History - Laser 558

RADIO CAROLINE BROADCASTS NEWSFLASH

At around 09.30 on Wednesday 6th, Radio Caroline played a request for those on board the Communicator, but it was not until the Radio Monique 11.00 news that what was happening in the North Sea started to emerge.

A newsflash on Caroline at 11.07 read by Andy Johnson "The offshore radio ship MV Communicator, home of Laser 558 sailed from the Knock deep channel today escorted by the British government surveillance vessel Gardline Tracker.

The Communicator had been plagued by generator problems since yesterday and after a night of heavy storms on the North Sea, the government vessel took up position alongside the ship earlier today.

It isn't yet known if the Communicator asked for assistance or if the authorities boarded the vessel. Both ships are now believed to be heading for Harwich on the east coast of England".

At 11.15 Susan Charles said, “from all of us here at the Caroline organisation, our best wishes and all our love goes to everyone at Laser".

The 12.00 news gave the same story as the earlier news flash and at 12.10 Andy Johnson gave a brief history of Laser, to be followed by a tribute to the station, read by Neil Francis.

"One of the saddest days in offshore radio history, not only a loss for radio itself, Laser also helped tremendously in expanding the imagination of British local radio with their all music, non chatter policy, and with the disappearance of Laser, I'm sure many will agree, British radio will now suffer the consequences once again of being completely unimaginative. Although not in direct competition with Caroline, Laser has helped to prove how professional offshore radio can be. It will be tremendously missed by all on board the Ross Revenge, Captain crew and staff. Chuck, John, Jeff, Craig and Jay, you've been great neighbours for us and always be remembered dearly as well, maybe you'll come back another day ".

That evening the Ipswich Evening Star reported that ‘Laser was heading for port escorted by a government spy boat' and that Essex police were waiting to interview the pop pirates crew when they came ashore.

To be continued ...