The UK’s National Environment Research Council (NERC) hoped to find the perfect name for its brand-new research ship through a public vote. But, in classic Brit style, a joke name is now leading the polls.
Independent environmental science organization NERC has nearly finished building its $300 million Antarctic survey vessel.
And what better way to celebrate than a clever campaign inviting the British public to submit names and vote for their favorites?
It all started out innocently enough as Aurora, Titan and Orca were put forward as good ship-y names.
Aurora, Titan & Orca are just some of the names that you have suggested already #NameOurShip https://t.co/RWBIT1Fy1Y pic.twitter.com/ZuEjpsI6Kk
— Natural Environment Research Council (@NERCscience) March 20, 2016
But just four days later, the hilarious and ridiculous “RRS Boaty McBoatface” appeared to be leading the vote with a massive 21,000 votes.
Our current top 4 #NameOurShip suggestions. Have you voted yet? https://t.co/Vv5Or05r9l pic.twitter.com/Uf4u1XyHYf
— Natural Environment Research Council (@NERCscience) March 18, 2016
The second name, RRS Henry Worsley, dedicated to the explorer who sadly died in January attempting to cross Antarctica unaided, has just 2,700 votes.
And, as news of “Boaty McBoatface” spread, the NERC website crashed due to huge amounts of traffic.
Apologies for any problems you are having accessing the #NameOurShip site. Our IT team are working on it, so please bear with us.
— Natural Environment Research Council (@NERCscience) March 20, 2016
The closing date for entries isn’t until April 16th, but with the hashtag #BoatyMcBoatface still going strong we reckon the NERC will think twice before asking the British public for help ever again…