I’m sorry about Boaty McBoatface! Man who came up with name for a new polar research ship apologises - but panel say they could ignore the public vote anyway
- Britain's Natural Environment Research Council asked public to name ship
- Former BBC radio presenter James Hand came up with wacky suggestion
- Name got 28,590 public votes with second favourite RRS Henry Worsley
- Mr Hand since revealed that he actually voted for RRS David Attenborough
The man who came up with the name 'Boaty McBoatface' for a new £200m polar research ship has apologised for his wacky suggestion.
The eccentric moniker emerged as a favourite after Britain's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) sought input in naming the new vessel, which will be a flagship of its scientific fleet.
The public were urged to find an 'inspirational name' that reflects the ship's mission, studying ice sheets, and celebrates Britain's long naval history.
Former BBC radio presenter James Hand said that while he stands by Boaty McBoatface as a 'brilliant name' for a ship, he has actually voted for RRS David Attenborough to be the new name.
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Moniker: Former BBC radio presenter James Hand proposed this ship should be named 'Boaty McBoatface' by Britain's Natural Environment Research Council
Explaining his reasons for his suggestion, on BBC Radio Jersey on Monday morning, he said: 'I would say 90% of the entries at that point were really quite funny so I thought, I'll throw one into the ring and just see what happens.
'By the time the site eventually crashed yesterday it was leading by about 8,000.
'I have apologised profusely. The storm that's been created - it's got legs of its own.'
It is not the first time that Mr Hand has pitched the name - he also suggested it to the Condor Liberation in a competition in early 2015.
Sorry: James Hand took to Twitter to apologise for the commotion caused by his eccentric name suggestion
'Part of me thinks that Condor didn't like it because it might have made them look a little bit silly. I bet they are kicking themselves now,' he added.
Boaty McBoatface is currently leading with 28,590 votes. The second-favourite - the RRS Henry Worsley, named after the explorer who died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January - has just over three thousand votes.
The second favourite name in the poll is RRS Henry Worsley after the explorer, right, while Mr Hand revealed he had voted for the vessel to be called the RRS David Attenborough, after the acclaimed broadcaster
Some of the more unusual of the 3,824 suggestions include the RRS Onion Knight, RRS I Like Big Boats & I Cannot Lie, and RRS Capt'n Birdseye Get Off My Cod.
The RRS Bowie, RRS Kanye West and RRS The Miss Cilla Black have also been floated as possible names.
The NERC's terms and conditions state the final decision on the new name will be taken by its chief executive.
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