BBC News
By Chris Andrews
image captionMany people took to NI s north coast for a glimpse of the polar exploration ship
The UK polar exploration ship RRS Sir David Attenborough has been conducting sea trials off the north coast of Northern Ireland.
The vessel is expected to make its maiden voyage to Antarctica in November.
Its mission is to help with research into climate change, the oceans, the seafloor and ice formations.
Chief Officer Matthew Neill, from Coleraine, said it was an amazing feeling to bring the ship to NI. I grew up sailing around Portrush, but I ve never taken a big ship to the north coast, he told BBC News NI.