Bearings & Wear Parts

TENMAT-RAILKO TRUSTED IN LONG ÉIREANNACH 

Long Éireannach (LÉ) is Gaelic for "Ship of Ireland" and the designation given to ship's in the Irish Naval Service's fleet. The Irish Naval Service is the State's principal sea going agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements.

It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The Naval Service must also be capable of supporting Army operations by sea-lift and close naval support.

TENMAT-RAILKO are able to support the Irish Navy in their endeavours by supplying RAILKO NF21 Stern tube half bearing segments for their fast patrol boats.

One of their patrol boats is the LÉ Ciara (P42), a Peacock-class patrol vessel with a cruising speed of 46.3 km/h (25 knots) and a sprint speed of 55.6 km/h (30 knots). The crewmen have given the vessel the nickname Road Runner and the cartoon mascot is displayed on the funnel, as its probably the fastest ship in the Irish Navy.

This incredible turn of speed is one reason for the use of RAILKO NF21 water cooled bearings the material of choice for this class of vessel, because of its ability to withstand the arduous range of speeds and running condition.

Since the refit of the Road Runner, TENMAT have supplied stern tube bearing sets for a similar Peacock class vessel, the LÉ Orla (P41), and to the he Roisín class vessel, LÉ Róisín (P51). The LÉ Róisín is the lead ship of her class of offshore patrol vessels in the Irish Naval Service.

The LÉ Róisín was the first of the Roisín class and built in Appledore Shipyards in the UK for the Naval Service. Naval Service engineers stood by her construction at all stages.

She was built to a design that optimises her patrol performance in Irish waters (which are the roughest in the world), all year round. For that reason a greater length overall (78.8m) was chosen, giving her a long sleek appearance and allowing the opportunity to improve the conditions onboard for her crew.

Over the years TENMAT-RAILKO have helped many off -shore fast patrol boats, off the coast of countries such as Brazil, Malaysian, Indonesia, and South Africa along with many other countries

by Dave Hill