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Trearddur Bay says goodbye to its TW01 County Tractor

Lifeboats News Release

The first 1184 County tractor to be commissioned by the RNLI has gone into retirement being replaced by a newer version TW44 tractor unit.

Tractor Drivers

RNLI/Pauline Hardman

TW01's Past drivers
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TW01 was delivered to Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station in 1996 and was one of 50 still in operation throughout the RNLI.

Built by Clayton Engineering Company in the mid 70's it is fundamentally based on a Ford 1184 County agricultural tractor that was redesigned for aquatic use and was used to launch Trearddur Bay's Atlantic 75 then later the Atlantic 85 from 2011.

During her 23 year stay TW01 launched the lifeboat twice weekly on exercise most weeks as well as an average of 30+ services a year. Due to a constant and fastidious maintenance schedule conducted by the numerous volunteer shore crew and station mechanics she never failed to launch when needed.





Tractor drivers old and new

RNLI/Pauline Hardman

TW01 Drivers, old and new
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TW01 County Tractor

RNLI/Pauline Hardman

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TW01 County Tractor

RNLI/Pauline Hardman

Trearddur Bay County Tractor TW01
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Andy Hodgson
Lifeboat Press Officer, Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station

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