Ship details: The 359 ton and 148 foot coaster Unitas, later called Zeevaart, was built in Groningen (Netherlands) in 1938 by Noord Ned Schps, In 1969 the vessel was purchased for 50,000 Guilders. In Groningen harbour the Zeevaart’s hull was rebuilt, a new rudder and screw were also installed. In March 1970 the MV King David sailed from Groningen harbour to Zaandam where the ex Radio 270 equipment was installed. A new type of loop aerial was installed, suspended from a mast amidship, it was originally designed by the US intelligence and produced only a ground wave. The ship was then renamed King David and registered in Liechtenstein, the first vessel to fly the country’s flag.
On 25th April the King David put to sea in a force eight gale, but returned a few hours later with the aerial all twisted. The harbour master refused the ship permission to enter because the aerial was a danger to other ships. The MV King David sailed to Scheepswerf Vooruit where repairs were carried out.
On 13th November the Wijsmuller tug Hector towed the MV King David clear of the beach. 5 days later the vessel was taken to Amsterdam dry dock at Westerdock. On 26th November police and harbour authorities served a writ on the ship on behalf of the Wijsmuller company for the salvage fee for towing the MV King David off the beach at Noordwijk. The International Broadcasters Society had problems with the insurance company paying out for the salvage fees. The MV King David was towed to Betuwe, province of Gelderland, Holland where it was used as a warehouse for a steel company. In 1972 the ship was auctioned and sold to a ship yard in Heerwaarden, Holland. The King David was then towed to where the rivers Maas and Waal cross each other. In 1981 a new shed was built on the wharf, and the ship was moved to another mooring between the villages of Heerwaarden and Kerkdriel where the remainder of the hull was filled with concrete and used as the base for a floating pier. In 1984 the hull was sunk in seven metres of water and is used by a local diving club for practising under water swimming.
Offshore radio station: Capital Radio from 1st May to 9th November 1970
Location: International waters off the coast of Noordwijk (Netherlands)