Following an online poll to name UK’s new polar research vessel, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has decided to use the name “Boaty McBoatface” but not for the vessel itself.
Namely, the name that scored the most public votes will be given to the remotely operated subsea vehicle that will be used by the scientists on-board.
The “Boaty” subsea vehicle will be used by the ship’s crew to collect data and samples from the deepest waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.
As for the £200 million research vessel, NERC has decided to name it the “RRS Sir David Attenborough”, after the renowned naturalist and broadcaster, the Science Minister Jo Johnson said on Friday.
Minister Johnson said: “The public provided some truly inspirational and creative names, and while it was a difficult decision I’m delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation’s most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists.”
Regarding the “Boaty”, Johnson added: “The ship has captured the imaginations of millions, which is why we’re ensuring that the Boaty name lives on through the subsea vehicle that will support the research crew, and the polar science education programme that will bring their work to life.”
The vessel, being built by Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside, is expected to set sail in 2019.
As the biggest commercial shipbuilding contract in Britain, the construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough is supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships, UK Govt website stated.