124,109 votes were cast to name the Natural Environmental Research Council’s (NERC) brand new $280 million Antarctic research ship, “Boaty McBoatface.” For the past month, the NERC has been holding a #NameOurShip campaign in hopes of connecting with the public and inviting widespread involvement.
When the campaign launched, NERC’s chief executive, Duncan Wingham, said, “NERC’s new ship will help put the UK at the cutting edge of polar research, as part of this extensive polar program with £200m investment from the government. Built in the North West of England, she will help bring an economic boost to the region and to the UK ship building industry. Today we are launching our campaign to bring our ship to the UK people, asking for their help to find her a name that encapsulates her role at the forefront of UK science. We are excited to hear what the public have to suggest, and we really are open to ideas.”
I suspect they got a bit more than they bargained for.
I happen to think this was a brilliant strategy to engender a feeling of ownership among the citizenry. I’m all for a little joking and displays of various ranges of humor. Some of the more or less humorous names that made the top 10 of suggested monikers for the new ship were, “It’s Bloody Cold Here,” “Usain Boat,” (after Jamaican Olympic sprinter, Usain Bolt) “Boatimus Prime,” and my personal favorite “I Like Big Boats & I Cannot Lie.”
The NERC typically names its vessels after famous explorers or historic figures to possibly broadcast the seriousness and magnitude of its missions. I have no doubt the ship and crew will perform its duties with the utmost professionalism and passion that’s needed in doing this type of research. My hope is that if the name is made final by the decision makers at the National Environmental Research Council, Boaty McBoatface will draw more than enough attention to some very serious issues. Please watch this video to see just how serious her mission will be.
