site.btaBulgarian Naval Research Vessel RSV 421 Enters Ionian Sea

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), which sailed off on its third expedition to Antarctica on November 7, has entered the Ionian Sea, the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in the Black Sea city of Varna said on Facebook.

The vessel will pass through the Strait of Messina and will then head to the Spanish port city of Cartagena.

The Commanding Officer of RSV 421, Commander Radko Muevski, chose this route to enhance the cadets' practical skills for sailing in narrows, channels and along the coastline, and getting used to lighthouses and coastal landmarks, bays and headlands. The engine watchkeepers are trained to build on their theoretical knowledge of rotating and reciprocating machines. What the cadets have learned is immediately put into practice during watchkeeping so as to acquire skills to detect fluctuations in the operation of the ship's machinery and/or make repairs at sea, the Naval Academy said.

There are 23 Naval Academy cadets doing short-term practical training on board RSV 421. Twenty cadets, including two Romanians, will sail to Cartagena and will return to Varna. Four cadets will be on board the vessel during the entire voyage, BTA learned from Flotilla Admiral Kalin Kalinov, Rector of the Naval Academy.

RSV 421, which is part of the 33rd Antarctic expedition, is expected to reach the Ice Continent and cast anchor near the Bulgarian base on Livingston Island in about 50 days. Commander Radko Muevski said the vessel will stay in Antarctica for about 45 days.