1st January 1986

A further change in Radio Caroline's format with the introduction of separate services throughout the night - "Caroline Overdrive" was introduced on 963kHz with the traditional Caroline rock and album music, while Caroline 558 continued with its pop-orientated service.

January and February 1986

The Ross Revenge drifted towards or inside territorial waters on a number of occasions, putting Radio Caroline and Radio Monique off the air for frequent periods.

February 1986

Frequent transmitter breakdowns, staff shortages and periods off the air for 'essential maintenance' meant Radio Caroline was unable to maintain its 24 hour programming.

end of February 1986

The expected Radio Caroline shortwave service did not materialise - it was now planned that the 'World Service' would start in April 1986.

February 1986

The sponsored religious programmes were rationalised into a service of their own under the umbrella title 'Viewpoint 963'.

mid-July 1986

24 hour programming reintroduced on Radio Caroline, but within six weeks both channels had again returned to some 2.00am closedowns with only Caroline 558 staying on the air 24 hours at weekends and Caroline Overdrive providing a full overnight service on just three or four days a week.

November and December 1986

There were frequent transmitter and generator breakdowns on the Ross Revenge, causing Caroline 558, 963 and Radio Monique to go off the air for various periods.

May 1987

A significant piece of British legislation affecting offshore radio stations was passed - The Territorial Sea Act, which was set to come into force on 1st October 1987, extended the then three mile territorial limit to twelve miles.

10th June 1987

The Ross Revenge moved its anchorage to a position in the South Falls Head, two miles outside the new territorial limit but in much more exposed waters as well as nearer to the main shipping lanes.

mid 1987

Panama's Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs announced that it was increasing maritime safety standards and all ships over 20 years old wishing to remain registered would have to be re-inspected. Failure to comply would result in refused entry to the register of shipping.

15/16th October 1987

A hurricane swept across south east England, causing major destruction and loss of power supplies. Radio Caroline (and Radio Monique) were forced to close for about an hour from 7.30am on 16th October due to problems with the aerial mast arcing. Both stations returned later and broadcasts continued throughout the day until 3.00pm. Nevertheless the Ross Revenge had survived the hurricane, which had damaged or grounded other vessels which had not sought shelter.

24th November 1987

Despite a strong north easterly gale starting to buffet the Ross Revenge, programming continued as normal throughout the day on both Caroline 558 and Radio Monique. Radio Monique closed as normal  at 7.00pm with the usual announcement that the station would return at 5.00am the following morning.

25th November 1987

Caroline 558, which had continued to broadcast despite the severe storm, left the air suddenly at 2.51am when aerial feeder cables split.

Shortly before 4.30am the ship's massive 300' aerial tower broke away at deck level and fell into the sea. At first light the remains of the mast hanging over the side of the Ross Revenge were cut away and the full extent of other damage was revealed when the crew set about cleaning up the rest of the ship.

3rd December 1987

Using a temporary wire aerial array, strung between the ship's original fore mast and the funnel Caroline 558 returned to the air, but with a very weak signal. With only two DJs left on board the Ross Revenge Radio Caroline managed to provide a 12 hour service between 6.00am-6.00pm.

25th December 1987

A new relief of DJs arrived and transmission hours were extended until midnight.