Please note that because of our recent fire the ship is not open to visitors at the moment. Sadly this means that if you come to Harwich then it won’t be possible for you to walk aboard. We hope to re-open the ship to visitors later in the year and will put an announcement on here and on our social media accounts when we have definite information.
Category Archives: LV18
Radio Station back on air
Following great team efforts our radio station Radio Mi Amigo returned to the ‘air’ at 3pm on Saturday 17th February, 15 days after it was silenced.
We’re using a temporary studio and don’t have all the equipment up and running but we are able to broadcast a selection of our shows via our web stream.
Listen via https://lv18radio.uk
Two weeks after the fire
The following is a press release that was submitted to the Harwich & Manningtree Standard for the Friday 16th Feb 2024 edition:
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A fortnight after the horrific fire that threatened to destroy the LV18 Lightship, plans are now being finalised to restore the ship to its original condition. In the past few days a highly qualified marine surveyor has been appointed to drive the project whilst meetings have also taken place with a Marine Insurance Assessor and our legal team. These meetings were necessary but had to wait for the right people to be available. Subject to a written sign-off from these professionals, we should soon be in a position to move forward, albeit carefully, to clean and restore the vessel.
Tony O’Neil, of the Pharos Trust, said “We needed to get the right team of professionals together and haven’t been able to say very much until the site meetings had been held and the necessary legal & HSE steps accomplished. Our Marine Surveyor will overview the process and ensure all regulations are followed. We are, of course, extremely grateful to Essex Police and Harwich Haven Authority for their continued support.”
A team of volunteers will, when all safety measures have been implemented, take part in the restoration but a professional team will be removing the majority of the smoke damage. We currently believe this will be late February or early March.
The Pharos Trust has also been in contact with the Charity Commission to ensure our funding arrangements are compatible with our restoration plan and we are pleased to confirm that this is indeed the case. A Go Fund Me appeal has been started by Heather O’Neil, on behalf of the Pharos Trust, and this has so far exceeded £5000 of the £25000 target. The Charity Commission has approved this appeal.
Tony O’Neil said “Our solicitor is overseeing all the legal aspects of the restoration and this includes our charity status, which he himself was responsible for. We have always taken professional advice and followed legal routes to funding.”
Tony O’Neil added. “We are still planning to be involved in the 60th anniversary of offshore pirate radio, and we are working hard to ensure that the ship is ready for public events happening at Easter.”
Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lv18-restoration-fund
Second update after the fire
Update 10.45pm 12 Feb 2024:
Due to the quantity of water needed to fight the fire, this had left the LV18 listing heavily to starboard. After a meeting involving marine professionals, overseen by a newly appointed marine surveyor, the ship has been made level and is not currently at risk. The appointed marine surveyor is now due in the next few days to identify anything else that needs to be done regarding the ship’s integrity.
A marine insurance surveyor / assessor is also due to visit although we have been in regular contact with our specialist marine insurers.
We have also confirmed with the Charity Commission that we are operating within their legal guidelines, and that the crowdfunding on our behalf is permitted. Copies of all legal and insurance documents will also be lodged with the Trust’s solicitor this week.
We are grateful to those who have already donated, your money will be used to restore the ship and contents and is ring-fenced for that purpose and will be held securely in the charity bank account. We have also had many offers of voluntary assistance but until the surveyors have agreed that it is safe then we have to wait.
We are, of course, grateful to all the officers from the emergency services who assisted saving the ship on the night of the fire and have been involved in the subsequent investigation.
A further update will be given when there is new information.
Pharos Trust
Fundraiser and first update
Issued 4th February 2024:
As you may be aware, the LV18 suffered a major fire on 2nd Feb 2024. as such our ship has been severely damaged.
If you can, please visit our Go Fund Me page to contribute towards the restoration of this unique vessel. We will put back the radio station feeds as soon as possible.
RADIO PIRATES ARE BACK IN HARWICH
Radio Mi Amigo, from the historic Lightvessel LV18 on Harwich Quay, is returning to the air on Christmas Eve and will continue on a permanent basis through the New Year. The station will be bringing the sounds and spirit of the original radio pirates back to their roots of Harwich.
Returning to the floating newly-installed studios are Garry Lee, Neon Nancy (pictured), Chris Cooper and the Reverend Rabbit as well as many new DJs who are broadcasting in support of the Pharos Trust charity, which owns the LV18.
Tony O’Neil, Chairman of the Pharos Trust, said he was excited to bring a nostalgic ‘retro’ sound to Harwich once again and appreciated all who were giving their time and expertise towards the project.
Listen via our dedicated website https://lv18radio.uk
Broadcast Schedule 2023
Saturday 12th August
Midnight Garry Lee
2am Paul Windsor
5am Reverend Rabbit
6am Olly Kinvig
8am Chris Morgan
10am Jon Sketchley
Midday Ian Chambers
2pm Keith Skues
4pm Chris B
6pm Neon Nancy
7pm Stonehenge Disco
10pm Chris B
Sunday 13th August
Midnight Dave Kent
3am Paul Windsor
6am Olly Kinvig
9am Gordon Bathgate
10am Steven Foster
Midday Garry Lee
2pm Keith Skues
4pm Chris Cooper
5pm Jim Fourniadis
6pm Paul Windsor
7pm Ian Riches
9pm Party Time and Close Down
Radio Broadcast 2023 Official Press Release
Annual Live Radio Broadcast !!!!
It’s that time of year again. The anniversary of the Marine Offences Act is almost upon us. To mark the occasion, Radio Mi Amigo will be on the air again.
You will be able to listen on the internet carillonradio.com and on 1476 Medium Wave. Broadcasting begins 0000 hrs Saturday 12th August 2023 and finishes 0000hrs on Monday 14th August.
Broadcasting will be jointly managed by Garry Lee and Jon Sketchley and our special guest DJs will include Stephen Foster (BBC Radio Suffolk and Radio Caroline) and Keith Skues (Radios Caroline, Luxembourg, London….the list goes on).
The LV18 will be open as usual over the weekend so we would love to see as many of you as possible on board and you may get to meet some of the DJs.
For further details, watch this space
Illuminate 2022
During the Illuminate festival in March 2022 we were lucky enough to have this wonderful drone video shot from the LV18. Doesn’t she look pretty !!!