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 serves as a lasting reminder of the RRS Sir David Attenborough's visit to Greenwich in October 2021, ahead of the UN Climate Conference held in Glasgow, and of the contribution the ship will make over its 30-year career to climate science.
'Poles Apart' allows visitors to explore the world of the state-of-the-art research ship, and aims to shine a light on the challenges affecting our polar regions, and the people striving to make sense of them. The exhibition highlights the ship's scientific capabilities and gives an insight into life on board, with interviews with some of the crew members and films of the ship at work.
The gallery opened as part of the Museum's World Oceans Day celebrations, an international day to celebrate the ocean and raise awareness of how we depend on it for our survival. RRS Sir David Attenborough will play a critical role in improving our knowledge of the polar oceans, and how they affect our climate.
The opening included a wealth of activities for families, including a sea shanty performance and a live call to the ship, with Captain Matthew Neil.
Elen Jones, Director of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, says:
"It was an honour to be part of the opening of this gallery, and to continue our partnership with Royal Museums Greenwich. The RRS Sir David Attenborough is such an incredible ship and I'm so pleased this gallery will give people a taste of what its like to live and work on board! I hope this exhibition will inspire the next generation of ocean and climate scientists"
