The studio was put back together for the Easter broadcast but since then has been taken apart for further restoration.
Over the last weekend it was put back into use as we tested our CD and Minidisk players, recently restored.
Category: Mi Amigo
Mi Amigo events
Categories
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 to shore communication.
The LV18 was first used for radio broadcasting in 1999, at the time the ship was owned by Sea Containers Ltd, who owned and operated Parkeston Quay (Harwich International). Tony O’Neil hired the LV18 and used it for a number of radio broadcasts under temporary UK government broadcasting licences.
-
- First used in 1999 as a mother ship for revival broadcasts of offshore radio, including Radio North Sea International off Clacton.
- 2000 Radio Caroline, for one month off Harwich.
- 2001 Radio Mi Amigo off Harwich.
- 2002 Radio Mi Amigo and Harwich Community Radio.
In 2002 the Pharos Trust was established as a charity to own, preserve and exhibit LV18. Work started to restore the LV18 after 8 years of neglect. The LV18 was kept on a mooring in the River Stour when not needed elsewhere.
In 2004 BBC Essex wanted to mark the 40th anniversary of the launch of Radio Atlanta, Radio Caroline, Radio London etc and they used the LV18 as a base, anchored off Harwich. This was repeated in 2007 for the 40th anniversary of the Marine Offences (etc) Act of 14 August 1967. Many of the former pirate DJs took part, most of whom had also been BBC employees at this point. The broadcast was called “Pirate BBC Essex“. By this time, Johnnie Walker had agreed to be patron of the Pharos Trust.
In 2008 the LV18 was chartered by the producers of the “Boat That Rocked” movie (“Pirate Radio” movie in the US). This took the LV18 to Portland Bay and the ship gained a new paint scheme on one side. It was billed as “Radio Sunshine, the Home of Happy Hits”.
Pirate BBC Essex came back to the LV18 in 2009 and the ship was moored alongside Ha’Penny Pier for the first time during this broadcast before returning to its river mooring.
In 2011 the Pharos Trust received a grant from the local authourities, Tendring District & Essex County Councils, that enabled a permanent berth to be constructed between Harwich Quay and Ha’Penny Pier. This allowed easy daily public access for the first time in the ship’s history.
Between 2012 and 2017 the LV18 was used annually for pirate radio revivals under the Radio Mi Amigo brand – but with an Ofcom licence!
In 2017 the BBC returned and hosted an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Marine Offences (etc) Act. Many former pirates gathered on the LV18 including Johnnie Walker, Roger Day, Keith Skues, Norman St John and Tom Edwards.
From 2018 to 2023 the LV18 hosted licensed Radio Mi Amigo broadcasts from our permanent berth and during this time rebuilt the studio.
At Christmas 2023 we launched Radio Mi Amigo as a full time online station.
An arson attack took our station off-air on 2nd Feb 2024 but this was restored from a temporary studio the same month and returned to the ship’s studio at the end of March 2024 with a live event that included Roger Day and Keith Skues.
Further live studio events took place during August and December 2024. On 11 August, during Keith Skues’ show, Johnnie Walker phoned in and asked to speak to Keith live on the air. That conversation is available on this site.
In December 2024 we hosted a weekend of shows that marked the 60th anniversary of Radio London’s first transmissions.
Just a week later we heard that Johnnie Walker had passed away.
Last updated January 2025. A history of the LV18 is also available on our sister site LV18.ORG
Photos are by Shiraz Turvey, Tony O’Neil & Heather O’Neil. All photos are copyright.
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, and were soon joined by other ships. The guest DJs, on board the LV18, for the weekend included Keith ‘Cardboard Shoes’ Skues and Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day who were both on Radio Caroline, and other ships, in the mid 1960s.
Radio Mi Amigo was also supported by visiting DJs Stephen ‘Foz’ Foster, Garry Lee, Olly Kinvig, Paul Windsor, Chris Cooper, Rick Marks, Dave Kent and Duke Anthony. Duke had arrived in Harwich to help put the studio together but ended up in the studio chair hosting several shows!
One highlight of the weekend was when Keith Skues and Roger Day shared the studio to talk about their lives afloat sixty years ago, before they headed to the Electric Palace as guests of BBC Essex presenters Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt. The proceeds of that show will be donated to the LV18 Restoration Fund, along with a donation from the Electric Palace Trust from film revenue over the Easter Weekend’s 1960s film festival.
BBC Essex was broadcast live from the LV18 on Easter Saturday, with Steve Scruton interviewing the DJs, fans who had gathered on the quayside and members of the public.
The Pharos Trust, which owns and operates the LV18, also hosted a visit by three member of the Tendring District Council Economic Development team, which has been working with the Trust on a community radio project over the past six months.
