Our legendary former pirate radio ship Ross Revenge is moored on River Blackwater in Essex and we run boat trips to visit and tour the ship during monthly live broadcast weekend’s and when there is no broadcast. Come out and see us – we'd love to show you round!

Our Trips

Visitors are taken out to Ross Revenge from West Mersea, Essex on our tender Razorbill 3. The boat is fully licensed and insured with a fully qualified skipper Stuart Belbin. Tours of the ship last approx one-and-a-half hours and the journey time between West Mersea and the ship is approx 20 mins each way.

We offer two types of trips, those during a live Radio Caroline North broadcast from the ship and those when there is no broadcast. Both tours of the ship last approx one-and-a-half hours and the journey time between West Mersea and the ship is approx 20 mins.

Radio Caroline North live broadcast trips

The ship is broadcasting and the DJs are resident on board. Visitors are split into two small groups and the tours are led by two of the weekend's resident DJs, some of whom served at sea during the pirate radio days. The tour covers the whole ship, with the exception of the cabins, and includes a visit to the live studio. Trips run during the monthly broadcast weekends, year-round, with three-day broadcasts at Easter and in August.

Non-broadcast trips

The tour of the ship is the same as during a live broadcast, but the studios are not live. You will find out something of the history of Ross Revenge as a record-breaking fishing trawler and be able to visit the crew cabins which are unavailable during a live broadcast. Tours are led by Caroline presenter Paul Brown and skipper Stuart Belbin. These tours are more relaxed.

We are delighted that our trips to visit and tour Ross Revenge have been awarded a Travellers' Choice 2024 Award by Tripadvisor. A Travellers’ Choice award is given to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

How to Book Your Trip

Trip dates are below. To check availability on your chosen date(s) email boattrips@radiocaroline.co.uk. Once you have reserved your places you will be directed to online payment or asked for your voucher numbers. The cost is £40 per person. (A discount is available for members of the RCSG).

Your booking confirmation and full details will be emailed to you within one working day of your payment. Don’t forget to check your spam folder!

Other info

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable unless the trip is cancelled by Rado Caroline. We reserve the right to cancel trips in the event of adverse weather conditions, technical problems or the unavailability of Ross Revenge. In such cases a full refund, a voucher or alternative date will be offered.
Departure times may occasionally be adjusted nearer the time of your trip in the case of a very low tide forecast.
The Ross Revenge is a former fishing trawler and visitors should therefore be reasonably able-bodied and be able to climb up and down steep stairs frontwards and backwards without assistance or the use of aids. Unfortunately, this trip is not suitable for anyone who is partially sighted for safety reasons.
Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather and sensible footwear with grip (not sandals and definitely not flip flops).
Minimum age eight years. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and are the responsibility of that adult.
Please do not come on your trip if you or any of your party have tested positive for Covid within the ten days before your trip.

Booking Dates for 2025

Live Broadcast Weekend Non Broadcast

Live Caroline North Weekend

Non Broadcast Weekend

Trips from West Mersea, Essex unless otherwise indicated