A analysis vessel named after the naturalist and broadcaster has visited London – carrying with it a submersible mischievously named by a public vote
Surroundings
29 October 2021
The UK’s latest polar exploration vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, sailed up the Thames into London on Wednesday, docking close to the Nationwide Maritime Museum, Greenwich. The ship will stay moored there for 3 days, as a part of the Ice Worlds pageant.
In September 2019, the ship was formally named the RRS Sir David Attenborough after the presenter and naturalist, however not earlier than some controversy – a public vote to decide on a reputation, held in 2016, chosen Boaty McBoatface. This was in the end overruled by UK ministers, however the identify now lives on, utilized to one of many onboard analysis submersibles.
The Autosub Lengthy Vary is also called Boaty McBoatface Emily Bates
“I can’t think about a higher praise,” David Attenborough stated in a speech on board the ship in Greenwich. “I do know that the findings made on this ship within the subsequent few years will probably be of the best worth and significance to the welfare of the world. Allow us to hearken to the science. Bon voyage.”
The 129-metre icebreaker is operated by the British Antarctic Survey and is among the most superior polar analysis vessels on the planet. It’s constructed to accommodate a multidisciplinary scientific group and can embark on its first scientific mission to the Antarctic in November.
“Tackling points round local weather change, round meals safety, round biodiversity. They’re not single disciplines,” says Sophie Fielding, a organic oceanographer on the British Antarctic Survey, and one of many scientists who helped select the tools onboard.
“That led to some actual novel options,” she says, together with clear sampling situations for the chemists and a 40-metre large piston corer for gathering bigger geological samples. “We will return additional into our previous to get a greater understanding of what was taking place in our local weather previously,” says Fielding.
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