There’s Been Another Plot Twist In The Boaty McBoatface Saga

NERC

Despite overwhelming public support for another name, the British government has decided to name their new £200m polar research vessel RSS David Attenborough.

As we suspected, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) flew in the face of democracy and refused to bow to public pressure to name the ship ‘Boaty McBoatface’ reports the i100.

While Boaty McB was the clear favourite among the British public, science minister Jo Johnson announced that it would be named after the much-loved television presenter in honour of his 90th birthday.

Getty

The decision to overlook the joke name, first suggested by James Hand, was met with disappointment from many online:

@JoJohnsonMP @NERCscience @bisgovuk Killjoy McKillFace

— Graham Love (@GLove39) May 6, 2016

@JoJohnsonMP Miserable McTwatface

— Spazzie McGee (@ThatBulldog777) May 6, 2016

@JoJohnsonMP Miserable McTwatface

— Spazzie McGee (@ThatBulldog777) May 6, 2016

@JoJohnsonMP @bisgovuk @NERCscience democracy in action

— Kev (@CityRaider67) May 6, 2016

However, there could be yet another plot twist as a new petition has now emerged to rename the great man instead:

Change.org

The petition, which will be delivered to the BBC, reads:

The public want the UK’s new polar research ship to be named Boaty McBoatface, but it will instead will be named after the revered naturalist and thoroughly lovely bloke Sir David Attenborough.

Wouldn’t it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?

Whether or not you agree with the idea, there is some consolation for ‘Boaty McBoatface’ fans as the name will live on in the form of a remotely operated sub which will be used to explore the Antarctic waters.

To be fair, it’s hard to feel too disappointed about how this has turned out – David Attenborough is one of the best loved and well respected broadcasters in memory, he bloody deserves this!

UNILAD