Inside the Extreme Life of Divers Repairing Billion $ Underwater Cables

Fluctus7 minutes read

Over 850,000 miles of undersea cables are used globally for various purposes like communications and power, with specialized equipment and techniques required for installation and repair. Companies like Boskalis Subsea deploy innovative cable laying ships with unique features to efficiently lay cables, while offshore wind farms rely on specialized cable ships to transfer power generated by turbines to shore, all necessitating complex manufacturing processes and skilled divers for repairs at great depths.

Insights

  • Undersea cables are crucial for power and communication globally, with specialized repair units and divers needed for maintenance, as seen in the repair of a ruptured cable in the Aaron Islands in Ireland in 2016.
  • Companies like Boskalis Subsea utilize innovative cable laying ships with unique features such as flat hulls and rotating cable laying turntables for efficient installation, highlighting the advanced technology involved in laying and repairing undersea cables.

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Recent questions

  • What are undersea cables used for?

    Undersea cables are utilized for communications or power transmission.

  • How were the Aaron Islands affected by undersea cables?

    The Aaron Islands in Ireland rely on undersea cables for power and communications, with a repair in 2016 requiring specialized equipment and divers.

  • What features do innovative cable laying ships have?

    Innovative cable laying ships have flat hulls and rotating cable laying turntables for efficient installation.

  • How do offshore wind farms utilize specialized cable ships?

    Offshore wind farms use specialized cable ships to lay and trench cables simultaneously for transferring power generated by wind turbines to shore.

  • What are the manufacturing processes involved in creating underwater cables?

    Underwater cables undergo complex manufacturing processes to withstand harsh environments, requiring saturation divers for repairs at great depths.

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Summary

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Global Undersea Cables: Power and Communication Networks

  • Over 850,000 miles of undersea cables are spread worldwide, used for communications or power, with varying diameters and types.
  • The Aaron Islands in Ireland rely on undersea cables for power and communications, with a repair in 2016 requiring a specialized habitat repair unit and divers to fix a ruptured cable.
  • Companies like Boskalis Subsea have innovative cable laying ships with unique features like flat hulls and rotating cable laying turntables for efficient installation.
  • Offshore wind farms utilize specialized cable ships to lay and trench cables simultaneously, transferring power generated by wind turbines to shore.
  • Underwater cables are well-insulated and durable, requiring complex manufacturing processes to withstand harsh environments, with repairs often necessitating saturation divers operating at great depths.
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