Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in Southampton to meet Boaty McBoatface

He even saw a Met Office buoy named after him – Buoyris Johnson.

The equipment he examined at the NOC complex at European Way, Southampton, will be used to monitor the oceans, their temperature and salt levels.

Mr Johnson said: “Britain has a proud and ancient maritime history, but our commitment to the oceans must be enshrined in our future. Today in Southampton I’ve heard from world-leading UK experts on marine protection, and what more the UK can do to help.

“We need to energise international ocean governance to protect the world’s seas and their ecosystems, to keep our people and goods safe, and to support sustainable economic growth, as well as to deliver our ambitious environmental commitments.

“Using expertise from across government, Britain will stay at the leading edge of international marine excellence.”

Boaty McBoatface is a robotic submersible.

Its name stems from one of the suggestions made when the British public was asked to come up with a name for a new polar research ship.

Officials ignored the popular vote and named the vessel after Sir David Attenborough, but a storm of protest resulted in a compromise that allowed the Boaty McBoatface name to live on in the submersible.

Mr Johnson also visited Southampton docks, owned by Associated British Ports (ABP).

He was taken on a tour of the port and was shown one of its multi-million pound vehicle export terminals, which support a raft of UK vehicle manufacturers.

Alastair Welch, director of ABP Southampton, said: “This was a great opportunity to show the Foreign Secretary how ports like Southampton efficiently handle global trade, day in, day out.

“This is thanks to the infrastructure, facilities and systems already in place at the port.

“Our £50 million investment programme at the port is designed to make sure British businesses continue to benefit from the best possible access to international markets, benefitting both the regional and national economy.

“Southampton is our nation’s gateway to the world, and we have to make sure that that can continue.”