Description

The government and treasury of the British Antarctic Territory have issued their first 50-pence coin whose reverse design features a somewhat quirky, tongue-in-cheek name of one of the newest underwater research vessels of the National Oceanography Centre, which is located in Southampton, U.K.

The somewhat comedic story began in March 2016 when the Natural Environment Research Council launched a campaign to find a name for the UK’s next world-class polar research ship. One “name” in particular by former BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand captured the nation’s imagination when his suggestion of “Boaty McBoatface” went viral on social media and was soon trending on Twitter, being discussed all over the world. Boaty McBoatface smashed the online poll – amassing 27,000 votes and crashing the servers in the process.

The autonomous underwater vehicle was initially named with another popular choice, “Sir David Attenborough,” but the popularity of Boaty could not be ignored, and so one of the National Oceanography Centre’s auto-sub long-range autonomous vehicles was renamed and now proudly carries the name. It will serve with the RRS (Royal Research Ship) Sir David Attenborough.

Today, Boaty and two other autosub long-range vehicles have been developed at the National Oceanography Centre and are able to travel thousands of kilometres on missions lasting several months at a time. The ability to travel under ice and reach depths of 6,000 metres will enable Boaty and friends to explore 95% of the ocean.