Boaty McBoatface tops poll of name for polar research vessel

The internet has done it again, illustrating why you can never trust the online masses to take on a serious task.

‘Boaty McBoatface’ has topped a public poll to find a name for a new polar research ship. And it wasn’t even close.

The name, put forward by communications manager James Hand, received 124,109 votes, while second favourite Poppy-Mai received 34,371 and Henry Worsley came third with 15,231.

Britain’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) had asked for help finding a name that would reflect the 200 million-pound ($284 million) ship’s mission and celebrate British naval history.

The final decision on the name will be made by Duncan Wingham, chief executive of the research group, according to The Guardian. There’s a bit of time.

Once it has been christened, this new vessel will be the largest and most advanced research ship in the UK.

The name gained traction on as the #NameOurShip campaign was launched in March on social media.

Usain Boat, I Like Big Boats & I Cannot Lie and What Iceberg? were some of the more unusual entries among almost 7,000 other suggestions.

BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand, who suggested the Boaty McBoatface name, “apologised profusely” to NERC, adding: “It’s all been really good fun”.

The city of Austin, Texas, also learned the perils of public voting after a poll to rename their Solid Waste Services Department ended up with an overwhelming number of votes to call it The Fred Durst Society of the Humanities and Arts after the Linkin Park Singer.

The RRS It’s bloody cold here and the RRS David Attenborough rounded out the top five with just over 10,000 votes each.