The RRS Sir David Attenborough the UK’s British Antarctic Survey’s polar research flagship has been in Devonport for a short refuelling and resupply stop and is heading south for the 2026/27 Antarctic season.
It is the second year the red ship has visited Plymouth on a stop-over before heading south, and speculated that stores from HMS Protector have been transferred to the £200 million state-of-the-art vessel and extra logistical pressure on the ship – following the Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship out of action due to an engine defect and was towed into Plymouth recently.
The 6,000 nautical miles journey for the Sir David Attenborough will take in South America, Montevideo, Uruguay, and then onto the five British Antarctica stations – supporting 60 science projects, covering climate, ocean, glaciological and ecological research, plus international collaborations, technology trials and long-term observations.
Sir David Attenborough ship is one of the world’s most capable polar research vessels, and ice-strengthen, with extensive labs, moon pool, helicopter capability, hybrid propulsion, and a large cargo capacity.
