Peter Moore is the WORST thing that could ever happen to Caroline !
John Miller
wrote a somewhat critical article about Offshore Echo's and other.
Read our response :
Recently, the Dutch newssheet Caroline Newsbeat published an
interview with Peter Moore of the Caroline satellite broadcasting
station. It seems the position of OFFSHORE ECHOS MAGAZINE
regarding the future of Radio Caroline, is causing Peter some
embarrassments. We are accused of not covering the present day Caroline
operation!
We had a private discussion with Peter Moore some years ago
about this, as we wanted to know his position regarding the future
of Radio Caroline. Up until then it seemed clear to all of us and
others that the funds given to the Ross Revenge support group
were going towards the ship to make her seaworthy and bring
her back offshore. But Peter Moore had discretely changed the
objectives. It wasn't very clear then, and up until recently, that
the Ross Revenge would never be used at sea as a radio ship
anymore. A lot of people had given their money and their time
for nothing or at least not for what they had thought.
We explained our position to Peter then.
First - we are an offshore radio magazine - the only one left!
And secondly - we do not consider the present Radio Caroline
as an offshore station at all.
Although we respected the choice of Peter Moore to operate a
land based radio station, we did not feel that he could recreate
this way the atmosphere of an offshore radio station operating from the sea.
We can agree on the fact that, if Caroline used a ship in 1964, it
was because this was the only way to set up a commercial station.
Everyone will agree that this developed into something more than
just an ordinary radio station operating from land and therefore the
ship became part of its success worldwide. Peter Moore wonders
how he could establish an offshore station nowadays!
Well if he doesn't know how, why bother to keep a ship then, when
all the current programmes are coming from studios on dry land?
He could have done what Radio London did in 1967, surrender and
turn the page over. He could then have established a licensed radio
station (as Philip Birch did with Piccadilly - Philip was fair enough not
to call his station Radio London anyway!) and give up the fight. If Peter
Moore wants to keep the name Radio Caroline, that's just because he
thinks he can attract more listeners that way.
But we don't think you can run a radio station, by just trading off a name.
Offshore Echo's has always considered that the name Radio Caroline
only belongs to an offshore station, not a satellite or what have you. We
also consider that a station operating at sea no matter the name you have,
would also be successful as long as you can recreate this so specific
atmosphere - as Laser did for instance.
Peter seems afraid, if the ship ever returned to sea, the authorities would
seize her and never give her back. This has to be tested! Having the ship
lost or having her rusting in port doing nothing? A terrible choice!
Legally, internationally, this cannot be done if the ship is properly
registered, no matter what the UK 1991 Broadcasting act!
Peter also wonders where he could make the ship ready. Although
this is strange that he asks himself such a question after having left the
Ross in port for more than 10 years. The Caroline supporters group
will probably be happy to hear this, those who have provided everything
for 10 years to try and make the ship seaworthy again! And what about
our proposal in 1999 to have the ship overhauled completely at no cost
for the group, for a display at the International Ship convention in Rouen
in 2000? Mr. Moore didn't even consider this.
And to wonder where the tenders would come from? Where did they
come from in the 80's?
And to find a non-EU crew? What were Laser's staff nationalities? All
these questions were valid already in the 70's and 80's and this didn't stop
Laser to be a successful operation as far as listeners were concerned.
Although we do not have the same views as those of Peter Moore, we have
never criticised the programming contents of his satellite operation, we
leave
this to their own support group!
Apparently Peter is not doing the same regarding Offshore Echo's contents.
- "Another lengthy interview was with a man who had been the caretaker
at offices vacated by Radio Caroline in 1967. At this rate we will soon be
reading interviews with Johnnie Walkers postman." That's a good idea Peter
and certainly more interesting than what we can hear on radio nowadays !"
It would have been more simple if Offshore Echo's had left its ideals and
joined the current staff of satellite broadcasters. We could also be the
supporters of Virgin Radio or Atlantic 252!
But we still believe in the future of offshore radio and for that reason
we'll continue our fight.
If you are on the same lines, join us! If all free radio groups would act
together,
we could have won a long time ago!
Herbert Visser
"John Miller" <mi...@btinter.com> wrote in message
news:a0caoa$jef$1...@reader07.wxs.nl...
> Peter seems afraid, if the ship ever returned to sea, the authorities
would
> seize her and never give her back. This has to be tested!
Very funny posting, only days after many Dutch regional newspapers covered
a story stating that Radio Caroline
wants to commence broadcasting from the Ross Revenge a position 35
kilometres off the Dutch coast ! This position is, in fact, in
international waters !
Herbert Visser
Ruud Poeze
But will the Ross be seaworthy again.
I saw the list of technical problems produced by the British ship
authorities (how are they called, forget the name) which was several
meters long.
Caroline intends to use the 171 khz frequency that requires a huge
antenna. Maybe a CFA as IOMBC will use for its 279 broadcasts.
Ruud
Herbert Visser
> But will the Ross be seaworthy again.
> I saw the list of technical problems produced by the British ship
> authorities (how are they called, forget the name) which was several
> meters long.
So, since Caroline is sincere about going offshore again, more money
from the
Ross Revenge supporters would be needed, right ??
Herbert Visser
Ruud Poeze
They must have some money left when they hired 1296 for one day and
begged for money and promised that "Caroline would soon return on 1296".
Ruud