NAVAL RSV 421 Navigator, Lieutenant Commander Hristo Hristov: Crossing the Drake Passage Will Be the Greatest Test

The first 30 days of the voyage were not marked by any major challenges, for the weather was favorable, but the warned the crossing of the Drake Passage will be the greatest challenge, the Navigator of the Bulgarian Navy research/survey vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii, Lieutenant Commander Hristo Hristov, told BTA.  

The body of water between South America's Cape Horn, Chile, Argentina and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica is considered one of the most treacherous voyages for ships to make. Waves there top 12 m, hence its reputation as "the most powerful convergence of seas".

As Navigator of NAVAL RSV 421, Hristov is responsible for the safe passage of the ship through various obstacles on its voyage from Varna to Livingston Island, as well as on the way back.

Born in Ruse, Hristov graduated from the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna in 2003, after which he continued to work there. In 2008, Hristov became a lecturer at the Chair of Shipping at the same academy.

Initially, Lieutenant Commander Hristov was appointed as part of the NAVAL RSV 421 temporary crew, when the Naval Academy took the initiative to participate in the purchase of the ship. But working together with Commanding Officer Danailov and the rest of the colleagues on NAVAL RSV 421 made him decide to leave his comfort zone at the Naval Academy, inspired by the challenge of sailing to the Antarctic. Hristov undertook this step in spite of any possible discomfort his family might experience, for they do support him in his undertaking.

Lieutenant Commander Hristov is proud that Bulgaria is one of the few countries with a base in Antarctica engaged in research in the southern polar region.

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 will cover the Bulgarian expedition on site throughout the stay in Antarctica.

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