NAVAL RSV 421 Is on Course to Cape Verde

Lieutenant Commander Radko Muevski, senior assistant commander of the Bulgarian military research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (NAVAL RSV 421), confirmed for BTA that the weather has been favourable over the last twenty-four hours. "We are managing to firmly stay on course to the Cape Verde archipelago - we still have about 275 nautical miles to go," Muevski said.

While the crew is not worried, Muevski did speak about the risk of raids by local pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of West Africa. "It is possible that the area could be dangerous, but at the moment we have no concerns. There are no suspicious objects around us, in our visible range or in the range of our radio," the seaman noted. The ship will leave the region in about two and a half days, if she keeps up a speed of 9 to 9.5 knots.

Ships in these waters should be on the lookout for suspicious vessels, i.e., they are unmarked, have no name or signal lights, move contrary to generally accepted rules of navigation, etc. RSV 421 will pass near the Cape Verde Islands where the crew can quickly respond and seek assistance in the case of any threat.

After passing Cape Verde from the east, Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii will continue moving at least another six to seven days south-southwest toward the easternmost part of South America - the coast of Brazil off Recife.

RSV 421 is sailing across the Atlantic on its way to the second stop on the voyage to Livingston Island - Mar del Plata off Argentina. The ship is expected to arrive there in early February.

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 will cover the Bulgarian expedition on site throughout the stay in Antarctica.

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