Boaty McBoatface tops list of names suggested for polar research ship

A state-of-the-art polar research ship could be called Boaty McBoatface after more than 16,500 people voted for the name online.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2016, 08:29 BST
Updated 21st Mar 2016, 08:44 BST
Boaty McBoatface - do you think it's a good name?Boaty McBoatface - do you think it's a good name?
Boaty McBoatface - do you think it's a good name?

James Hand, who put the suggestion forward, described it as "an absolutely brilliant name".

Other ideas include RRS (Royal Research Ship) David Attenborough, RRS Usain Bolt, RRS Boat, RRS Pingu and RRS It's Bloody Cold Here.

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The nomination RRS Henry Worsley, after the explorer who died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January, is currently the second most popular with around 2,400 votes.

The £200 million vessel will set off for Antarctica in 2019 and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invited the public to submit ideas for the name it should bear on its hull.

Once completed the ship, funded by the Government and under construction at Cammell Laird shipyard, Merseyside, will be deployed on research missions to the Arctic and Antarctic and be able to spend up to 60 days at sea.

The NERC asks for the names suggested to be inspirational, such as a historical figure, landmark or movement, and not names of ships which already exist, such as Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Entrants can suggest as many names as they wish, with a short explanation why, here by April 16 this year and NERC will make the decision.