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Posted (edited)

Sometimes something happens to lift my spirits from their usual state of gloom and despair to something approaching utter joy. The "Boaty McBoatface" affair is just such a thing.

Basically the UK's Natural Environment Research Council (NECO) has a new Antarctic survey ship, and has invited the public to submit and vote for what it's to be called.

Some of the suggestions are quite lame, like the RRS David Attenborough, or the RRS Ernest Shackleton. Some are a little better like the RRS It's Bloody Cold Here, but the name that's leading the poll is the Boaty McBoatface.

The guy who first suggested it (his name is James Hand) has perfect rationale for the name: "It's a brilliant name for a boat!" I totally agree!

You can read more about it here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/boaty-mcboatface-could-be-the-name-of-200m-research-vessel-after-public-vote-a6942551.html or go to https://nameourship.nerc.ac.uk/ to vote for the Boaty McBoatface.

NERC.thumb.jpg.b2004899cda1307052a935021

A picture of the Boaty McBoatface in all her glory. May God bless her and all who sail in her!

Edited by Jamie123
Posted (edited)

Here's a drawing of the RRS Boaty McBoatface on iceberg-penguin-counting patrol. (Note that no boat called "Boaty McBoatface" can be without a face, so I've drawn one on the bow. I've also labelled the penguins to avoid confusion.)

boat.png.b3592d2bf23b1debe81fadd928099a9(Unfortunately some foreign object got in the way of the iceberg when I was scanning it - there are supposed to be 2 penguins on the iceberg.)

Edited by Jamie123
Posted

There is a reason generals don't name battles something like "Operation Fluffy Unicorn". No bereaved mother wants to say that her son was killed in the intense gunfire action in Operation Fluffy Unicorn.

Going to sea is an inherently dangerous proposition. For this reason, I suspect the name "Boaty McBoatface" will be rejected. But hey, what do I know?

Posted

Oh man I can't stop giggling.  Do people not know that a "name our [x]" contest is an open invitation to viral snark spammers?

If Boaty McBoatface doesn't make it, here's hoping some of the others will.  My favorites:
RRS I like big boats and I cannot lie
RRS Big Metal Floaty Thingy-thing
RRS Boat Marley and the Whalers
RRS Bippity Boppity Floatillyboatilly
RRS Nicholas Cage
RRS Red Dwarf
RRS Icy Smashy Smash
RRS Firefly
RRS Science!!
RRS Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf

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