Hearing David Attenborough say Boaty McBoatface has made everybody’s morning
Work is beginning on RSS Sir David Attenborough, the research ship named after the BBC broadcaster – but the name Boaty McBoatface lives on...

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Remember the time thousands of people wanted a very important Arctic research vessel to be called Boaty McBoatface? The name lives on – thanks to David Attenborough.
The ship, as you might recall, was eventually named RSS Sir David Attenborough after the great BBC broadcaster, despite old Boaty being by far the most popular suggestion in an online poll.
However, when Attenborough arrived in person to mark the start of construction on the ship, one name was on everybody’s lips – and it wasn’t his.
Hearing David Attenborough say "Boaty" on @BBCr4today has certainly brightened up my morning #r4today #BoatyMcBoatface
— Alain Tolhurst (@Alain_Tolhurst) October 17, 2016
Sir David Attenborough at @CammellLaird this morning as work starts on the RSS David Attenborough aka #BoatyMcBoatface pic.twitter.com/elnXNsepB0
— Adam Phillips (@adamphilllips) October 17, 2016
The good news is, the name Boaty lives on – a submarine on board RSS Sir David Attenborough has been christened Boaty McBoatface.
The RRS Sir David Attenborough will carry an auxiliary ship called #BoatyMcBoatface – according to Sir David #r4today
— Jamie Angus (@grvlx001) October 17, 2016
Here is Boaty McBoatface in all her Yellow Submarine glory.
In diving pose. This is #Boaty the yellow submarine, an AUV for the RRS Sir David #Attenborough pic.twitter.com/MK3mre7cxJ
— Jonathan Amos (@BBCAmos) October 17, 2016
Look, there’s even an adorable little Boaty cartoon to explain what the sub is capable of.
Boaty lives on! #polarship #BoatyMcBoatface @STEMLearningUK pic.twitter.com/6qs9FHHydR
— Dianne Watson-Payne (@itgirlnorth) October 17, 2016
Exciting morning right? Well, there was one little iceberg that threatened to sink everybody’s morning…
Definitely just read RRS Sir David Attenborough as RIP and nearly became Shrieky McShriekFace #panic #over
— Kubix Media (@Kubix_Media_) October 17, 2016
RRS Sir David Attenborough looks remarkably like RIP Sir David Attenborough when you're scanning…
— Sarah Eaglesfield (@zenxv) October 17, 2016
So how many of us have just misread the "RRS Sir David Attenborough" trend?
— Elliot (@Cashy_1990) October 17, 2016