Boaty McBoatface, a yellow submarine named by popular vote, is setting off on its first mission resplendent in graphics created and applied by Signs Express (Southampton), a team that has worked closely with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) on various project over the years.
Mark Kendall, co-owner of Signs Express (Southampton) said: “We have loved working with the NOC. We don’t just specialise in applying graphics to sea-worthy vessels however, we have provided them with all sorts, and this project was just the icing on the cake.”
Boaty McBoatface is joining ocean scientists from the University of Southampton and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on an expedition to study some of the deepest and coldest abyssal ocean waters on earth and how they affect climate change. Considering the sub’s epic journey, the graphics that were applied had to be of the highest marine grade vinyl that would withstand the icy temperatures and prolonged periods of time submersed at great depths and under great pressures.
The mission will begin by traveling to the Southern Ocean aboard the BAS research ship RRS James Clark Ross on Friday 17 March from Punta Arenas, Chile.