lightship number 18. (filmed 1993) 

The noise the generators make is incredible for the size of them. One lightship that was sold off is now a recording studio in London.

Who would have imagined that there would be so much accomodation inside? Not me. Great film. Thanks.

I've said it before...these are very important historical documents you had the great forethought to make. Thank you!

Great to hear it has a new lease on life and thanks for a spectacular tour. I lived off-grid on the sea for 13 consecutive yrs...never seasick once but fell off a couple times anchored during maintenance/repairs and had to swim for a dingy that was adrift on a lazy tide once but in the end it was all good. Back ashore for 8 yrs now.

Sitting /working on board this vessel with no propulsive power etc in Hurricanr force 12 took some bloody guts. My respects lads.

I noticed the elegant Thames sailing barge as well. Thanks for posting. Imagine though being in a storm, the noise of the storm, the sound of the ship snatching at anchor chains reverberating through the hull on top of the unending noise from the engine, the ship rolling, crumbs must have been an ordeal. Definitely prefer a granite rock light to that.

Enjoyed that tour looks very spacey and cosy I would love to live on one . Fantastic footage well done

Given 2 close family members, worked on these for 50 years between them, it's a really nice compliment at the beginning and a concept I'd not thought of. Can't recall either grandfather or grans brother, ever mentioning helicopter, any idea when helidecks were installed. It looks to me like these were added. Family ceased working on these around similar times, 1984 ish. Cheers

Another great film Peter and not spoiled in the least by low light levels. It must have been unrelenting being anchored out on those sandbanks in rough weather. I can almost smell the vomit! 🤢

Nice video Peter, have happy memories of seeing these still in use when I was an Apprentice seaman, which is a very long time ago!

The value will be remembered for posterity, of these brilliant videos. You may feel aggrieved Peter, by quality (Which is damn good btw), but the tech is there when the baton is taken. Great vid

Another great video Peter. I enjoy all your films about lighthouses and what it was like to work for the lighthouse service. Shame those times have passed but that's progress...

LV18 AND, its become preserved as LV18 tethered to the harbourside In Harwich adjacent Halfpenny Pier and the RNLI station.. Me and family have been on board a few times over the last few years... My then 8 year old grandson asked how do ships at sea see its light then..LOL I had to explain its like grandad, retired now for an easier life.. AH he said never quite believing me though..kids eh..Great film with the equipment you had back then.. Thankyou - Ian.B. West Clacton.

My third video of your timeless insight into lighthouse keeping Peter. Great sadness to start with, as you see these lighthouse vessels, built light S*houses, come to their end of service. You are a great narrator Peter, explaining to us “me”, how it all works. I find it fascinating, especially the light boats. I have seen the one at Liverpool & my goodness, would loved to have experienced workings on one, as I do enjoy inclement weather conditions. Built for a purpose, crude in some respects, but again, lovely wood & carpentry, brass fittings in the living quarters. They didn’t look like them, but I wonder if the engines (generators) were Gardners! Thank you again for a fantastic insight. Looking forward to watching more of your foresight documentaries, cheers, Simon.

Used to sail past the channel light ship from time to time many many years ago. Didn't realise they we're so bloody noisy inside ?!!

Absolutely awesome record!!! I didn't even know they existed. Thanks for sharing!

I find these videos fascinating. Thank you for documenting a way of life before it was lost.

Peter. I guess that all the other LV's where older with their lights on open towers. It must have been tough working on the lamps in bad weather. As you say they were tough. Great as always.

Hi Peter, another great video from you sir. One that has turned out to be really important now she has suffered an arson attack in Feb 2024. I am very fortunate to broadcast from Radio Mi Amigo which has it's studios on-board the LV18. Inside her accommodation it is now in a sorry state due to the arson attack especially at the aft end as much of it is now gone. She is a great ship and hopefully she will eventually be repaired. 🇮🇲🇮🇲

Sir, this is new to me. I have never heard about a lightship. I learned a lot. Thank you.

Cool bit of history 👍 thanks again Peter

Very nice contemporary document. I hope they haven't ripped off at least a couple of ships.

Another great vlog Peter,thank you😁👍👏👏👏

Another very timely record you made there, and as Matt said, none the less so for the technological limitations of the time! As you say, LV18 is visitable in Harwich, but has had several different roles since you spent that night aboard (including being the home of BBC Essex's brilliant reincarnations of the 1960s pirate radio stations). The ship has no longer got that feel of still being in TH service which you caught. Do you know if anyone had the same foresight to film life on board, on station? Well done for a) making the most of your opportunities back in the '90s, and b) publishing your films now. Btw I loved the Needles xmas one!

great video. this lightship is a different shape to the royal sovereign so a different builder.am i right.this is a dangerous job.look what happened in 1954 to the south goodwin lightship. Revell used to do a plastic kit of the south goodwin lightship.

So interesting...love.love lighthouses..Thank you

Now that would have been nautical when they were manned during a gale, exciting stuff I bet.

That's something i never managed to fathom out, as most of these were seagoing vessels before being converted, why on earth was their propulsionary machinery removed as if the instance arose they could at least move to safety thus saving ship and crew if need be instead of having to rely on a support vessel that depending on conditions may not be able to attend anyway.

Are there any operational lightships in U.K. water anymore..? As in automated ones , not manned,, and do you know of any videos from the days of manned operation..? A fascinating insight.👍🇮🇲

Really interesting, thank you for making this video.

What happened to the one in the channel off of Dover? I know one sank on the Goodwin sands in the 50’s (RIP those guys), but I think it was replaced. Pretty sure the channel foghorn was on it when I lived in Deal in the 70s.

I live in Eastbourne and have always wondered what life on sovereign tower was like. I bet it was pure comfort compared to the men on the boat pre Tower 😳

Great video Sir thanks. Hello from Belgium!

A great shot of that Thames barge as well!

This video is one of my favourites of yours Peter. Are you aware of any record set for individuals or crews for length of time onboard beyond their rota?

Thanks, Peter.

So, in the lightships, the flash was made by flashing the bulb, not optically? (I mean, not by rotating headgear)

There’s one of these in Swansea marina it’s name is Helwick I’ve been on it peter, just couldn’t imagine being on it in rough weather, what was the constant drone of the engines like.? Thanks again for another fantastic insight into the lighthouse

Coffee time

Hi Peter. Have you ever served on a light ship during your time as a lighthouse keeper?

Love to hear the foghorn on this boat

What is the tube at 4:43? I seen a lot of them in books

Another super film Peter,, do you know what replaced these ships when they were retired? what high lighted the hazard's (rocks, sandbanks)? the 1990's would have a little early for modern technology to take control,,many thanks

We have Calshot spit LV in Southampton which was saved from scrap

My first job when I left school at 15 yrs old on LV11 (Morecambe Bay) until she came off station whereupon I joined the army

Did any UK ones get hit like the Nantucket lightship in 1934?

I've put a lighthouse themed mystery on my channel. Wonder if you know these Manhattan based lighthouses? Cheers

My husband was on lightvessels

Who would want to buy an old boat that cant propel itself?