Boaty McBoatface wins poll of name for U.K. Antarctic research ship
Name beat out entries that honoured scientists and explorers
Boaty McBoatface has topped an online poll to name the U.K.'s newest polar research vessel, beating entries that honoured scientists and explorers.
Britain's Natural Environment Research Council had asked for help finding a name that would reflect the $385 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 final name will be decided by the council.
Imagine Boaty McBoatface sank and everybody died. Imagine the news having to read that out with a straight face.
—@DaftLimmyIf this boat isn't named 'Boaty McBoatface' then democracy has failed. <a href="https://t.co/8oN9bkQvPU">https://t.co/8oN9bkQvPU</a>
—@C_HendrickFormer 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.