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REGULATORY COMPLIANCE have to think about, Inland operators, in particular, are keep- will not lose its physical properties and is designed to last ing a weather eye on the horizon for the Coast Guard’s im- the life of the seal. It has a patented air seal which is com- pending, long-awaited, subchapter M towboat rules. As this pletely unique in the industry. It can be in? ated using avail- issue of MarineNews goes to press, the ? nal subM rule is ex- able ships’ air (no bicycle pump required, like competitors) pected to be issued in June. As many as 5,000 previously un- and the shaft can continue to be operated until the vessel inspected vessels will be impacted and while the majority of can complete its mission and return safely to port. It can those are thought to be nominally in compliance with most also be installed to allow remote activation from the pilot rules, the specter of what is to come is the great unknown. house if desired.

In truth, Thordon Bearings – arguably best known in The TG100 seal uses silicon carbide faces, is designed to the blue water trades – has over 25 years experience work- handle abrasives, and the robust service in brown water. It ing with workboats, pushboats and tugs operating in dirty is also designed to last for years and eliminate related dock- abrasive-laden water, especially in the Mississippi River ings and spare parts expense. system. Thordon bills its products as long lasting, offering life cycle cost and performance bene? ts to keep boats oper-

The Thordon Invasion ating longer, saving money and eliminating down time. It

Thordon’s inland waterway efforts actually trace back to goes without saying that part of that ? nancial advantage is the early 1970’s. According to David Marshall, Thordon’s a function of not having to buy expensive lubricants.

Senior Regional Manager Americas, the ? rst applications

What inland operators might not know about Thor- were rudder bearings and in 1977, Thordon tapped Marine don, but probably should, is that Thordon has developed Industries Corporation of Jeffersonville, IN as their exclu- a unique mechanical face seal called the TG100. The seal sive distributor for the waterways. “They are still with us incorporates proprietary Thordon polymer bellows which today and do a great job. Things really took off in the mid- 37MN www.marinelink.com

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