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23rd February 1973

The Mebo II drifts inside Dutch territorial waters after the anchor chain broke during a storm and transmissions on all frequencies were stopped. Broadcasts recommenced the following day after the Mebo II had been towed back to her position and a new anchor chain fitted.

2nd April 1973

RNI's transmitter masts damaged during hurricane force storm and the station's signal deteriorated so severely that by 5.00pm it had to leave the air. Low power transmissions started once again the following day

27th May 1973

RNI discontinued its shortwave World Service again although the DX programme, "Noordsee Goes DX", was retained every Sunday

 ** May 1973

RNI's Zurich office was closed and the Swiss owners handed over all responsibility for radio programming to the Dutch airtime contractors, Radio Reklame Maatschappij, of Bussum

 ** May 1973

"Hou'm in de lucht" ("Keep it on the Air") Campaign launched in the face of new Dutch anti-offshore radio legislation

12th August 1974

Dutch Government announce that the provisions of the Marine Offences Act were to become effective at midnight on 31st August 1974. RNI decides it will cease both Dutch and English language transmissions

30th August 1974

RNI's English Service left the air at midnight

31st August 1974

RNI transmitted its final World Service programme on  shortwave with shows in English, French, German and Dutch throughout the day. At 8.00pm, four hours earlier than had originally been planned, the RNI Dutch Service ended

9th September 1974

Mebo II  sailed into Slikkerveer where, together with the Mebo I, she was dry docked and both vessels were overhauled

9th October 1974

Mebo I and Mebo II left Slikkerverer, but were immediately detained by the authorities acting under the provisions of the Dutch Marine Offences Act

2nd January 1976

After lengthy legal battles Dutch court ruled that the vessels could leave port once the owners had paid a fine for maintaining a radio ship inside Dutch territory after 31st August 1974 and a (returnable) deposit to guarantee that the ship would not be used to broadcast to Europe for a period of two years. The ships (with transmitters and radio equipment) were also ordered to leave Dutch territory within three months








21st February 1973 Israeli fighter planes shot down a Libyan Arab Airlines flight over the Sinai Desert, killing more than 100 people.

14th May 1973

The United States launched the 85-ton Skylab 1 - the first manned space station.

17th May 1973

The US Senate began its hearings into the Watergate scandal and the role of President Richard Nixon.





9th August 1974  

US President Richard Nixon resigned following damaging revelations in the Watergate scandal.

26th August 1974 Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly solo, nonstop across the Atlantic, died aged 72.

5th October 1974

An IRA bombing at a pub in Guilford, Surrey, killed 5 people.





21st January 1976 The supersonic aircraft, Concorde, was put into service by Britain and France.





Going off air after drifting inside territorial waters

RNI going off air anchor chain broken Don Allen.mp3

Close of English Service, 30th August 1974

RNI Close of English Service 30 August 1974.mp3

Close of Dutch Service 31st August 1974

RNI Close of Dutch Service 31 August 1974.mp3


In other N E W S

1973

1974

1976



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