Radio Seagull special event

We are pleased to announce that we plan to relay Radio Seagull on our Mi Amigo stream on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights (26-29 August 2024) from 7pm to 6am (UK – BST). We will announce arrangements for Friday & Saturday night shortly.

Radio Seagull are currently marking the decision on 31 August 1967 by the Netherlands government to shut down the remaining Dutch ship-based radio stations. This is the direct equivalent of the Marine etc Offences Act in the UK that shut down almost all of the UK pirate radio ships on 14 August 1967.

Radio Mi Amigo organised a live radio weekend just two weeks ago to mark the 57th anniversary of 14 Aug 1967 and many of the DJs involved in that weekend are now on board the LV8 Jenni Baynton in Harlingen Harbour, NL, to mark 31 Aug 1967, an important but sad event in Dutch radio history. This special broadcast on Radio Seagull concludes on Saturday night, 31 August.
Listen via https://www.lv18radio.uk/2024/08/radio-seagull-special-event/

Colin Crawford

A statement from the trustees of the Pharos Trust, owners and operators of the Lightvessel 18, Harwich.

This morning, we received the sad news of the passing of Mr Colin Crawford who for some 20 years served as our chairman. Our first thoughts at this sad time are with his friends and family especially his ever devoted wife Pat

We were fortunate that Colin Crawford was willing to fully participate in the original procurement of the LV18 when she was chartered by our current chairman Mr O’Neil 25 years ago, prior to purchasing the vessel. With his wealth of experience from his working life, Colin Crawford proved a invaluable asset to the trust and an obvious choice for chairman. He did not disappoint.

Since Mr Crawford chose to step down as chairman in 2020, the members of the trust continued to have a strong personal and professional relationship with Mr Crawford.

Open !

Our 2024 Pirate Radio Weekend is over but the ship remains open daily to visitors 11 am to 4pm.

We’re still free to visit but welcome a donation!

Did you know that we have the highest publicly accessible viewing platform in Harwich Harbour – up on our Monkey Island. It’s safe for little monkeys, under adult supervision of course!

What a weekend!

We finished our Pirate Radio Weekend with a studio party last night but the highlight of the weekend was definitely the phone call from Johnnie Walker to Keith Skues!

Obviously it takes many people to make a 60 hour continuous broadcast happen so thank you to everyone who lent their time to make this happen.

We are now looking towards August 2025 to continue our regular series of shows marking the important date of 14th August 1967

We are also raising money to restore the ship after February’s arson attack. If you can help, please do.
You can find the conversation between Johnnie and Keith here

Fundraiser & Special Shows

We streamed a special live show from our ship on Sunday 23rd June 2024 presented by Garry Lee, with guests. Many thanks to all who tuned in and sent us messages during the show! We discussed, for the first time, the arson attack on our ship , studio damage, the court case and our recovery.

As announced during the live show, coming up on Saturday 29th June is an all day fundraiser (in aid of our recovery fund) at Hotbox, Chelmsford. Tickets  https://dice.fm

Click for bigger poster
Donations are being sought to support the full restoration of this historic vessel. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lv18-restoration-fund

Our next scheduled live studio event is scheduled for 9-11 August 2024. Guests and schedule will be released closer to the time.

Emergency Services & Veterans

The Pharos Trust appreciates the exceptional work that the emergency services provide, especially the exceptional support from Essex Fire Service and Essex Police during and after our devastating fire.

As a token of our appreciation we would like to extend free entry to the ship to all serving or retired emergency services and armed forces personnel, including reserve personnel and those serving in a voluntary capacity.

We do not require a Blue Light or Veterans Card, all that we ask is that you can show us confirmation of your current or past status.

Thank you.

The phoenix rises

The arsonist who nearly destroyed the LV18 was jailed by a judge in Chelmsford on 7th June 2024

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24372673.harwich-arsonist-jailed-setting-fire-lv18-lightship/

On the evening before the court proceedings were concluded we lit the LV18’s lantern. The phoenix has risen.

If you would like to help us continue the restoration of the LV18, following the arson, please visit our crowdfunder appeal:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lv18-restoration-fund

D Day 80 – the lantern works!

Following 2 days of intensive work by our volunteers, the electrical connection to the LV18’s lantern was returned to full use on 6th June 2024, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of D Day. A beacon was being lit in a nearby park at 2115 that eve, and all vessels were asked to sound their horns; with these repairs done, the LV18 was able to join in.

Jeff Welch (JW Shipping Photography) shot a great video of the event with his drone (Facebook video)

One of our volunteers shot this short video – Beware the HORN!

This week’s repair work, which returned our lantern to full use, cost time and money. If you can help us, please donate to the ship’s restoration fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lv18-restoration-fund