Day 112: RSV 421 Refuelling in Cartagena

BTA special correspondent Konstantin Karagyozov

BTA Photo

17.04.2023 16:31

(BTA)

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Antarctica

The Bulgarian military research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) began refuelling on April 17 at the naval base in the Spanish city of Cartagena. Five tank trucks of 32 tons each transferred fuel to the vessel. The refuelling process will continue on Tuesday when four more tankers are expected.

At the same time, crew members from the deck crew refreshed the ship's accommodation module, smoke-stacks and life rack stands with a fresh coat of white paint, designed to preserve the surface areas as long as possible from rust and corrosion, which are inevitable in marine conditions.

Cartagena is an intermediate stop on the way of RSV 421, which is sailing back to Varna after its successful first participation in the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic expedition to Livingston Island. On April 18, a new group of 24 cadets from the N. Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna will board the ship and, like their 23 colleagues at the start of the voyage to Antarctica, they will conduct a 10-day sailing practice. After Cartagena, RSV 421 will stop in Piraeus, Greece, to discuss the mutual cooperation between the naval academies of the two countries. The ship is expected to complete its full voyage in early May, docking at Varna Naval Station.

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.

/MT/