Huge section of ‘Boaty McBoatface’ research ship to be moved by barge
Moving Block 10, which is part of the stern of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, could take up to five days.
A huge section of the polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough is to be moved by barge from one side of the UK to the other.
The transportation of Block 10 is seen as a major engineering challenge and a significant milestone in the building of the ship which gained fame for not being called Boaty McBoatface – a name suggested in a public poll.
Block 10 is part of the stern section of the ship.
It could take up to five days for it to reach Birkenhead via the North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea. The barge will be pulled by the tug Union Diamond.
The ship is due to enter service in 2019.
Heavy-lifting firm ALE is responsible for loading and unloading the stern section and securing it during its journey.
The barge’s journey can be followed on the Marine Traffic website.
