Zak (TUGS)

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Zak is a fictional character who appeared in the 1988 television series TUGS, created by the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Zak is the third member of Captain Zero's Z-Stack fleet, he was used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Port. Zak's main role was that of a flunky to the devious Zorran and is usually seen working with his companion Zebedee. Like the rest of the Z-Stacks, Zak is based on the tugs of the Moran fleet from the 1920's. He is a thuggish character, often aggressive and threatening. Publicity material for the series indicated that he saw himself as a potential leader of the Z-Stacks.

Zak is the Z-Stack equvilent to the Star fleet's Hercules, in that he is rarely ever seen in the remarkably short span of episodes, had there been a second series, his character would need major developing. He had no major roles in any episodes, but is usually seen either assisting the Z-Stacks in their devious schemes and insulting the Star Tugs. His whistle sounds like Warrior's, but only deeper with two tones.

Zak's most prominent appearance was in 'High Tide', when he and Zebedee competed with Big Mac and Warrior for a big steel contract. Engine trouble that Zak had neglected to get treated however forced the two Zs to take a shortcut through Bigg City's canal network - what Zak saw as a very clever idea however resulted in disaster when Zebedee's tall load struck and collapsed a railway bridge.

Zak is voiced by British actor, animator and modeller Shaun Prendergast who provided the distinctive voice of Sunshine.

He speaks with a gruff cockney accent. In TLC's Salty's Lighthouse, he speaks with a Brooklyn accent done by Terry Klassen.

In the Japanese version he was voiced by Hideyuki Umezu.