Edwin Bollier - Radio Nordsee International

Radio Nordsee International

In 1969-70, the partners Meister and Bollier established the international waters radio station Radio Nordsee International (RNI) aboard the radio ship Mebo II, anchored off Scheveningen, Netherlands. Transmissions began in January, 1970. By 1971, the station was highly popular, especially in the Netherlands, but also Western Europe, its programs beamed by powerful medium and dual shortwave transmitters. After transmissions ceased in 1974, and a lengthy legal battle with the Dutch government over its impounding of the vessel, in 1977 the Mebo II sailed for Tripoli, Libya, where it was initially leased to the Libyan government for use as a radio station; then later sunk during military target practice in the Gulf of Sidra. The deal marked the beginning of a long business relationship with Libya.