Bulgarian navy research ship bound for Antarctica - Propulsion and Manoeuvrability

The Bulgarian research/survey vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (NAVAL RSV 421) is on a historic first voyage to Livingston Island to support the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic expedition there. Originally built as an auxiliary vessel for servicing oil platforms, laying cables and pipe routes and sampling the seabed, Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii turned out to be extremely suitable for conversion into a research vessel. One of the reasons for this is the ship's propulsion system with azimuth thrusters, a system of mechanisms that ensures the ship's good propulsion and precise manoeuvrability. Някои кораби се задвижват само и единствено от двигатели с вътрешно горене, докато „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ е електроход. Some ships are propelled solely by internal combustion engines, while NAVAL RSV 421 is an electric ship. It has main diesel generators, three in total. Each of these diesel generators has two mechanisms: an internal combustion engine which is connected to a generator. Pictured: the ship's command room.
Photo by Konstantin Karagyozov