site.btaDay 105: RSV 421 Sails Near Western Sahara

In the early hours of April 10, the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) sailed off the coast of El-Ayoun, Western Sahara. RSV 421 is on its way back to Varna, on the Black Sea, after its successful first participation in the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition to Livingston Island.

El-Ayoun is the largest city in Western Sahara, a territory bordered by the internationally recognized borders of Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Most of its territory and population are under Moroccan authority and are organized as Moroccan provinces. The eastern outlands of Western Sahara constitute the partially recognized state of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

RSV 421 is currently averaging a speed of 9.0 knots against a headwind of 12 metres per second and waves ranging from 3 to 4 degrees Douglas. 

The Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii is expected back home at the end of April when she will dock at the Varna Sea Terminal.

BTA's Daily News editor Konstantin Karagyozov is the only member of the media who is travelling on board the ship to Livingston Island and back and covered the Bulgarian expedition on site throughout its stay in Antarctica.

All media outlets can use the Bulgaria-Antarctica BTA's Log for free.