RRS Sir David Attenborough
 Artists impression of vessel | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
| |
| Name: | RRS Sir David Attenborough |
| Namesake: | Sir David Attenborough |
| Owner: | NERC Research Ship Unit |
| Operator: | British Antarctic Survey |
| Builder: | Cammell Laird (preferred bidder) |
| Cost: | Approx £200m |
| Laid down: | October 2016 (planned) |
| In service: | 2019 (planned) |
| Status: | Under tender |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 12,790 tonnes (12,590 long tons) |
| Length: | Approx 125 metres (410 ft) |
| Beam: | Approx 24 metres (79 ft) |
| Draught: | Approx 7 metres (23 ft) |
| Speed: | 13 knots (24 km/h) (cruising) |
| Crew: |
|
| Aircraft carried: | 1 helicopter |
RRS Sir David Attenborough is the name given to a planned new research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council, to be operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support.[1] In this, the ship is intended to replace a pair of existing vessels, RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton.
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.[1] This new ship was intended to not only 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 survey teams in inshore locations.[1]
Following a consultation period in which suggestions for the final configuration of the new ship were taken, and tenders received from shipyards, in 2015, Cammell Laird in Birkenhead was selected as the preferred bidder to construct the ship.[2]
Name
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.[3] Former BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand suggested "Boaty McBoatface", a name that the public liked, and which quickly became the most popular choice. The NERC stated that they would have the final say, and that the most popular would not necessarily be the one chosen.[4]
Following a public consultation by NERC to "#NameOurShip" the name attracting the most public support was RRS Boaty McBoatface. As the poll was non-binding the choice was made to name the ship after naturalist Sir David Attenborough, but also to use the "Boaty" name for one of the craft's underwater vehicles.[5]
In response to the poll, the Science and Technology Committee of the British Government announced that they were to review the process by which the ship was named. NERC chief executive Professor Duncan Wingham will face the committee on 10 May. NERC head of communications Julia Maddock will also attend.[6]
Description
The ship will be about 125 metres (410 ft) long, with a beam of about 24 metres (79 ft). Her draught will be about 7 metres (23 ft). Her cruising speed will be 13 knots (24 km/h) with a range of 19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km) at that speed. Capable of carrying a helicopter, she will have a capacity for approximately 900 cubic metres (32,000 cu ft) of cargo. The ship will have the capacity to break through ice 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) thick at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h). Accommodation will be provided for 30 crew and 60 research staff.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "The next generation of polar research vessel". British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "Merseyside beats global competition to build £200 million polar research ship". UK Government. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ Amos, Jonathan (17 March 2016). "Name sought for new UK polar ship". BBC News Online. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "Boaty McBoatface instigator 'sorry' for ship name suggestion". BBC News Online. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "£200m polar research ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough". NERC. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "MPs to review 'Boaty' naming process". BBC News Online. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.