NERC had the brilliant idea to open an online vote to the public to suggest a name. They’ve had quite a few suggestions, including “David Attenborough” and “Henry Worsley” — the Antarctic explorer who passed away in January. But Boaty McBoatface is currently the solid frontrunner.
The Name Our Ship website has crashed multiple times recently due to a ton of incoming traffic, thanks to the loyal supporters of Boaty McBoatface.
The winning name will be announced after voting finishes on April 16. NERC seems to be taking the nonconventional name suggestion with grace, at times even tweeting #BoatyMcBoatface along with its hashtag #NameOurShip.
The 125-meter vessel is currently under construction at the cost of almost $300 million. When completed in 2019, the ship will be tricked out with the latest technology and onboard laboratories to help understand the effect of climate change on the Antarctic’s climate and ecosystems, as well as the world’s ocean circulation and sea levels. 