Always looking to develop his commercial interests he went on to service yachts and took over Newry Beach yard (the headquarters of the present company) in 1962.

A fleet of tugs and workboats was quickly accumulated in subsequent years culminating with a joint venture with Smit and the formation of Buoywork Anglesey Ltd, a company that was to service the nearby Shell offshore tanker discharge facility for some 13 years.

John Meade was a passionate ambassador for Holyhead and founder of the Holyhead Port Users Association.

Long after he handed over control of the Holyhead Towing Company and it's associate companies to the safe hands of his son Capt Mark Meade, John retained an avid interest in tugs, towage and all maritime matters to the end. The maritime world is the poorer for his passing.