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72 A U G 2013 ISSN 1948-3031 Voice of the Industry Offshore Energy Edition In This Issue: • Outlook: Oil & Gas • U.S. Fracking Threatens Russia’s Energy Dominance • NASA, Astro Technology Develop Offshore Fiber-Optic Technology
Transcript of 72 - Submarine Cable News and Analysis - SubTel...
72a u g
2013ISSN 1948-3031
Voiceof the
Industry
Offshore Energy Edition
In This Issue:• Outlook:Oil&Gas• U.S.FrackingThreatensRussia’sEnergyDominance
• NASA,AstroTechnologyDevelopOffshoreFiber-OpticTechnology
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ISSNNo.1948-3031
PUBLISHER:WayneNielsenMANAGINGEDITOR:KevinG.Summers
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Stewart Ash,Karen Boman, James Case, Stephen Jarvis,GregorMcPherson,DanielWiser
Submarine Telecoms Forum magazine ispublished bimonthly by Submarine TelecomsForum,Inc.,andisanindependentcommercialpublication, serving as a freely accessibleforumforprofessionalsinindustriesconnectedwith submarine optical fiber technologies andtechniques. Submarine Telecoms Forum maynotbe reproducedor transmitted inany form,inwholeor inpart,without thepermissionofthepublishers.
Liability: while every care is taken inpreparation of this publication, the publisherscannot be held responsible for the accuracy ofthe information herein, or any errors whichmay occur in advertising or editorial content,or any consequence arising from any errorsor omissions, and the editor reserves the rightto edit any advertising or editorial materialsubmittedforpublication.
Contributions arewelcomed. Please forward [email protected].
Submarine Telecoms Forum, Inc.21495RidgetopCircle,Suite201Sterling,Virginia20166,USAsubtelforum.com
Copyright © 2013 Submarine Telecoms Forum, Inc.
Welcome to Issue72,ourOffshoreEnergyedition.
Myfirst taste of theoil businesswassome32yearsagowhenIranalong-bed lathe repairing male and femaleconnectionsondeep-holecollarsandpipeincentralMichiganduringtheafternoonshift,whilemy day-jobwas finishing aMaster;yetbeinglaid-offonChristmasEvein1981fromtheformerhelpedfocusthefinishlineforthelatterineverclearingterms.
My second taste of the oil businesswas afew days later when a chance scholarlyargument with my North Korean mentorforced me to rethink my thesis in recordtime, and an off-hand second-chance chatwithanotherprofessorspecializinginLatinAmericanstudiesaffordedmeanewtopic,that being the consideration of Mexicanpolicies toward transnational corporationsinthepetroleumindustry;concludingsomemonths later with the apocryphal finalethat in the end, shewould be required toopenherdoors to foreign investment andtechnologyinordertokeepupwiththerestoftheworld.
Last spring, Mexico edged toward lettingforeign oil firms invest in its national oil
company, Pemex, when its ruling party,PRI,tookasteptowardopeningitsstateoilcompany to outsiders; a move that couldeventually allowUS and other foreign oilfirms to drill south of the border. As theLos Angeles Times opined: “For Mexicans,the issue is deeply emotional as well aspoliticallycharged.Thecountrynationalizeditsindustryin1938inresponsetodecadesof perceived exploitation by foreign oilinterests. Ever since, most Mexicanshave considered public ownership of thecountry’smostlucrativenaturalresourcetobeacornerstoneoftheirsovereignty.”
Will thechanges inMexicoportend largerregionalchangesintheworld’soilindustry?And if so,howwill that impactournichesubmarinecablespace?
