The vessels represent not only the first reference for Thordon’s award-winning TG100 SRTP shaft seal onboard a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, but also the growing importance of Ontario’s promising maritime partnership in facilitating CCG requirements.
Each 92gt Near Coastal Class 1 specialty vessel was fitted with a pair of water lubricated XL propeller shaft bearings and a TG100 forward shaft seal.
With a history of collaboration with local manufacturers, Heddle Shipyards, one of the largest operators of ship building yards and drydocks in Canada, was surprised that CCG was considering non-native seals for these federal vessels.
Ted Kirkpatrick, Business Development Director, Heddle Shipyards, explained. “It seemed logical. We were fitting Thordon’s XL bearings anyway, so we mentioned the TG100 seal from a manufacturer with whom they already have an established relationship.”
After successfully operating the TG100 onboard CCGS Caribou Isle for most of 2020, to roll out supply to sistership CCGS Ile St. Ours – which left Heddle’s Hamilton drydock in March 2021 – was a logical choice.
Heddle, which operates three shipyards in Ontario, and Thordon, one of the province’s largest marine equipment manufacturers, form a strategic maritime partnership that Groves has dubbed “Team Ontario”.
Heddle Shipyards, which also has shipbuilding and repair capability in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, relies heavily on local material suppliers and subcontractors.
Indeed, both Groves and Kirkpatrick believe that Team Ontario is well placed to facilitate federal procurement requirements relating to the government’s CAN$100 billion fleet renewal program.