Harwich Radio Mi Amigo pirate radio celebrating anniversary

Radio Mi Amigo, a 24/7 station on the LV18 in Harwich Harbour, is broadcasting live from its floating studios for a special weekend.

Marking the 61st anniversary of the launch of pirate radio in UK waters, the DJs will be celebrating the music of the 1960s and 70s and the impact of pirate radio on broadcasting in the UK.

Keith Skues, a legend of the 1960s pirate radio stations, will be presenting two shows over the weekend, with local radio legend Stephen ‘Foz’ Foster also presenting a live show from the ship.

DJs - Clockwise from top left are Duke Anthony with Keith Skues, Rick Marks, Olly Kinvig with Heather O’Neil & Keith Skues, Chris Cooper, Tony O’Neill and Keith Skues. (Image: Shiraz Turvey) Tony O’Neil, chairman of the Pharos Trust which owns the LV18, said: “Pirate radio changed the face of broadcasting permanently, because up until the late 1960s, there were no commercial radio stations in this country at all.

“Because pirate radio stations were listened to by so many millions of young people, they forced the BBC to think about catering for young people, which brought about a complete change to radio broadcasting throughout the nation.

“Radio Mi Amigo plays solely 60s and 70s music — we play vinyl, we’re a retro station, and it is very popular.”

Broadcasting "legend” Johnnie Walker had been the patron of the Pharos Trust for the past two decades before he died on New Year's Eve.

As a tribute to him, Radio Mi Amigo is broadcasting a special show at 4pm on Saturday with interviews from Johnnie’s widow Tiggy Walker and BBC Essex producers who worked with him in Harwich on board the lightvessel.

Legend - Radio Mi Amigo will broadcast a special show at 4pm on Saturday in memory of Johnnie Walker (Image: Tony O'Neil) The weekend also marks one year since the radio studio was returned to full use after the ship was attacked by an arsonist in February 2024.

The studio was restored thanks to the LV18’s team of volunteers and generous local support.

Tony said: “The ship, which we kept in her exact original condition for 25 years, sustained £300,000 worth of damage from the fire, and we lost £40,000 of radio equipment.

“Local people helped raise money for us, and Tendring Council gave us a grant to help restore all the radio equipment we lost.

“It was really encouraging and brought the community together.”

The radio DJs will be broadcasting from 12pm on Friday to 4pm on Monday, March 31, from the LV18 which will be open to the public for free on Saturday.

To listen, visit Radio Mi Amigo – Radio From the LV18.