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'Boaty McBoatface' polar ship named after Attenborough 'Boaty McBoatface' polar ship named after Attenborough
(35 minutes later)
The UK's new polar research ship is to be named RRS Sir David Attenborough, after Boaty McBoatface previously topped a public vote. The UK's new polar research ship is to be named RRS Sir David Attenborough, despite Boaty McBoatface previously topping a public vote.
The £200m vessel will be named after the world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster, Science Minister Jo Johnson confirmed. A website inviting suggestions to name the ship had attracted huge interest, with "Boaty McBoatface" being the clear favourite.
The move, coming days before Sir David turns 90, will recognise his "legacy in British broadcasting", he said. But Science Minister Jo Johnson said there were "more suitable" names.
The £200m vessel will instead be named after the world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster, days before he turns 90.
Sir David said he was "truly honoured" by the decision.Sir David said he was "truly honoured" by the decision.
He said that he hoped "everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship's progress as it explores our polar regions".
"I have been privileged to explore the world's deepest oceans alongside amazing teams of researchers, and with this new polar research ship they will be able to go further and discover more than ever before."
While the ship will not be named Boaty McBoatface, one of the remotely operated sub-sea vehicles will be named Boaty in recognition of the vote.While the ship will not be named Boaty McBoatface, one of the remotely operated sub-sea vehicles will be named Boaty in recognition of the vote.
'Inspirational names' James Hand, who first suggested the name Boaty McBoatace, said he was pleased the name would "live on".
A website inviting suggestions to name the ship had attracted huge interest, with "Boaty McBoatface" being the big favourite. In a tweet, he also said that RRS Sir David Attenborough was a "fitting and excellent choice".
But Mr Johnson said there were "more suitable names" for the vessel. Mr Johnson said: "The public provided some truly inspirational and creative names, and while it was a difficult decision I'm delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation's most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists.
He said: "The public provided some truly inspirational and creative names, and while it was a difficult decision I'm delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation's most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists.
"This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfils its mission to explore the oceans and put Britain at the forefront of efforts to preserve our precious marine environment.""This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfils its mission to explore the oceans and put Britain at the forefront of efforts to preserve our precious marine environment."
Members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee have said they want to discuss whether the public engagement project around the search for a name has been a success or a failure. Sir David said that he hoped "everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship's progress as it explores our polar regions".
Nicola Blackwood, committee chair, said she wanted to explore whether the process was a "triumph of public engagement or a PR disaster". "I have been privileged to explore the world's deepest oceans alongside amazing teams of researchers, and with this new polar research ship they will be able to go further and discover more than ever before."
Analysis
BBC science correspondent Jonathan Amos
It's the diplomatic choice.
No, Sir David's name wasn't at the top of the public's list, but it was certainly among the favourites.
It's a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much to explain the wonders of the natural world to all of us.
"Boaty" lives on as the name of one of the ship's autonomous submarines.
But why couldn't the main vessel itself have carried the name?
Here's one reason: imagine the ship were to get into trouble at some point in the future.
Imagine the headlines.
Remember, the places it will work are extremely hostile; they are dangerous.
But whatever your thoughts about Boaty and its suitability, it is the capability that the RRS Sir David Attenborough represents which ultimately matters.
UK science is set to get the most advanced polar research ship in the world.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee have said they want to discuss whether the public engagement project around the search for a name has been a success or a failure.
The chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), which was behind the vote, has been called before the Commons committee to give evidence on 10 May.
Nicola Blackwood, committee chair, questioned whether the process had been a "triumph of public engagement or a PR disaster".
The RRS Sir David Attenborough is being built on Merseyside and is due to set sail in 2019.
The government said it would conduct research into the world's oceans and how to address climate change.
The Boaty sub-sea vehicle will be dispatched from RRS Sir David Attenborough to allow the ship's research crew to collect data and samples from the deepest waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.