Communicator in Suffolk
Page 3 of 3
Updated: 7th February 2010 Issue: 3
The Communicator in Lowestoft
The Communicator pictured on 22nd May 2004
Generator Room benching
Lister 3 cylinder generator
Lister Air Compressor taken as coaxed into life on 17th June 2004
Note the tide mark behind the air compresser this was the flood level in the engine room, the pump had been submerged but we got it working with a new oil filter, the old one being missing off the engine prior to flooding in Holland - Roy
Paul starting the Lister Air Compressor
Lister 6 cylinder diesel generator
This generator was made to run while in Lowestoft it had water leaks from the head but these can be fixed, we were more than suprised it started at all - Roy
| Main
air tank control valves |
Main
ships engine control levers |
Portside Cummings Diesel
The DC switch board on 17th June 2004
Paul & Rick working on the auxiliary engine on 17th July 2004
Rebuilt cylinder head
Cylinder head re-fitted
Starboard side Cummings Diesel
The Cummings was coaxed into life in Lowestoft - Roy
Transmitter Hall
The original 576 transmitter & combiner unit to allow both 25kw units to be used together - Roy.
CSI 25 kw medium wave transmitter
CSI 25 kw medium wave transmitter cabinet doors
The local Suffolk Press announce the immanent departure of the MV Communicator in the Waveney Advertiser 17th August 2004
The MV Communicator ready for departure
MV Communicator towed out of Lowestoft on 21st August 1994
MV Communicator still in 'Hit Radio 1224' radio livery
With grateful thanks to Paul & Roy the 'Balls Brothers' for sharing their photographs with us & their help in producing this part of the MV Communicator story
26/09/09 - I was Second Officer/Chief Officer and then Captain of the Gardline Seeker that became the Communicator. The Communicator was ex Tanager/Charterer/Gardline Seeker. The Gardline Tracker was ex Ryfylke/Tracker and Gardline Tracker. I believe the Charterer was changed to Gardline Seeker due to some confusion over a Dutch company chartering the Charterer. She was the first Gardline ship to change to the Gardline prefix. Also your website states that the Gardline Locator was of the same type of vessel as the Communicator and built in Germany, incorrect. The Gardline Locator was the ex HMS Blackburn, an aircraft recovery vessel built in 1945 in Blyth. Regards, Captain David P. Hawkins
07/02/10 - I enjoyed looking at your pages on the Laser vessel, I purchased the ships bell of the boat bearing the 'Tanager name' sold by an antiques shop in Portsmouth Maritime Museum. It's now lovingly mounted on a brass & copper stand out of harms way. A sad end to a great Radio Ship and Station. Kind regards - Steve Boyer
Above amendments incorporated
This feature continues in The MV Communicator in Suffolk - Part 2