Sploosh.
Sir David Attenborough has launched the 10,000-tonne hull of the UK's newest polar ship - named after him - into the River Mersey. The broadcaster pushed the button, sending the hull sliding out from the Cammell Laird yard in Birkenhead, into the water where building will continue.
"Our future will be affected by what people working on this ship will be discovering in years to come," he said. It is "the greatest possible honour" to be its namesake, Sir David added.
"When 100 years ago this country sent people down to the South Pole, we were the pioneers in exploring the Antarctic," Sir David said. "When we did so, I suspect the reason we did was the South Pole seemed as far away as it could possibly get to be on this planet. Now, 100 years later, we realise that remote place is, in fact, key to the whole understanding of the planet. What goes on down there affects the whole of the Earth."
An official handover of the finished ship is scheduled for the end of the year. It is at this point that the RRS Sir David Attenborough can begin sea trials, and go on its maiden expeditions to the Arctic and the Antarctic.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44828136
I have a strong case of pareidolia going on here...
ReplyDeleteI can't stop seeing the banners as huge white eye-brows, the anchor holes as eyes, the bow as the nose and the white frame as a moustache.
Well now it reminds of Father Christmas...
ReplyDelete