Image Credit: NERC
The UK’s latest polar research ship has been named RRS Sir David Attenborough, despite the name “Boaty McBoatface” leading the public poll to decide upon the vessel’s title by a considerable amount.
Despite Boaty McBoatface having received an overwhelming amount of public support, the £200 million ship will be named after broadcaster, natural scientist, and all-around national treasure David Attenborough. Though the competition would have seen the ship branded Boaty McBoatface, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) held a meeting today in order to decide upon a suitable name for the vessel, and understandably overlooked the public’s most popular opinion in favor of choosing the fourth-highest entry, RRS Sir David Attenborough.
James Hand, the individual who began the Boaty McBoatface movement, posted the following tweet regarding the ship’s new name:
My view on #BoatyMcBoatface living on! Won’t be saying anything else, so please contact @NERCscience for more. pic.twitter.com/NtHJyfeMRc
— James Hand (@JamesHand) May 6, 2016
Speaking of the polar research vessel being named after him, Attenborough said he was “truly honoured” by the decision, adding: “I have been privileged to explore the world’s deepest oceans alongside amazing teams of researchers, and with this new polar research ship they will be able to go further and discover more than ever before.” He also said that he hoped “everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship’s progress as it explores our polar regions”.
