Day 57: Heavy Weather Prevents Unloading Last Batch of Cargo from RSV 421

Heavy weather in the morning hours of February 21 stopped the unloading of the last part of the cargo on board the naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) for the Bulgarian St Kliment Ohridski Antarctic base on Livingston Island. The ship has dropped anchor in the island's South Bay, less than a kilometre from the base's beach.

Around 08:30 hrs local time, the Antarctic base logistics team and the RSV 421 deck crew were able to successfully unload a pallet of cement with one of the base's workboats, but increasing wind gusts and swell created risks to continue operations further. Wind gusts increased, reaching speeds of up to 20 m/s. The planned launching of the pontoon raft to bring ashore a metal and scrap metal baler, a water treatment plant, and water and sewerage pipes was cancelled.

Work is currently suspended until further notice.

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 covering the Bulgarian expedition throughout its stay in Antarctica.

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