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Can You Believe The Name Of This New Ship?

Can You Believe The Name Of This New Ship?

We couldn’t quite believe it today when news came into the office about the name of The National Environment Research Council’s newest vessel.

The council had left it open to the public to suggest and vote for their favourite name for the ship that will be the UK’s most advanced floating research vessel.

The winning suggestion so far is (drumroll please)…  RRS Boaty McBoatface. We kid you not!

The council had hoped for suggestions that paid tribute to the Great British heritage of seafarers such as Shackleton. They explained: “We’re looking for an inspirational name that exemplifies the work it will do.” They had expected suggestions to be following their guidelines of historical figures, landmarks, famous movements or polar explorers.

The deadline for the naming poll ends on April 16th and so far Boaty McBoatface is thousands ahead in the race.

In fact, internet users were so amused by the suggestion and the name received such publicity that the website in question crashed.

Amusingly, the man that suggested this name is now so apologetic about his winning choice that he has publically apologised for his suggestion.

James Hand had suggested the name in jest after other suggestions included Clifford the Big Red Boat, RRS Pingu, RRS Usain Boat and RRS David Attenborough.

James said: “I’ve apologised profusely to the people behind the website… I thought I would throw one into the ring. By Friday night it was leading by a couple of thousand, and when the site crashed on Sunday it was leading by 8,000. It’s been utterly bizarre.”

The as yet unnamed ship will launch in 2019 and sail to both the Antarctic and Arctic to gather extended observations and scientific data. It will cost £200 million to build and sail for up to 60 days in icy waters.

The second most popular name is RRS Henry Worsley and it will be up to the council to make the final decision on the name, despite public suggestions.

Alison Robinson (the director of the Natural Environment Research Council) said: “We’ve had thousands of suggestions made on the website since we officially launched; many of them reflect the importance of the ship’s scientific role by celebrating great British explorers and scientists. We are pleased that people are embracing the idea in a spirit of fun.”

You can read what our cruise community thought of the news here!

What do you think of the news? Are you surprised that the name Boaty McBoatface has proven so popular? What would your suggestion have been?

Let us know in the comments below!

Bulletin Editor

Editor and Creative Copywriter of Cruise.co.uk's bulletin blog, bringing you cruise news, tips and guides daily! - Contact: [email protected]

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