RRS Sir David Attenborough Archives - British Antarctic Survey

Breaking the ice: divers head beneath UK’s polar research ship in Antarctic sea ice mission

19 December, 2025

Specialist divers will be entering the icy waters of the Weddell Sea, Antarctica this festive season (22-29 December) as part of a groundbreaking mission to test RRS Sir David Attenborough’s …

An aerial view of a red ship, sailing through dark water, covered with ice bergs in various sizes.

A new Antarctic season begins for 2025/26

16 October, 2025

RRS Sir David Attenborough departs from Plymouth on 17 October to begin five-week voyage to Antarctica, marking the start of the new Antarctic field season. Cambridge, UK – British Antarctic …

A first for RRS Sir David Attenborough: science in the dark

25 June, 2025

Professor Mike Meredith is an oceanographer at British Antarctic Survey. He concludes a first of its kind science cruise on the RRS Sir David Attenborough conducting research in the polar …

Celebrating a successful Antarctic science season

9 May, 2025

British Antarctic Survey scientists and support staff are coming to the end of another successful Antarctic science season. Teams are now preparing for the transition to winter operations as the …

A rendezvous in the middle of nowhere

17 April, 2025 Jamie Oliver

Antarctica, January 2025. Three expert teams are making their way across the stark frozen landscape, by sea, land and air – and they are planning to meet. Jamie Oliver shares …

The core of the matter: the scientists using Antarctic ice to understand our climate

28 February, 2025 Amy Ringrose

Whether it’s bubbles of ancient air, microscopic creatures, or the rumble of an impending ice quake – there’s more hidden in Antarctica’s vast polar desert than meets the eye. Ice …

A red ship sailing through a flat ocean, with snow covered mountains behind

Mission to Antarctica seeks answers to critical questions about nutrients and carbon

5 February, 2025

Scientists return to the Southern Ocean this week (5 February 2025), as part of the BIOPOLE project, to answer fundamental questions about how nutrients drive the global carbon cycle and …

Cloud scientists take to the skies to solve climate uncertainty

26 November, 2024

A project looking at how clouds affect climate change in Antarctica starts its second year of field research this month. The Southern Ocean Clouds (SOC) project, which is part of …

Sounds of Antarctica come to life in new album

15 November, 2024

Today marks the release of The Seventh Continent, a new album from the international Sounds of Space Project that offers a unique aural journey to Antarctica. The album features contributions …

A new Antarctic season begins for 2024/25

24 October, 2024

The Antarctic field season is now underway, marked by the arrival of the first aircraft at Rothera Research Station. And with a new season brings a new roster of innovative …

Get your Ticket to Antarctica!

12 September, 2024

Your name will go on a journey to the frozen wilderness! New project seeks to inspire, educate and entertain the public about Antarctica. Do you dream of visiting Antarctica? Well, …

Greenland science expedition aims to unveil critical climate insights

15 July, 2024

This week (Friday 19 July) the UK’s polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough makes its first science expedition to the Arctic. A team will work in south-east Greenland …

A view of water and a mountain in the background.

New research mission on board polar ship set to unlock Southern Ocean’s carbon secrets

23 January, 2024

A team of scientists are embarking on an ambitious 30-day scientific expedition on board RRS Sir David Attenborough to investigate how carbon dioxide moves and transforms in the Southern Ocean. …

RRS Sir David Attenborough samples A23a iceberg during climate science mission

4 December, 2023

ANTARCTICA: Scientists aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough collected samples of seawater around the A23a mega iceberg, the largest iceberg in the world. New video footage shows the enormous iceberg, …

RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials

First Antarctic research mission on polar ship

20 November, 2023

A team of international researchers set sail on the RRS Sir David Attenborough today (20 November) to answer some of the big questions about how Antarctic ecosystems and sea ice …

Cleaning the All-Sky Camera portal on top of the optical caboose at Rothera Research Station

