The UK-based Natural Environment Research Council - NERC - took to the internet for help in naming their new polar research vessel. You could say they asked for it -- but we’re pretty sure they didn’t foresee the possibility of an RRS Boaty McBoatface.
“We're looking for an inspirational name that exemplifies the work it will do,” the NERC advised would-be submitters. “The ship could be named after a local historical figure, movement, or landmark - or a famous polar explorer or scientist."
But that advisement isn’t stopping a whole heap of silly suggestions. Boaty McBoatface was leading by 8,000 votes when the polling site crashed Sunday, beating out more serious names like Endeavor, Falcon, Henry Worsley, and David Attenborough ("Henry Worsley" would be very fitting, as Worsely was a British explorer who died in January while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic).
Other goofy submissions include names like It’s Bloody Cold Here, Ice Ice Baby and Notthetitanic. A NERC spokesperson said staff were "very much enjoying hearing everyone's ideas.”
There’s no guarantee that the ship will actually take any of the suggested names, as the final decision will be made by the chief executive of the NERC.
NERC plans the 420-foot vessel to be operational by 2019, and it's said to be state-of-the-art. It will hold a team of 90 scientists and support staff along with a multitude of modern remote vehicles and onboard laboratories. Which, when considered together with the NERC's other research ships, lends the UK what the NERC calls “the most advanced floating research fleet.”
“Tonne-for-tonne, the ship -- together with NERC's existing two blue water research ships -- will provide the UK with the most advanced floating research fleet in the world and will help put the UK at the forefront of ocean research for years to come.”
The U.S. better come up with a cool, new super-science boat, or Trump might start telling us that we’re losing to the UK as well.