It is hoped that the ship will re-open to the public by the end of May, once the immediate restoration work and clean-up have been completed. A further live radio weekend is being planned for August.
The Pharos Trust thanks everyone who helped put together the wonderful weekend in the LV18’s floating studio and would especially like to thank those who helped raise money for the continuing Restoration Fund.
RADIO MI AMIGO – EASTER SCHEDULE (2024)
Please note that the schedule may need to change due to DJ availability.
GOOD FRIDAY 29th MARCH
(Easter programmes begin at 07:00am)
07:00-09:00 Olly Kinvig – Rock’n’Roll Breakfast
09:00 Danny Lawrence
10:00 Pete Nightingale
11:00 Gordon Bathgate
12:00-14:00 Duke Anthony
14:00-16:00 Paul Windsor
16:00 Chris Morgan
17:00 Rick Marks
18:00 Chris Cooper
19:00-22:00 Garry Lee – The Stonehenge Disco
22:00 Chris Morgan
23:00 Chris Morgan
SATURDAY 30th MARCH
00:00-03:00 Dave Kent
03:00-06:00 Paul Windsor
06:00 The Reverend Rabbit
07:00-10:00 Olly Kinvig – Rock’n’Roll Breakfast
10:00 Pete Nightingale
11:00 Chris Morgan
12:00-14:00 Keith Skues
14:00-16:00 Duke Anthony
16:00 Jeff Martin
17:00-19:00 Paul Windsor
19:00 Chris Morgan
20:00 Pete Magnetic
21:00-00:00 Dave Kent
SUNDAY 31st MARCH
00.00 Jim Fourniadis
01:00 Robin Dee
CLOCKS GO FORWARD 1 HOUR
03:00-06:00 Chris & Rick Double Header
06:00 The Reverend Rabbit
07:00-10:00 Olly Kinvig – Rock’n’Roll Breakfast
10:00 Chris Morgan
11:00-14:00 Stephen Foster
14:00-16:00 Keith Skues
16:00 Jeff Martin
17:00 Pete Nightingale
18:00 Paul Windsor
19:00 Jim Fourniadis
20:00 Jeff Fitzgerald
21:00-00:00 Garry Lee – The Stonehenge Disco
MONDAY 1st APRIL
00.00-03:00 Paul Windsor
03:00-06:00 Chris & Rick Double Header
06:00 Chris Morgan
07:00-10:00 Olly Kinvig – Rock’n’Roll Breakfast
10:00 Gordon Bathgate
11:00 Pete Nightingale
12:00 Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day
13:00-15:00 Rick Marks
15:00 Garry Lee
16:00 Paul Windsor
17:00 Robin Dee
18:00 Chris Morgan
19:00-21:00 Paul Windsor
21:00-00:00 Garry Lee – The Stonehenge Disco
At Midnight all shows will continue from our Overnight Service
Please note that the schedule may need to change due to DJ availability.
Our launch weekend (Christmas 2023) is now over but we continue to broadcast via our stream 24/7 with a mix of pre-recorded original programming from a large number of DJs.
Currently that mix is semi-random but will shortly settle into a set pattern – watch this space! We are also planning more live events throughout 2024 and beyond.
Many thanks to all the DJs who have contributed to our programming.
Our schedule for our launch weekend is below:
XMAS EVE : Live Launch event
Midday – Live Launch – Garry Lee
1pm Paul Windsor
2pm Gordon Bathgate
3pm Neon Nancy
5pm Olly Kinvig
7pm Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
1pm Paul Windsor
2pm Gordon Bathgate
3pm Neon Nancy
5pm Olly Kinvig
7pm Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
XMAS DAY
Midnight Kev Ellis
1am Jim Fourniadis
2am Tim Rice
5am Rick Marks
7am Chris Cooper
8am Olly Kinvig
10am Jeff Martin
Midday Paul Windsor
1pm Rick Marks
2pm Neon Nancy
4pm The Radio East Boys (40 years reunion)
5pm Kevin Matthews
6pm Chris Morgan
7pm Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
10pm Chris B & Friends
1am Jim Fourniadis
2am Tim Rice
5am Rick Marks
7am Chris Cooper
8am Olly Kinvig
10am Jeff Martin
Midday Paul Windsor
1pm Rick Marks
2pm Neon Nancy
4pm The Radio East Boys (40 years reunion)
5pm Kevin Matthews
6pm Chris Morgan
7pm Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
10pm Chris B & Friends
BOXING DAY
Midnight – 2am Chris Morgan
Press Release (December 2023):
RADIO PIRATES ARE BACK IN HARWICH
Radio Mi Amigo, from the historic Lightvessel LV18 on Harwich Quay, is returning to the air on Christmas Eve and will continue on a permanent basis through the New Year. The station will be bringing the sounds and spirit of the original radio pirates back to their roots of Harwich.