2023-2024 field season begins for British Antarctic Survey

19 October, 2023

The Antarctic field season has started, with over 600 people beginning the journey South to work on over 60 projects on station and in the field. The season of work …

First AUV deployed from new polar ship

22 August, 2023

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) was deployed from the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) for the first time last week. The Gavia Offshore Surveyor, named Freya, was deployed from the …

Next phase of trials underway on polar ship

28 July, 2023

Further trials are underway on RRS Sir David Attenborough in preparation for its first Antarctic science cruise. Over the coming weeks, the crew and scientists on board will be carrying …

A man standing in front of a lake with a mountain in the background

International Day of Women in Maritime

18 May, 2023 Emily Neville

Today, 18 May, is the IMO International Day of Women in Maritime – a day to celebrate and raise the profile of women who work at sea. Here at British …

British Antarctic Survey completes Antarctic field season

11 May, 2023

The 2022/23 Antarctic field season has ended, marking the conclusion of another successful year of scientific exploration in one of the world’s most remote and challenging environments. This field season, …

British Antarctic Survey at Bluedot Festival 2023

British Antarctic Survey is delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Bluedot Festival from 20-23 July 2023. Join us at Bluedot Festival – an award winning line up of music, science and …

BAS celebrates the Coronation

9 May, 2023 Emily Neville

This weekend, BAS staff in Antarctica and on board RRS Sir David Attenborough celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III. On the RRS Sir David Attenborough RRS Sir David Attenborough spent the …

Six things we learnt on the Polar Science Trials

3 May, 2023 Kate Hendry

The polar science trials cruise is over, everyone has travelled home (or are off on their next adventure), and now it’s time to reflect on a successful expedition. Thanks to …

A person standing in front of a building in the snow

Polar Passover

5 April, 2023 Alysa Fisher

Alysa Hulbert, is an Information Officer at British Antarctic Survey. She spent several months last year working in Antarctica, which coincided with the Jewish festival of Passover or Pesach פֶּסַח. …

Breaking records and exploring life in the abyss

21 March, 2023 Huw Griffiths

We are marine biologists that study seafloor creatures, Jamie is doing a PhD investigating Antarctic sea spiders in the University of Galway and Huw works at BAS. Both of us …

Here we go again…

14 March, 2023 Christopher Robert Lloyd

Christopher Robert Lloyd, Associate Project Manager at Ramboll is currently working at Rothera Research Station on the construction of the Discovery Building for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). In …

Science Trials on the RRS Sir David Attenborough add to historic dataset

22 February, 2023 Emily Newton

Last week, the team aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough produced the first significant scientific data set with the ship’s oceanography equipment – a significant milestone in the life of …

RRS Sir David Attenborough begins polar science trials

31 January, 2023

The UK’s new polar ship RRS Sir David Attenborough begins its polar science trials in Antarctica this week. A team of 30 national and international scientists, engineers and technical staff …

New refit yard announced for RRS Sir David Attenborough

10 December, 2022

Babcock International’s Rosyth shipyard today has been awarded £45 million to maintain the UK’s fleet of three scientific research vessels – including RRS Sir David Attenborough. The three vessels are …

All aboard: RRS Sir David Attenborough is about to depart

3 December, 2022 David Wilkins

David Wilkins is the Net Zero Engagement and Support Officer at British Antarctic Survey. He recently visited our new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough. On this International Day of …

A group of people riding on the back of a boat

Celebrating Polar Pride Day 2022

18 November, 2022

Today (18 November) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) joins global celebrations to mark LGBTQIA+ STEM DAY and Polar Pride Day. Polar Pride is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQIA+ people in polar research …

RRS Sir David Attenborough departs for Antarctica

17 November, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, departs the UK next week (Tuesday 22 November) for its second voyage to Antarctica. The ship departs Harwich on 20 …

Polar ship begins science trials

23 August, 2022

RRS Sir David Attenborough begins its second leg of science trials this week (22 August 2022). Britain’s new polar ship will depart Belfast today for its second leg of science …

RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials on its maiden voyage to Antarctica

Seeing double: Digital twins and net zero

5 July, 2022 Jonathan Smith

Reaching net zero, as a country or a business, requires new measures, technology and innovations. Digital twins are an example of this; they can be a powerful tool to drive innovation and efficiency.

