna Marine Station on Thursday.

He said the ship expanded its operating range during the fourth expedition, which brought new challenges, including severe ice conditions, deeper sampling operations and the use of new onboard equipment.

“On this voyage we were in very severe ice conditions, we took samples from much greater depths, and we used new equipment that we have on board,” Muevski added. He specified that the new place they visited was mainland Antarctica, where the crew and the scientists had the opportunity to go ashore and collect samples. Muevski added that they also expanded their area of operations westwards, revisiting Snow Island and a peninsula.

“Neptune was a little harsher on us this time during the passage to Antarctica, and at around 42 degrees south we ran into a strong storm for about 20 hours,” Muevski said. He added that the storm tested the crew, but reminded him that the sea must always be respected. Everything passed without incident, and after that they did not encounter bad weather, Muevski said.

Muevski also said that the four cadets who served as trainees on board throughout the expedition performed excellently and expressed hope that the knowledge and skills they had gained would serve them well when they joined the ranks of the Bulgarian Navy. He added that a total of 40 young people, including foreigners, trained on board during the short-term cadet placements from Varna to Cartagena and from Cartagena to Varna.

The first Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) was welcomed at Varna Marine Station on Thursday, April 9, on its return from its fourth Antarctic expedition. Among those attending the ceremony were Christo Pimpirev, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, officials, relatives and friends.

/NZ/