Thousands were left disappointed earlier this month after the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) decided against naming their new polar research vessel Boaty McBoatface - but one Norfolk man has given the public what they wanted and used the name for his new boat.

Eastern Daily Press: Artist impression issued by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of a new state-of-the-art polar research ship. Boaty McBoatface won an online poll to choose it's name but it will be called Sir David Attenborough instead. Photo: NERC/PA Wire.Artist impression issued by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of a new state-of-the-art polar research ship. Boaty McBoatface won an online poll to choose it's name but it will be called Sir David Attenborough instead. Photo: NERC/PA Wire. (Image: Archant)

Martin Kentish, 47, of Trowse, bought himself the boat three months ago and it was initially called Fire Storm.

But after NERC named their polar vessel in honour of Sir David Attenborough, rather than the name which won an online poll to name it - Boaty McBoatface - he decided to call his vessel Boaty McBoatface II.

'I voted for the vessel to be called Boaty McBoatface as it captured the spirit of the original expedition and British quirkiness so I was very disappointed when it didn't win,' he said.

'So my boat has been named as a tribute to the original explorers, the 124,000 or so people who voted for the name, and to the spirit of adventure and slightly rebellious fun within the spirit of the British people.'

Mr Kentish bought his small vessel as the sailing boat he already owned would not fit under the bridges on the Norfolk waterways.

He now hopes to carry out some of his own research as he explores the Broads.

'It has already proved really useful to get to the pubs along the river and I want to try and capture in photographs many of the boats that are slowly decomposing in the waters of Norfolk,' he said.

Despite only having the boat a few months, the software engineer's boat has already caught the attention of many people along the Broads and he said this was one of the reasons behind the decision.

'I have people sitting outside pubs stopping me and wanting photos of the boat after seeing what it is called,' he said. 'It is really putting smiles on peoples faces and that is what I wanted.'