The U.K.'s new state of the art polar research ship will be named after Sir David Attenborough, despite over 124,000 people voting for it to be called Boaty McBoatface.
The ship, under construction in Merseyside, England, is set to cost £200 million ($290 million). Its full name will be the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough, in honour of the naturalist and broadcaster, who turns 90 on Sunday.
"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," universities and science minister Jo Johnson said in a statement.
The ship has attracted attention across the world after the U.K's Natural Environment Research Council issued a call to the public for naming ideas. More than 7,000 suggestions were made, with the seemingly tongue-in-cheek Boaty McBoatface coming on top with over 124,000 votes.