Offshore Radio
Royal Academy
Offshore Radio
Celebration
This segment of the afternoon recognised that not all the stations were off the south-east coast – Jack McLaughlin (representing Radio Scotland and who had also broadcast as Steve Tyler on Radio 270), Ben Healy (Radio Scotland), Noel “Neddy” Miller (in place of Paul Burnett who was unable to attend due to illness), covering Radio 270 and Mike Ahern for Caroline North. This session was chaired by Tony Currie, BBC Scotland (photo left).
Mike talked about his childhood days, he had attended the same primary school as one Maurice Cole aka Kenny Everett, who was three years younger than Mike. He described the conditions on the North ship as being very comfortable and enjoyed being off the coast of the Isle of Man. The south ship, in comparison was much smaller and DJs had to share cabins. Mike found the enthusiasm on the north ship was very infectious, which had made it so successful. The Isle really welcomed Caroline because of the positive publicity it received from the complimentary on-air comments. Jack described how fascinated his interest in offshore radio had been ignited by listening to Radio Atlanta. His first experience of going on board the Comet was not a happy one as he suffered from sea sickness.
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Mike Ahern |
Jack McLaughlin and Ben Healy |
Noel "Neddy" Miller |
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Noel recalled his time on the Oceaan 7, which was the smallest boat in the offshore fleet and how this had made life uncomfortable – Paul Burnett suffered, as he was not a good sailor. When the ship ran out of fuel or food it would stop transmissions and come into port! Jack and Ben talked about their experiences on Radio Scotland and how uncomfortable it was. Ben had, at one time, been offered a job on UKGM (United Kingdom Good Music), the ill-fated station planned by Radio London. Big L had intended to run the station from Shivering Sands fort, but following the death of Radio City owner, Reg Calvert, the planned merger with Radio London was scrapped and the station never went ahead. Consequently the job never materialised so Ben joined Radio Scotland instead. He pointed out a few former Radio Scotland staff in the audience, including Cathy Spence, who ran the 242 Clan Balls. We then had a half-hour break for refreshments and I made my way downstairs. During the break, I spoke with Howard Castle, better known as Caroline South’s Bud Ballou. Howard told me about the times on the ship which were happy ones despite the horrendously long tender journeys from Holland, post the MOA. When he joined Caroline he had planned on broadcasting using his real name, but was advised not to do this, so he adopted the name of a DJ in his home town, Syracuse, New York.
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