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BOATY'S BACK

Boaty McBoatface lives on in on-board robot submarine as work begins on polar research ship Sir David Attenborough

TV presenter and naturalist in Merseyside for traditional maritime keel-laying ceremony in Birkenhead

WORK has begun on the polar research ship which shot to fame amid public demands to name the vessel Boaty McBoatface.

Science Minister Jo Johnson shot down the popular suggestion after the madcap moniker won a landslide victory in a public poll – instead opting to name the ship after Sir David Attenborough.

Construction begins today on the RRS Sir David Attenborough - still known to many as Boaty McBoatface
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Construction begins today on the RRS Sir David Attenborough - still known to many as Boaty McBoatfaceCredit: PA:Press Association
The vessel will be named after the TV presenter despite Boaty McBoatface coming top of a public poll of suggested names
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The vessel will be named after the TV presenter despite Boaty McBoatface coming top of a public poll of suggested namesCredit: PA:Press Association
But the madcap moniker lives on, with a robotic submarine operating from the ship to be christened Boaty McBoatface instead
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But the madcap moniker lives on, with a robotic submarine operating from the ship to be christened Boaty McBoatface insteadCredit: PA:Press Association

But as construction begins today, the Boaty McBoatface name lives on.

Despite missing out on the name of the main vessel, a remote-control sub-sea vehicle that will be launched from the research ship will be christened with that name.

The £200million project was commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is being built on Merseyside in the largest commercial UK shipbuilding project in 30 years.

Johnson said: "The RRS Sir David Attenborough, with Boaty McBoatface operated from her as a robotic underwater vehicle, will be one of the most advanced research ships in the world.

"It will help inspire the next generation of scientists in the UK and build on our status as one of the world's leading nations in polar science, engineering and technology.

"With Merseyside's proud history and expertise in ship building, this project will support over 460 local jobs and apprenticeships, and provide a boost to the region and the whole Northern Powerhouse."

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The news today sparked a frenzy on social media, with #BoatyMcBoatface trending again on Twitter for the first time in months.

One twitter user said: “I can't deal with #BoatyMcBoatface trending again”

Avon Brooks UK wrote:  “Ah, #BoatyMcBoatface. They may change your name, but we all know you for what you are: a legend.”

And Heather Kincaid tweeted: “A hard #BoatyMcBoatface could be damaging to the UK. Maybe we should meet halfway & call it David McBoatface or Sir Boaty Attenborough?”

The keel is pictured arriving prior to the keel-laying ceremony of the polar research ship
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The keel is pictured arriving prior to the keel-laying ceremony of the polar research shipCredit: Getty Images
Sir David Attenborough will initiate the laying of the first block of the keel in the traditional maritime ceremony
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Sir David Attenborough will initiate the laying of the first block of the keel in the traditional maritime ceremonyCredit: PA:Press Association

Naturalist and TV presenter Sir David Attenborough, after whom it was ultimately decided the ship should be named, will initiate the laying of the first block of the keel at an event in Birkenhead, Merseyside.

The keel-laying is a traditional maritime ceremony to bring good luck to a vessel during her construction and her captain and crew during her life.

Once she sets sail in 2019, the RRS Sir David Attenborough will provide the UK with the most advanced floating research fleet in the world and will conduct research into the world's oceans and tackling climate change, the research council said.

The vessel is being built by Cammell Laird and will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey.

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