site.btaNaval Academy Rector Presents Badges of Honour to Three Bulgarian Antarctic Explorers for Contribution to Expeditions

The leadership of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy awarded a badge of honour "For Sailing in the Southern Ocean" to three Bulgarian Antarctic explorers for their contribution to Antarctic expeditions. Those honoured are Prof Christo Pimpirev, leader of the National Antarctic Expedition and Bulgarian Antarctic Institute Director, the Ambassador to Argentina, Stoyan Mihaylov, and Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev. The badges were presented by the Naval Academy Rector, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov.

The formal event took place on board the naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421).

Prof Mednikarov said: "Years ago, when the Bulgarian Navy participated in the joint Black Sea Fleet squadrons in the Mediterranean and Bulgarian ships sailed to Cape Matapan (the southernmost point of Greece's Mani Peninsula) and east of it, the officers, petty officers and seamen participating in those voyages wore a special badge 'For a Long Voyage'."

"Last year, in connection with the first successful mission of RSV 421 in the Atlantic Ocean, I had a similar badge instituted, 'For Sailing in the Southern Ocean'," said Mednikarov. An operational badge is awarded to any member of the ship's crew who has sailed successfully through the Drake Passage and reached Antarctica. In other words, it is given to people who have proved they are true seafarers. As to the badge of honour, it is given for contribution to Antarctic research.

Lieutenant Commander Radko Muevski, the ship's Executive Officer, announced those honoured with the badge "For sailing in the Southern Ocean".

Prof Pimpirev said: "This is an important and very valuable distinction for me."

Ambassador Mihaylov said the badge was for everyone involved in the great collective effort.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said the Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii was celebrating one of its name days, the Dormition of St Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher. Valchev said ships featured in several episodes of St Cyril's life and spoke about his travels.

He went on to say that Bulgaria reached Antarctica in a dignified manner: "Here we are an example that when Bulgarian Antarctic explorers set their heart on the mission, Bulgaria can be one of the world's most advanced nations in Antarctic exploration." He wished the RSV 421 crew to continue their Antarctic missions successfully.