5 September, 2019 Press releases, SDA

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Sir David Attenborough will attend the Royal Ceremonial Naming of the New Polar Research Ship at the Cammell Laird shipyard on Thursday 26 September 2019. The ceremony of the  RRS Sir David Attenborough is the highlight of a three-day celebration of UK science, engineering, and shipbuilding.

About the RRS Sir David Attenborough

This new polar research ship for Britain is one of the most advanced in the world. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council, built by Cammell Laird and operated by British Antarctic Survey, the RRS Sir David Attenborough will transform ship-borne science in Antarctica and the Arctic.

The ship will provide UK polar researchers and their international collaborators with access to a state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary research platform that will enable them to investigate the role that polar oceans play in our changing world.

Find out more about the RRS Sir David Attenborough here.

FREE public tickets are available NOW for:

  •  Thursday 26 September 2019 – naming ceremony and Ice Worlds festival of discovery. Book up to four FREE ceremonial naming day tickets here
  • Saturday 28 September 2019 – Ice Worlds – family day. Book up to four FREE family day tickets here

 About Ice Worlds

Step inside our huge marquee to discover what life is like as a polar scientist or engineer. Learn what it takes to build a polar research ship. Find out why polar bears don’t eat penguins! Marvel at the amazing innovation behind Antarctic and Arctic research. Be inspired – do you have what it takes to be a polar explorer, a scientist or an engineer?

Planning your visit

**There is no public entry without a ticket.  Please note: for safety and security reasons. there is no public access on board the ship

Shipyard gates open from 11 am on both days. Directions to Cammell Laird are here:

Weather

Please check the weather forecast.  You will be standing on the quayside to watch the ceremony so you may want to wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella – just in case!  The Ice Worlds exhibition is under cover in a marquee.  There are outside catering vans and outdoor exhibitions

Travel and parking

There is no public parking available at or near the shipyard.  Long stay Council car parks are located in Birkenhead town centre, the largest of these being at Price Street, adjacent to Conway Park train station.

Public transport

Visitors are encouraged to use public transport wherever possible. The nearest Merseyrail station is Green Lane (Wirral Line), just a few minutes’ walk from the shipyard. Hamilton Square station is a 15-20 minute walk from the shipyard as is Woodside Ferry Terminal.

The region is well served by local bus routes.  To plan your journey in advance please check:

Train, ferry and bus routes and timetables

Council car parks in Birkenhead town centre

ENDS

Issued by British Antarctic Survey Press Office on behalf of NERC & Cammell Laird.