Mark W. Barker is believed to be the primary ship for U.S. Great Lakes service constructed on the Great Lakes since 1983. [Photo: Interlake Steamship Company]
Like different vessels within the Interlake Steamship fleet, Mark W. Barker, the primary new U.S flagged Great Lakes bulker in nearly 40 years, is fitted with oil-free propeller shaft bearings from Thordon Bearings.
Thordon’s scope of provide for the vessel features a water lubricated RiverRobust bearing, nickel-chromium-boron (NCB) alloy liner for a propeller shaft diameter of 445 mm (17.5 inches), and two Thordon Water Quality Packages.
Thordon’s approved distributor in Ohio, Advanced Sealing Technology, labored with the ship proprietor to get the RiverRobust bundle specified.
Built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and designed to move salt, iron ore, stone, and different bulk cargoes all through a few of the narrowest rivers in North America’s Great Lakes area, together with the tight bends of the Cuyahoga River, the one screw Mark W. Barker is the sixth Interlake Steamship vessel on which Thordon’s proprietary polymer bearings have been put in.
“Interlake has had a lot of success with our propeller shaft bearings,” mentioned Jason Perry, Thordon’s regional supervisor, North America. “Their vessels operate in some of the region’s narrowest, shallowest waterways which means vessels are unable to turn and instead must reverse using bow and tunnel thrusters. When operating at lower shaft speeds, the RiverTough polymer formulation reduces friction and bearing wear. The material can also withstand operations in highly abrasive, very sandy environments.”
Thordon says that put on charges for RiverRobust are usually lower than half that of rubber bearings, based mostly on ship proprietor suggestions. Offering elevated resilience, simpler shaft alignment and fewer edge loading, lubricants within the polymer materials scale back friction ranges throughout nearly-dry begins, considerably eliminating stick-slip and vibration at low shaft speeds. Results from shipowners have proven put on charges of 0.075 mm to 0.100 mm (0.003 inches to 0.004 inches) in 6,000 to 7,000 hours of annual use.
“From the outset, Thordon always responds quickly to our requirements with its bearing expertise, technical know-how and customer service,” mentioned Ian Sharp, Interlake’s Director of Fleet Projects. “Having multiple RiverTough bearings in operation with proven reliability made it a very simple decision to choose the same Thordon bearing for our new ship.”
“Mark W. Barker is truly a milestone ship for Interlake and we are proud to be associated with what is arguably one of the most advanced, energy efficient self-unloading bulkers to operate on the Great Lakes,” mentioned Craig Carter, vice chairman enterprise improvement at Thordon. “Our relationship with Interlake Steamship and Bay Shipbuilding dates back to 1998 when we installed propeller shaft bearings to the 25,000 dwt Kaye E. Barker. Since then, we have enjoyed a very productive, collaborative relationship with both owner and shipyard and look forward to working together on future projects.”
