Boaty McBoatface is heading out on its first investigate mission

Be bold. Be brave. Be Boaty McBoatface.

Not since Brexit, Russia tampering with the US elections, the Leicester City players downed tools on Ranieri they changed the size of Toblerones has there been a bigger outcry from the British public than the scandal that defiled the noble, virtuous and democratically-elected name of Boaty McBoatface. 

In case you were at sea for the last six months, Boaty became famous after the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) asked members of the public to name their research vessel.

Politicians have done their very best to distance themselves from the scandal that followed, but the British public won’t forget nor will they forgive.

While we’re big fans of the name that the officials actually approved – they named the ship after the iconic broadcaster Sir David Attenborough – a compromise was reached whereby an  autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) was christened with the name that the public loved so much.

If you’re a fan of all nautical expeditions – and we know you are – you’ll be pleased to know Boaty will depart from Punta Arenas in Chile on 17 March with the DynOPO (Dynamics of Orkney Passage Outflow) expedition.

The craft will then travel up the Antarctic were it will investigate water flow and turbulence in the Orkney Passage.

Godspeed Boaty McBoatface, godspeed.