Today the 33rd Bulgarian Polar Expedition left the port of Varna for Antarctica. For the third year in a row, Bulgarian polar explorers will sail on the military research vessel "St Cyril and Methodius". This time, two cadets from Romania will be on board. 

The team of scientists, sailors and cadets will continue to map the seabed in the area, as there are still unmapped areas. A preliminary survey of marine life will also be carried out to investigate the impact of pollution on the world's oceans. 

This year, scientists from Greece, Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Portugal and Ecuador will join the Bulgarian scientists on the expedition. "For Greece and the UAE, this will be the first time they set foot in Antarctica," said expedition leader Prof Hristo Pimpirev.