An exclusive two part feature on the former Radio Northsea International ships Mebo 1 & 2

RNI closed down for the final time on 31st August 1974 having broadcast off the European coast since January 1970

The following 35mm transparencies have just been discovered in a shed by Robin Banks former Transmitter Engineer & Jock on RNI

Despite suffering from exposure to damp we've enhanced the quality to improve viewing

The two ship were towed to Slikkerveer harbour Rotterdam & laid up

Plans were soon underway for an Italian station Radio Nova but the project floundered in late 1974 & the ships remained in Slikkerveer

For pictures of the Mebo 1 & 2 entering Rotterdam see RNI with Robin Banks - Part 1

Eventually the vessels are sold & sail to Libya Robin stayed aboard as Radio Engineer

Commercial cargo shipping in Tripoli Harbour in 1977 taken from the top of the mast of the Mebo 2

Just a few miles from Malta in the Mediterranean, Libya on the North coast of Africa has been an important outpost since the days of the Roman Empire

Mebo 2 reaches Libya in 1977

The ships are prepared to carry four separate radio services

Looking down from the top of the aerial mast to the decks of the Mebo 1 & 2

The crew are presided over by a Yugoslavian Captain

Alfonso the cook works the Galley with Piet

Alfonso stabs the cake at the on deck BBQ

Nightime shot on deck of RNI ship engineer Jop De Pau left & right Robin proposes a toast

Up by the funnel sea crew that had sailed the Mebo from Rotterdam

Looking down from the top of the mast as work continues on aerials

Equipped with its 5 transmitters 2 Medium Wave & Short Wave, & an FM the Mebo 2 was to broadcast Radio Jamharia, the Arab Voice, Libya International in English & the Holy Koran

Mebo 1 & 2

Cat in a cabin with Piet

Bunting flags flying from the Mast

Heinz Hurter on test broadcast

Edwin Bollier's second wife's brother Heinz was the only Swiss National to remain aboard the ship in Libya

Mebo 2 with the addition of a T'ariel

This feature will continue in Mebo 1 & 2 in Libya

Grateful thanks to Robin Banks for these unique & rare pictures of the Mebo's in Libya

For all the Radio Northsea International features navigate from RNI with Robin Banks - Part 1