‘Boaty McBoatface’ Gets Most Votes In Research Vessel Naming Competition

By on March 31, 2016
RSS Boaty McBoatface is currently leading the polls for the new NERC research vessel. (Credit: Natural Environmental Research Council)

RSS Boaty McBoatface is currently leading the polls for the new NERC research vessel. (Credit: Natural Environmental Research Council)


In mid March, the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) asked the public to provide it with suggestions for naming a new research vessel. The ship has not yet been built, but should be completed in the year 2019 and cost more than $220 million.

Some of the names put forth have been respectful choices, based on historical figures or landmarks. But others, thanks to the internet, have been a little less serious.

A good example is the name that has gotten the most votes on the naming website, “RRS Boaty McBoatface.” But there are plenty of other ones spawned by the interwebs. One of our favs is “RRS Paul The Bear.”

For its part, the NERC seems to be playing a good sport in spite of the many odd names that are coming in. It is also not clear if the number of votes actually cast for a ship name will have any bearing on the research vessel’s final moniker.

Top image: RRS Boaty McBoatface is currently leading the polls for the new NERC research vessel. (Credit: Natural Environmental Research Council)

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