17 March, 2016 News stories

Submit your suggestions for a name

NERC invites you to submit your suggestions for a name for the new polar research ship, currently under construction at Cammell Laird’s yard in Birkenhead.  The closing date for entries is 16th April 2016.

Submit your suggestion online here and tell us why your idea is suitable for a polar ship.  NERC will apply to register the new ship as a Royal Research Ship (RRS) so the name format is RRS NAME.  An expert panel will review all suggestions before making the final decision.

The new state-of-the-art ship, will join the NERC fleet and be operated by British Antarctic Survey from 2019.

Cammell Laird Managing Director Linton Roberts talks about building the new polar ship

Submit name

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Schematic of new ship

From our Archives

List of vessels operated by British Antarctic Survey and its predecessors

  • HMS Bransfield (formerly Veslekari) 1943.  Edward Bransfield RN (1785-1852) discovered the north west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
  • HMS William Scoresby 1943-46. In his voyage of 1807, Scoresby began the study of the meteorology and natural history of the polar regions
  • SS Fitzroy (chartered) 1943-48
  • SS Eagle (chartered) 1944-45
  • MV Trepassey (chartered) 1945-47
  • MV RRS John Biscoe (1) 1947-56. John Biscoe (1794-1843) was a British mariner who contributed to the exploration of the Antarctic.
  • MV Norsel (chartered) 1954-55
  • MV Oluf Sven (chartered) 1955-57 – Falkland Islands Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition
  • RRS Shackleton 1955-69. Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer, best known for leading the ‘Endurance’ expedition of 1914-16
  • RRS John Biscoe (2) 1956-91.  John Biscoe (1794-1843) was a British mariner who contributed to the exploration of the Antarctic.
  • MV Tottan (chartered) 1958-59
  • MV Kista Dan (chartered) 1959-60, 1965-66
  • MV Perla Dan (chartered) 1966 –70
  • RRS Bransfield 1970-99. Edward Bransfield RN (1785-1852), who discovered the north west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.  Bransfield was the first man to chart part of the Antarctic mainland.
  • RRS James Clark Ross 1991-present.  Sir James Clark Ross (15 April 1800 – 3 April 1862) was a British naval officer and explorer remembered today for his exploration of the Arctic.
  • RRS Ernest Shackleton 1999-present. Named after Sir Ernest Shackleton