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{{short description|British Antarctic $urvey research vessel}} {{short description|Royal Research Ship operated by the British Antarctic Survey}}

{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}} {{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}

{|{{Infobox ship begin}} {|{{Infobox ship begin}}

{{Infobox ship image {{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = RRS Sir David Attenborough at Liverpool Cruise Terminal 4.jpg

|Ship image=RRS Sir David Attenborough at Liverpool Cruise Terminal 4.jpg | Ship caption = RRS ''Sir David Attenborough'' berthed in Liverpool, England

|Ship caption=RRS ''Sir David Attenborough'' berthed in Liverpool, England

}} }}

{{Infobox ship career {{Infobox ship career
| Hide header =

| Ship name = RRS ''Sir David Attenborough''
|Hide header=
| Ship namesake = Sir ]

| Ship country = ]
|Ship name=RRS ''Sir David Attenborough''|Ship height=
| Ship flag = ]

| Ship owner = ] Research Ship Unit
|Ship draught= {{convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| Ship operator = ]

| Ship registry = ]
|Ship depth={{convert|11|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| Ship route =

| Ship ordered =
|Ship namesake=]
| Ship builder = ]

| Ship original cost = {{ShipCost|GBR|200|m|year=2014|r=1}}

| Ship yard number = 1390
|Ship country=]
| Ship way number =

| Ship laid down = 17 October 2016
|Ship flag=]
| Ship launched = 14 July 2018

| Ship sponsor = ]
|Ship owner=] Research Ship Unit
| Ship christened = 26 September 2019

| Ship completed = 2 December 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/british-antarctic-survey-takes-delivery-of-rrs-sir-david-attenborough/|title=British Antarctic Survey takes delivery of RRS Sir David Attenborough|date=2 December 2020|access-date=2 May 2022|website=British Antarctic Survey}}</ref>
|Ship operator=]
| Ship maiden voyage =

|Ship registry= | Ship in service =
| Ship out of service =

|Ship route= | Ship fate =
| Ship homeport =

| Ship identification = * {{IMO Number|9798222}}
|Ship ordered=
* {{MMSI Number|740405000}}

* ]: ZDLQ3<ref>{{csr|register=E|id=9798222|shipname=Sir David Attenborough|access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref>
|Ship builder= ]
| Ship status = In service

| Ship notes =
|Ship original cost= {{ShipCost|GBR|200|m|year=2019|r=1}}

|Ship yard number=1300

|Ship way number=

|Ship laid down=17 October 2020

|Ship launched=14 July 2020

|Ship sponsor=]

|Ship christened=26 September 2016

|Ship acquired=2 December 2020

|Ship maiden voyage=

|Ship in service=|Ship height=

|Ship draught= {{convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship depth={{convert|11|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship out of service=

|Ship fate=

|Ship homeport=]

|Ship identification={{IMO Number|9798222}}

|Ship status=Sea trials

|Ship notes=

}} }}

{{Infobox ship characteristics {{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =

| Header caption = <ref name="thenavalarchitect">Planet ice and the dual-functional ''Attenborough''. The Naval Architect, January 2017. Pages 37–38.</ref>
|Hide header=
| Ship class =

| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|15,000}}<ref>, Technical Features. British Antarctic Survey.</ref>
|Header caption=<ref name="thenavalarchitect">Planet ice and the dual-functional ''Attenborough''. The Naval Architect, January 2013. Pages 37–38.</ref>
* {{DWT|4475}}<ref name="cl_datasheet">{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Cammell Laird Shipyard. {{retrieved|access-date=2017-10-15}}</ref>

|Ship class= | Ship displacement =
| Ship length = {{convert|128.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| Ship beam = {{convert|24|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship tonnage=*{{GT|15,000}}<ref>, Technical Features. British Antarctic Survey.</ref>
| Ship height =

| Ship draught = {{convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
* {{DWT|4475}}<ref name="cl_datasheet">. Cammell Laird Shipyard. {{retrieved|accessdate=2017-10-15}}</ref>
| Ship depth = {{convert|11|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| Ship ice class = * ] (hull)
|Ship displacement=

|Ship length= {{convert|128.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship beam= {{convert|24|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship height=

|Ship draught= {{convert|7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship depth={{convert|11|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|Ship ice class=* ] (hull)

* ] (propulsion system) * ] (propulsion system)
| Ship power = *2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}] B33:45L6A (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}3,600{{nbsp}}kW)

|Ship power=*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}] B33:45L6A (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}3,600{{nbsp}}kW)

* 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Bergen B33:45L9A (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}5,400{{nbsp}}kW) * 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Bergen B33:45L9A (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}5,400{{nbsp}}kW)
| Ship propulsion = * ]; two shafts

|Ship propulsion=* ]; two shafts

* 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}2,750{{nbsp}}kW per shaft * 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}2,750{{nbsp}}kW per shaft
* Two 5-bladed ]s * Two 5-bladed ]s
|Ship speed=*{{convert|17.5|kn}} (maximum) | Ship speed = *{{convert|17.5|kn}} (maximum)
* {{convert|13|kn}} (cruising) * {{convert|13|kn}} (cruising)
* {{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} ice * {{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} ice
|Ship range={{convert|19000|nmi}} at 13 knots | Ship range = {{convert|19000|nmi}} at 13 knots
|Ship endurance=60 days<ref name="cl_datasheet" /> | Ship endurance = 60 days<ref name="cl_datasheet" />
|Ship capacity= | Ship capacity =
|Ship crew=* 28 crew | Ship crew = * 28 crew
* 60 scientists * 60 scientists
* 2 spare berths * 2 spare berths
|Ship aircraft=2 helicopters | Ship aircraft = Facilities for 2 helicopters
|Ship notes= | Ship notes =
}} }}
|} |}


