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| Experts could overrule 'Boaty McBoatface' name choice for polar ship | Experts could overrule 'Boaty McBoatface' name choice for polar ship |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | The names Pingu, Usain Boat and It's Bloody Cold Here have also been put forward. |
| 'Inspirational' name | 'Inspirational' name |
| Lord West told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's a typical thing of the Brits going mad - normally silly season, rather than this time of the year." | |
| He said the NERC had only expected "marine research fans" to get involved. | 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 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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | On Sunday, the poll website crashed under the weight of people trying to cast their votes. |
| 'Very British thing' | '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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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". | 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!" | In another tweet, she wrote: "We wanted people to talk about our ship and get involved. We are delighted!" |
| Mr Hand said he was "still thoroughly rooting" for his idea to be chosen but understood the public's choices were only ever a suggestion. | Mr Hand said he was "still thoroughly rooting" for his idea to be chosen but understood the public's choices were only ever a suggestion. |
| In second place, with more than 3,000 votes, is RRS Henry Worsley. Worsley died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January. | In second place, with more than 3,000 votes, is RRS Henry Worsley. Worsley died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January. |
| Another of the more serious suggestions is RRS David Attenborough. | Another of the more serious suggestions is RRS David Attenborough. |
| The 15,000-tonne, 128m-long vessel is being built at Cammell Laird on Merseyside. | The 15,000-tonne, 128m-long vessel is being built at Cammell Laird on Merseyside. |