A major milestone in the build of the UK’s state-of-the-art polar research ship was reached this weekend [Saturday 14 July 2018], when the 129-metre long, 10,000 tonne hull of the RRS Sir David Attenborough was launched into the River Mersey for the first time.
Once in the river, tugs towed hull number 1390 to Cammell Laird’s wet basin for the next stages of construction. The polar research ship is scheduled to come into operation in 2019.
Shipyard workers, engineers, scientists and maritime industry experts gathered with special guest speakers, including world-renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, to celebrate this remarkable engineering achievement.
Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation), built by Cammell Laird and operated by British Antarctic Survey, this is the biggest shipbuilding contract in the UK for 30 years.
The new research ship is part of a Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Launched in the summer of the Year of Engineering, this commitment represents the UK Government‘s largest investment in polar science since the 1980s.
Keynote speaker the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth says:
“This incredibly exciting event marks the next stage in the construction of this remarkable new polar research ship. The RSS Sir David Attenborough will use sophisticated technology to monitor polar activity and will help strengthen our position at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
“The Government’s £200m investment in polar research will allow us to gain a crucial insight into polar oceans to combat the devastating effects of climate change, and through our commitment to clean growth, we are putting vital science and innovation to mitigate global warming at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
Special guest Sir David Attenborough says:
“Britain began exploring the Antarctic over a century ago when it seemed to be an empty wilderness of little importance to the world as a whole. Now we recognise that what happens at the Poles is of the greatest importance to everyone, everywhere.
The UK and the British Antarctic Survey have been making discoveries in both regions that enable us to better understand these global processes and this wonderful new research ship will enable British scientists to continue their crucial work in both the Arctic and Antarctic for decades to come.”
Cammell Laird CEO John Syvret CBE, says:
“The launch of the RRS Sir David Attenborough is a really important milestone in the build programme, and it is a great day for the Cammell Laird team. We have said that this Cammell Laird generation is proud of its heritage and is determined make its own history, and the launch of Sir David Attenborough Polar Research Ship underpins this commitment and ambition. I want to thank NERC, British Antarctic Survey, Rolls Royce, Lloyds Register, Houlder Offshore and the entire supply chain for their commitment and support. This is one team, ‘team UK’ working in partnership to deliver a unique ship with unique capabilities and capacity. I also want to thank our workforce and their families as well as Wirral Borough Council, the Rt Hon Frank Field and all in the community who have supported Cammell Laird on our journey to date. We are now back in the premier league of the shipbuilding world, it has been a herculean effort by all to get here, this launch raises the brand profile and as a result provides increased global recognition, which bodes well for the future.”
Professor Sir Mark Walport is Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, he says:
“The RRS Sir David Attenborough will deliver world-leading research to help tackle the environmental challenges of our age, including climate change and protecting our oceans.
“The work of Sir David has engaged millions of people across the planet with these issues and their impact. The research ship named in his honour will make a vital contribution to addressing them.”
Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, says:
“This is a fantastic moment for all of us. At British Antarctic Survey our scientists, engineers, and support teams – especially those mariners and project managers who have been working closely with the amazing teams at Cammell Laird – are tremendously excited to reach this milestone. It is an incredible achievement, and one that everyone in the country can be proud of.”
ENDS
Filming and video opportunities:
Fixed and drone cameras will capture the event. Broadcasters wishing to take a LIVE FEED must notify Polaris Media in advance. This footage will be livestreamed here: www.bas.ac.uk/live and available to download.
B-roll footage available:
Images and video assets include: time-lapse video of the construction so far (up to April 2018); broadcast quality footage of current polar research ships in ice; footage of polar scientists in action; Rolls Royce CGI of new ship and deck plans.
For more information about the RRS Sir David Attenborough visit: www.bas.ac.uk/attenborough
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs.
British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org
For more information visit www.bas.ac.uk @basnews
The Natural Environment Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a new organisation that brings together the UK’s seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England to maximise the contribution of each Council and create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish. The vision is to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. www.nerc.ac.uk
Cammell Laird is one of the most famous names in British industry.
The company was founded in 1828 and is based on the River Mersey in the Liverpool City Region on the west coast of Britain. The company’s Birkenhead site expands across 130 acres and includes four dry docks, a large modular construction hall and extensive covered workshops. It is also at the centre of a marine and engineering cluster with easy access to support services classification societies and port state authorities. https://www.clbh.co.uk/