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RNI PIRATE RADIO SHIP MEBO ll IN DISPLAY CASE
Maldon, United Kingdom
Aim
This prize draw is running to raise money for urgent structural repairs to our radio ship 'Ross Revenge' in dry dock to secure her future
The Prize
Our Crowdfunder Prize Draw is for a very rare model of the former Radio North Sea International pirate radio ship, the MV 'Mebo II', mounted in a large wood display case with internal light. The model formerly belonged to Radio Caroline presenter the late Dave Foster, and has been carefully refurbished at his request by skilled model ship enthusiast Jim Neale.
The cabinet measures 27" h x 24" w x 4" d and has a perspex front. The internal light is battery powered with a switch on one side. It can be wall mounted via attached two metal brackets or free standing.
History of 'Mebo ll'
'Mebo II' was originally the Dutch freighter 'Silvretta', built in 1948. In 1969 she was bought by Edwin Bollier and Erwin Meister, renamed and converted into an offshore radio station at the same shipyard where she had been built. 'Mebo ll' was famous for its dramatic Art Nouveau colour scheme.
From 1970–1974, 'Mebo ll' broadcast the Dutch radio station Radio North Sea International (RNI) from international waters, four miles off Scheveningen in The Hague, Netherlands.
The interior was described as luxurious and the AM transmitter was said to be capable of 100KW, though it was problematic and never broadcast with that much power. They also had SW and FM transmitters.
The ship was dramatically firebombed on 15 May 1971, by divers working for competitor Radio Veronica. A bomb thrown onto the ship from a motor launch started a fire that engulfed the bridge and engine room, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The attack led to the arrest and conviction of a Radio Veronica director and the divers involved. The fire was put out and despite severe damage 'Mebo II' was saved. RNI was able to return to the air the following day.
After 1974 it was suggested that the ‘Mebo ll’ would anchor off Italy and broadcast Radio Nova, but this did not happen. Instead the ship sailed to Libya in 1976 where it relayed Libyan state radio. In 1984 the broadcast equipment was brought ashore and ‘Mebo ll’ was used for target practice. It was eventually sunk by a Libyan rocket.
The Cause
‘Ross Revenge' is in urgent need of dry docking, where urgent structural repairs can be carried out. Our prize draws supplement our fundraising appeal to achieve our goal of securing the future of our historic ship for generations to come. The former pirate radio ship 'Ross Revenge' is still regularly broadcasting at sea today and more than 1,200 visitors tour the ship each year. The vessel is an important part of both deep sea fishing and broadcasting history and needs your help to keep her afloat.
How to Enter
A £10 donation gives you 1 entry
A £25 donation gives you 4 entries
A £50 donation gives you 10 entries
A £100 donation gives you 25 entries
You can also enter free by post. Details in the Ts & Cs
Due to the fragile nature of the prize it can only be shipped to a UK address
Enter now and help us get Ross Revenge into dry dock! Thank you
This project successfully funded on 9th November 2025