Boaty McBoatface tops poll of name for polar research vessel
COURTESY ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ship yet, Harmony of the Seas, is imagined as Boaty McBoatface of the Seas. The cruise line has invited UK-based James Hand, the wordsmith behind the creative Boaty McBoatface name to sail on Harmony when she launches in Southampton, UK this May. In return, Hand will share his best suggestions to help name a future Royal Caribbean ship.
COURTESY ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ship yet, Harmony of the Seas, is imagined as Boaty McBoatface of the Seas. The cruise line has invited UK-based James Hand, the wordsmith behind the creative Boaty McBoatface name to sail on Harmony when she launches in Southampton, UK this May. In return, Hand will share his best suggestions to help name a future Royal Caribbean ship.
LONDON » Boaty McBoatface has topped an online poll to name the U.K.’s newest polar research vessel, beating entries that honored scientists and explorers.
Britain’s Natural Environment Research Council had asked for help finding a name that would reflect the 200 million-pound ($284 million) ship’s mission and celebrate British naval history.
The council asked for inspirational entries about environmental and polar science. But in the contest ending Saturday, Boaty McBoatface won with 124,109 votes — more than three times its closest contender. The vote was advisory and the name will be decided by the council.
Former BBC radio host James Hand, who proposed the winning entry, has apologized for the controversy, though he still thinks it’s a “brilliant name.” He voted to name the ship after naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.
3 responses to “Boaty McBoatface tops poll of name for polar research vessel”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Ah democracy
hard to trust online polls. most are easily manipulated.
Sounds like a McDonald’s character, not a polar research ship.