Other Vessels in TUGS

This article is a section of fictional character from the 1988 television series TUGS, from the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is a fictional character from the 1988 television series TUGS from the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

He is a small vessel who acts as customs officer for the port. He often stands at the entrance to the estuary ready to question and check incoming shipping before clearance. On other occasions he stands by and over-looks large-scale operations, such as demolition and quarry work. He also doubled as a 'one-man' police-force. Despite his size, he has heavy influence and authority over the vessels of the port. He has made numerous cameo appearances, but had minor speaking roles in High Winds, Warrior and Quarantine. He speaks with a neutral English accent.

He is voiced by British actor Lee Cornes, who also voiced Grampus, Billy Shoepack and Boomer in the series. On the Buzz Books, The Coast Guard was referred to as The Customs Launch and in "Salty's Lighthouse" the Coast Guard was called "Cappy" and was voiced by Brad Swaile.

Coast Guard Quote: "Hey, you! You are within port limits. I'm coming aboard!" (High Winds)

Fultan Ferry

The Fultan Ferry is a paddle-driven ferry boat used for freighting vehicles and goods across the harbour. It appeared in various episodes, but was finally named in Quarantine, when it was temporarily sunk in the middle of the port after hitting a fire barge towed by OJ. It was later salvaged by Mighty Moe.Since Tugs ceased production, the Fultan Ferry has had many cameos in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends , if you look closely, in episodes that feature ports and other sea related sets, you can be sure the Fultan Ferry will be around somewhere and has a Fultan Ferry Sign on it.

Johnny Cuba

Johnny Cuba is a notorious and violent tramp steamer gangster. His strong accent and dialect indicate that he is from Australia. He made his first appearance in Sunshine and his main appearance in High Winds. He is voiced by Sean Barrett.

Cuba had arrived at Bigg City Port to make plans with fellow criminal friends during a period of strong and troublesome tempest weather. He threatened Zebedee and manipulated him into helping him into the port.

Cuba sent Zebedee on an errand to steal a barge of coal, and threatened to sink him if he landed either of them in trouble. Due to a feud between Cuba and Captain Zero that occurred in the past, Zebedee was placed in an awkward and dangerous situation, until Hercules discovered Cuba's hide-out in an abandoned dock. Zebedee struck up the courage to trap Cuba and have him arrested, and was forgiven. Despite Cuba's claim that "they can't hold Johnny Cuba!", they did. Johnny Cuba first appeared in High Winds, but his model made five more cameos in Sunshine, Quarantine, Ghosts, Munitions and Regatta. In Regatta it sank in dender rocks after colliding with Lillie Lightship. In "Salty's Lighthouse", he was called "Steamer" and was shy and bashful and was voiced by Michael Donovan

Nothing To Declare

Cuba made a second appearance in the Buzz Book "Nothing to Declare", in which he helps the Navy by trapping a spy submarine and proves himself to have a good streak. These books are not necessarily considered canon by fans.

Nantucket

A dirty old tramper and a notorious villain, who Sunshine calls "Old Dirt Bucket". His only appearance was in "Quarantine", in which he attempted to trick Sunshine into taking him into port by pulling down the checkered quarantine flag. After his plan was foiled, he was sentenced by the Coast Guard to a further forty days in quarantine along with Zorran. He speaks with a Lancastrian accent provided by Sean Barrett , and is nicknamed "Old Dirt Bucket" by the tugs. His Hull was later used for Old Rusty. He appeared as the tramper Billy Shopack blew up in Trapped. In "Salty's Lighthouse" Nantucket's name constantly changed and sometimes could not even speak (in which a foghorn sound effect was used instead.)

Kraka toa

This naval tramp steamer made her first appearance in "Ghosts" and her final appearance in "Munitions". Due to a fuel drum falling onto some explosives after Bluenose hit Zorran's barge, the dock caught fire, thus setting off the explosives and fuel loaded in her at the time. Since she was nearly full, the contents did indeed "rip her apart" as Zorran predicted, and she sank into the bay. She never spoke.

Coast Guard's Messenger

A small motor boat with a shrill whistle, he appeared only briefly in "Regatta" to inform the Star Fleet of Lillie Lightship's predicament, having been sent by the Coast Guard to deliver the message. The same small vessel doubled as the 'mad' speed boat that caused the accident in "Quarantine". He was in this form before 4th Of July, as he appears in the liner scene of Warrior in Sunshine. He is located beside the Fire Launch. He is voiced by Don Austen. In Salty's Lighthouse, he was mistakenly thought to be the same character as the Coast Guard, and also became 'Cappy'.

Old Rusty

Old Rusty is possibly a naval tramp steamer, he made only a brief appearance in "Warrior", anchored out in the estuary. He said that he had been anchored there for two years ,He seems to be quite kind and complements Warrior saying it would be boring without him. He is Voiced by Patrick Allen. He appeared once in "Salty's Lighthouse" in a flashback while Warrior, Top Hat and O.J. were looking back on things.

The Shrimpers

The Shrimpers appear in various episodes, they had a note-worthy role in "Ghosts", when a group of four or five were accidentally led into a mud-bank whilst following Warrior back to port, using him as a guide through the fog.They also were in "Warrior" when Warrior nearly ran into them. They were all voiced by John Baddeley.