A sailor from Dumbarton will enjoy the ultimate White Christmas – serving on board exploration ship RRS Sir David Attenborough on its maiden voyage to Antarctica.
Launchman Scott Thornton will spend the festive period near the South Pole on a mission to support UK scientists conducting climate change research.
He helped dock the state-of-the-art ship at Rothera Research Station on FridayDEC17.
Dumbarton-born Scott, 37, believes the excitement of being involved in RRS Sir David Attenborough’s first polar mission more than makes up for missing Christmas at home.
He said: "To be honest, I think getting to sail on RRS Sir David Attenborough’s maiden voyage to Antarctica is the ultimate Christmas present. It’s like the golden ticket.
"I love Christmas but I’m used to being away and I know I’ll see my parents and brother when I get back but I’ve been so excited about this trip.
"Not everyone can say that they’ve spent been to Antarctica – it’s a real box ticker.
"Almost every day on ship is a working day so the chances are that we’ll be working on Christmas Day but we have plans to hold a Fakemas on another day.
"We’ll have a Christmas Dinner at some point and we’ve all organised a secret Santa. I’m in anticipation to see what I might get.
"The shipmate I’ve drawn really liked a knife I had a couple of trips ago and tried to order one, but it was not in stock. I’ve managed to source one so I’m looking forward to seeing him unwrap it and hoping that the good energy flowing will mean I might get something decent as well."
He added: "I also have spending quality time with my parents, brother and wee Border Terrier to look forward to when I get back. We’ll go out for dinner somewhere nice and exchange gifts.
"I’ll send them all some texts on Christmas Day… if the WiFi’s working."
World-famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough visited the vessel named in his honour as part of a send-off for crew in London before they departed on their seven-week journey to Antarctica.
The £200m ship is part of a major UK Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading climate change research in Antarctica and the Arctic.
Scott added: "I was in the yard at Birkenhead when my Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Fort Rosalie was in for a refit and I saw the steel being cut for RRS Sir David Attenborough.
"It instantly piqued my interest and that’s what first brought BAS to my attention and when I saw this job come up on their website in 2019 it was a dream come true to land it."
Minister for the Polar Regions, Amanda Milling said: "This magnificent ship is something everyone across the United Kingdom can take immense pride in. I’d like to wish everyone on board for its maiden voyage a Merry Christmas.
"The UK Government’s commitment to further investment in our Antarctic scientific infrastructure is putting British scientists at the forefront of polar research, as we lead the world on getting to grips with climate change.
"The UK’s presidency of COP26 in Glasgow last month, and our ongoing investment in science, demonstrates our determination to drive forward a greener future to save our planet."
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