It’s Official – “Boaty McBoatface” Announced As Most Popular Name For New British Research Ship

In spite of a clear win in an online poll, a new British scientific research ship is unlikely to be actually named “RRS Boaty McBoatface.”

An online poll launched last month to name a new US$284 million polar research vessel being constructed for the British government went viral after “Boaty McBoatface” was revealed to be the leading name in contention. With voting having now closed, it was announced on the weekend that “Boaty McBoatface” not only won the online poll, but blew all other competitors out of the water.

Despite becoming an internet sensation for its sheer silliness, the name Boaty McBoatface won the online poll with an overwhelming 124,109 votes – four times as many as the second-place entry. Now the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) finds itself in a difficult position, facing public pressure to actually name Britain’s largest and most advanced scientific research ship the RRS Boaty McBoatface.

Other names which finished among the top 20 in terms of overall popularity include RRS It’s Bloody Cold Here, RRS Usain Boat, RRS Thanks For All The Fish, RRS Big Metal Floaty Thingy Thing, and RRS Ice Ice Baby.

In spite of the landslide victory of “Boaty McBoatface” in the online poll, NERC chief executive Duncan Wingham says other naming options will also be considered.

Evidently “Boaty McBoatface” isn’t popular with everyone.