BBC Essex will turn into Pirate BBC Essex to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the passing of the Marine Offences Act. Johnnie Walker and Emperor Rosko are just two of the original DJs from the 60s taking part in the special programmes from LV18, a former lightship moored half-a-mile off Harwich.
Other presenters including Norman St John and John Kerr are also taking part.
Programmes start on Thursday 9 August 2007 and continue 24-hours a day until 3pm on Tuesday 14 August — 40 years to the day and time that nearly all the original pirate stations went off air, scuppered by the MOA.
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, taking up the 9pm-midnight slot he broadcast in way back in the 1960s. He is also looking forward to a 'flashing' session when people in their cars on shore communicate with him by flashing their car headlights."
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 on Thursday.
Listeners are reported to have organised holidays so they have time to drive to Harwich to spot the boat from the shore.
And there's another treat for pirate radio fans… they can see some of the original photographs, letters, records — and even an original Radio Caroline microphone — at a free exhibition to mark the occasion which runs at the Ha'penny Pier in Harwich throughout the life of Pirate BBC Essex.
As well as by tuning in to Pirate BBC Essex on 729, 765 and 1530 MW, the shows can also be heard via the BBC Essex [link=http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex]website[/link].
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