'''] ''Sir David Attenborough''''' is a ] owned by the ], to be operated by the ] for the purposes of both research and logistic support.<ref name=bas>{{cite web |url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/ship/new-uk-polar-research-vessel/ |title=The next generation of polar research vessel |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=British Antarctic Survey |access-date=6 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509021803/https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/ship/new-uk-polar-research-vessel/ |archive-date=9 May 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In this, the ship is intended to replace a pair of existing vessels, {{ship|RRS|James Clark Ross}} and {{ship|RRS|Ernest Shackleton}}.<ref name=BBC44828136>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44828136 |title=Sir David Attenborough polar ship set for launch |first=Jonathon |last=Amos |work=BBC News |date=14 July 2018 |accessdate=14 July 2018}}</ref> The vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir ]. '''] ''Sir David Attenborough''''' is a ] owned by the ] and operated by the ] for the purposes of both research and logistic support.<ref name=bas>{{cite web |url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/ship/new-uk-polar-research-vessel/ |title=The next generation of polar research vessel |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=British Antarctic Survey |access-date=6 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509021803/https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/ship/new-uk-polar-research-vessel/ |archive-date=9 May 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The ship replaces a pair of existing vessels, {{ship|RRS|James Clark Ross}} and {{ship|RRS|Ernest Shackleton}}.<ref name=BBC44828136>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44828136 |title=Sir David Attenborough polar ship set for launch |first=Jonathon |last=Amos |work=BBC News |date=14 July 2018 |access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref> The vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir ].


==Background== ==Background==
In 2014, the ] announced funding for the construction of a new polar research vessel for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to replace a pair of existing ships.<ref name=bas /> This new ship was intended not only to be fully equipped with the latest instrumentation for the purposes of carrying out research in polar regions, for which it would have an improved ] capability and greater endurance over the existing polar research vessel, but also to serve as a logistic support vessel for BAS teams in inshore locations.<ref name=bas /> In 2014, the ] announced funding for the construction of a new polar research vessel for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to replace a pair of existing ships.<ref name=bas /> This new ship was intended not only to be fully equipped with the latest instrumentation for the purposes of carrying out research in polar regions, for which it would have an improved ] capability and greater endurance over the existing polar research vessel, but also to serve as a logistic support vessel for BAS teams in inshore locations.<ref name=bas />


BAS contracted ] to undertake the basic design in which suggestions for the final configuration of the new ship were taken. Following the consultation period, in 2015, ] was selected to execute the detailed design and ] in ] was selected as the preferred bidder to construct the ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/merseyside-beats-global-competition-to-build-200-million-polar-research-ship|title=Merseyside beats global competition to build £200&nbsp;million polar research ship|work=UK Government|date=12 October 2015|accessdate=6 May 2016}}</ref> The ship cost ].<ref name=Reuters211020>{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-boat-attenborough/britains-new-polar-ship-the-sir-david-attenborough-set-for-sea-trials-idUKKBN2761YG |title=Britain's new polar ship, the Sir David Attenborough, set for sea trials |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=21 October 2020}}</ref> BAS contracted ] to undertake the basic design in which suggestions for the final configuration of the new ship were taken. Following the consultation period, in 2015, ] was selected to execute the detailed design and ] in ] was selected as the preferred bidder to construct the ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/merseyside-beats-global-competition-to-build-200-million-polar-research-ship|title=Merseyside beats global competition to build £200&nbsp;million polar research ship|work=UK Government|date=12 October 2015|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> The ship cost £200m.<ref name=Reuters211020>{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-boat-attenborough/britains-new-polar-ship-the-sir-david-attenborough-set-for-sea-trials-idUKKBN2761YG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021161213/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-boat-attenborough/britains-new-polar-ship-the-sir-david-attenborough-set-for-sea-trials-idUKKBN2761YG |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2020 |title=Britain's new polar ship, the Sir David Attenborough, set for sea trials |publisher=Reuters |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref>


==General characteristics== ==General characteristics==
The ship is about {{convert|125|m|ft}} long, with a ] of about {{convert|24|m|ft}}. The ] is about {{convert|7|m|ft}} with a planned cruising speed of {{convert|13|kn}} with a range of {{convert|19000|nmi}} at that speed. She is capable of carrying two ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/rrs-sir-david-attenborough/operational-facilities/|title = Operational facilities - RRS Sir David Attenborough}}</ref> and has a capacity for approximately {{convert|900|m3|cuft}} of cargo. Accommodation is provided for 30 crew and 60 research staff.<ref name=bas /> The ship is about {{convert|125|m|ft}} long, with a ] of about {{convert|24|m|ft}}. The ] is about {{convert|7|m|ft}} with a planned cruising speed of {{convert|13|kn}} with a range of {{convert|19000|nmi}} at that speed. She is capable of carrying two ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/rrs-sir-david-attenborough/operational-facilities/|title = Operational facilities - RRS Sir David Attenborough}}</ref> and has a capacity for approximately {{convert|900|m3|cuft}} of cargo. Accommodation is provided for 30 crew and 60 research staff.<ref name=bas />
]
''Sir David Attenborough'' has a twin-shaft hybrid ] propulsion system. The vessel's power plant consists of two {{convert|3600|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} ] ] B33:45L6A and two {{convert|5400|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} ] Bergen B33:45L9A main diesel generators, a ] KTA38-DM1 {{convert|885|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} harbour generator,<ref name="Cummins">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cummins.com/case-studies/rrs-sir-david-attenborough|title=RRS Sir David Attenborough}}</ref> and two {{convert|2500|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} battery systems each of {{convert|500|kWh|MJ|adj=on|abbr=on}} capacity.<ref name="cl_datasheet" /> The power plant, which can run with different configurations depending on the mission and operating conditions, produces electricity to power four {{convert|2750|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} asynchronous electric motors driving two 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers. This gives ''Sir David Attenborough'' a maximum speed of {{convert|17.5|kn}} in open water and ability to break up to {{convert|1|m|ft|adj=on}} thick level ice at a speed of {{convert|3|kn}}.<ref name=bas /> At an economical cruising speed of {{convert|13|kn}}, she has an operating range of {{convert|19000|nmi}}. For manoeuvring and ], the vessel has four {{convert|1580|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} Tees White Gill thrusters with Teignbridge Propellers 60 inch 4 blade rotors,{{clarify|date=July 2023}} two in the bow and two in the stern.<ref name="cl_datasheet" />


The vessel has been strengthened according to the ] (IACS) ''Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships''. Her ice class, ], is intended for year-round operation in thick first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions. However, her propulsion system is only rated for ''Polar Class 5'' which is intended for medium first-year ice.<ref name="cl_datasheet" /><ref name="pc"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620102507/http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/Unified_requirements/PDF/UR_I_pdf410.pdf |date=20 June 2012 }}. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), April 2016. {{retrieved|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
''Sir David Attenborough'' has a twin-shaft hybrid ] propulsion system. The vessel's power plant consists of two {{convert|3600|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} ] ] B33:45L6A and two {{convert|5400|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} ] Bergen B33:45L9A main diesel generators, a ] KTA38-DM1 {{convert|885|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} harbour generator,<ref name="Cummins">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cummins.com/case-studies/rrs-sir-david-attenborough|title=RRS Sir David Attenborough}}</ref> and two {{convert|2500|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} battery systems each of {{convert|500|kWh|MJ|adj=on|abbr=on}} capacity.<ref name="cl_datasheet" /> The power plant, which can run with different configurations depending on the mission and operating conditions, produces electricity to power four {{convert|2750|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} asynchronous electric motors driving two 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers. This gives ''Sir David Attenborough'' a maximum speed of {{convert|17.5|kn}} in open water and ability to break up to {{convert|1|m|ft|adj=on}} thick level ice at a speed of {{convert|3|kn}}.<ref name=bas /> At an economical cruising speed of {{convert|13|kn}}, she has an operating range of {{convert|19000|nmi}}. For manoeuvring and ], the vessel has four {{convert|1580|kW|hp|adj=on|abbr=on}} Tees White Gill thrusters with Teignbridge Propellers 60 inch 4 blade Rotor’s, two in the bow and two in the stern.<ref name="cl_datasheet" />


In 2024, a corner of the ship's IT office was turned into a dedicated "pets' corner" for scientists to put pictures of their pets. This had the effect of boosting the morale of those on board.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-31 |title=RRS Sir David Attenborough crew create 'pets' corner' on board |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-68639000 |access-date=2024-04-01 |work=] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The vessel has been strengthened according to the ] (IACS) ''Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships''. Her ice class, ], is intended for year-round operation in thick first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions. However, her propulsion system is only rated for ''Polar Class 5'' which is intended for medium first-year ice.<ref name="cl_datasheet" /><ref name="pc"> {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iacs.org.uk%2Fdocument%2Fpublic%2FPublications%2FUnified_requirements%2FPDF%2FUR_I_pdf410.pdf&date=2012-09-11 |date=11 September 2012 }}. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), April 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2017-03-11}}</ref>


==Construction== ==Construction==
] ]


The first steel for the construction of the ship was cut in July 2016. The keel laying ceremony for the ship, ] 1390, took place on 17 October 2016.<ref name=BBC37648915>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37648915 |title=Ceremony to mark start of Attenborough polar ship construction |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=17 October 2016 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=17 October 2016}}</ref> The first steel for the construction of the ship was cut in July 2016. The keel-laying ceremony for the ship, ] 1390, took place on 17 October 2016.<ref name=BBC37648915>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37648915 |title=Ceremony to mark start of Attenborough polar ship construction |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=17 October 2016 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>


The ship was constructed by combining individually fabricated blocks, much like the ]s. The majority of the blocks were manufactured by ] at ], but due to a tight schedule, the ] of the ship (named 'Block 10') was fabricated at the ] on the ]. The section was transported to ] on a ] in August 2017. The stern section was loaded onto the barge by heavy lifting company ], using ]. The same procedure in reverse was then used to get the ] segment on to the ] at Birkenhead.<ref name=BBC40999836>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40999836 |title=RRS Sir David Attenborough's stern on the move |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=21 August 2017 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=22 August 2017}}</ref> The hull of ''Sir David Attenborough'' was named by her namesake and launched on 14 July 2018. She was moved into a wet dock for the addition of her superstructure and fitting out.<ref name=LE14907916>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/live-launch-major-new-ship-14907916 |title=Live: Launch of major new ship the Sir David Attenborough at Cammell Laird |first=Alastair |last=Houghton |publisher=Reach PLC |work=Liverpool Echo |accessdate=4 July 2018}}</ref> The ship was originally scheduled to be completed by October 2018.<ref>{{Citation|last=British Antarctic Survey|title=British Antarctic Survey|date=2018-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKhFnkvNc0I|accessdate=2018-01-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ramboll.co.uk/news/ruk/polar-preparations-progress|title=The RRS Sir David Attenborough: Polar preparations progress|work=United Kingdom|access-date=2018-01-24|language=en-US}}</ref> The official naming ceremony took place on 26 September 2019. A bottle of ] was smashed across the ship's bow by ] at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead. Sir David Attenborough was present at the ceremony.<ref name=BBC49829315>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49829315 |title=Champagne smash for Sir David Attenborough polar ship |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |location=Birkenhead |publisher=BBC News Online |date=26 September 2019| accessdate=27 September 2019}}</ref> ] ] wrote a poem "Ark" to celebrate the naming ceremony.<ref name="bas-naming">{{cite web |title=Ship is named with royal ceremony |url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/ship-is-named-with-royal-ceremony/ |publisher=] |accessdate=27 September 2019 |date=26 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="ark">{{cite web |last1=Armitage |first1=Simon |title=Ark |url=https://www.simonarmitage.com/wp-content/uploads/Amended-Ark.pdf |publisher=Simon Armitage |accessdate=27 September 2019}}</ref> Attenborough was also present at commissioning, stating "This astonishing ship... will find the science with which to deal with the problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow."<ref name="Cummins"/> The ship was constructed by combining individually fabricated blocks, much like the ]s. The majority of the blocks were manufactured by ] at ], but due to a tight schedule, the ] of the ship (named 'Block 10') was fabricated by the ] at ] on the ]. The section was transported to ] on a ] in August 2017. The stern section was loaded onto the barge by heavy lifting company ], using ]. The same procedure in reverse was then used to get the ] segment on to the ] at Birkenhead.<ref name=BBC40999836>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40999836 |title=RRS Sir David Attenborough's stern on the move |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=21 August 2017 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref> The hull of ''Sir David Attenborough'' was named by her namesake and launched on 14 July 2018. She was moved into a wet dock for the addition of her superstructure and fitting out.<ref name=LE14907916>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/live-launch-major-new-ship-14907916 |title=Live: Launch of major new ship the Sir David Attenborough at Cammell Laird |first=Alastair |last=Houghton |publisher=Reach PLC |work=Liverpool Echo |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref> The ship was originally scheduled to be completed by October 2018.<ref>{{Citation|last=British Antarctic Survey|title=British Antarctic Survey|date=2018-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKhFnkvNc0I|access-date=2018-01-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ramboll.co.uk/news/ruk/polar-preparations-progress|title=The RRS Sir David Attenborough: Polar preparations progress|work=United Kingdom|access-date=2018-01-24|language=en-US}}</ref> The official naming ceremony took place on 26 September 2019. A bottle of ] was smashed across the ship's bow by ], at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead. Sir David Attenborough was present at the ceremony.<ref name=BBC49829315>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49829315 |title=Champagne smash for Sir David Attenborough polar ship |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |location=Birkenhead |publisher=BBC News Online |date=26 September 2019| access-date=27 September 2019}}</ref> ] ] wrote a poem "Ark" to celebrate the naming ceremony.<ref name="bas-naming">{{cite web |title=Ship is named with royal ceremony |url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/ship-is-named-with-royal-ceremony/ |publisher=] |access-date=27 September 2019 |date=26 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="ark">{{cite web |last1=Armitage |first1=Simon |title=Ark |url=https://www.simonarmitage.com/wp-content/uploads/Amended-Ark.pdf |publisher=Simon Armitage |access-date=27 September 2019}}</ref> Attenborough was also present at commissioning, stating "This astonishing ship... will find the science with which to deal with the problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow."<ref name="Cummins"/>


==Service== ==Service==
]''Sir David Attenborough'' was originally planned to enter service in late 2020, but in January 2020 ] reported that her delivery was at risk of delay, and that BAS planned to keep ''James Ross Clark'' in service for another year past her intended retirement.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/sir-david-attenborough-research-ship-facing-launch-delay-11907070 | title=Sir David Attenborough research ship facing launch delay | publisher=Sky News | date=12 January 2020 | accessdate=29 August 2020}}</ref> In August, ''Sir David Attenborough'' made a brief trip to the ] before returning to Cammell Laird for final fitting out ahead of sea trials scheduled for late in the year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/rss-david-attenborough-crosses-mersey-18719947 | title=RRS David Attenborough crosses the Mersey ahead of departure for Antarctic | publisher=Liverpool Echo | date=5 August 2020 | accessdate=29 August 2020}}</ref> ] in ], London, in October 2021]]
''Sir David Attenborough'' was originally planned to enter service in late 2020, but in January 2020 ] reported that her delivery was at risk of delay, and that BAS planned to keep ''James Clark Ross'' in service for another year past her intended retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sir-david-attenborough-research-ship-facing-launch-delay-11907070 |title=Sir David Attenborough research ship facing launch delay |date=12 January 2020 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> In August, ''Sir David Attenborough'' made a brief trip to the ] before returning to Cammell Laird for final fitting out ahead of sea trials scheduled for late in the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/rss-david-attenborough-crosses-mersey-18719947 |title=RRS David Attenborough crosses the Mersey ahead of departure for Antarctic |website=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
''Sir David Attenborough'' began her ]s on 21 October 2020.<ref name=Reuters211020/> On 5 March 2021, an accident during a launching drill of a ] resulted in injuries to a crew member.<ref name=MAIBcurrent>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations |title=Current investigations |publisher=Marine Accident Investigation Branch |accessdate=15 March 2021}}</ref> She is scheduled to make her ] to Antarctica in late 2021.<ref name=Reuters211020/> ''Sir David Attenborough'' began her ]s on 21 October 2020.<ref name=Reuters211020/> On 5 March 2021, an accident during a launching drill of a ] resulted in injuries to a crew member.<ref name=MAIBcurrent>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315200541/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations|archive-date=15 March 2021|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations/marine-accident-investigation-branch-current-investigations |title=Current investigations |publisher=Marine Accident Investigation Branch |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> She officially made her maiden voyage to Antarctica on 16 November 2021, from Harwich<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/rrs-sir-david-attenborough-makes-maiden-voyage-to-antarctica/|title = RRS Sir David Attenborough makes maiden voyage to Antarctica|date=16 November 2021|website=British Antarctic Survey|access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> and arrived at the ] on 17 December 2021 for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/rrs-sir-david-attenborough-arrives-in-antarctica-for-the-first-time/|title=RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Antarctica for the first time|date=17 December 2021|website=British Antarctic Survey|access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>

In February 2022, RRS ''Sir David Attenborough'' encountered second-year ice with thick snow layer on top that she could not overcome on her own while the vessel was attempting to reach ] in the ] in Antarctica. The vessel then collaborated with the French icebreaking cruise ship operated by ], '']'', which opened a channel for the research vessel. However, as the ice conditions became even more unfavourable, RRS ''Sir David Attenborough'' had to give up the original plan and seek another drop-off point to deliver scientific cargo to support the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/rrs-sir-david-attenborough-collaborates-with-le-commandant-charcot-in-support-of-science/|title=RRS Sir David Attenborough collaborates with cruise ship|date=11 February 2022|website=British Antarctic Survey|access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>

