Salvage Boats

A Salvage Boat is special type of boat that are used for marine rescue and recovery operations. Many different types of these boats live on Sodor.

The Salvage Barges

These barges, described as "floating cranes", were used to rescue Percy, after he plunged into the sea at Knapford Harbour.

The cranes could only arrive after high tide, but by the time they rescued Percy it was already dark. Working hard, the cranes pulled a cold, weak and filthy Percy from the sea.

Appearances

The Railway Series

• The Eight Famous Engines - Percy Takes the Plunge

Companion Volumes

• 1986 - Percy the Small Engine Takes the Plunge

The Yellow Salvage Vessels

These vessels are painted yellow and grey, they are most commonly used when there is an accident near the harbours.

In the second series, a yellow salvage vessel was stationed at Knapford Harbour and was later used to rescue Percy, after the disobedient engine plunged into the quay.

In the third series, the salvage vessel used in the previous series was replaced with a smaller yellow salvage vessel. This was used to recover the China Clay Trucks after Diesel carelessly pushed the trucks to into the sea. In the fourth series, the salvage vessel was then used to help recover Bulstrode and the Troublesome Trucks when Percy accidentally pushed trucks off the quay and into his hull. The vessel later towed Bulstrode to Tidmouth Beach. In the fifth series, the vessel was involved in the recovery process when Henry pulling The Flying Kipper crashed into the bay near the Lighthouse.

Appearances

Trivia

• On the Series 3 to 5 salvage boat model, the yellow crane section attached to it is actually one of recycled Miniature Cranes used in TUGS.
• The salvage boat from Series 2 has the name "DAVID" in white lettering on the front of the hull, after director David Mitton. It also reads "SALVAGE" on the lower hull sectiom.

The Green Salvage Vessel

This vessel once resided at Knapford Harbour. It has a green hull and wheelhouse, cream superstructure, grey frames, red crane arm and a blue and black smokestack.

It only appeared in the second series, and was used to rescue Percy, after the disobedient engine plunged into the quay.

Appearance

Thomas & Friends

• Series 2 - Percy Takes the Plunge, The Diseasel, and Woolly Bear

The Salvage Tugboats

There were at least two salvage tugboats which were equipped with cranes mounted on their hulls.

In the fifth series, one of these tugboats salvaged Lorry 1 after he reversed into the sea, it then transported the wrecked lorry to Brendam Docks. Later on, the tugs were involved in the recovery process when Henry crashed into the bay. One of the boats towed Henry to the docks via a barge.

In Thomas and the Magic Railroad, one of these tugs towed a barge containing sludge and Diesel 10. In the sixth series, the tugboats were used to rescue Diesel after he crash landed into a barge.

Appearances

Trivia

• The salvage tugboats are painted in the same colour scheme as the Z-Stacks' fleet of tugs from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends' sister series, TUGS.

Merchandise

• Capsule Plarail