Atlantic Ocean, January 22, 2023 - Crossing the equator put Bulgaria back on the sea map, said Nikolay Danailov, the Commanding Officer of the Bulgarian military research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (NAVAL RSV 421). RSV 421 crossed the equator at 03:19 hrs ship time (04:19 hrs Eastern European Time) on January 22, thus becoming the first military research vessel in Bulgarian shipping history to sail beyond the zero parallel. It entered the South Atlantic, staying on its south-southwestward course to South America en route to Livingston Island in Antarctica, where it will support the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. Speaking to BTA, Commander Danailov noted that it was not some crew employed by a foreign company that crossed the equator. "It was our national naval flag flying beyond the equator, beyond the visible horizon. In this way, step by step, we are regaining our pride as a seafaring nation," he said. BTA Photo/Konstantin Karagyozov