In early 2023, ''Sir David Attenborough'' was accused by Argentine authorities as having transited illegally through Argentine national waters to the port of ] in Chile. Argentina specifically objected to the ship's use of facilities in the Falkland Islands prior to her arrival in Chile, utilization which Argentina argued violated its national laws but which Britain did not recognize as valid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elciudadanoweb.com/tras-incidente-con-buque-ingles-despliegan-aviones-en-base-militar-argentina-cerca-de-malvinas/|title = Tras incidente con buque inglés, despliegan aviones en base militar argentina cerca de Malvinas |website=El Ciudadano|date=17 February 2023}}</ref>


==Naming poll== ==Naming poll==
{{See also|Boaty McBoatface#Naming}}
{{Infobox multichoice referendum {{Infobox multichoice referendum
<!--Percentages calculated from nameourship.nerc.ac.uk/entries.html, showing 374,295 votes total--> <!--Percentages calculated from nameourship.nerc.ac.uk/entries.html, showing 374,295 votes total-->
Line 174: Line 120:
| percentage3 = 4.21 | percentage3 = 4.21
| choice3_color = red | choice3_color = red
| choice4 = ''''']''''' | choice4 = {{nowrap|''''']'''''}}
| percentage4 = 2.95 | percentage4 = 2.95
| choice4_color = green | choice4_color = green
| choice5 = ''It's Bloody Cold Here'' | choice5 = {{nowrap|''It's Bloody Cold Here''}}
| percentage5 = 2.85 | percentage5 = 2.85
| choice5_color = red | choice5_color = red
| website = | website =
| notes = Shows top five suggestions<ref name=bbcpoll>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36064659 |title='Boaty McBoatface' tops public vote as name of polar ship |publisher=BBC News |date=17 April 2016 |accessdate=23 July 2017}}</ref> out of 7,034 | notes = Shows top five suggestions<ref name=bbcpoll>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36064659 |title='Boaty McBoatface' tops public vote as name of polar ship |publisher=BBC News |date=17 April 2016 |access-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> out of 7,034
}} }}
In March 2016, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announced that members of the public were being asked to suggest names for the ship. Names previously used would not be eligible, but otherwise it was open to suggestions.<ref name=BBC35825264>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35825264 |title=Name sought for new UK polar ship |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |publisher=BBC News |date=17 March 2016 |accessdate=6 May 2016}}</ref> The NERC stated that they would have the final say, and that the most popular name in the poll would not necessarily be the one used.<ref name=BBC35860760>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-35860760 |title=Boaty McBoatface instigator 'sorry' for ship name suggestion |publisher=BBC News |date=21 March 2016 |accessdate=6 May 2016}}</ref> In March 2016, the ] (NERC) announced that members of the public were being asked to suggest names for the ship. Names previously used would not be eligible, but otherwise it was open to suggestions.<ref name=BBC35825264>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35825264 |title=Name sought for new UK polar ship |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |publisher=BBC News |date=17 March 2016 |access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> The NERC stated that they would have the final say, and that the most popular name in the poll would not necessarily be the one used.<ref name=BBC35860760>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-35860760 |title=Boaty McBoatface instigator 'sorry' for ship name suggestion |publisher=BBC News |date=21 March 2016 |access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref>


Former ] presenter James Hand<!--do not link, wrong person--> jokingly suggested RRS "''Boaty McBoatface''". This quickly became the most popular choice and was the runaway winner when the poll closed, with 124,109 votes.<ref name=bbcpoll /> The name has been described as a homage to "Hooty McOwlface", an owl named through an "Adopt-A-Bird" program in 2012 that became popular on the internet.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boaty McBoatface tops poll but will vote be scuppered?|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boaty-mcboatface-tops-poll-but-will-vote-be-scuppered-mmgddzn9z|work=The Times|author=Tom Whipple|url-access=limited|quote=Yet the runaway winner was RSS Boaty McBoatface, itself an homage to the owl that was named Hooty McOwlface after a similar exercise.|date=16 April 2016|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> Former ] presenter James Hand<!--do not link, wrong person--> jokingly suggested RRS "''Boaty McBoatface''". This quickly became the most popular choice and was the runaway winner when the poll closed, with 124,109 votes.<ref name=bbcpoll /> The name has been described as a homage to "Hooty McOwlface", an owl named through an "Adopt-A-Bird" programme in 2012 that became popular on the internet.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boaty McBoatface tops poll but will vote be scuppered?|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boaty-mcboatface-tops-poll-but-will-vote-be-scuppered-mmgddzn9z|work=The Times|author=Tom Whipple|url-access=limited|quote=Yet the runaway winner was RSS Boaty McBoatface, itself an homage to the owl that was named Hooty McOwlface after a similar exercise.|date=16 April 2016|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=James|first=Hunt|date=24 March 2016|title=7 Times the Public Shouldn't Have Chosen a Name|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/uk/trivia/40525/7-times-the-public-shouldnt-have-chosen-a-name|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325184837/https://www.mentalfloss.com/uk/trivia/40525/7-times-the-public-shouldnt-have-chosen-a-name|archive-date=25 March 2016|access-date=17 November 2021|website=]}}</ref>


On 6 May 2016, British science minister ] announced that the choice had been made to name the ship after naturalist Sir ], but that '']'' would be the name of one of ''David Attenborough''{{'s}} remotely controlled ].<ref name=nerc>{{cite web|url=http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2016/18-ship/|title=£200m polar research ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough|website=NERC|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/06/boatymcboatface-to-live-on-as-yellow-submarine-science-minister/|title='BoatyMcBoatface' to live on as yellow submarine, science minister Jo Johnson announces|first=Sarah|last=Knapton|date=6 May 2016|accessdate=1 October 2018|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> On 6 May 2016, science minister ] announced that the choice had been made to name the ship after naturalist Sir ], but that '']'' would be the name of one of ''David Attenborough''{{'s}} remotely controlled ].<ref name=nerc>{{cite web|url=http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2016/18-ship/|title=£200m polar research ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough|website=NERC|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/06/boatymcboatface-to-live-on-as-yellow-submarine-science-minister/|title='BoatyMcBoatface' to live on as yellow submarine, science minister Jo Johnson announces|first=Sarah|last=Knapton|date=6 May 2016|access-date=1 October 2018|work=The Telegraph}}</ref>


