site.btaNaval Academy Cadets Receive Practical Training Aboard RSV 421

The voyage of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) to Antarctica and back takes about five months, and every member of its crew is specially selected. In the past four years, in addition to providing logistical support for the annual Bulgarian missions to Antarctica, the ship has served as a venue for practical training for cadets from the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna, who learn navigation and mechanics and become familiar with life aboard a ship.

This year, five second-year cadets specialising in Ship Machinery and Mechanisms at the Naval Academy are among those on board. This is their first practical training placement, and their supervisor during the voyage is Assoc. Prof. Dr Yulian Minchev, Head of the Academy's Mechatronics Department.

"The cadets stand watches aboard RSV 421 alongside the duty engineers," Assoc. Prof. Minchev told BTA. "They are constantly involved in the work, observing and assisting the duty engineer. Yesterday, they actively took part in the refuelling operation, which continued until 1:30 a.m."

The engineering cadets also take part in maintaining all the main diesel generators and auxiliary diesel generators. As RSV 421 is equipped with azimuth thrusters, the cadets also receive training in their operation and maintenance.

The Naval Academy cadets' practical training also includes instruction in monitoring the condition of the ship's machinery.

"I am a certified vibration analyst by the Mobius Institute and have brought specialized equipment with me. We will use it to carry out diagnostics on selected machines so that the cadets can see how this type of assessment is performed. We will also conduct thermal imaging diagnostics using a thermal camera, and this is how the practical training with the cadets will proceed," Assoc. Prof. Minchev said.

Condition monitoring is carried out in several stages, which can take varying amounts of time.

"For example, measuring the vibrations of one of the diesel generators and the electric motors of the thruster takes perhaps about an hour. But afterwards, the data have to be transferred to a computer, the measurements examined one by one and an analysis carried out, which also takes time," Assoc. Prof. Minchev noted, adding that the process is complex and requires time to master.

All the cadets specializing in Ship Machinery and Mechanisms currently aboard RSV 421 are in their second year at the Naval Academy, and this is their first practical training placement.

"It is their first time aboard a ship. They need to become sailors, to see what a ship is like, what standing watch involves and how life on board unfolds," their supervisor explained.

In his words, this first practical placement is also their first step towards their future service as engineers aboard naval vessels. They will have opportunities for further practical training in the future, including longer placements aboard RSV 421 during its extended voyages to Antarctica and back.

The research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (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.