Councillors in Cambridge have endorsed awarding the Honorary Freedom of the City status to a ship.
Cambridge City Council is planning to grant the honour to the HMS Protector, which it said is the Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship.
Cllr Naomi Bennett (Green, Abbey) said she recognised some people were “quite bemused” that the city, one of the “furthest inland” in the UK, was giving this honour.
But a report presented to councillors at a civic affairs meeting on 13 May explained the research ship supports the work of both the Scott Polar Research Institute and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), both based in Cambridge.
The report added: “ HMS Protector is on a continuing mission to support international research into wildlife, the changing climate and shifting waters of Antarctica and upholding the UK’s long-standing commitment to the region.
“The council has already declared ‘a strong and enduring relationship’ with HMS Protector and has declared a climate emergency.”
The honorary freedom can be granted to “persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the council, rendered eminent services to the city”. It does not grant privileges.
The last time the council awarded an honorary freedom was in 2011 when it was given to the City of Szeged.
Councillors on the civic affairs committee endorsed the proposal, but it will need to be approved by the full council on 23 May.
