STUDENTS from six Wirral schools had a chance to find out about life onboard a polar research vessel named after broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough that was built at Cammell Laird and is now deployed in Antarctica.

The group of 80 youngsters - from Birkenhead Park High, St John Plessington Catholic College, Calday Grange Grammar School, Clare Mount Specialist, Sports College, Meadowside School and Oldershaw School - spoke via 'live link' with researchers onboard polar research vessel, RSS Sir David Attenborough during the event at the Eureka! Science + Discovery in Seacombe on Friday (January 19).

They were also given a ‘virtual tour’ of the ship and found out about its construction at Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead before connecting live to two researchers onboard the vessel - popularised as ‘Boaty McBoatface’ during the vote to name it - to ask questions about the work they are doing, the environment they work in and much more.

During the session, the pupils heard via live link from research scientists Flo Atherton, Emily Rowlands and Sophie Fielding.

Sophie said: "Our job is to observe environmental changes and figure out its effects on the rest of the planet. Climate change is happening and is down to human activity."

At the end there was a discussion in which pupils called for climate change to be part of the national curriculum.

Wirral Globe: The group of 80 youngsters spoke via 'live link' with researchers onboard polar research vessel, RSS Sir David Attenborough during the event at the Eureka! Science Discovery in Seacombe on Friday afternoon (January 19)The group of 80 youngsters spoke via 'live link' with researchers onboard polar research vessel, RSS Sir David Attenborough during the event at the Eureka! Science Discovery in Seacombe on Friday afternoon (January 19) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)The event was hosted by  Wirral Eco Council Student Leaders, Ben Shoebridge and Gabriela Hyde.

Ben, who is deputy head boy at Calday Grange Grammar School and chair of Wirral Eco Council, told the Globe: "It was a really exciting opportunity to speak to researchers on board the vessel and a privilege to have been involved.

"I learned so much from the experience and there are younger students in the audience who have been inspired to take up careers where they're most needed to try to mitigate the effects of climate change where they are most needed."

The decision to name the vessel RSS Sir David Attenborough was made in 2016, following a public vote staged by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Wirral Globe: Wirral students found out about RSS Sir David Attenborough's construction at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard during event at Eureka! Science Discovery on Friday (January 18)Wirral students found out about RSS Sir David Attenborough's construction at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard during event at Eureka! Science Discovery on Friday (January 18) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)Wirral Globe: Wirral students found out about RSS Sir David Attenborough's construction at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard during event at Eureka! Science Discovery on Friday (January 18)Wirral students found out about RSS Sir David Attenborough's construction at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard during event at Eureka! Science Discovery on Friday (January 18) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

The vessel, which was unveiled by Sir David at Cammell Laird in 2019. is designed to support science in extreme environments.

Technical features of the ship include:

  • Length: 129 metres; beam: 24m;  Gross Tonnage: 15,000
  • Scientific cargo volume of approximately 900m³
  • Endurance – up to 60 days
  • Range 19,000 nautical miles at 13 knots (24 km/h) cruising speed; more than enough for a return trip from England to Rothera Research Station, or to circle the entire Antarctic continent twice!
  • Ice breaking capability – up to 1m thick at 3 knots (5.6 km/h)
  • Bow and stern thrusters for excellent dynamic positioning in challenging conditions
  • Launch and recovery of aerial and ocean robotic systems
  • Crew approx. 30
  • Accommodation for up to 60 scientists and support staff

Wirral Globe: (Picture: Peter Byrne / PA WIRE)(Picture: Peter Byrne / PA WIRE) (Image: Peter Byrne / PA WIRE)A wide range of specialist scientific facilities, instruments and laboratories enable scientists to conduct multi-disciplinary sciences to study the ocean, seafloor, ice and atmosphere. Marine robotics and remotely operated vehicles – including the famous Boaty McBoatface – will capture data from the deep ocean and previously inaccessible locations under the ice.

Wirral Globe: The then Duke of Cambridge tests the captain's chair on bridge of RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship during private tour with the Duchess, Kate Middleton during naming ceremony in September 2019 The then Duke of Cambridge tests the captain's chair on bridge of RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship during private tour with the Duchess, Kate Middleton during naming ceremony in September 2019 (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)Professor Dame Jane Francis, director of British Antarctic Survey, said at the the RSS Sir David Attenborough's launch: "This magnificent ship will take UK scientists deep into the heart of the ice-covered polar seas.

"With state-of-the-art technology they will discover how drastically the polar oceans and the ice have been changed by our actions. This ship will take us to the ends of the Earth to help us understand our future world."

Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: "It will provide scientists with state-of-the-art facilities to undertake crucial research into the impact of global change on our oceans, marine biodiversity and climate, and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of polar science."