A petition calling for Sir David Attenborough to change his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface "in the interest of democracy and humour" soon received over 3,800 signatures.<ref name=ITV2016-05-08a>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-05-08/petition-for-david-attenborough-to-be-renamed-boaty-mcboatface/ |title=Petition for David Attenborough to be renamed 'Boaty McBoatface'|publisher=]|date=8 May 2016|accessdate=10 May 2016|quote=The author, Mr Jackson, wrote: ... "Wouldn’t it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?".}}</ref> A petition calling for Sir David Attenborough himself to change his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface "in the interest of democracy and humour" soon received over 3,800 signatures.<ref name=ITV2016-05-08a>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-05-08/petition-for-david-attenborough-to-be-renamed-boaty-mcboatface/ |title=Petition for David Attenborough to be renamed 'Boaty McBoatface'|publisher=]|date=8 May 2016|access-date=10 May 2016|quote=The author, Mr Jackson, wrote: ... "Wouldn’t it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?".}}</ref>


In response to the poll, the ], a ] of the ], announced that they were to review the process by which the ship was named. NERC chief executive Professor ] and NERC head of communications Julia Maddock faced the committee on 10 May. Professor James Wilsdon, an outreach director at ], told MPs that he voted for ''Boaty McBoatface''. Despite the controversy, NERC directors felt that their poll was a successful initiative in that it generated a lot of publicity regarding their organisation and research mission among the lay public.<ref name="wilsdon">{{cite news|last1=Bloom|first1=Dan|title='I voted for Boaty McBoatface' Top scientist stuns MPs with surprise confession|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-voted-boaty-mcboatface-top-7938473|accessdate=13 May 2016|work=]|date=10 May 2016}}</ref> In response to the poll, the ], a ] of the ], announced that they were to review the process by which the ship was named. NERC chief executive ] and NERC head of communications Julia Maddock faced the committee on 10 May. James Wilsdon, an outreach director at ], told MPs that he voted for ''Boaty McBoatface''. Despite the controversy, NERC directors felt that their poll was a successful initiative in that it generated a lot of publicity regarding their organisation and research mission among the lay public.<ref name="wilsdon">{{cite news|last1=Bloom|first1=Dan|title='I voted for Boaty McBoatface' Top scientist stuns MPs with surprise confession|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-voted-boaty-mcboatface-top-7938473|access-date=13 May 2016|work=]|date=10 May 2016}}</ref>


Other leading choices in the poll were ''Poppy-Mai'', in honour of a toddler with incurable cancer,<ref name="graham">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Chris |title=Poppy-Mai Barnard, whose name came second behind Boaty McBoatface in competition, dies after cancer battle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/04/poppy-mai-barnard-whose-name-came-second-behind-boaty-mcboatface/ |accessdate=27 September 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=4 May 2016}}</ref> and '']'', for a British army officer who died in 2016 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic. Other leading choices in the poll were ''Poppy-Mai'', in honour of a toddler with incurable cancer,<ref name="graham">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Chris |title=Poppy-Mai Barnard, whose name came second behind Boaty McBoatface in competition, dies after cancer battle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/04/poppy-mai-barnard-whose-name-came-second-behind-boaty-mcboatface/ |access-date=27 September 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=4 May 2016}}</ref> and '']'', for a ] who died in 2016 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic. Spanish internet users from the forum ] attempted to hijack the poll by promoting the choice '']'', a ] officer who won the ] against the British in 1741, putting forward his "contribution to British underwater archeology". Many of those supporting the choice made comments which referenced ] such as the English defeat of the ] and the ] sovereignty dispute. The choice gained over 38,000 votes before it was removed, with a NERC spokesperson stating that they would "remove or reject any name suggestion that we deem liable to cause offence".<ref>{{cite news |last=Cereceda |first=Rafael |date=31 March 2016 |title=How Spanish trolls tried to sink a British boat competition |url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/31/how-spanish-trolls-tried-to-sink-a-british-boat-competition |work=Euronews |access-date=22 April 2018}}</ref>


==See also==
Spanish ]s promoted the choice '']'', a Spanish admiral who gave ]. The organisers removed the option, which gathered more than 38,000 votes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cereceda |first=Rafael |date=31 March 2016 |title=How Spanish trolls tried to sink a British boat competition |url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/31/how-spanish-trolls-tried-to-sink-a-british-boat-competition |work=Euronews |access-date=22 April 2018}}</ref>
* ]

* ]
===Influence on popular culture===
{{trivia|section|date=May 2020}}
] in 2019]]
On 12 May 2016, Google released a ] named ''Parsey McParseface'' in reference to the boat naming contest, as part of their ] ] ] framework.<ref name=Parser>{{cite web |url=http://googleresearch.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/announcing-syntaxnet-worlds-most.html |title=Announcing SyntaxNet: The World's Most Accurate Parser Goes Open Source |publisher=Google Research Blog |date=12 May 2016 |accessdate=13 May 2016}}</ref>

On 22 March 2016 the 0729 South West Trains Portsmouth to Waterloo service was playfully named Trainy McTrainface,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/trainy-mctrainface-south-west-trains-commute-boaty-mcboatface-waterloo-a6947831.html|first=Kayleigh |last=Lewis |title=Trainy McTrainface pulls into Waterloo|work=The Independent|date=23 March 2016|accessdate=1 October 2018}}</ref> and in July 2017 the same name was chosen in an online poll for a new train on the Stockholm-Gothenburg line.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/19/trainy-mctrainface-boaty-mcboatface-legacy-lives-on-in-swedish-train|title=Trainy McTrainface: Swedish railway keeps Boaty's legacy alive|first=Alex|last=Hern|date=19 July 2017|work=The Guardian|accessdate=1 October 2018}}</ref>

In May 2017, the ] in the UK announced that the first ] chick to hatch in more than a decade had been named Fluffy McFluffyface by the sanctuary staff.<ref name=Fluffy>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-39979735/hunstanton-sea-life-sanctuarys-first-humboltd-penguin-chick-in-decade |title=Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary's first Humboltd penguin chick in decade |work=BBC |date=20 May 2017 |accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref>

