
Remember Boaty McBoatface? The viral entry that won an online poll to find a name for a new U.K. government research ship? Well, that’s not happening.
According to an announcement by the government on Friday, the state-of-the-art polar research ship will now be named RRS Sir David Attenborough, after the notable British naturalist and broadcaster.
“The public provided some truly inspirational and creative names, and while it was a difficult decision I’m delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation’s most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists,” Britain’s Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said in a statement.
In a partial consolation to the thousands (possibly millions) of Boaty McBoatface fans, however, that name will now adorn the ship’s remotely operated, bright yellow submersible.
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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com