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EUROPEAN UPDATE direction. Russian Steam Tug Restored As Testbed Rudokop, a 108-ft. (32.8-m), ex- Russian Navy multi-purpose seagoing steam tug built at the Dubitsky yard in St. Petersburg in the late 1950s, has been acquired and carefully restored by Canadian marine bearing special- ist Thordon International as a test- bed for the company's products and mobile exhibition booth. The ves- sel is currently in the U.K. as part of an eight-year grand European tour which began following its pur- chase by Thordon president Sandy Thompson in November 1991. The early history of the vessel is shrouded in secrecy, but its last major mission before the Thordon acquisition was reportedly as an icebreaking water tender in the Port of Archangelsk, for which role it was strengthened, with tanks added for carrying capacity of more Tylok Couplings: helping seal your bottom line, • Tylok's four positive seals provide extra holding power. • Tylok is not affected by shock, vibration, surge or temperature. • Tylok will hold beyond the burst- ing point of the tubing. • Tylok collets skive tubing instead of biting. INTERNATIONAL, INC. 1061 East 2601h Street • Euclid, Ohio 44132 • (216) 261-7310 • 1-800-321-0466 "il Tylok's Four Positive Seals Circle 307 on Reader Service Card r THE PORFJUnHORIIYQ^KTCKM REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Ferry Service between Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport and Bus Service at LaGuardia Airport to Complement the New Ferry For details and a copy of the RFP contact: George L. Cancro Director, Office of Ferry Transportation The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey One World Trade Center - 64E New York, NY 10048 Tel: 212-435-4139 Fax: 212-435-5298 V 18 J <§• J Marine Deck Hardware 4 and Equipment • AMCHORS: • 50 to 60,000 Lbs. - New and Used Stockless - Dan forth • L.W.T. - Halls • Snug Stowing • CHAIN • 3/4" to 5'/8" - New and Used Stud Link - Cast Steel • Grades 2 and 3 - Oil Rig Quality for Moorings, Towing, Barge Handling, Ship's Replacement • WINCHES - WINDLASSES - CAPSTANS • Vertical or Horizontal Hand, Electric, Diesel, Hydraulic or Repowered to your specs • HATCHES - WATERUGHT DOORS MANHOLE COVERS - SCUTLES - PORTHOLES • All Sizes - New or Reconditioned • PANAMA CHOCKS - DOUBLE BITTS SINGLE BITTS - CAST STEEL CLEATS AND KEVELS • All Sizes Available, New & Used • FENDERS PNEUMATIC • For Rent or Sale All Sizes, New & Used SERVING THE MARINE 6 OIL INDUSTRIES FOR OVER 35 YEARS WE ARE DIRECT FACTORY DISTRIBUTORS 6 IMPORTERS m rATERMAN SUPPLY CO.. IIMC. P.O. BOX 596 WILMINGTON, CA 90748 PH: (310) 436-4288 FAX: (310) 495-1045 Circle 311 on Reader Service Card Circle 338 on Reader Service Card IV than 100 tons. In the winter of 1992-93, the first refurbishment contract was given to the Nauta yard in Poland. At this time, tanks were removed to provide guest cabin spaces, the boiler was repaired and the hull was blasted and painted. During the winter, as part of a progres- sive European tour, Rudokop, (the name is Russian for miner), returned to St. Petersburg where all auxiliary engines and pumps were rebuilt and more work was performed on the accommodation areas. The next winter stopover was in Hamburg, Germany, mainly for mechanical repairs which includ- ed the fitting of a second boiler and rebuilding all the main and crank bearings to the superbly balanced 600-hp triple expansion steam engine which, according to Mr. Thompson, is quieter at 160 rpm than any diesel, while provid- ing a maximum speed of 10 knots. By the winter of 1995-96, the grand tour had reached Zandaam in Holland where new bilge keels and a stainless steel propeller were added and the work to the deckhouse further enhanced. MR/EN visited Rudokop in St. Katherine's Dock alongside the famous Tower of London, the ves- sel's first port of call in the U.K. During the course of the refur- bishment work, the vessel was equipped with a number of Thordon products. Low friction, water-lubricated Compac open bearings were fitted to the spe- cially coated propeller shaft, with an automatic stuffing box incorpo- rated. The rudder line was also provided with new stainless pin- tles and Thordon bearings. Other components have been fitted to the anchor windlass, steering chain rollers and rope guides. An experimental intermediate bear- ing, which may find its way on to the market, was also installed to replace the original white metal unit. "Rudokop fulfills three separate roles," advised Mr. Thompson. "Primarily, she is a demonstration platform for Thordon marine products, and the saloon acts as a meeting room for presentations including VCR. As no test rig can ever simulate conditions as well as the real thing, the vessel serves this additional role and she also provides our distributor personnel with the experience of living close to the world of the shipowner, our customer," he added. aritime Reporter/Engineering News
