Bulgarian Antarctic Base St. Kliment Ohridski, BG
Bulgarian Antarctic Base St. Kliment Ohridski, BG
The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) is the National Operator of the Republic of Bulgaria for Antarctica. BAI is a non-profit organisation which has a Board of Directors. Bulgaria has a dedicated National Programme for Polar Research, adopted by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 2016. The Programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Centre for Polar Studies of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
Contact
bg.antarctica[at]gmail.com
Location
The Bulgarian Antarctic Base “St. Kliment Ohridski” (BAB) is in the eastern part of Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. It is located on the Bulgarian beach, Emona Harbour, East – Northeast of Hesperides Point, with an elevation between 12 to 15 m above sea level. Local wildlife on Bulgarian beach includes fairly modest population of penguins and seals. At the same time, the base location offers most convenient access to Mount Friesland, Burdick Ridge, Mount Bowles, southern Hurd Peninsula and Varna Peninsula areas. Near to the BAB is located the Spanish Antarctic Base “Juan Carlos I”.
Website
http://www.bai-bg.net/bulgarian-base.html
https://polardex.org/Â “St. Kliment Ohridinski”
Facilities
The house has total area of 80 m2, and it has two sleeping rooms, a bathroom, a scientific laboratory, living room and a kitchenette. Between 2007–2010 were built two new houses (materials from Argentina) having four more bedrooms, a medical office and two scientific laboratories (geological and biological). In 2012 was built a new Ortodox chapel “St. Ivan Rilski”. Thus the total capacity of the base was expanded to 25 persons, providing better conditions for work and living, as well as possibilities for winter stay, if necessary. An average of 20 people work at St. Kliment Ohridski during the austral summer, usually from late November or early December until early March. An office of the Bulgarian Posts has been operating at St. Kliment Ohridski since 1994, postal code BG 1090.
Availability for access
Time frame for access preparation
The logistic arrangements take place during the summer months for an upcoming season (May-September) and should be finalised mid- end September the latest. Â
Permits, licenses and training
Permits are required for the exportation of samples from Antarctica, as well as visits to Protected areas. It is crucial that researches state location/s and sampling clearly in their proposals in order for all permits to be obtained.Â
Medical guidelines
Prior the expedition, each participant in the expedition is obliged to undergo a medical examinations and tests requested by the medical commission of BAI, as well as a dental examination. Detailed information about the required tests, vaccines and other medical requirements will be obtained from the organizers of the expedition in the course of preparation.  Each participant in the expedition is also obliged to fill in and sign a Medical Questionnaire for the participants in the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions to be transferred to BAI.Â
