Nessebar council will vote on Thursday, 19 November, on whether to make Captain 2nd Rank Nikolay Danailov an "Honorary Citizen of Nessebar". Danailov is the first commander to take a Bulgarian military research ship to Antarctica.
Nessebar mayor Nikolay Dimitrov proposed the title. The nomination stresses the officer's part in Bulgaria's Antarctic expeditions, in the growth of scientific research and in international cooperation. It also says the expeditions matter for science, education, Bulgarian diplomacy and ties with other countries.
The council's committee on legality, public order, local self-government and oversight of the council's decisions backed the proposal unanimously. Kiril Kirov chairs the committee.
Nikolay Georgiev Danailov commanded the research ship "Saints Cyril and Methodius" (NIK 421) from 2020 to 2024. He led the first two historic Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. He has also sailed to Antarctica twice as the naval officer in charge of the ship's passage.
In the Navy, Danailov has held command and staff posts. He was commander of the navigation unit on a patrol ship, senior first officer on a tanker-bunkering ship and a divisional navigator. From 2012 to 2018 he commanded the submarine rescue ship "Proteo" and led its crew.
From July 2024 to June 2026 he was head of a staff module at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. Since 1 July 2026 he has headed the academy's "Naval Training" department, where he is in charge of planning and using the academy's vessels.
In 2024 Danailov became an honorary citizen of Varna for his service to naval affairs, maritime education and the city's image. The same year he was made an honorary member of the Bulgarian Captains' Association.
He also holds the "For Loyal Service under the Colours" badge, second class, and a commemorative badge for taking part in an Antarctic expedition. Bulgaria's president gave him an honorary plaque for the first voyage of a Bulgarian naval ship to Antarctica.