Jeff: Offshore radio broadcasting from international waters has most frequently been associated with radio stations in the North Sea that broadcast pop and rock music, such as Radio Caroline or Radio Veronica. But then in 1993 came Radio Brod (“Radio Boat” in Croatian). In the middle of the worst armed conflict in Europe since the … Read more
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
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
Ship details: The stern trawler SCH33 Maria was built in 1966 at T. van Duijvendijk’s Scheepswerf in Lekkerkerk under building number Z.79 for the account of Rederij Jaczon in Scheveningen. The SCH33 Maria entered service in October 1966. Gross dimensions: 643,74 reg. tons, net 353,84 reg. tons.Dimensions: 49.84/46.27 x 8.52 x 5.30 mSpeed: 13 nautical … Read more
KBIG AM 740: The Floating Radio Station on the S.S. Catalina Introduction KBIG AM 740 began broadcasting around June 1952 and became a notable station in Southern California’s radio history, particularly due to its broadcasts from the S.S. Catalina in the early 1950s. The station aired its programs while en route to the port of … Read more