In November 2017, ] allowed the public to name its fleet of ] for use in ], Australia through a naming competition.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lisa |last=Visentin |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/ferry-mcferryface-nsw-government-launches-naming-competition-for-new-ferries-20160721-gqb93p.html |title=Ferry McFerryface? NSW government launches naming competition for new ferries |publisher=] |accessdate=13 November 2017|date=2016-07-22 }}</ref> The most popular name was ''Boaty McBoatface'' but, as it had already been taken, ] Transport Minister picked ''Ferry McFerryface'' out of his personal preference instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://amp.smh.com.au/nsw/ferry-mcferryface-saga-not-over-yet-for-transport-minister-andrew-constance-20180131-h0rk0t.html|title=Ferry McFerryface saga not over yet for Transport Minister Andrew Constance|website=amp.smh.com.au}}</ref> After the ] refused to crew the vessel in protest at the name, it entered service named ''Emerald 6'' with a ''Ferry McFerryface'' sticker below the bridge, and in January 2018, following revelations that the name wasn't a public vote winner but selected by the minister, it was renamed ''May Gibbs''.<ref name=Gibbs> '']'' 30 January 2018</ref>

In 2021, the ] had a naming contest for 8 snowplows in the state, in which ''Plowy McPlowface'' was one of the winners. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dot.state.mn.us/nameasnowplow/|title=Name a snowplow contest |date=2 March 2021 |accessdate=2 March 2021}} </ref>


==References== ==References==
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] ]
] ]
]

==External links==

*{{Official website|https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/rrs-sir-david-attenborough/}}
*

Latest revision as of 02:05, 11 October 2024

Royal Research Ship operated by the British Antarctic Survey

RRS Sir David Attenborough berthed in Liverpool, England
History
Falkland Islands
NameRRS Sir David Attenborough
NamesakeSir David Attenborough
OwnerNERC Research Ship Unit
OperatorBritish Antarctic Survey
Port of registryStanley, Falkland Islands
BuilderCammell Laird
Cost£200 million (2014)
Yard number1390
Laid down17 October 2016
Launched14 July 2018
Sponsored byCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Christened26 September 2019
Completed2 December 2020
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Tonnage
Length128.9 m (423 ft)
Beam24 m (79 ft)
Draught7 m (23 ft)
Depth11 m (36 ft)
Ice class
Installed power
  • 2 × Bergen B33:45L6A (2 × 3,600 kW)
  • 2 × Bergen B33:45L9A (2 × 5,400 kW)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) (maximum)
  • 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) (cruising)
  • 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) in 1 m (3 ft) ice
Range19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km; 22,000 mi) at 13 knots
Endurance60 days
Crew
  • 28 crew
  • 60 scientists
  • 2 spare berths
Aircraft carriedFacilities for 2 helicopters

RRS Sir David Attenborough is a research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support. The ship replaces a pair of existing vessels, RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton. The vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Background

In 2014, the UK Government announced funding for the construction of a new polar research vessel for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to replace a pair of existing ships. This new ship was intended not only to be fully equipped with the latest instrumentation for the purposes of carrying out research in polar regions, for which it would have an improved icebreaking capability and greater endurance over the existing polar research vessel, but also to serve as a logistic support vessel for BAS teams in inshore locations.

BAS contracted Houlder Ltd to undertake the basic design in which suggestions for the final configuration of the new ship were taken. Following the consultation period, in 2015, Rolls-Royce Holdings was selected to execute the detailed design and Cammell Laird in Birkenhead was selected as the preferred bidder to construct the ship. The ship cost £200m.

General characteristics

The ship is about 125 metres (410 ft) long, with a beam of about 24 metres (79 ft). The draught is about 7 metres (23 ft) with a planned cruising speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) with a range of 19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km; 22,000 mi) at that speed. She is capable of carrying two helicopters and has a capacity for approximately 900 cubic metres (32,000 cu ft) of cargo. Accommodation is provided for 30 crew and 60 research staff.

Sir David Attenborough in 2024

Sir David Attenborough has a twin-shaft hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. The vessel's power plant consists of two 3,600 kW (4,800 hp) 6-cylinder Bergen B33:45L6A and two 5,400 kW (7,200 hp) 9-cylinder Bergen B33:45L9A main diesel generators, a Cummins KTA38-DM1 885 kW (1,187 hp) harbour generator, and two 2,500 kW (3,400 hp) battery systems each of 500 kWh (1,800 MJ) capacity. The power plant, which can run with different configurations depending on the mission and operating conditions, produces electricity to power four 2,750 kW (3,690 hp) asynchronous electric motors driving two 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers. This gives Sir David Attenborough a maximum speed of 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) in open water and ability to break up to 1-metre (3.3 ft) thick level ice at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph). At an economical cruising speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph), she has an operating range of 19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km; 22,000 mi). For manoeuvring and dynamic positioning, the vessel has four 1,580 kW (2,120 hp) Tees White Gill thrusters with Teignbridge Propellers 60 inch 4 blade rotors, two in the bow and two in the stern.

The vessel has been strengthened according to the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships. Her ice class, Polar Class 4, is intended for year-round operation in thick first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions. However, her propulsion system is only rated for Polar Class 5 which is intended for medium first-year ice.

In 2024, a corner of the ship's IT office was turned into a dedicated "pets' corner" for scientists to put pictures of their pets. This had the effect of boosting the morale of those on board.

Construction

The hull of RRS Sir David Attenborough just before her launch

The first steel for the construction of the ship was cut in July 2016. The keel-laying ceremony for the ship, yard number 1390, took place on 17 October 2016.

