What a year!
Heading back into 2023 briefly, we hosted a film production team in December 2023 who were recording scenes for an upcoming film. That meant that all of our forward exhibition space had been cleared and all those exhibits had been packed into watertight compartments. As of February 2024 those exhibits hadn’t been reinstated.
Also in December 2023, at Christmas, we launched a 24/7 radio station using our Radio Mi Amigo station name. We had completely rebuilt the radio studio over that autumn and now had the equipment to run a live station or an unattended one. We were also planning a big pirate radio anniversary for Easter.
So, we started 2024 with a 24/7 radio station and a sleepy ship, once the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks and lantern lighting were dealt with!
Due to the sporadic inclement weather in the winter we aren’t open to the public so any maintenance was being left until early Spring. The future, however, was bright.
On Friday 2nd Feb 2024, everything changed. An arsonist broke onto the ship after dark and set 3 fires in the starboard aft cabins.
Those three cabins were utterly destroyed. Across the companionway the three portside cabins fared a little better but with severe heat and smoke damage.
Temperatures aft reached over 1000C but the severe heat and smoke spread throughout the accommodation, coating every surface. The arsonist, meanwhile, went up to the studio and set a small vinyl album collection alight.
By the morning after the fire multiple agencies were involved in the assessment, prosecution and recovery aspects of the operation. An online fund was started – that fund remains open. Meanwhile the local newspaper picked up the story.
The next task was to clean the ship. Some of this was done by a professional cleaning company appointed by the insurers. The task was, however, completed by a small team of dedicated volunteers. Parallel to this, the ship’s entire electrical system had to be scrapped due to fire, heat and smoke damage. Our original ship 110Vdc lighting system had to be completely replaced, as also did our 240Vac supply for equipment throughout the vessel. This was no simple task.
Out on deck, above the three torched cabins, the decking had melted. This had exposing the steel deck plating, riveting and much more so needed to be coated to prevent corrosion.
The hull area immediately below those decking plates showed the extreme scorching caused by the fire. It was only the skill and bravery of Essex Fire and Rescue Service that saved the ship from a total loss. By now, the National Maritime Museum was involved, supporting our efforts. The LV18 is registered as a historic ship with the NMM at Greenwich.
When we were able to get into the damaged areas to recover items, many had been completely destroyed. Somehow the original Gates mixer from Radio Laser 558 survived, albeit with very obvious damage. This has since been taken for restoration.
Other items didn’t fare as well.
An old ‘friend’ was partly recovered, she has some tales to tell – especially related to vetrans of Pirate BBC Essex.
Somehow, against the odds, enough of the ship was clean and safe for us to run our planned broadcast marking the 60th anniversary of Radio Caroline’s first transmissions. Radio Caroline originals Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day and Keith ‘Cardboard Shoes” Skues joined us as special guests. Roger was keen to promote his new book!
Restoration work was suspended over Easter but resumed the following week. More cleaning and painting was needed!
We re-opened to the public at Whitsun, almost four months after the fire.
Admission fees were waived and we accepted donations instead. Many thanks to all who contributed.
On 6th June 2024 the 110Vdc electrical supply to our lantern was restored and it was lit that evening to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Our phoenix had risen.
The following morning the arsonist was sentenced in Chelmsford Crown Court.
Work continued to bring the ship back into full use but this is a long term project and will require funding
In August we welcomed many of our DJs back for an event to mark the 57th anniversary of the Marine Offences Act (1967) that shut down almost all the UK pirate radio ships. Keith Skues finished his last job as a pirate DJ in July 1967 and walked into Broadcasting House a matter of a few weeks later.
We had been asked to participate on two of the Paddle Steamer Waverley’s pirate radio themed sailings. We built new displays for this and these are now in our forward exhibition area.
The LV18 was also a venue for the famous Harwich International Shanty Festival during October
The fire gutted areas of the LV18’s accommodation have continued to be cleaned, ready for … well … we don’t yet know! There were three cabins in this space!
The ship’s engine room was, thankfully, untouched by fire, smoke or indeed water.
In December we were asked to participate in the lighting of the Harwich Haven Authority’s Christmas Tree on Ha’Penny Pier – adjacent to the LV18. That involvement included providing a public address system, providing Christmas pre-recorded music and turning on the lantern – for the third time in 2024. Our volunteers are most definitely community spirited!
Another studio refurbishment was completed in mid December shortly before we hosted a 60th anniversary broadcast for Radio London. Keith Skues was an honoured guest as he was also on Radio London. This event also marked our first anniversary as a 24/7 station!
So …. what a year! The annual New years Eve fireworks display is due in a few days and the LV18 will be welcoming friends, just as it was a year ago. It should go without saying, but we’ll say it regardless, the LV18 would not have survived 2024 had it not been for the dedication of many many people and organisations. To everyone, THANK YOU.
Oh, please support our online fund!
This is part 1 of our review of 2024 – check lv18radio.uk for part 2
The ‘Piers on Posters’ exhibition, with a declaration at 11am by the Harwich Town Crier, Richard Bench, opens on May 17 with a special day of celebration about everything seaside, including broadcasts from the LV18’s radio station, Radio Mi Amigo. A group of guests will arrive on a preserved Routemaster Bus hosted by BBC Essex celebrities, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, plus a special appearance by Inspector Blake famed from ‘On the Buses’.
