Jeff: Many people worldwide are familiar with the name ‘Radio Caroline’ – the offshore ship-based station which first broke the monopoly of BBC radio in the UK in the 1960’s. They may be less familiar with the fact that the station has continued to operate down through the decades, and is not only still … Read more
How an early offshore radio station ended up in Hawaii in 1931 Jeff: This week’s feature story was written and researched by Jan van Heeren in The Netherlands, and was forwarded by Dr. Martin van der Ven in Germany to our editor-in-chief, Dr. Adrian Peterson. We thank each of those for bringing this story to … Read more
Jeff: For 12 years during the Cold War from 1952 to 1964, the United States used a Coast Guard vessel in the Mediterranean Sea to broadcast Voice of America programming via medium wave and shortwave to Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa in up to 16 different languages. Those operating the … Read more
A detailed review by Martin van der Ven (March 2025) Radio stations on ships in international waters (often incorrectly called pirate stations) have been associated for decades with radio stations in the North Sea that broadcast pop and rock music, such as Radio Caroline or Radio Veronica. Accordingly, countless publications deal with the well-known phenomenon. … Read more
Ein ausführlicher Rückblick von Martin van der Ven (März 2025) Radiostationen auf Schiffen in internationalen Gewässern (oft fälschlich Piratensender genannt) werden seit Jahrzehnten mit Pop- und Rockmusik verbreitenden Rundfunksendern in der Nordsee wie Radio Caroline oder Radio Veronica assoziiert. Entsprechend beschäftigen sich zahllose Publikationen mit dem hinlänglich bekannten Phänomen. Doch im Jahr 1993 tauchte mit … Read more
Een gedetailleerd overzicht door Martin van der Ven (maart 2025) Radiostations op schepen in internationale wateren (vaak ten onrechte piratenstations genoemd) worden al tientallen jaren in verband gebracht met radiostations in de Noordzee die pop- en rockmuziek verspreiden, zoals Radio Caroline of Radio Veronica. Daarom behandelen talloze publicaties het bekende fenomeen. Maar in 1993 ontstond … Read more
In 1993-94, American magazine W5YI Report reported in detail on an new radioship in Boston Harbour. W5YI Report 01-08-1993 PIRATE TO BROADCAST FROM THE HIGH SEAS Do you remember Radio New York International, a pirate radio station that was operated some years ago by Alan Weiner from international waters outside the U.S. three mile … Read more
In the second half of the 1980s, American radio magazines reported extensively on another new radioship in Boston Harbour. Radio World – 1996-07-24 Vessel to Broadcast Message of Peace Former Radio Pirate Says He Will Play by the Rules When Broadcasting from the High Seas by Alan Haber KIOWA, Kan. A new offshore shortwave and … Read more
The Deep Diver was built in 1945 as a supply vessel for the Admiralty. Less than 100 feet long, she had a more powerful engine than the MV Mi Amigo. In 1977, the ship was partially equipped as a floating radio station in Belfast Harbour, Northern Ireland, under the guise of a film lighting vessel—an … Read more
Ship details: Builder Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd., North VancouverLaid down 3 September 1940Launched 23 January 1941Commissioned 1 July 1941Decommissioned 6 October 1945Identification Pennant number: J162Honours and awards Atlantic 1944, Normandy 1944[1]Fate Sold 1947 for scrapClass and type Bangor-class minesweeperDisplacement 672 long tons (683 t)Length 180 ft (54.9 m) oaBeam 28 ft 6 in (8.7 … Read more