The ship was constructed by combining individually fabricated blocks, much like the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. The majority of the blocks were manufactured by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead, but due to a tight schedule, the stern of the ship (named 'Block 10') was fabricated by the A&P Group at Hebburn on the River Tyne. The section was transported to Merseyside on a barge in August 2017. The stern section was loaded onto the barge by heavy lifting company ALE, using self-propelled modular trailers (SPMT). The same procedure in reverse was then used to get the hull segment on to the slipway at Birkenhead. The hull of Sir David Attenborough was named by her namesake and launched on 14 July 2018. She was moved into a wet dock for the addition of her superstructure and fitting out. The ship was originally scheduled to be completed by October 2018. The official naming ceremony took place on 26 September 2019. A bottle of champagne was smashed across the ship's bow by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead. Sir David Attenborough was present at the ceremony. Poet Laureate Simon Armitage wrote a poem "Ark" to celebrate the naming ceremony. Attenborough was also present at commissioning, stating "This astonishing ship... will find the science with which to deal with the problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow."

Service

RSS Sir David Attenborough with the City of London in the background
RRS Sir David Attenborough on the River Thames in Greenwich, London, in October 2021

Sir David Attenborough was originally planned to enter service in late 2020, but in January 2020 Sky News reported that her delivery was at risk of delay, and that BAS planned to keep James Clark Ross in service for another year past her intended retirement. In August, Sir David Attenborough made a brief trip to the Liverpool Cruise Terminal before returning to Cammell Laird for final fitting out ahead of sea trials scheduled for late in the year. Sir David Attenborough began her sea trials on 21 October 2020. On 5 March 2021, an accident during a launching drill of a lifeboat resulted in injuries to a crew member. She officially made her maiden voyage to Antarctica on 16 November 2021, from Harwich and arrived at the Rothera Research Station on 17 December 2021 for the first time.

In February 2022, RRS Sir David Attenborough encountered second-year ice with thick snow layer on top that she could not overcome on her own while the vessel was attempting to reach Stange Sound in the English Coast in Antarctica. The vessel then collaborated with the French icebreaking cruise ship operated by Compagnie du Ponant, Le Commandant Charcot, which opened a channel for the research vessel. However, as the ice conditions became even more unfavourable, RRS Sir David Attenborough had to give up the original plan and seek another drop-off point to deliver scientific cargo to support the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.

In early 2023, Sir David Attenborough was accused by Argentine authorities as having transited illegally through Argentine national waters to the port of Punta Arenas in Chile. Argentina specifically objected to the ship's use of facilities in the Falkland Islands prior to her arrival in Chile, utilization which Argentina argued violated its national laws but which Britain did not recognize as valid.

Naming poll

See also: Boaty McBoatface § Naming
NERC Name Our Ship campaign, 2016
March–April 2016
Websitenameourship.nerc.ac.uk
Results
Boaty McBoatface   33.16%
Poppy-Mai   10.66%
Henry Worsley   4.21%
David Attenborough   2.95%
It's Bloody Cold Here   2.85%
Shows top five suggestions out of 7,034

In March 2016, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announced that members of the public were being asked to suggest names for the ship. Names previously used would not be eligible, but otherwise it was open to suggestions. The NERC stated that they would have the final say, and that the most popular name in the poll would not necessarily be the one used.

Former BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand jokingly suggested RRS "Boaty McBoatface". This quickly became the most popular choice and was the runaway winner when the poll closed, with 124,109 votes. The name has been described as a homage to "Hooty McOwlface", an owl named through an "Adopt-A-Bird" programme in 2012 that became popular on the internet.

On 6 May 2016, science minister Jo Johnson announced that the choice had been made to name the ship after naturalist Sir David Attenborough, but that Boaty McBoatface would be the name of one of David Attenborough's remotely controlled submersibles.

A petition calling for Sir David Attenborough himself to change his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface "in the interest of democracy and humour" soon received over 3,800 signatures.

In response to the poll, the Science and Technology Committee, a select committee of the House of Lords, announced that they were to review the process by which the ship was named. NERC chief executive Duncan Wingham and NERC head of communications Julia Maddock faced the committee on 10 May. James Wilsdon, an outreach director at Sheffield University, told MPs that he voted for Boaty McBoatface. Despite the controversy, NERC directors felt that their poll was a successful initiative in that it generated a lot of publicity regarding their organisation and research mission among the lay public.

Other leading choices in the poll were Poppy-Mai, in honour of a toddler with incurable cancer, and Henry Worsley, for a British Army officer who died in 2016 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic. Spanish internet users from the forum ForoCoches attempted to hijack the poll by promoting the choice Blas de Lezo, a Spanish Navy officer who won the Battle of Cartagena de Indias against the British in 1741, putting forward his "contribution to British underwater archeology". Many of those supporting the choice made comments which referenced Spanish nationalist issues such as the English defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Gibraltar sovereignty dispute. The choice gained over 38,000 votes before it was removed, with a NERC spokesperson stating that they would "remove or reject any name suggestion that we deem liable to cause offence".

See also

References

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  31. "Boaty McBoatface instigator 'sorry' for ship name suggestion". BBC News. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  32. Tom Whipple (16 April 2016). "Boaty McBoatface tops poll but will vote be scuppered?". The Times. Retrieved 11 April 2018. Yet the runaway winner was RSS Boaty McBoatface, itself an homage to the owl that was named Hooty McOwlface after a similar exercise.
  33. James, Hunt (24 March 2016). "7 Times the Public Shouldn't Have Chosen a Name". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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  35. Knapton, Sarah (6 May 2016). "'BoatyMcBoatface' to live on as yellow submarine, science minister Jo Johnson announces". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  36. "Petition for David Attenborough to be renamed 'Boaty McBoatface'". ITV News. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016. The author, Mr Jackson, wrote: ... "Wouldn't it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?".
  37. Bloom, Dan (10 May 2016). "'I voted for Boaty McBoatface' Top scientist stuns MPs with surprise confession". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  38. Graham, Chris (4 May 2016). "Poppy-Mai Barnard, whose name came second behind Boaty McBoatface in competition, dies after cancer battle". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  39. Cereceda, Rafael (31 March 2016). "How Spanish trolls tried to sink a British boat competition". Euronews. Retrieved 22 April 2018.

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