Polar research ship returns to UK

14 June, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, returns to the UK today (14 June) after completing its landmark maiden voyage to Antarctica. The ship departed the UK in …

Gallery opens at National Maritime Museum

11 June, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, is centre-stage in a new gallery, ‘Poles Apart’, which opened today at the Royal Museums Greenwich National Maritime Museum. The exhibition …

First science on board RRS Sir David Attenborough

16 May, 2022 Emily Neville

Britain’s new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, has reached another exciting milestone, completing its first ever scientific assignment – retrieving a scientific mooring! RRS Sir David Attenborough is currently …

RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials

31 March, 2022

The RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials during its maiden voyage to Antarctica – a critical milestone in the commissioning of Britain’s new polar ship. This is the first …

Connecting under-represented groups with science berths

16 February, 2022

British Antarctic Survey has teamed up with the National Oceanography Centre and the University of Glasgow to champion the FindAScienceBerth project, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. The project …

RRS Sir David Attenborough collaborates with cruise ship

11 February, 2022

RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) has collaborated with the cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot in its efforts to deliver critical science cargo to the English Coast, Antarctica in support of the …

New polar research ship embodies ‘spirit of Shackleton’

5 January, 2022

One hundred years on from the death of the famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, the UK’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, will be exploring the very …

How’s life on the RRS Sir David Attenborough?

21 December, 2021 Emily Neville

It’s been a busy few weeks for RRS Sir David Attenborough! After departing the UK on its maiden voyage over a month ago, the ship has made it all the …

RRS Sir David Attenborough alongside Rothera Wharf

RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Antarctica for the first time

17 December, 2021

Britain’s new polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has travelled to Antarctica on its maiden voyage, with its first call today (17 December) at Rothera Research Station – …

RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Falkland Islands

8 December, 2021

The RRS Sir David Attenborough completes the first leg of its journey to Antarctica, arriving in the Falkland Islands on 9 December. The draft of Britain’s new polar ship is …

A large red ship is floating in a river with a city skyline behind it.

RRS Sir David Attenborough makes maiden voyage to Antarctica

16 November, 2021

Britain’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, departs the UK this week for its maiden voyage to Antarctica. It will leave Harwich today (16 November), with 66 …

Diagram of the RRS Sir David Attenborough

Take part in Ice Worlds Festival and explore RRS Sir David Attenborough online

29 October, 2021

Explore polar science and engineering from your home with the Ice Worlds Festival online resources. On the eve of the UN COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, British Antarctic Survey has …

New polar ship makes London debut

28 October, 2021

RRS Sir David Attenborough visits London as pre-COP event ahead of first mission to Antarctica. The UK’s new polar research ship is making its London debut in Greenwich (Thursday 28 October …

Free 3-day public event, Greenwich, London: Ice Worlds Festival of Polar Science 28-30 October 2021

Join us in London or online for a dazzling showcase of polar environmental science, engineering and technology.

Two large red research ships in the ocean

UK and Australian new polar research ships rendezvous on sea trials

20 July, 2021

The UK and Australia’s two new polar research ships get together off the coast of Falmouth during sea trials.

A large red ship in water. It is dark and the ship is lit up.