Maybe I should accomplish a new thesis.Check back with me around 2045 for thedefinitiveanswer…
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ExordiumWayne Nielsen
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NewsNow 7
Outlook:Oil&GasStephen Jarvis
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U.S.FrackingThreatensRus-sia’sEnergyDominanceDaniel Wiser
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NASA,AstroTechnologyDe-velop Offshore Fiber-OpticTechnologyKaren Boman
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In This Issue...CableCompaniesGearingupforOffshoreRenewablesGregor McPherson
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MISSINGARTICLE:ATLANTICWIND(COMINGTODAY)
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MISSINGARTICLE:JIMCASE(COMINGTOMORROW)
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BackReflectionStewart Ash
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Conferences 47
AdvertiserIndex 48
CodaKevin G. Summers
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ACockatooAteMyInternet:OnlineStabilityUsingMeshNetworks
Aarnet,SouthernCrossboostSXTransPortlink
ACASIALaunchesGlobalDataCentre
Alcatel-LucentAndTelkomIndonesiaToEnhanceBroadbandConnectivityInIndonesianArchipelagoThroughUnderseaCableInfrastructureDevelopment
APTelecom&TopPatchAnnounceStrategicPartnershipAgreement
APTelecomAnnouncesLaunchof‘StateofSubsea’EventSeries
News Now BICSOptsForInfineraBTand
CienaLightWorld’sFirst800GSuper-Channel
CableShipPreparesToRoll-outFiji-TongaFibre-OpticCable
CubaActivatesFibre-OpticCableLinkWithJamaica
DANTEandUbuntuNetAllianceAwardContractToWIOCCToProvideConnectivityServicesToSub-SaharanAfrica
EgyptianNavy,TelecomSeek$40MillionToSettleIssue
EricssonClosesTelecomCableManufacturingFacility
FederalPermittingReformInitiativeContinuestoIgnoreSubmarineCableInfrastructure
FiberOpticCableLinkingCubaToJamaicaActive
FibreNeedsTheRegulators
GeoMeshTakesGlobalProvider,HiberniaNetworks,ExpandsWithCoreSiteInBostonAndNewYork
GoogleICPCPlenaryInadequateBackhaulHoldingBackWestAfricaIndonesiatoEstablishSubmarineCableTaskforce
IndosatIncursLossesDuetoCableTheft
InfineraDemonstratesTransportSDNandPacketTechnologyonDTN-XPlatformatNisshoLabs
ITCCompletes8YearsOfStrategicAllianceWithRelianceGlobalcomInSaudiArabia
KTSubmarineWinsSubmarineFiberopticCableProjectfromNEC
MainOneRebrandsToAddressBroadbandChallengesInWestAfrica
MontserratProposingSubmarineFibreOpticCableProject
NCCSeeksDecentralisationofCableLandingsStations
NECToUpgradeAPCN2SubmarineCableCapacity
NewManagingDirectorJoinsDOFSubseaUK
NewWACSoutagedetails
NTTCommunicationsNamedDataCenterServiceProvideroftheYearat2013Frost&SullivanJapanExcellenceAwards
NTTCommunicationstoLaunchWorldOceanSpecialistsInc.AchievesMajorMilestoneinGulfofThailandOffshoreFiberNetwork
OFACAuthorizesCertainExportsToIranForPersonalCommunications
PacnetEntersintoMasterServiceAgreementswithChinaTelecom,ChinaUnicom,andChinaMobile
PentagonRequests$450MUSDtoRemodelGuantanamo?
Pharosacquires1200HPSubseaCableTrencher
PhoenixAUVNowCapableofDivingto4,500Meters
RINALaunchesNewRules,NotationsandGuide
SeaFibreNetworksLaunchTheMETRO2CAlliance
Seacomtorollout2,500kmcableinSouthAfrica
Snowden:NSAHackedChinaTelcos,SubmarineCableNetworkFirm
SoutheastAsia-Japan[SJC]CableSystemStrengthensConnectivityin7Territories
SubmarineCableCompanySubmarineCableEquipmentUnderdogsPrepareToShakeUpTheMarket
News Now
SubmarineCableToConnectTunisiatoEurope
SyriaDisappearsFromTheInternetAgain
TataCommTumblesAfterOFSGetsWeakResponse
TataCommunicationsLimited:ConfirmsItsDelistingFromTheNewYorkStockExchangeAndTerminationOfADRProgram
TeamworkNeededForNewSubseaCables
TelkomInvests$30MInFiberOpticCable
TenderIssuedForConstructionOfNewTelecommunicationsCable
TheInternationalCableProtectionCommitteeAnnouncesSearchForAGeneralManager
ThePriceOfLoyalty
TunisianaAndOrangeTunisiaSignPartnershipAgreementWithInterouteForTheDeploymentOfSubmarineCable“Didon”ConnectingTunisiaToEurope
UKFibreCableSpyingIs“Unacceptable”
VickieHamahUrgesMaritimeAuthoritytoProtectSubmarineCables
WarleyDesignHelpsDevelopNext-GenerationOpticalRepeaterForSubseaCableSystems
WhatIsTheStateOfACEForBetterInternetService?
