Pirate BBC Essex radio sets sail

More than a dozen Sixties DJs will broadcast offshore again in a celebration of the pirate radio ships that closed down in 1967.

Radio 2' s Johnnie Walker, Emperor Rosko – who is flying over from Los Angeles – Norman St John and John Kerr, both coming over from Australia, are four of the DJs taking part.

The group will be board the LV18, a former lightship moored half-a-mile off Harwich, for six days of music and chat, with the emphasis on Sixties music. Programmes start on Thursday August 9 and continue 24-hours a day until 3pm on Tuesday August 14, marking 40 years to the day and time that nearly all the original pirate stations went off air, scuppered by the Marine Offences Act.

Tim Gillett, programmes editor for BBC Essex, says the original pirate DJs were queueing up to take part in this unique radio event, legally broadcasting from the bridge of the LV18.

"We did a similar thing in 2004 when we celebrated 40 years since the start of pirate radio, when pirate radio, led by Radio Caroline, broadcast off the Essex coast," he says. "It was phenomenally popular, with thousands of emails and hits to the website from all over the world. Johnnie Walker sent us a recorded message of support then – now he's here in person."

The presenting team, which also includes BBC Essex presenters, will be heading out to sea this week along with the supplies they need for their sojourn which starts at 6am tomorrow. Listeners are reported to have organised holidays so they have time to drive to Harwich to spot the boat from the shore.

The Pirate BBC Essex shows can be heard on 729, 765 and 1530 MW, and on the bbc.co.uk/essex website. An exhibition including original photographs, letters, records and an original Radio Caroline microphone is also being held at Ha'penny Pier in Harwich between August 9-14.

Read more about the pirate radio ships in Weekend Spy on Sunday, as DS reports from the Radio Academy's 'Celebration of Offshore Radio'.