Boaty McBoatface explained

Boaty McBoatface (informally known as Boaty)[1] is the British lead boat in a fleet of three robotic lithium battery–powered autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) of the Autosub Long Range (ALR) class.[2] Launched in 2017 and carried on board the polar scientific research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough, she is a focal point of the Polar Explorer Programme of the UK Government.[1] [3]

Boaty and her two fleet-mates are part of the UK National Marine Equipment Pool and owned by the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.[4] [1] She is classified as an "autosub long range (ALR) autonomous underwater vehicle",[5] and will use her onboard sensors to map the movement of deep waters that play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate.[2] [6]

Naming

The name Boaty McBoatface was originally proposed in a March 2016 #NameOurShip online poll[1] to name the £200 million polar scientific research ship being constructed in the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead for the United Kingdom's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). BBC Radio Jersey presenter James Hand coined the humorous suggestion Boaty McBoatface for the poll, and the name quickly became the most popular choice by far, with 33% of the vote to 11% for the second choice.[7] The name was described as a homage to Hooty McOwlface, an owl named through an "Adopt-a-Bird" programme in 2012 that became popular on the Internet.[8]

Although Boaty McBoatface was the most popular suggestion in the #NameOurShip poll, the suggestion to use the name for the mothership was not followed.[9] In October 2016, Jo Johnson, Minister for Universities and Science, announced that the ship would be named Sir David Attenborough, after the eminent English zoologist and broadcaster, who came fourth in the poll.[10] [3] [11] [12] [13] The name Boaty McBoatface, despite receiving more than ten times the number of votes of Sir David Attenborough, was assigned to one of the submersibles deployed aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough instead.[14] Describing it as an "eloquent compromise", Duncan Wingham told the Commons Science and Technology Committee, "The controversy over the naming of a new polar research vessel was an 'astoundingly good outcome for public interest in science, and "the row had 'put a smile' on people's faces" after attracting huge public interest.[13]

Observers of contemporary culture coined the term "McBoatfacing," defined as "making the critical mistake of letting the internet decide things." In one such observation, Jennifer Finney Boylan of The New York Times wrote that to be "McBoatfaced" was to allow people to "deliberately make their choices not in order to foster the greatest societal good, but, instead, to mess with you".[15] The results of the poll inspired numerous similar spoofs in other naming polls.[16] [17]

Service

Boaty underwent advanced sea trials in 2016.

Missions

Her maiden voyage proper started on, with the Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow (DynOPO)[1] [18] expedition onboard research ship RRS James Clark Ross of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), to research how Antarctic Bottom Water leaves the Weddell Sea and enters the Southern Ocean through a 3.5km (02.2miles) deep region known as the Orkney Passage, south of Chile.[2] [19] [20] [21] During this DynOPO expedition, which was part of a primary project with the University of Southampton, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), along with additional support from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Princeton University, she traveled 180km (110miles) at depths of up to 4000m (13,000feet), and collected data on water temperature, salinity, and turbulence. Combined with measurements collected by RRS James Clark Ross, the data suggest that as winds over the Southern Ocean have strengthened, driven by the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica, and increases in greenhouse gases, they have increased the turbulence of deep ocean waters, leading to increased mixing of cold and warm water.[22] According to National Oceanography Centre oceanographer Dr Eleanor Frajka-Williams,[23] "This was the unique new process that rapidly exchanges water between the cold and the warm and then spreads the effect of the different water properties over a larger area", more efficiently than the better-known processes that mix warm surface waters with cold water from the deep sea.[22] This action rapidly warms the cold water, which contributes to rising sea levels, as water becomes less dense as it warms.[24] This newly discovered action has not yet been included in models for predicting sea level rise and the effect of climate change on the ocean.[25] The results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.[26]

A subsequent voyage for Boaty in 2017 was in the North Sea. Fitted with new chemical and acoustic sensors, these will enable Boaty to seek, or 'sniff out' traces indicating the artificial release of gas from beneath the seabed.[1] This will be part of a world first 'real world' controlled experiment in deep-water, in order to simulate any potential release of gas that may be indicative of leakage from a carbon capture and storage reservoir; and will be led by the NOC.[1]

