The National Environment Research Agency (NERC) decided last week in it’s infinite wisdom to entrust the naming of its new Antarctic research vessel to the British Public.
In a spectacular backfire for the organisation, the public overwhelmingly voted for the name Boaty McBoatface. The agency’s website then promptly crashed.
Apologies for any problems you are having accessing the #NameOurShip site. Our IT team are working on it, so please bear with us.
— NERC (@NERCscience) March 20, 2016
At the time that the website crashed, Boaty McBoatface was more than 13 thousand votes in front of the second most popular suggestion.
Our current top 4 #NameOurShip suggestions. Have you voted yet? https://t.co/Vv5Or05r9l pic.twitter.com/Uf4u1XyHYf
— NERC (@NERCscience) March 18, 2016
The suggested name for the £200 millon vessel was suggested by James Hand, who has now admitted that the whole thing has gotten a little out of hand especially since @BoatyMcBoatface began its own Twitter account.
Ah, of course, @BoatyMcBoatface now has his own Twitter page. I can assure you this is nothing to do with me. Be free, Boaty.
— James Hand (@JamesHand) March 19, 2016
Boaty himself? He seems to be pretty happy with his new name.
You know what’s a good idea? Naming a boat RSS Boaty McBoatface #MakeItSo #BoatyMcBoatface pic.twitter.com/6aDojmy3uR
— Boaty McBoatface (@BoatyMcBoatface) March 19, 2016
The NERC website does state that the poll was for suggestions only, and reserves the right to name the boat whatever they want. They initially asked for the names suggested to be inspirational, such as a historical figure, landmark or movement.
Other names in the top 15 suggestions included Boat, Pingu, It’s bloody cold here and Ice Ice Baby.
What a time.
