British Antarctic Survey operates ice-strengthened Royal Research Ships. The RRS James Clark Ross (JCR), launched in December 1990 to support Britain’s Antarctic and Arctic operations, will be replaced by the new polar research ship for Britain – the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA). In November 2020 the SDA was handed over to NERC and BAS by shipbuilder Cammell Laird. After technical and sea trials the new ship will commence polar operations. Ships operated by British Antarctic Survey are registered at Stanley in the Falkland Islands.