Two RRS Sir David Attenborough crew members have made history after becoming the first same-sex couple to marry in the British Antarctic Territory. Stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, 41 and 49, are both experienced seafarers and have travelled the world together on a variety of ships.
They met in December 2002 while working for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and later deployed to the Middle East onboard RFA Sir Percivale. Years later and thousands of miles away in the Antarctic, they began their special day at 5.30am in the RRS Sir David Attenborough's galley, where they prepared for the ceremony.
HullLive reports that the couple then gathered alongside the ship’s crew and were married by Will Whatley, the ship’s captain, at the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station. Mr Bourne said he is “proud to be part of history”, saying it was “the best day” of his life.
