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New
York Metropolitan Section Environmentally Friendly Stern Tube Bearings A joint meeting of SNAME, the Society of Marine Port Engineers of New York (SMPE), and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology (IMarEST) filled the back room at Moran’s Restaurant for a presentation entitled “Development of a Biodegradable, Next Generation Water Soluble Stern Tube Lubricant” by Jeffrey Butt, Marine Production Manager of Thordon Bearings, Inc. Thordon Bearings, Inc. is a privately owned, environmentally friendly company with distributors in 70 countries, and is ISO-9001 (2001) certified. It designs and manufactures high performance journal bearings for numerous applications, and has over 25 years of experience with rudder bearings and propeller shaft bearing systems. Thordon has developed two systems to eliminate the leakage of oil lubricants from stern tube bearings. The first sustem is its open seawater-lubricated COMPAC bearings. Its second system is the sealed stern tube Thor-Lube system. This system consists of Thordon XL bearings, an associated circulation and monitoring system, and TL3G, its latest generation water-based biodegradable stern tube lubricant. These systems can be installed during construction or retrofitted to existing ships. The main advantage of the later system is that TL3G does not leave a surface sheen if some leaks into the water, and TL3G is quickly biodegradable. The Thordon XL bearings, constructed from a low-friction, elastomeric polymer alloy within a steel housing, have a high impact resistance and will not damage the shaft should a catastrophic bearing failure occur. In an emergency situation, 100% seawater can be used as a lubricant. The bearing can be removed and replaced with the shaft in place. TL3G is designed to have a viscosity similar to SAE 30 weight mineral oil. Since it is water-based, the circulation and monitoring system heats the lubricant when necessary to
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prevent freezing, and also has a cooler in case a high temperature condition occurs. TL3G also contains corrosion inhibiters to protect the shaft. After his presentation,
Mr. Butt fielded questions from the audience. David Beardsley’s
positive comments about his company’s in-service experience with
the sealed stern tube Thor-Lube system were especially enlightening. Mr.
Butt was then presented with a certificate of appreciation from the host
society, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology.
Northern
California Section Tour of USCG’s 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat SOCKEYE and Presentation The Northern California Section held its November meeting on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, CA. This was a joint meeting with ASNE including a social hour and dinner in the Point Welcome Room on Coast Guard Island. About 48 members, guests and students enjoyed a great ship tour and heard an excellent presentation from the speakers. The newly designed 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat has several enhancements over the aging 82’s, including improved mission seakeeping abilities (up to sea state 5), significantly upgraded habitability, and compliance with all current and projected environmental protection laws. It also employs an innovative stern launch and recovery system for a small boat, with special bridge and cutter electronics and engine room logistics, all of which will be available for viewing. The presentation highlighted special features, future construction plans and corrosion problems in the skeg and stern tube areas, and discussed proposed fixes.
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