Pirate radio station returns to the air
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The original pirate radio station from the days when they really did ride the high seas, Radio Caroline, is returning to the air for one day only today.
The original pirate radio station from the days when they really did ride the high seas, Radio Caroline, is returning to the air for one day only today.
The legendary station, which first brought names like Tony Blackburn, Tommy Vance and Dave Lee Travis to the nation's ears, will legally broadcast for 14 hours from a powerful transmitter as a launchpad for its rebirth as an internet broadcaster.
The event also marks the 11th anniversary of the day when British officials boarded the ship, now moored in the Medway Estuary in Kent, to stop it broadcasting without a licence.
The floating station, which started in 1964, has embraced technology with broadcasts via satellite and, now, the internet.
When it opened, it quickly became one of the best known of the stations broadcasting pop music, at a stage when the BBC still commanded the airwaves.
But in 1967, when BBC Radio 1 was launched, Caroline and a number of other "pirates" were outlawed.
Many simply moved to international waters to beam their signals ashore. To cope with the swell of the North Sea, the record decks were mounted on gimbals which stayed level in all but the most violent storms. The DJs got no such benefit.
Peter Moore, the station manager, said: "Everything has changed in radio regulation and we're looking to the future with the internet. We'll be showing what people do by broadcasting on 1296 AM from 5am to 7pm."
The station can already be heard on the Astra 1C satellite, channel 35, and on the internet at www.radio-caroline.nl.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments