Seeing the RRS Sir David Attenborough moored up in Greenwich on my way to go and see the Polar Worlds exhibition in the Maritime museum, was a double win for a warm autumn day in 2021!

But why is the ship so special?

For a start, it’s no ordinary ship - It’s one of the most advanced polar research vessels globally, currently engaged in its inaugural major science season in the Antarctic after departing the UK in October!

Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and constructed for operation by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), this state-of-the-art research ship was a pretty significant investment of £200 million, marking the UK's most substantial commitment to polar science since the 1980s.

It’s 129 metres in length (longer than a football pitch) with a beam of 24 meters and a gross tonnage of 15,000, the ship boasts impressive technical features. Its scientific cargo volume of approximately 900m³, endurance of up to 60 days, and a range of 19,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots make it a really capable research platform.

Notably, the RRS Sir David Attenborough possesses ice-breaking capabilities, capable of navigating through ice up to 1 metre thick at 3 knots. Bow and stern thrusters enhance dynamic positioning in challenging conditions, while the ship accommodates a crew of approximately 30 and up to 60 scientists and support staff.

The vessel is designed to facilitate research in extreme environments, with advanced scientific facilities, instruments, and laboratories. Notably, it features a moon pool—a vertical shaft running through the vessel, open to both air and sea. This innovative design allows for the deployment and recovery of scientific equipment through the centre of the hull, enhancing safety and efficiency, especially in rough polar oceans. The ship's laboratories, combined with the ability to 'plug-in' portable, containerised laboratories, offer flexibility to adapt to evolving research needs.

Notably, the RRS Sir David Attenborough marks a crucial step in advancing polar exploration, succeeding the RRS James Clark Ross and the RRS Ernest Shackleton.

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