Returning to the floating newly-installed studios are Garry Lee, Neon Nancy, Chris Cooper and the Reverend Rabbit as well as many new DJs who are broadcasting in support of the Pharos Trust charity, which owns the LV18.
Tony O’Neil, Chairman of the Pharos Trust, said he was excited to bring a nostalgic ‘retro’ sound to Harwich once again and appreciated all who were giving their time and expertise towards the project.
The Pharos Trust, Registered UK charity No. 1090325
Tony O’Neil, Trustee and Station Manager,
tonylv18@gmail.com Tel: 07446 171 320
Now that the LV18 is back in Harwich Harbour, we are subject to the usual ravages of the tides, wind and inclement temperatures. So, on any particular day all is fine, the next maybe not so. In the winter the not-so’s easily outweigh the fine days!
However, we’re a hardy bunch of volunteers so a little sea motion won’t necessarily put us off, especially if the work is inside the warm radio room!
There are various ship projects this winter but the most relevant for the radio broadcasts is that a new balanced feed network is being built that will provide (hopefully) better quality audio around the ship. The system is designed to be adaptable and bidirectional with stereo paths throughout. This is not a small project by any means! Wer’re also taking the opportunity to tidy up other parts of the ship’s myriad of cabling with a view to more flexibility and the potential to put adhoc audio feeds in. We’re warming up the soldering iron this weekend to start putting terminations on the cables!
This work will, later in January, temporarily remove the current link from the studio to the streaming server but shouldn’t interfere with the streaming of prerecorded shows. No doubt we’ll mark the conclusion of this project with a live broadcast, on the stream of course.
I must pass on our thanks to Phil and Ian of Transplan who have helped us with this project.
We’ll post news of our FM broadcast and any other special events as and when they are confirmed.
We have two days of special radio shows this weekend on Radio Mi Amigo from the LV18’s studio.
LISTEN HERE : https://www.lv18radio.uk/listen-online/
SATURDAY 31ST MARCH 2018
2.00PM Brian Anderson (Memories of 1974)
3.00PM The Mi Amigo Oldies Show
5.00PM Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
Featuring 3 hours of album tracks – Past, present & future!
9.00PM Brendan Day’s 1968 Show
Midnight Another chance to hear some recent Radio Mi Amigo programmes from our archives.
SUNDAY 1ST APRIL
MIDDAY Garry Lee’s Stonehenge Disco
2.00PM Barry Jamm’s Glam Rock Special
3.00PM Happy Hour with Ian Riches
THE DUTCH ZONE
4.00PM Roland Visser’s Power Hour
5.00PM Jan Berg
6.00PM Rene Van Den Abeelen – Musiek Therapie
EVENING SCHEDULE
7.00PM Tim Rice
8.00PM The New Releases Show
Hour 1 – The latest rock & metal releases
Hour 2 – The lastest Indie / Alternative / Cross-over releases
Hour 3 – The latest Psych / Space rock & Underground.
11.00PM The Reverend Rabbit Show
MIDNIGHT – Close
We are now regularly broadcasting on Sundays, from Midday to Midnight UK time. Garry Lee hosts a 4 hour show from midday before handing over to guest DJs and specialist shows. Details normally hit Facebook each Saturday of the following day’s schedule and guest line-up.
Guest DJs include:
- The Reverend Rabbit
- Tim Rice
- Roland Visser
- Jan Berg
- Ian Riches
It’s been a little busy on the ship since the BBC dismantled their studio and the media left town! In fact, it was only a few days ago that a few of us sat down to discuss what we do next!
Firstly, we have recommenced streaming and three shows from 2017’s Mi Amigo broadcast are playing right now:
Sietse Brouwer (shows from 23 & 24 July) plus Dave Kent (show from 24 July)
Listen via www.lv18radio.uk/listen-online
We’re now looking at some ideas for 2018 and, if it happens, should be very exciting. More info when we can.
The LV18 is staying in Harwich for the winter. Thete was some talk of the vessel going to Ipswich for the Autumn but this is not now happening.
We do hope to be able to stream live shows in the near future and an announcement will be made when we have a firm schedule.
Regards
The LV18 Crew
Categories
Listen Again!
We’re starting to make some of the 2017 shows available again, via this site or on the stream. First up is Liana Bridges & Barry Lewis’ show from our opening day, when the technology was defeating us!
Head for the Listen Again page to hear the show