Britain’s Natural Environment Research Council asked the public to vote on a name for the $300 million research boat last month, and basically got exactly what one would expect from inviting the internet to name something expensive and important.
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The reality NERC needs to understand is that “Boaty McBoatface” is incredibly benign for the internet.
Another humorous entry, RRS It’s bloody cold in here, came in fourth place with 10,679 votes, followed by RRS David Attenborough, which received 10,284 votes.
Jack wrote on Twitter: “Please, for the love of science, reason, & faith in humanity, do NOT name the damn boat “Boaty McBoatface”.
The National Environment Research Council has final say on what the ship’s name will be.
But Johnson was firm, saying, “I think we were clear when launching the competition that we were looking for a name that would be in keeping with the mission”.
BBC host Nicky Campbell exclaimed that the government would “ride roughshod over democracy” if it did not go through with naming the ship “Boaty McBoatface”, which garnered 120,000 votes – four times that of the next closest choice.
A statement posted online said: “NERC would like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign to name the UK’s next world-class polar research ship”.
Criticised for claims he is ignoring public democracy, Mr Johnson said he was “thinking very hard” about the 7,000 suggestions made by the public.
The 129 metre long ice-breaker – due to set sail in 2019 – will be built in Birkenhead, allowing a team of 90 scientists to carry out research amidst the harsh winters of Antarctica and the Arctic.
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“I’d argue that the simple absurdity of “Boaty McBoatface” actually much better captures the spirit of scientific endeavour – the idea that we are simply creatures bumbling their way around the mass of rock we have found ourselves on, trying to better understand it …”
