Democracy Thwarted As ‘Boaty McBoatface’ Name Rejected For Arctic Research Ship

Despite being the runaway favourite in a public poll, Britain’s new polar research ship will not be named ‘Boaty McBoatface’ after Science Minister Jo Johnson said there were “more suitable” names.

As Breitbart London previously reported, the UK government had the bright idea of allowing the general public a say in the naming process of Britain’s new £200 million polar research vessel. An official website stated:

To celebrate the launch of our new research ship, we have launched the #NameOurShip campaign. Currently we’re calling her ‘NPRV’, which isn’t very catchy! So we’re inviting you to suggest a name for her.

In response to Mr. Johnson asking participants to “imagine one of the world’s biggest research labs travelling to the Antarctic with your suggested name proudly emblazoned on the side,” the British public acted with an admirable sense of fun and threw its weight behind one person’s nomination of ‘Boaty McBoatface’.

According to convention, vessels of this sort are named after renowned explorers and adventurers. On this occasion, however, the fourth favourite name will be used. The 15,000 tonne, Merseyside-built vessel will sail in 2019 under the name RRS Sir David Attenborough.

New polar research ship to be named RRS Sir David Attenborough in tribute to a great broadcaster & natural scientist pic.twitter.com/eI07JTje6R

— Jo Johnson (@JoJohnsonUK) May 6, 2016

The name is considered a fitting tribute to the world-renowned broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who celebrates his 90th birthday in two days time. The BBC reports he is “truly honoured” by the decision, although some were not as happy.

Right, well I'm going to call David Attenborough Boaty McBoatface, then. That's only fair. https://t.co/BVaYbl5v9v

— SimonNRicketts (@SimonNRicketts) May 6, 2016

The 124,109 voters who supported the rejected name will be pleased to know it will live on in the project. Accompanying the RRS Sir David Attenborough as it carries out important research in polar environments using robotic, satellite and underwater monitoring technology will be a remotely operated yellow submarine called RRS Boaty McBoatface.

https://twitter.com/NERCscience/status/728508385692418048

James Hand, the person who first suggested the comedic name, is happy with the outcome.

https://twitter.com/JamesHand/status/728509505470930944

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