How to test a new polar ship

16 July, 2021 Emily Neville

At British Antarctic Survey, the next chapter in shipborne research is about to begin. Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been undergoing an intensive programme of …

RRS Sir David Attenborough getting ready for next phase of sea trials

30 June, 2021

The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) is getting ready for its next round of sea trials. This is an important part of the preparations for the ship’s first Antarctic mission. The …

A large red ship on a body of water, with Liverpool city in the background

British Antarctic Survey partners with The Good Business Festival Youth Programme

28 May, 2021

This summer, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will be an official partner for the Good Business Festival youth programme in the Liverpool City Region. BAS already has an important connection with the area – Britain’s new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough …

BLOG: If we are serious about climate mitigation, we must do smarter ocean nature protection

19 May, 2021 David Barnes

This week at Climate Exp0, Dr David Barnes, benthic marine Ecologist at British Antarctic Survey, has discussed the potential for mitigating climate change through nature-based solutions, including sharing collaborative research …

A man wearing a white shirt with black shoulder pads stands in front of a window with the sea behind him

Meet the crew: Captain Will Whatley

10 March, 2021 Emily Neville

Last month, the RRS Sir David Attenborough carried out two weeks of sea trials around the UK. We caught up with Captain Will Whatley to find out how it feels to be …

Extreme Antarctica: Science, Engineering and Construction

British Antarctic Survey is delighted to be hosting a series of online events and premiering on-demand videos for the Cambridge Festival 2021 between 26 March – 4 April 2021. There …

RRS Sir David Attenborough heads to open sea for trials

8 February, 2021

On Sunday 7 February 2021 the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – left Holyhead for sea trials.

A large red ship next to a smaller red workboat

RRS Sir David Attenborough workboat wins international award

26 January, 2021

RRS Sir David Attenborough’s workboat, Terror, has won Best Landing Craft in the 2020 Work Boat World Awards. The boats were judged on the design, build and functionality of the …

RRS Sir David Attenborough registered to Falkland Islands

18 December, 2020

Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been registered on the British register of ships at Stanley, Falkland Islands. This continues the long tradition of registering British …

A group of people standing next to a body of water

British Antarctic Survey takes delivery of RRS Sir David Attenborough

2 December, 2020

Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been handed over from Cammell Laird shipyard to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), …

RRS Sir David Attenborough heads for open sea

17 November, 2020

The new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough begins technical trials

RRS Sir David Attenborough departs Cammell Laird for technical sea trials

21 October, 2020

BIRKENHEAD. Today (Wednesday 21 October) the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – leaves Cammell Laird shipyard for two weeks of technical sea trials. In …

RRS Sir David Attenborough’s cargo tender completes maiden voyage

1 June, 2020

EXETER. There is great excitement this week for British Antarctic Survey and the RRS Sir David Attenborough as Captain Will Whatley and Chief Engineer Luke Parnell put the cargo tender …

RRS Sir David Attenborough latest milestones

16 January, 2020

BIRKENHEAD. The RRS Sir David Attenborough achieved two important milestones at Cammell Laird’s shipyard this month with the commissioning and testing of lifeboats and power systems. The ship is in …

Ship is named with royal ceremony

26 September, 2019

The UK’s new polar research ship is formally named the RRS Sir David Attenborough today [Thursday 26 September] by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In their first engagement of …

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to attend Naming Ceremony of New Polar Ship

5 September, 2019

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Sir David Attenborough will attend the Royal Ceremonial Naming of the New Polar Research Ship at the Cammell Laird shipyard on Thursday 26 …

New polar ship takes to water once again

26 March, 2019

New polar ship takes to the water once again

A group of people sitting at a table in front of water.

Training in Norway

8 November, 2018 Michael Gloistein

Ship Communication Officer tells us how the crew are preparing for their roles on board

Update – new polar ship superstructure lifted onto hull

19 July, 2018

BIRKENHEAD. The superstructure of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, is now on top of the hull. Following the launch of the RRS Sir …

Launch of RRS Sir David Attenborough – in pictures

16 July, 2018

The majestic red hull of the RRS Sir David Attenborough glided in the River Mersey on Saturday 14 July. The launch button was pressed by the naturalist and broadcaster Sir …

New polar research ship makes a ‘splash’

11 July, 2018

RRS Sir David Attenborough hull launch into River Mersey 14 July Update 20 July 2018 – watch video of launch A major milestone in the build of the UK’s state-of-the-art …

Research outputs