Hornblower flagship replaces seals with Thordon's TG100

(BURLINGTON, Ontario) — Thordon Bearings’ U.S. West Coast distributor, Pacific Marine Equipment, has successfully completed the installation of a pair of TG100 mechanical propeller shaft seals to Hornblower Cruises & Events’ 1,000-passenger twin-screw flagship, Inspiration Hornblower.

Hownblower, one of the leading river cruise operators in the U.S., operates a fleet of 70 sightseeing and dinner cruise vessels in several cities across the Golden State, the United States and Canada.

After several years of development, Thordon Bearings introduced the TG100 mechanical seal in 2013 for small vessels operating water-lubricated propeller shafts in both abrasive and clean waters.

Suitable for propeller shaft diameters of 100 mm (4 inches) to 305 mm (12 inches), the TG100 is manufactured using the highest quality, hard-wearing silicon carbide seal faces and Thordon’s proprietary elastomeric polymer bellows.

Since its market introduction, Thordon Bearings has supplied more than 180 TG100 seals to operators of a wide range of vessels, including workboats, naval patrol vessels, ferries, yachts, tugs and towboats.

A unique feature of the TG100 is the emergency seal that permits stand-alone operation to allow the vessel to safely return to the nearest port, preventing permanent seal damage. The unique omega shape of the proprietary elastomeric bellows minimizes torsional vibration and maintains the required spring force throughout the allowable range of axial shaft movement. This elastomeric bellows has no shelf life and no scheduled replacement.

RiverTough and TG100 combination packages have also been ordered for installation on 14 pushboat vessels operated by a Colombian owner.

For more information, visit www.thordonbearings.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff