site.btaLaboratory Completion Is Among Main Tasks of 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition

One of the main tasks of the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, apart from scientific activities, is the completion of the new laboratory building, Kamen Nedkov, commander of the Bulgarian Antarctic Base  on the Livingston Island told BTA.

The second stage of the construction of the laboratory unit includes the complete construction of internal walls, wiring, water supply and sewerage and electric heating. It should be completed this polar season and the building should be operating at one hundred percent as a self-contained unit. The equipment and furniture will be assembled next year. Everything here is done in the name of science and it comes first, Nedkov explained.

The building has three separate laboratories, a warehouse, service rooms, a large hall to be used for scientific work, conferences, gatherings or leisure, four dormitories with necessary bathrooms and a large changing room for the whole building.

This is Nedkov’s sixth consecutive expedition. He says he became the base commander during his fourth expedition. He started as second shift commander together with Dr. Atanas Peltekov, who was first shift commander. Kamen came to Livingston Island with an interest in the new, the unknown and the belief that he could be useful.

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) departed from Varna on its third Antarctic expedition on November 7, 2024, and arrived at Livingston Island on December 28. The St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.

BTA has a national press club on the vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. This is the third year in a row that BTA has sent a correspondent to Antarctica. This year's correspondent is Milena Ostrovska, who arrived at the base on January 17. Her reports are available for free in English at the Bulgaria-Antarctica Log on BTA's website and can be used for free by all media with attribution to BTA.