Radio Caroline ship Ross Revenge damaged by speeding boats

Two motorboats sped past Radio Caroline’s pirate radio ship Ross Revenge on the River Blackwater causing the two boats tied up alongside the vessel to be thrown into the ship.

The wave caused damage to both boats and to Ross Revenge.

The boat has a history of fighting in the Icelandic Cod Wars, being raided at sea by armed officials and surviving a dramatic shipwreck.

Close call: the speeding boats created large waves (Image: Radio Caroline)

The 220-foot fishing trawler is currently awaiting restoration on the River Blackwater.

It has been home to Radio Caroline since the 80s and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The radio station first began broadcasting in 1964.

The station is now broadcast from a studio in Burnham, featuring some of the greatest hits of the last five decades.

Evening programmes are presented by people from the Maldon district who have an interest in radio.

It is run entirely by volunteers who donate their time to keeping the radio station running.

Radio station: radio presenter Ray Clark on board (Image: Radio Caroline)

DJs broadcast from the ship in the Blackwater Estuary off Bradwell one weekend every month.

The boat has seen multiple incidents and crews are growing concerned as the speeding cruisers are causing damage and pose a danger.

Radio Caroline boss Peter Moore is appealing to skippers to show some awareness.

He said: "These weekend navies seem unaware or worse unconcerned at the chaos they leave in their wake.

“Passers-by are inquisitive about the ship, which is welcome if only the skippers will approach and pass slowly, being aware that our supply boat and visitor boats are alongside.

“In one afternoon last week we had three incidents where macho captains created so much wash that the first pass snapped a mooring line, and the second threw our tender against the ship, smashing the stud railings.

“Finally, as we were under the bow working on the mooring chains, cruisers closed in again and we barely had time to get clear to avoid serious damage and injury.”