FIRE ALERT
The Communicator was the centre of a late night fire alert on the 16th January 1986, fireman raced to the vessel anchored in the River Stour amid fears, of a fuel tank explosion. Two night watchmen were, taken off the ship by Harwich lifeboat and fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus went aboard to find no fire, only a smoking, faulty boiler. The ships engine room was filled with smoke, but damage was minimal. A senior Essex fire service spokesman said, it appeared the smoke came from a faulty boiler and not a fire as such. Twenty-four firemen Colchester and Harwich were involved in the operation, as well as a fire Launch. Police and ambulance services also stood by, no one was hurt and one of the watchmen later returned with firemen.
The Colchester Evening Gazette reported in their 13th August 1986 edition that the Communicator was almost seaworthy again and was nine tenths ready. They added that thousands of pounds worth of work had been carried out. The Harwich 'Standard' reported that two overseas media firms were heading those interested in buying the vessel and they wanted to move it to the Mediterranean to broadcast to English speaking holidaymakers. The ships owner EAP boss, Ray Anderson said there was still plenty of interest from people who wanted to see the ship back on the North Sea, but added "I have got to be careful if it reappeared because I am not sure of my legal standing if I contributed to it coming back on."