Recommendation 71

We have heard strong concerns from the Antarctic research community about the Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) shift to a “one ship plus” model and the reduction of the research fleet from two vessels to one. This has already led to substantial delays to Antarctic marine research projects, and we are concerned about the longer-term implications for UK polar science. While we recognise that the RRS Sir David Attenborough may at times undertake logistical tasks, particularly when aligned with research voyages, we do not consider its routine use as a supply vessel to be the most effective deployment of such a highly advanced scientific platform. Within NERC’s “one vessel plus” model, many vessels can support cargo transport in Antarctica, but very few offer the specialist research capabilities of the RRS Sir David Attenborough. We therefore consider it more scientifically effective to charter logistics vessels where possible, and to prioritise the use of the RRS Sir David Attenborough for dedicated research. (Recommendation, Paragraph 294)