Thordon Bearings wins contract to equip Mexican Navy's interceptor patrol vessels.

According to a PR published by Thordon Bearings on January 31, 2024, the Mexican Navy has entered into a contract with the Canadian firm for the supply of SXL wear rings, which are to be fitted into the waterjet propulsion nozzles of 25 interceptor patrol vessels.
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Artist rendering of the Polaris II patrol boat. (Picture source: Mexican Gov)

The Mexican Navy has entered into a contract with Thordon Bearings for the supply of SXL wear rings, which are to be fitted into the waterjet propulsion nozzles of 25 interceptor patrol vessels. This decision comes after trials indicated the SXL material's effectiveness in combating cavitation-induced corrosion, a common issue with waterjet impellers.

Managed by Rotary Parts, Thordon’s distributor in Mexico, the project involves outfitting each impeller housing in the Polaris and Polaris II patrol boats with the new wear rings, measuring 440mm in diameter and 160mm in length. Installations are planned during regular maintenance at navy facilities along Mexico’s coasts.

William Lugardo from Rotary Parts shared details about the two-phase contract, initially involving 50 wear rings and a subsequent order for an additional 75. The SXL material is expected to reduce the frequency of re-coating the impeller housings, a process typically required every three months for maintaining efficiency.

About the Polaris patrol boats

The Polaris patrol boats are equipped with a range of technical specifications suited for maritime operations. These boats have a standard displacement of 13 tons, increasing to a full displacement of 20 tons.

Their length measures 13 meters at the perpendicular, extending to 16.1 meters overall, with a breadth of 3.80 meters. The draught of the boats is 1.00 meter, allowing operation in different water depths.

The propulsion system of the Polaris patrol boats consists of two waterjets. They are powered by twin Caterpillar 3406E diesel engines, each producing 1600 horsepower. This setup enables the boats to achieve a maximum speed of 47 knots.

Regarding fuel capacity, these boats can store 1.5 tons of diesel oil, supporting an endurance of 250 nautical miles at 30 knots. The armament includes a 12.7/90 caliber gun.

For navigation and surveillance, the Polaris boats are outfitted with Bridgemaster E radar. The crew capacity is designed for 3 members, and the boats can additionally transport up to 18 troops. These features collectively define the operational capabilities of the Polaris patrol boats.