Wärtsilä introduces the Wärtsilä Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal

Wärtsilä, the marine and offshore industry's leading solutions and services provider, introduces an innovative new seal that can be fully serviced underwater, without setting up a habitat. The new Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal is the first product of its kind on the market, offering customers increased uptime and lifecycle efficiency, the company said in its press release.
 
Wärtsilä Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal is a fully split, underwater serviceable seal that minimises overhaul downtime and costs. Designed and built to the highest standards, the oil-lubricated outboard face type seal is available for stern tubes and thrusters. The seal has been designed to provide a smoother, faster service, as well as enhanced overall performance and endurance.
 
The Wärtsilä Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal can be used to retrofit any other type of seal and is available for merchant, offshore, IWW and cruise & ferry vessel types, running on Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) or mineral oils. Retrofit and service in dry dock can be carried out without removing the propeller or shaft, and it is not necessary to drain oil from the stern tube for underwater overhaul. The Sternguard IWSS also includes an inflatable emergency seal and inner rope guard for enhanced protection.