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David Attenborough launches Boaty McBoatface into the Mersey

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It might have his name on it but even Sir David Attenborough probably knows it will always be called Boaty McBoatface.

The national treasure said he felt extraordinarily emotional as he launched a polar research ship named in his honour after its first name was vetoed.

The 92-year-old broadcaster said the ship, which 124,000 people voted to call Boaty McBoatface, could be key to the preservation of the planet as it was launched into the River Mersey from the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead.

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David Attenborough launches Boaty McBoatface into the Mersey

The RRS Sir David Attenborough (Boaty McBoatface) is launched into the River Mersey (Picture: PA)

The RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull is launched in the River Mersey, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 14, 2018. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Attenborough. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

We all know what its real name is (Picture: PA)

Sir David Attenborough speaks at the launch of the RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull, on the River Mersey in Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 14, 2018. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Attenborough. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Sir David Attenborough said he felt extraordinarily emotional as he launched the polar research ship (Picture: PA)

Asked how he felt when he saw the ship enter the water, Sir David said: It was an extraordinarily emotional moment. Im surprised myself really.

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Ive never seen a ship of that size get down a slipway and there was something very noble about it and very emotional. Irresistible.

And, to think that its going to go to the other end of the globe and do such valuable work and carry so many people from this country who will be working to find out all they can about the working of our planet is a marvellous thought.

The RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull is launched in the River Mersey, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 14, 2018. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Attenborough. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Into the Mersey it goes! (Picture: PA)

The RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull is launched in the River Mersey, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 14, 2018. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Attenborough. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Its a beast of a ship (Picture: PA)

I am more honoured than I can say that that wonderful hull has got my name on it.

The £200m vessel, the largest civilian ship to be built in the UK for 30 years, is the most technically advanced survey ship ever built and will accommodate 60 scientists on research trips to Antarctica when completed.

Sir David said: The perils facing this planet are far, far greater than they have ever been in its entire history, or at least since the end of the dinosaurs, certainly for the last few million years.

Theres nothing to compare with the perils we are facing, not only in the scale but in the speed at which they are happening and of course we now know that we are responsible for a lot of these changes that are taking place.

Sir David Attenborough at the launch of the RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull, on the River Mersey in Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 14, 2018. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Attenborough. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Sir David Attenborough was enjoying himself at the long-awaited launch (Picture: PA)

You have to know what they are before you know how you can fix them so this ship is going to be key to the future salvage of our plant or at least its preservation.

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Despite the veto, Boaty does live on in the form of a miniature, unmanned, yellow submarine on board the boat, which will be operated by the British Antartic Survey (BAS).

Sir David and Professor Dame Jane Francis, director of BAS, pressed the button to launch the vessel into the water in front of more than 2,000 shipyard workers, scientists, engineers and special guests, including Minister for Energy and Clean Growth Claire Perry MP.

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