The ₤200 million Sir David Attenborough has left the Mersey

WE took a last look at the Polar Research Ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, as it headed out of the river Mersey and into the Irish Sea.  This video is of the ship pasting the historic ship testing marker, at Lifeboat Road, Formby Point, on 3 November 2020.

Sadly, this historic vessel, that was built on the Mersey, at Cammell Laird shipyard, did not get the send off it deserved, due to Covid19 Restrictions and also bad weather. As the research vessel, with its red hull and a bright yellow crane on its stern, sailed past Liverpool's historic docks and out into the sea, headed for North Wales, a large full rainbow, that could be seen over the shipping channel.

If you don't already know, RRS Sir David Attenborough was commissioned by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), and is now operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), this new ship has an ice strengthened hull that can break through ice up to 1 meter thick, and has the ability to spend up to 60 days at sea, with a crew capacity of 30 members and accommodates up to 60 scientists and support staff. As it is designed to conduct science in extreme environments, the stormy weather was nothing to what it will face in its future career. If all goes well RRS Sir David Attenborough will transform the UK's polar research capability.

We filmed the 'boat' that is still known as:- "Boaty McBoatface," after it made headlines when that very name topped a public poll to name the vessel back in 2016, it was quite emotional to see it pass the historic mile testing marker on Lifeboat Road, Formby Point.

According to folk law this very Scouse ship will definitely be watched over by both of the City's Liverbirds. We wish her all the best to all the crew as it heads starts seas trials before heading to the Antarctica, in 2021, for climate change research, using its stat of the art built in laboratories.

Technical features...

►   Length:- 129 metres; beam: 24m;  Gross Tonnage:- 15,000.

►  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.

It is worth adding that:- 'Boaty McBoatface' name was instead given to a yellow submarine aboard the ship.   NERC classifies the Autosub Long Range class of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and it is also is owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

EVERYONE in Liverpool is being asked to get tested, but there is specific emphasis in asking Health and Care Workers, other Emergency Services and Key Workers, School Staff and pupils, University staff and students to come forward.  Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "Liverpool has always led the way on public health. We appointed the 1st Medical Officer of Health, carried out mass screening for tuberculosis and became the first city to ban smoking in workplaces. This is an incredible opportunity to turbo charge our efforts to reduce Coronavirus in the City. We are excited to be leading on this project, supported by the Department of Health and Social Care. Let's all get tested, for our families, our mates, our Liverpool and set an example to the country and the world."

1st 6 Test Centres will open their doors and will be open until 7pm.  These are as follows:-

►  Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre.

►  Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

►  Lifestyles Ellergreen.

►  Lifestyles Park Road.

►  Liverpool Tennis Centre.

►  Lifestyle Garston.

Anyone displaying Covid19 symptoms can still attend any of the existing centres or a mobile testing unit which can be booked via:- Gov.UK/Coronavirus. More centres will be opened in the coming days and it is expected that the pilot will last initially for around 10 days, with a view to it being extended. Liverpool City Council will be supported by the military, in the planning, coordination and delivery of whole City testing. Testing will also be carried out in new and existing test sites, using home kits, within:- Hospitals and Care Home settings, and Schools, Universities and workplaces. People are advised there may be queues at these locations. Testing slots can also be booked via:- Gov.UK/TestLiverpool or using the NHS Covid 19 App.

Hundreds of thousands of tests will be made available over the trial period which will include:-

►  Lateral Flow Test (LFT) - this is a simple self swab test which will give results in under an hour.

►  Existing swab tests - these mouth and nose swabs will supply results within 48 to 72 hours.

Positive results from tests will be collected by NHS Test and Trace and published as part of the daily case numbers, including how many positive cases are detected with this new method of testing. Results will be received from NHS Test and Trace via text and email. Anyone coming for a test should bring a mobile phone with them. Anyone who tests positive, using either a lateral flow test or an existing swab test, must self isolate along with their household immediately and their contacts will be traced. Those who test negative will need to continue to follow all national guidance. In addition, anybody testing positive via the lateral flow testing may be asked to take a second confirmatory PCR test.

These more advanced tests will help identify infectious individuals who are not displaying symptoms and help far more positive cases so they can self isolate and prevent the virus from spreading, in a 1st step towards rolling out mass testing more widely across the UK.  Director of Public Health Matt Ashton said:- "The aim of this project is to quickly identify people who have the virus and reduce transmission substantially. This exciting mass testing programme simply means asking everyone to volunteer to be tested, and for those who test positive to self isolate straight away and prevent others from getting it. This is a pilot scheme and we won't get everything right, but it is a huge chance to drive down transmission rates and get life back to normal more quickly."