![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KY3NUZ5HIDAWEO32THXTMWUJSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f7b3784cc96f2adc062cfebc035a485d9fce7c653297f86e8afdb1e672bb7ee&width=400&height=225)
The heliport on the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Its maiden voyage to the Antarctic next month will be a trip aimed primarily at testing the ship's new technology and capability in arctic conditions. AP Photo
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough docks in Greenwich, London. The UK's most advanced polar research ship is in London to mark the start of the Cop26 climate conference. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWQQZNHPSGKR3YEEVADATKYCBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=48fd08f9e024a2637c9f6497ceb475854c1e6bd93177e794364bcd7652b39c42&width=400&height=225)
David Attenborough, centre, with the crew on the deck of the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The ship is named after the famed TV presenter and naturalist. AP Photo
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David Attenborough and crew members with Boaty McBoatface, a submersible on the ship that was named in a competition. EPA
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough on the River Thames in Greenwich. At 129 metres long and built at a cost of £200 million, the ship is one of the most advanced research vessels in the world. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7IEXGVCN7F4FDSWWSEJGA3TMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc4f9c3b6bb22c2226d67efbbddc90e981245afd9091c9c36727a23beaf905a7&width=400&height=225)
Visitors take photographs of Boaty McBoatface, a robotic submersible. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDUHQXJPX3QZLYUEGIJFNSOZJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9025cf8c41a21b5cf84fd7625fd3b9e877c94b31546ec1e75d98f0202c6e7e9&width=400&height=225)
The state-of-the-art polar research ship will set off for its maiden voyage to Antarctica after global leaders meet at Cop26. EPA
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough can carry up to 60 scientists deep into the heart of the ice-covered polar seas. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KY3NUZ5HIDAWEO32THXTMWUJSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f7b3784cc96f2adc062cfebc035a485d9fce7c653297f86e8afdb1e672bb7ee&width=400&height=225)
The heliport on the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Its maiden voyage to the Antarctic next month will be a trip aimed primarily at testing the ship's new technology and capability in arctic conditions. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BC6LZ3BYEOHU7AQBPGBLFQGQUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=13de9c92b85aae5ff07087c0e399228b4df5b63cd083f911708dfb44cc3f7ded&width=400&height=225)
The RRS Sir David Attenborough docks in Greenwich, London. The UK's most advanced polar research ship is in London to mark the start of the Cop26 climate conference. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWQQZNHPSGKR3YEEVADATKYCBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=48fd08f9e024a2637c9f6497ceb475854c1e6bd93177e794364bcd7652b39c42&width=400&height=225)
David Attenborough, centre, with the crew on the deck of the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The ship is named after the famed TV presenter and naturalist. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WDE7VRTQIGDWKE4E4WIGBUIC6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=ca47519474a8c1ee38164d509e0cfdfe8ca84318c86fe7472784e51222868a09&width=400&height=225)
David Attenborough and crew members with Boaty McBoatface, a submersible on the ship that was named in a competition. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ROHZMN3YNNNLPHLFQMKHZK5RGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8934a1580445088e13375f68e958adf7a78ef95fee878e186e2266c50ca6140&width=400&height=225)
The RRS Sir David Attenborough on the River Thames in Greenwich. At 129 metres long and built at a cost of £200 million, the ship is one of the most advanced research vessels in the world. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7IEXGVCN7F4FDSWWSEJGA3TMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc4f9c3b6bb22c2226d67efbbddc90e981245afd9091c9c36727a23beaf905a7&width=400&height=225)
Visitors take photographs of Boaty McBoatface, a robotic submersible. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDUHQXJPX3QZLYUEGIJFNSOZJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9025cf8c41a21b5cf84fd7625fd3b9e877c94b31546ec1e75d98f0202c6e7e9&width=400&height=225)
The state-of-the-art polar research ship will set off for its maiden voyage to Antarctica after global leaders meet at Cop26. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2C6XPPQT5ID252QAVDWYEUFFDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=81d53d5605419195dce36ddfc4d50901b60c8382d88fb85e32834a3763c39e7e&width=400&height=225)
The RRS Sir David Attenborough can carry up to 60 scientists deep into the heart of the ice-covered polar seas. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KY3NUZ5HIDAWEO32THXTMWUJSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f7b3784cc96f2adc062cfebc035a485d9fce7c653297f86e8afdb1e672bb7ee&width=400&height=225)
The heliport on the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Its maiden voyage to the Antarctic next month will be a trip aimed primarily at testing the ship's new technology and capability in arctic conditions. AP Photo
RRS Sir David Attenborough's race to save the doomsday glacier
The National boards ship once nearly called Boaty McBoatface as it is heads for Antarctica on vital research mission
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
18 November, 2022
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