VESSEL READY FOR LONG WAIT RADIO STATION
THE glory days of Radio Caroline could be recaptured when the Island's latest broadcasting venture launches.
Isle of Man International Broadcasting, the firm behind the as yet unnamed long-wave radio station, is planning to begin transmitting from a ship in Ramsey bay.

It will echo the golden days of radio in the mid-1960s, when pirate station Radio Caroline steamed into the bay and brought the Island worldwide attention.

It will also mark the start of broadcasting by the long-awaited long-wave station, which has been beset by delays and problems.

This website has learned IoMIB has acquired a radio vessel called St Paul, which until last year was the base for Radio 603.

For 18 months it broadcast from the coast of the Finnish Aland islands.

The vessel is now in Denmark, preparing to come to the Island.

IoMIB will use the vessel as a temporary broadcast platform while the long-wave station proves its economic viability.

The company has permission to create a permanent transmission platform, but it is understood the company wants to show the business will work before investing several million pounds in the platform.

The ship is expected to be moored in the same position as the permanent platform was intended for.

IoMIB founder Paul Rusling said he isn't a position to comment in detail on the station's plan, but confirmed all the technical equipment needed to begin broadcasting has been secured and the antennae has been tested and is 'working well'.

The launch is now expected in July, after the Communications Commission granted another two-month extension.

Mr Rusling admitted there has been a 'minor setback' relating to finances, but that shouldn't take long to resolve. He added launching in July is 'certainly still do-able'.

It was hoped the station would be launched early last year, but technical and financial problems have seen the start date pushed back.

That has been a theme throughout the project, which battled for several years to gain planning permission for a transmitter at Cranstal before plumping for an offshore platform.

IoMIB is also hoping to announce several big names in its launch line-up, including former Radio Caroline North DJs Mick Luvzit, Emperor Rosko and 'Ugli' Ray Teret, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read and 'at least one Manx Radio personality'.
13 June 2006