Research vessel to be named ‘David Attenborough’ instead of Boaty McBoatface – with its submarine getting comedy name
Boaty topped an online poll but science minister Jo Johnson said the moniker was not 'suitable'
BOATY McBoatface will sail the seas after it was revealed today that the research vessel’s yellow submarine will get the comedy name which topped an internet poll.
The high tech sub will be emblazoned with the humorous name, while the actual polar research ship will be named after Sir David Attenborough.
Despite Boaty topping an online poll to name the polar exploration vessel the government said a more “sensible” name would be chosen.
But in a compromise announced today Science Minister Jo Johnson confirmed that Boaty McBoatface will feature on a remotely operated undersea vehicle that will explore the deepest waters of the Antarctic.
Sir David, who turns 90 on Sunday, said he felt “truly honoured” to lend his name to the £200 million research vessel,
He said: “I am truly honoured by this naming decision and hope that everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship’s progress as it explores our polar regions.
“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.”
The naming of the ship had caused tensions within government after Mr Johnson’s colleague Ed Vaizey said: “I think trust in politics is going down and we have to respect the will of the people, and I think Jo should agree that it is called Boaty McBoatface.”
More than 124,000 people voted to call the ship RRS Boaty McBoatface after the poll went viral.
Mr Johnson said today: “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.
“This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfils its mission to explore the oceans and put Britain at the forefront of efforts to preserve our precious marine environment.
“The ship has captured the imaginations of millions, which is why we’re ensuring that the Boaty name lives on through the sub-sea vehicle that will support the research crew, and the polar science education programme that will bring their work to life.”
Following the announcement of the name Mr Johnson said the government will invest up to £1 million in a new Polar Explorer Programme.
As the biggest commercial shipbuilding contract in Britain, the construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough is supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships.
Wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna, two former Environment Secretaries, two former Culture Secretaries and polar explorer Dan Byles all backed naming the ship after Sir David.
Born Free star Virginia said: “I can think of no more fitting way to recognise his outstanding contribution than by naming the UK’s new Polar research ship after him.”
The new research vessel for the Natural Environment Research Council will be built at the Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside.
It will set sail for the Arctic in 2019, replacing RRS Ernest Shackleton and RRS James Clark Ross.