The LV18 became Pirate BBC Essex three times in the noughties: 2004, 2007 & 2009.
The first two occasions, the LV18 was moored off Harwich and access to the vessel was by small boat! In 2009, however, the vessel was finally allowed alongside Ha’Penny Pier.
In 2004 Robin Garton recorded a film about that year’s Pirate BBC Essex, the (now relocated) National TV & Wireless Museum and the Pharos Trust. In January 2020, with the consent of all involved, the film was uploaded to Youtube.
There are quite a few short videos from the 2004, 2007 & 2009 Pirate BBC Essex broadcasts and a selection are below.
Back in 2004, off the Essex Coast, BBC Look East paid a visit
Two years later …. in the River Stour
Then in 2009 …
Bill Rollins made this 9 minute video of the 2009 Pirate BBC Essex, including Ray Clark and the Emperor Rosko