What a year! Retreating back into 2023 briefly: We had been able to refit our studio in mid to late 2023 and this persuaded the team that a 24/7 online radio station was viable. That launched with a live event at Christmas 2023. Just two months later an arson attack on the LV18 caused havoc and our fledgling station was […]
Review of 2024
Johnnie Walker RIP
The trustees of the Pharos Trust along with the management of Radio Mi Amigo are saddened to hear of the passing of Johnnie Walker who has been the Patron of The Trust for two decades. Johnnie’s illustrious career intersected with the LV18 during his many Pirate BBC Essex broadcasts. Those broadcasts were a part of our own foundation and paved […]
LV18 Radio History
From 1958, when the LV18 was first deployed by Trinity House until 1994 when the LV18 was retired, the vessel’s primary role was as a lightvessel – a floating lighthouse – to help protect ships from undersea hazards. A secondary role was weather reporting. The LV18 was equipped with radios but these were only for ship to ship and ship […]
Easter Report
The following was sent to the Harwich & Manningtree Standard for the 5th April 2024 edition. Radio Mi Amigo was broadcast from historic light vessel LV18 in Harwich Harbour over Easter Weekend, with fans flocking to Harwich to help mark the 60th anniversary of offshore broadcasting. Radio Caroline started the radio revolution in 1964 just off the coast of Harwich, […]
Press Release 08/08/2017
Press Release – for immediate use The pirates are coming! Over three days Harwich will be awash with former radio pirates who revolutionised pop music in the 1960s. The BBC will be broadcasting from the LV18 Lightvessel on Harwich Quay on Sunday 13th and Monday 14th August with veteran broadcasters Johnny Walker, Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day, Keith Skues, Ray Clark, Tom […]
Pirate BBC Essex latest
Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day reports: Here is what’s happening in Harwich. Sat 12th August Ray Clark (BBC Essex) live O/B 9-11am from H’penny Pier and deck of LV18. Pirate Radio Exhibition on the H’penny Pier opens at 10am (until 5pm) Meet the Pirates talk at the Electric Palace Cinema 5.30pm till 7pm with Roger Day, Alan Turner, Steve Scruton, Ian Wyatt. […]
On sale, on board
Available for sale from the LV18: When Pirates Waived The Rules – DVD – £5 Lightships Of The East Coast & The Story of LV18 – Book – £5
Pirates In The Press!
Looks like somebody tipped off the press that Steve & Ian were dropping in earlier this week. Now, who’ll let Johnnie know …… Article is from Harwich & Manningtree Standard, Friday 28th July 2017
Shows at Electric Palace Cinema
Details have now been announced of two shows, at Harwich’s historic Electric Palace cinema, during Pirate BBC Essex. On Saturday 12th August, there will be an opportunity to meet the 1960s pirates. Meet live in the Electric Palace some of the Pirate DJs who have come down to broadcast on Pirate BBC Essex. The price is £7 NC. Starts 5.30pm. […]
Steve Scruton & Ian Wyatt talk Pirate BBC Essex
Wednesday lunchtime and a pair of special guests arrived in the radio studio. Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt are, during the day, BBC Essex presenters, but every few years they play with Pirate Radio. Hear the guys talk with Alan ‘Neddy’ Turner about past adventures on the LV18 with Pirate BBC as well as the forthcoming broadcast (13 & 14th […]