Story highlights The ship is the largest and most advanced British research vessel to date

Other submissions include "RRS Usain Boat" and "RRS Ice Ice Baby"

Voting is open until April 16

(CNN) A state of the art ship funded by the UK government for polar research may soon be christened "Boaty McBoatface" if online voters get their way.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) opened a poll for the naming of the 129-meter long icebreaker, the largest and most advanced British research vessel to date.

The NERC asked for names that were inspirational, such as a historical figure or a landmark.

However, the moniker "RRS Boaty McBoatface" submitted by user James Hand quickly became the crowd favorite with over 26,000 votes.