God bless Boaty McBoat Face and all who sail in her

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[dropcap type=”circle”]L[/dropcap]iving on a peninsula the people of Heswall and the wider Wirral have a natural affinity with the sea and all things maritime.

They also have a sense of humour and will be delighted to hear that a state of the art, £200 million, brand new Royal Research Ship destined for the Arctic and Antarctic could be christened…

Boaty McBoat Face.

The polar research ship is currently being built at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead but is known only by a serial number. Its design is revolutionary, it will brim with the latest technology, and there is even a helipad.

Recently the National Environment Research Council, which will operate the ship, came up with what must have seemed like the good, awareness raising idea of asking the Great British public to suggest names for this 128 metre vessel capable of carrying 90 scientists and support staff to some of our planet’s most inhospitable regions.

The response from cyberspace was an enthusiastic mixed bag.

Some names were sensible, like the RRS David Attenborough and the RRS Henry Worsley (a tribute to the daring explorer who died earlier this year while trying to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic).

Some were less sensible, like the RRS Pingu and the RRS It’s Bloody Cold Here. But the least sensible of all and by far the most popular among the online voting community was…

RRS Boaty McBoat Face, suggested by one James Hand.

A glacier on the Antarctic coast
Gladys the glacier on the Antarctic coast

The online poll asked only for suggestions and the result is not enforceable. However, in these often dark times there is a lot to be said for a nation that can put its tongue in its cheek and send an ocean going message that it’s time for all nations and groups to stop taking themselves so seriously.

RRS Boaty McBoat Face attracted 13,000 more votes than RRS Henry Worsley, which should not be regarded as a slight on a man who was clearly brave and adventurous and dedicated to helping others.

Britain is redefining its place in the world and this technologically advanced ship can play its part.

Once we sent gunboats on to the high seas to enforce British rule.

From 2019, in the name of discovery and not conquest, let us send…

Boaty McBoat Face from Birkenhead.

From our Twitter page