Ship details: Ex-fishing vessel NOORDERKROON (SCH-55) – IMO 5254541
Shipyard: Sleephelling Maatschappij Scheveningen
Engine: 750 hp 6-cylinder M.W.M, built in 1955
Gross tonnage: 213.19 tons
Net tonnage: 97.66 tons
Length: 37.63 meters
Width: 6.83 meters
Draft: 3.15 meters
Start: 1955 SCH 55 Noorderkroon Owned by Verre Visserij MIJ
Change: 1963 SCH 55 Noorderkroon Owned by M den Dulk. Gz
1970 SCH 55 Noorderkroon Owned by M den Dulk. Gz and van Leeuwen Sz
1975 renamed Piscator Sport fishing Owned by J Groen
Extra info: The trawllogger Noorderkroon was equipped for both longline and trawl fishing. The hold can accommodate 340 barrels of herring, and the cork-insulated fish hold has a capacity of ± 170 m³. In the aft section, there are a 3-person and a 4-person sleeping cabin, a messroom, a cabin for the helmsman and engineer, and in the fore section, there is an 8-person sleeping cabin. The deckhouse includes the galley and the wheelhouse, with the skipper’s cabin behind it, also serving as the radio-chart room. The trawl winch is powered by an auxiliary motor of 135 hp. The total fuel capacity is 40 m³.
Skippers from 1900:
1955 C. de Graaf 1956 to 1960 A. de Graaf 1961 to 1962 D. Verbaan 1963 to 1964 S. de Reus 1965 M. Rog 1966 to 1967 J.J. de Jong 1968 to 1969 C. Roeleveld
1990s converted to radio ship, from about 1997 at Larnaca, Cyprus, reportedly for Orthodox Jewish interests for service off Israel
Autumn 1999 sailed to Greece “to get European licence” (presumably radio equipment licence) but reported that money ran out at Heraklion.
By 6/2000 gone from Heraklion.
Planned offshore radio station: Unknown
Planned location: Unknown, probably in the Mediterranean off the Israeli coast
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Martin van der Ven: In the autumn of 1997, I narrowly missed the opportunity to experience the thrilling visit to a new broadcasting ship. Prior to that, I had read about the MV Piscator being outfitted in Cyprus for several months at the port of Larnaca in “Offshore Echo’s Magazine.” Although its destination was still uncertain, it was presumed that the ship would head to the Israeli coast to commence its broadcasts there.
In late October, my wife and I flew to Cyprus for a study trip, and about a week later, our bus arrived at the coast of Larnaca, just a few kilometers away from the harbor. The weather was splendid late summer, and we took a lunch break first. As I looked into the distance, what did I see? Clearly, a broadcasting mast, likely mounted on a ship in the harbor! Excitement surged, and I zoomed in on the sight with my video camera, suspecting a potential scoop. Just as I was about to convince our bus driver to make a detour to the port, I was suddenly urgently called for assistance.
An elderly gentleman in our group had been injured, bleeding from several lacerations. Naturally, I had to provide first aid and then accompany him to a surgical colleague. Consequently, the dream of an exclusive story on the internet came to an abrupt end.