Boaty McBoatface lives on

Democracy died a death this week as the UK's MP Jo Johnson made the announcement that the new £200 million state-of-the-art British polar research ship will not be named Boaty McBoatface, despite that name clearly winning the poll led by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council.

We previously reported on in this important public naming occasion in this article on our sites. But because Boaty McBoatface topped the list with over 124,000 votes and, in recognition of the public interest, it will be used as the name of one of the ship’s high-tech remotely operated sub-sea vehicles.

The UK’s £200 million state-of-the-art polar research ship is to be named after world renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, just days before his 90th birthday.

Following a call for suggestions that sparked global interest, Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough has been selected as a name that captures the ship’s scientific mission and celebrates the broadcaster’s contribution to natural science.

The decision to name the ship after Sir David Attenborough comes only days before Sir David’s 90th birthday and is in recognition of his legacy in British broadcasting, inspiring a love of the natural world over generations.

Reflecting the global interest that the campaign drew, Mr Johnson has confirmed the popular suggestion Boaty McBoatface will live on as the name of one of the high-tech remotely operated sub-sea vehicles.

The Boaty sub-sea vehicle will be dispatched from RRS Sir David Attenborough to allow the ship’s research crew to collect data and samples from the deepest waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.

"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," Universities and Science Minister Mr Johnson said.

"This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfills 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.

Sir David Attenborough 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 £200 million ship, being built in the UK on Merseyside, is due to set sail in 2019. Tonne for tonne, it will provide the UK with the most advanced floating research fleet in the world, conducting vital research into the world’s oceans and how we address climate change.

As the biggest commercial shipbuilding contract in Britain, the construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough is supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships.

The ship is 128 metres long – or more than five tennis courts —weighs 15,000 gross tonnes or 1.5 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower, and has 900 cubic metres of space for scientific cargo equal.

The crew will number 30 and the ship will carry 60 scientists and support staff, who will probably call the ship by its affectionate title Boaty McBoatface. I mean, how could you not?