Timeline | LV18

1958 Launched at the yard of Philip & Son Ltd, Dartmouth, delivered to Trinity House and placed on station at Saint Gowan, off the coast of Cornwall.
1960s Served at various stations around the coast with a regular crew of nine people.
1970s Major refit, including the removal of the mizzen mast and addition of a helideck for helicopter transfers of crews.
1970s Deployed at final station at Dowsing, off the coast of East Anglia.
1994 Retired from service by Trinity House and used as an Offshore Support Vessel and storage facility for light vessel parts. Moored on the River Stour at Harwich.
1997 Sold to Sea Containers Ltd (Operators of Parkeston Quay ferry terminal).
1999 Chartered to Tony O’Neil for restoration and first used as a mother ship for revival broadcasts of offshore radio, including Radio North Sea International off Clacton.
2000 Radio Caroline, for one month off Harwich.
2001 Radio Mi Amigo off Harwich.
2002 Radio Mi Amigo and Harwich Community Radio.
2002 Pharos Trust established as a charity to own, preserve and exhibit LV18.
2004 BBC Radio Pirate Radio Essex, off Harwich.
2007 BBC Radio Pirate Radio Essex, off Harwich.
2008 Radio Sunshine, The Boat That Rocked movie.
2009 BBC Pirate Radio Essex, Harwich Ha’penny Pier.
2011 Opened as permanent visitor attraction on Harwich Quay FOLLOWING A GRANT FROM TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL.
2012-2017 Radio Mi Amigo
2017 BBC Pirate Radio Essex marking 50th anniversary of Marine Offences Act
2018 60th anniversary of the launch of the LV18
2018 FIRST VISIT BY LV18 TO IPSWICH
2024 LV18 WAS SET ALIGHT IN A SUSPECTED ARSON ATTACK ON 2nd FEB.

1958 Launched at the yard of Philip & Son Ltd, Dartmouth, delivered to Trinity House and placed on station at Saint Gowan, off the coast of Cornwall.

1960s Served at various stations around the coast with a regular crew of nine people.

1970s Major refit, including the removal of the mizzen mast and addition of a helideck for helicopter transfers of crews.

1970s Deployed at final station at Dowsing, off the coast of East Anglia.

1994 Retired from service by Trinity House and used as an Offshore Support Vessel and storage facility for light vessel parts. Moored on the River Stour at Harwich.

1997 Sold to Sea Containers Ltd (Operators of Parkeston Quay ferry terminal).

1999 Chartered to Tony O’Neil for restoration and first used as a mother ship for revival broadcasts of offshore radio, including Radio North Sea International off Clacton.

2000 Radio Caroline, for one month off Harwich.

2001 Radio Mi Amigo off Harwich.

2002 Radio Mi Amigo and Harwich Community Radio.

2002 Pharos Trust established as a charity to own, preserve and exhibit LV18.

2004 BBC Radio Pirate Radio Essex, off Harwich.

2007 BBC Radio Pirate Radio Essex, off Harwich.

2008 Radio Sunshine, The Boat That Rocked movie.

2009 BBC Pirate Radio Essex, Harwich Ha’penny Pier.

2011 Opened as permanent visitor attraction on Harwich Quay FOLLOWING A GRANT FROM TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL.

2012-2017 Radio Mi Amigo

2017 BBC Pirate Radio Essex marking 50th anniversary of Marine Offences Act

2018 60th anniversary of the launch of the LV18