Baku, July 24, AZERTAC Bulgaria's St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base on Livingston Island has been completely transformed thanks to the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy Rector Flotilla Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov said on Friday at a formal ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the vessel's incorporation into the Academy's fleet, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.Prof. Kalinov noted in his address during the ceremony that the idea of including a vessel in the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions had first emerged in 2015."[The head of the Bulgarian polar expeditions, Christo] Pimpirev said: 'Why don't we use the funding for the scientific polar programmes to purchase a research vessel that will be maintained and operated by the Naval Academy?' At that time, it did not happen, but the dream did not die. Dreams have one quality - if you are persistent, they come true," he said.He added that the dream began to take shape in 2020 with the support of then deputy education minister Kalina Angelieva and current BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, who at the time was a presenter at Darik Radio. The dream became a reality in 2021."The crew turned its ambitions into reality. We completed four polar expeditions, which evolved from providing logistical support to conducting scientific research. Thanks to the vessel, Bulgaria's Antarctic base has been completely transformed. Research has been carried out that is unique and unprecedented in its nature. At the same time, the vessel has not abandoned its other national causes," Prof. Kalinov stressed.He also noted that RSV 421 had gone through many trials, but throughout its journey it had enjoyed the unwavering support of the President's Administration, the Bulgarian Navy, the entire scientific community and Sofia University, the polar community, as well as Bulgarian seafarers.