Starting March 2017, Boaty provided a package of online educational resources, primarily for teachers in low-attaining primary and secondary schools, as an aid to improving learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects for pupils.[1] This material from Boaty was also made available to the general public.[1]

During January and February 2018, Boaty completed her first mission under-ice. She was deployed in the southern section of the Weddell Sea, spending a total of 51 hours under the Antarctic ice. Part of the Filchner Ice Shelf System Project, she travelled a total of 108km (67miles) and reached water depths of 944m (3,097feet) during the mission. Boaty spent 20 hours underneath a 550m (1,800feet) thick section of ice shelf.

In August 2024, she completed a 2000km (1,000miles) voyage from Iceland to Scotland, taking 55 days. She was being used in a research project to investigate the carbon pump effect.[27]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Southampton becomes the home of 'Boaty McBoatface'. National Oceanography Centre Southampton. 17 October 2016. 10 August 2024.
  2. Web site: Amos. Jonathan (BBC Science Correspondent). 13 March 2017. Boaty McBoatface submarine set for first voyage. www.BBC.co.uk. London, England, UK. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC News. 8 December 2020. 9 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201209234758/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39232973. live.
  3. Web site: 'Boaty McBoatface' polar ship named after Attenborough. www.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 6 May 2016. 6 December 2020. 23 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171532/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36225652. live.
  4. Web site: National Marine Equipment Pool. NOC.ac.uk. Southampton, England, UK. National Oceanography Centre (NOC). 10 December 2020. 16 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201216030906/https://noc.ac.uk/facilities/national-marine-equipment-pool. live.
  5. Web site: NOC's Autosub Long Range is Boaty McBoatface. NOC.ac.uk. National Oceanography Centre. 14 March 2017. 1 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181001142308/https://noc.ac.uk/news/nocs-autosub-long-range-boaty-mcboatface. live.
  6. Taeihagh. Araz. 1 December 2017. Crowdsourcing: a new tool for policy-making?. Policy Sciences. 50. 4. 629–647. 10.1007/s11077-017-9303-3. 1573-0891. 1802.03113. 27696037.
  7. Web site: 'Boaty McBoatface' tops public vote as name of polar ship . BBC News . 17 April 2016 . 23 July 2017 . 13 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170713062418/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36064659 . live .
  8. News: Whipple. Tom. 18 April 2016. Boaty McBoatface tops poll but will vote be scuppered?. www.TheTimes.co.uk. The Times. limited. Yet the runaway winner was RSS Boaty McBoatface, itself an homage to the owl that was named Hooty McOwlface after a similar exercise.. 6 December 2020. 29 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210729194953/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boaty-mcboatface-tops-poll-but-will-vote-be-scuppered-mmgddzn9z. live.
  9. Web site: Boaty McBoatface instigator 'sorry' for ship name suggestion. www.BBC.co.uk. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC News. 21 March 2016. 6 June 2016. 1 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160701024554/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-35860760. live.
  10. News: 2016-04-16 . 'Boaty McBoatface' tops public vote as name of polar ship . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-12-05 . 24 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211224200931/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36064659 . live .
  11. Web site:
    1. NameOurShip
    . https://web.archive.org/web/20160603115954/https://nameourship.nerc.ac.uk/. 3 June 2016. NameOurShip.NERC.ac.uk. Natural Environment Research Council. 2016. Swindon. 18 October 2016. dead.
  12. Web site: £200m polar research ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough. www.NERC.ac.uk. Natural Environment Research Council. 6 May 2016. 7 May 2016. https://archive.today/20160507142239/http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2016/18-ship/. dead.
  13. Web site: Boaty McBoatface controversy 'good for science', MPs told. www.BBC.co.uk. London, England, UK. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC News. 11 May 2016. 6 December 2020. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112126/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36260569. live.
