Ruston News

Thordon Bearings, the pioneer in water-lubricated bearings, secured a new order for a rudder bearing that was fitted to a 77.1m (253ft) research ship that frequently operates in ecologically sensitive marine environments.The 38-year-old Ocean Endeavour, operated by the UK’s Gardline, a multi-disciplinary marine survey company which operates a fleet of 13 multi-role survey ships, was recently fitted with Thordon’s SXL rudder bearing at UK Docks Marine Services’ Teesside drydock.Bruntons Propellers…

Liverpool diesel-engine sales and maintenance specialists James Troop & Co is celebrating its landmark 150th anniversary with a surge in new business and export sales. The family-run company based in Runcorn is one of Liverpool’s longest-standing maritime and industrial businesses. It is reporting a 27pc sales hike on last year’s figures between January to June. Growth has steadily been recorded across the board with a notable increase in servicing work, spare parts sales and a massive surge in engine sales.

Finning Power Systems, the U.K.’s sole supplier of Caterpillar engines has signed an exclusive £2.5 million, five-year agreement with Serco, the international service company, to provide product support for all of the company’s U.K. and Ireland marine operations as well as all land-based generator sets located at over 400 facilities nationwide. Finning has been providing engine support to Serco for the past year on its “Future Provision of Maritime Services contract (FMPS),” a contract awarded to Serco by the U.K. Ministry of Defense for the provision of marine services at UK Royal Navy bases.

According to boat broker Marcon International, there are 711 tugboats officially on the market for sale worldwide; up 12% since May. In all 232, or about one-third of the tugs available worldwide – primarily foreign flagged – were built within the last 10 years, or are newbuilding re-sales or currently under construction. A total of 41 newbuildings up to 6,000 HP range are scheduled for delivery through 2013, balancing an average worldwide age of 38 years for all tugs being offered. U.S.

Marcon International Inc. of Coupeville, Wash. announced the sale of the dive support vessel Ocean Project from Oceaneering International, Inc. of Houston, Texas to private South American interests. The Vanuatu-flagged Ocean Project (ex-Rambo, 0601, George E. Darby, Janie B, Cathy B, Nordic Offshore) was built in 1972 by Bel-Aire Shipyard, Ltd. of North Vancouver, British Columba, Canada as an offshore supply vessel and classed ABS +A1, Ice Class A, Towing Service, +AMS, Unrestricted.

The second of a three-part series of new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Brunei Navy, which was launched in June 2001 at BAE Systems shipyard on the Clyde at Glasgow is powered by four MAN B&W Diesel Ruston 20 cylinder RK270 engines. Producing a total of 30,200 kWb at 1,032 rpm, the engines provide each 2,000-tons displacement vessel with speeds of more than 30 knots. Mounted in pairs, port and starboard, the engines drive their respective propellers and shafting via a flexible coupling, shaft and gearbox. The main function of these OPVs will be littoral operations, protecting Brunei's offshore oil industry and safeguarding the nation's territorial integrity.

There are several quick conclusions you can draw about passenger boat construction in the new millennium. First it is a smaller market than 10 years ago with far fewer boats being built today than a decade ago. Secondly almost all of these vessels are built on the east or west coast. There are virtually no passenger boats being built in the south. Third, the number one vessel type being built is the ferryboat and more specifically the all-passenger ferry that shuttles people at 25 knots or better. In the years between 1987 and 1993 shipyards all over the country were building 600-passenger excursion-dinner boats in great numbers as sightseeing and dining vessels on America’s great rivers, lakes and bays became increasingly popular.

Effective June 9, MAN B&W Diesel has acquired the Alstom Engines business, and effective immediately the Alstom Diesel engine business was renamed MAN B&W Diesel Ltd. with its headquarters in Stockport, Cheshire. Dr. Hans-J. Schulte, President of MAN B&W Diesel, stated: "We welcome the new British members of the MAN B&W Diesel team to the MAN family. The U.K. company manufactures diesel engines under the Mirrlees Blackstone, Ruston and Paxman brand names. The existing engine programs - which will continue to be strongly marketed according to the company - are complementary to the extensive range of engines in the power bracket between 500 and 68,640 kW being designed and produced by the MAN B&W Diesel Group at its other locations in Europe.

Alstom Diesel engines and its three well-regarded brands — Mirrlees Blackstone, Paxman and Ruston — were recently bought by MAN B&W. Several recent deals have confirmed the continuing trend towards a consolidation of resources in the realm of marine propulsion equipment. The trend, to regular followers of the industry, is hardly a new development. However, a spate of recent new deals and consummations has brought the topic to the forefront again. As reported in the June 2000 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, the emergence of Rolls Royce as a major force in the field of marine propusion is solidified with a collection of brand name equipment suppliers. The U.K.

The latest catamaran to pierce the waves from Incat Tasmania is Milenium, which was delivered to Transmediterranea for operation in the Mediterranean. Launched this past April from Incat's Coverdales shipbuilding facility at Hobart's Prince of Wales Bay, the 315 ft. (96 m) vessel entered service this past May. Milenium offers a total of 330 truck lane meters at 3.1 x 4.3 m clear height, making it suitable for heavy road transport vehicles, and 370 car lane meters at 2.3 x 2.1 m. The vessel's control station is equipped with the most innovative electronic, navigation and communication equipment to comply with High Speed Craft Code Sea Area 2…

Cammel Laird was awarded a major UK Ministry of Defence ship refit contract involving the mid life extension of the diesel electric powered Oceanographic Research Vessel RMAS Newton, originally built in 1976 by Scotts Shipbuilding Co, Greenock Scotland. Birkenhead based marine and engineering services company, Ocean Fleets Limited were awarded, after competition a circa $7.5 million prime contract by the UK MoD, to undertake the complete design of the ship life extension package, the development of a detailed specification, the procurement of all new equipment, the competitive tender for a shipyard to undertake the refit package and the project management of the refit itself.

A Wärtsilä Lips LJ210E reversible waterjet. What was once a way to makes waves with small craft, contemporary high-powered waterjet propulsion systems are winding up on bigger vessels including warships. Why waterjets? They are simple and reliable, with the pump impellor turning at a constant speed and flow in one direction. Engine loading is constant. In most cases a gearbox is not required. The entire propulsion system receives less stress and requires less maintenance. Waterjets have plenty of pickup, can sustain high speed operations, but can stop on a dime by reversing thrust. They’re responsive, and idea for precise maneuvering or station keeping. Waterjets can be used in very shallow water. There’s no screw to foul.

Louisiana's riverboat casino trade association chose Charles Barham, a former Ruston lawmaker, who served in the state Senate for 16 years, as its new president. Barham said one of his top priorities is to develop a positive image for the riverboat industry. He plans to launch a media campaign to inform the public about the positive effect of the riverboat gaming industry on the Louisiana economy. Louisiana's 13 riverboats paid $235 million in state taxes during the 1997-98 fiscal year, and the industry employs en estimated 14,060 workers.

Louisiana's riverboat casino trade association chose Charles Barham, a former Ruston lawmaker, who served in the state Senate for 16 years, as its new president. Barham said one of his top priorities is to develop a positive image for the riverboat industry. He plans to launch a media campaign to inform the public about the positive effect of the riverboat gaming industry on the Louisiana economy. Louisiana's 13 riverboats paid $235 million in state taxes during the 1997-98 fiscal year, and the industry employs en estimated 14,060 workers.

Engineering companies Alstom of France and MAN of Germany have agreed terms for the acquisition by MAN of ALSTOM's Diesel engines business. Through this acquisition, the MAN Group will strengthen its activities in the field of large Diesel engines. MAN B&W Diesel AG, Augsburg, will take over ALSTOM Engines Ltd. of the U.K. with its brands Ruston, Paxman and Mirrlees Blackstone. ALSTOM Engines Ltd. supplies on a worldwide scale medium and high speed Diesel and gas-fueled engines with outputs ranging from 500 kW to 15,000 kW, which are primarily incorporated into fast ferries, navy and coast guard ships, luxury yachts, locomotives, power stations and packaged generator sets. Alstom Engines Ltd.

Engineering companies Alstom of France and MAN of Germany have agreed terms for the acquisition by MAN of ALSTOM's Diesel engines business. Through this acquisition, the MAN Group will strengthen its activities in the field of large diesel engines. MAN B&W Diesel AG, Augsburg, will take over ALSTOM Engines Ltd. of the U.K. with its brands Ruston, Paxman and Mirrlees Blackstone. ALSTOM Engines Ltd. supplies on a worldwide scale medium and high speed Diesel and gas-fuelled engines with outputs ranging from 500 kW to 15,000 kW, which are primarily incorporated into fast ferries, navy and coast guard ships, luxury yachts, locomotives, power stations and packaged generator sets. Alstom Engines Ltd.

The U. S. Military Sealift Command has chartered a 319-ft. (97.22M), high speed catamaran theater support vessel (TSV), now under construction at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, for use as a test platform by the U. S. Navy’s Mine Warfare Command. The one-year lease has options for up to an additional 47 months and is the third similar vessel chartered from Bollinger/Incat by elements of the U. S. Department of Defense. “We are delighted with this new contract,” said Chris Bollinger, President of Bollinger/Incat, “as it is an affirmation of positive, on-going test results of Incat hull 050, JOINT VENTURE (HSV-X1), the first vessel chartered by the U.