Thordon Bearings has fitted the rudder bearing for a research ship bound for environmentally-sensitive environments.
The 77.1m Ocean Endeavour, operated by marine survey company, Gardline, was fitted with the SXL rudder bearing at UK Docks Marine Services’ Teesside drydock.
Source: Thordon Bearings
The ‘Ocean Endeavour’ in drydock where Thordon’s SXL rudder bearing was installed
“The lead time and price we offer for our SXL solutions are two major benefits for ship owners and the yards carrying out refit work,” said Neil McDonald, Thordon Bearings’ regional manager, Northern Europe & Africa.
“A like-for-like bronze bush replacement would have taken twelve weeks for the part to be delivered and would have been very expensive. We were able to get the SXL material to the yard in a matter of days and for significantly less. It’s also a better product.”
The order was secured by Bruntons Propellers, Thordon’s new authorised distributor in the UK.
“As a major propeller supplier to owners and yards around the world we were approached by UK Docks Marine Services to find a new rudder bearing solution following the Ocean Endeavour’s return,” said Jonathan Shaw, managing director, Bruntons Propellers.
The Ocean Endeavour, which runs a pair of Ruston 8RKCM main engines driving a single four-bladed CP propeller, was previously fitted with a bronze rudder bearing. This required replacement due to age-related wear and tear.
Thordon says its replacement is a more cost-effective option is the SXL material is cheaper than bronze and does not require lubricating grease.
Source: Thordon Bearings
Thordon’s SXL grease-free rudder bearing installed on the ‘Ocean Endeavour’