  14. News: Knapton. Sarah. 6 May 2016. 'BoatyMcBoatface' to live on as yellow submarine, science minister Jo Johnson announces. The Daily Telegraph. London. 6 December 2020. 11 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190536/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/06/boatymcboatface-to-live-on-as-yellow-submarine-science-minister/. live.
  15. News: Trump and the Boaty McBoatfacing of America. The New York Times. 28 October 2020. 9 November 2020. 11 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111072917/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/opinion/trump-boaty-mcboatface.html. live.
  16. News: Sophie. Eastaugh. 15 April 2016. Racehorse named Horsey McHorseFace because 'hey, why not?'. edition.CNN.com. CNN. 6 December 2020. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108140722/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/15/sport/horsey-mchorseface/. live.
  17. Web site: Hern. Alex. 19 July 2017. Trainy McTrainface: Swedish railway keeps Boaty's legacy alive. The Guardian. London. 7 December 2020. 24 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124164312/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/19/trainy-mctrainface-boaty-mcboatface-legacy-lives-on-in-swedish-train. live.
  18. Web site: Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow (DynOPO). www.BAS.ac.uk. Cambridge, England, UK. British Antarctic Survey (BAS). 1 October 2014. 30 September 2018. 8 December 2020. 17 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201117164406/https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/dynamics-of-the-orkney-passage-outflow/. live.
  19. News: Boaty McBoatface sent on first Antarctic mission. www.LBC.co.uk. LBC News. 13 March 2017. 13 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170326061143/http://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/boaty-mcboatface-sent-on-first-antarctic-miss/. 26 March 2017. dead.
  20. News: 'Boaty McBoatface' submarine returns home. www.BBC.co.uk. London, England, UK. British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC News. 28 June 2017. 6 December 2020. 12 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201112014126/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40425996. live.
  21. Naveira Garabato. Alberto C.. et al. 2017. RRS James Cook Cruise JR16005, 17 Mar - 08 May 2017. The Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow (DynOPO). Nora.NERC.ac.uk. National Oceanography CentreNatural Environment Research Council. 47.
  22. Web site: Kennedy. Merrit. 18 June 2019. Boaty McBoatface, internet-adored sub, makes deep-sea discovery on climate change. www.NPR.org. 18 June 2019. 18 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190618210410/https://www.npr.org/2019/06/18/733759839/boaty-mcboatface-internet-adored-sub-makes-deep-sea-discovery-on-climate-change. live.
  23. Web site: Dr Eleanor Frajka-Williams. www.NOC.ac.uk. Southampton, England. National Oceanography Centre (NOC). 9 December 2020. 5 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201205051527/https://www.noc.ac.uk/people/efrjkw-rs6gl. dead.
  24. News: Donnelly. Laura. 17 June 2019. Boaty McBoatface makes major climate change discovery on maiden outing. www.Telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 18 June 2019. 18 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190618011933/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/17/boaty-mcboatface-makes-major-climate-change-discovery-maiden/. live.
  25. Web site: Boaty McBoatface mission gives new insight into warming ocean abyss. www.Eurekalert.org. University of Southampton. June 2019. 18 June 2019. 17 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190617211558/https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/uos-bmm061319.php. live.
  26. Naveira Garabato . Alberto C . Frajka-Williams . Eleanor . Spingys . Carl P . Legg . Sonya . Sonya Legg . Polzin . Kurt L . Forryan . Alexander . Abrahamsen . Povl . Buckingham . Christian . Griffies . Stephen M . McPhail . Stephen . Nicholls . Keith . 18 June 2019 . Rapid mixing and exchange of deep-ocean waters in an abyssal boundary current . . 116 . 27 . 13233–13238 . 2019PNAS..11613233N . 10.1073/pnas.1904087116 . 0027-8424 . 6613131 . 31213535 . free . Thomas . Leif N . Meredith . Michael . 10 December 2020 . 9 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509142716/https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/520649/ . live .
  27. Web site: Down into the ocean's 'twilight zone' with Boaty McBoatface . Georgina. Rannard . 10 August 2024 . 10 August 2024 . BBC News.