Boaty McBoatface

[Rum]

I love this! For starters it is such a British thing.

From (click to see a picture too)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35861444

Experts could overrule 'Boaty McBoatface' name choice for polar ship


The name of a new polar research vessel will be chosen by a panel of experts, even if the public overwhelmingly votes to call it Boaty McBoatface.

Lord West, ex-First Sea Lord, said he was rather proud "silly names" had been suggested but hoped none were chosen.

The Natural Environment Research Council had urged people to name its ship in a competition, which saw Boaty McBoatface easily topping the poll.

The final name will be selected by the NERC, according to competition rules.

Boaty McBoatface is currently leading with more than 27,000 votes, while the second place pick trails with around 3,000.


The names Pingu, Usain Boat and It's Bloody Cold Here have also been put forward.


'Inspirational' name

Lord West told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's a typical thing of the Brits going mad - normally silly reason, rather than this time of the year."

He said the NERC had only expected "marine research fans" to get involved.

"I think I would probably go for an Arctic or Antarctic explorer - that would be appropriate - bearing in mind this is a key bit of research where we are probably leading the world, and we should all be very proud of it.

"I'm rather proud that we have silly names going around, but I hope we don't select one."

The state-of-the-art £200m vessel will be launched in 2019 to replace Royal Research Ships (RRS) Ernest Shackleton and James Clark Ross.

Launching the competition to name it last week, the NERC said it was looking for something inspirational - something that will exemplify the ship's work.

"We are excited to hear what the public have to suggest and we really are open to ideas," the chief executive said.

On Sunday, the poll website crashed under the weight of people trying to cast their votes.

'Very British thing'

James Hand, a former BBC Radio Jersey presenter, was behind the suggestion of Boaty McBoatface but says he has since apologised to the NERC.

"I've actually been speaking a bit to the people behind the website. I've apologised profusely.

"What I keep saying to people is, this is actually nothing to do with me. I made the suggestion but the storm that's been created, it's got legs of its own.

"I just feel it's a very British thing which a lot of people have pointed out."

Julia Maddock, acting associate director of communications and engagement at the NERC, responded to Mr Hand's apology on Twitter, saying her organisation was "loving it".

In another tweet, she wrote: "We wanted people to talk about our ship and get involved. We are delighted!"

[pErvinalia]

I already posted this. Why does nobody read my stuff?

[Rum]

Didn't see it and I scan new posts pretty much every day.

[pErvinalia]

It's ok, everyone ignores me.

[tattuchu]

I love this! For starters it is such a British thing.

From (click to see a picture too)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35861444

Experts could overrule 'Boaty McBoatface' name choice for polar ship


The name of a new polar research vessel will be chosen by a panel of experts, even if the public overwhelmingly votes to call it Boaty McBoatface.

...

The names Pingu, Usain Boat and It's Bloody Cold Here have also been put forward.

[tattuchu]

But they must name it Boaty McBoatface. They simply must. I tried to vote myself but the site wouldn't load for me

What's the Pingu name, though? I don't understand that one

[Rum]

Pingu was the name of a kids' TV series about an baby penguin in the Antarctic. Done in stop motion an originally from somewhere in Europe.

[Rum]

This story is all over the news here. Seems to have caught the public's imagination.

[piscator]

RMS Boaty McBoatface. The little M/V who could.

[PsychoSerenity]

The thing is, whatever they eventually call it, everyone will still think aka Boaty McBoatface.

[pErvinalia]

It should have - - after its name.