---
title: "British Research Ship May Be Called ‘Boaty McBoatface,’ Because Internet"
description: "The opportunity to undermine the dignity of a grand ship tasked with warning the public about climate catastrophe, of course, proves too tempting for the Internet."
date: "2016-03-21"
modified: "2016-03-21"
authors:
  - name: "Ben Keeshin"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/ben-keeshin"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2640/british-research-ship-may-be-called-boaty-mcboatface-because-internet"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "boats"
  - "climate change"
  - "england"
---

# British Research Ship May Be Called ‘Boaty McBoatface,’ Because Internet

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/032116-boaty-mcboatface-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Democracy is great for a lot of things, like government. Sure, our bumbling republic is molasses-slow, but we've avoided that terrifying fascist nonsense you get with an overly-powerful executive. (At least, [so far](<https://www.allenbwest.com/2016/03/latest-poll-trump-nears-magic-number-but-heres-the-really-bad-news/>).) However, when it comes to the ungovernable second-grader that is the Internet, democracy's "crowd-sourcing" can go awry. See: "RRS Boaty McBoatface," the name chosen by over 27,000 voters for the British National Environment Research Council's $290 million polar research ship. Scientists—profound in their understanding of the mechanics of the natural world, less so with meme-ability—turned to public opinion in order to name the 420-foot vessel. Many expected the poll to be dominated by marine research nerds, a sober bunch, perhaps resulting in tribute to Sir Earnest Shackleton or Henry Worsley, the explorer who died this year. But idea of undermining the dignity of a grand ship tasked with warning the public about climate catastrophe was, apparently, too much for the Internet to handle. So, yeah: *RSS Boaty McBoatface*.

In light of the results, the NERC walked back the contest, claiming it was meant to produce suggestions, not final names. That is, like a Buzzfeed poll, the results are non-binding. (Don't even worry about that "You're a Miranda!" death sentence.) Lord West, who is a former British sea lord because that's actually a real thing, noted in a BBC interview that he'd "probably plump for a rather more famous name." So, while ultimate turgidity may lie with "Boaty McBoatface" and the public vote, ultimately, the ship will bear a suitably serious moniker. *RRS Boaty McBoatface*—a ship doomed by establishment marine politics that shall sail forever the raucous seas of the World Wide Web.

***Update:** On May 5, 2016, it was [reported](<https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36225652>) that, despite the popularity of "Boaty McBoatface," the £200m UK polar research vessel in question would be named the RSS Sir David Attenborough, honoring the influential naturalist and broadcaster. In a sliver of hope for the democratic process, the "Boaty" name will live on, as the name of one of the RSS Attenborough's submarines.*

![032116-boaty-mcboatface-art.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/032116-boaty-mcboatface-art.jpg>)

## Author
Ben Keeshin is a former staff writer for Maxim, and before that, contributed writing to the digital sides of Road & Track and Vanity Fair.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/BnKshn>)