XteraCommunicationsPartnersWithWarleyDesignToDevelopNewOpticalRepeaterForSubseaCabling
XteraExpandsTurnkeyOfferingAndJoinsICPC
ZTESlipsByAlcatel-LucentInGlobalOnMarket
News Now
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Outlook: Oil & gas
Stephen Jarvis
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Anew study indicates the stateof the oil and gas industry isperfectlyhealthy.
“It wasn’t long ago that some inAmerica thought we were coming tothe end of our energy options ... thatwefacedafuturebasedonscarcityofresourcesthatmeantrisingpricesandcosts that could wreak havoc on oureconomy.Today,wefaceafardifferentfuture: one in which the U.S. is theworld’slargestproducerofnaturalgasandcouldsoonbethelargestproducerofpetroleum.”
This was a key statement made byJackGerard,presidentandCEOoftheAmerican Petroleum Institute (API),duringapressconferenceannouncingthe results of a recently completedstudy on the American oil and gasindustry.
APIisa“nationaltradeassociationthatrepresents all segments of America’stechnology-drivenoil andnatural gasindustry”accordingtoCarltonCarroll,APISpokesman.
The study, which was performed byPricewaterCoopers (PwC), examines
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the contributionsmade between 2009and 2011 to American employment.It shows that, despite the economicrecession that has affected so manyindustries,theamountofjobsprovidedby the industry increased by 600thousand, totallingat9.8million jobs.Theindustryalsosupported8%oftheU.S.economyin2011.
“This energy revolution isgreatnewsforeverytaxpayer,consumer,motorist,and business in America,” Gerardsaid.“Astoday’sstudyshows,game-changing innovations in hydraulicfracturing and horizontal drilling arecreatinghundredsofthousandsofnewjobseveryyear.”
The resistance the oil and gasindustryhasshowntotherecessionisinternational.Newprojectshavebeenannounced by major companies andaregoingintoimplementationglobally.This is especially true for offshoreprojects, opening up the marketfor telecoms companies to provideconnectivitytounchartedterritory.
However, in America the industrycouldbedoing evenbetter, accordingto Gerard. Policy is a continuedhindrancetoindustrygrowth.
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“The federal government prohibitsenergy development on 87% offederally-controlled off shore areas,”Gerard said. “Even while energyexploration on state and privatepropertyhascreatedthousandsofjobs,newpermits on federal landdeclined36%from2008to2012.”
Policy inAmerica still severely limitsoffshore development near to shore.Instead, new projects are located infar deeper areas. Greg Berlocher,who regularly does business in theindustry, said that these policieshave become even stricter since theBP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.Additional requirements for record
keepingandnewoversighthavebeenimplemented.
Elsewhere,policyischanginginaverydifferentdirection.Mexicohasrecentlyannounced a new energy reform thatwould allow non-national companiestobidonoil andgasprojects indeepwaterareas.
Mexicohasreportedlylarge,untappedoil reserves,whichmaysoonbeopenfor development. If the new reformpasses, companieswill be able to bidonnewprojectstodevelopthesewellsandrefinetheoilthatistaken.Aswiththe Mexican national oil companyPetróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), all of
New Mexican Energy PolicyMexico has announced a newenergy reform that would allownon-national companies to bid onoil and gas projects in deepwaterareas.
The new reform that is currentlygoing to vote in theMexican statecongresseswillopentheoilindustryto more than Petróleos Mexicanos(Pemex), thenational oil company,for the first time since Mexiconationalizedtheindustryin1938.
“Mexicohasgone througha seriesof reforms,” saidRaulMagallanes,whose law firm deals in TelecomsoutofHouston,TX.“Afewmonthsago the telecommunicationsreformpassed. Next is theenergyreformwhichisintheworksatthemoment.”
Thenewtelecomsreformopensupforeign investment. Up till now,investment was limited to 49%.It’s been now opened up to 100%,exceptinbroadcastmedia.
On the other hand, this energyreformwouldallowforcompanies
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the product will be owned by thegovernment. However, the companywill own a substantial share of theprofit.
This may mark a considerable shiftinwhere theworld looks for itsgreatdemandforoil.
“There’s more interest in deep wateroil, since oil is over $100 a barrel,”Berlocher said. “You’re not going toinvest a billion dollars in a well thatwould produce natural gas which isat a fairly lowprice… Naturalgas isgoingtobepartofit.It’smoreofaby-productthanadriver.”
According to Berlocher, oil continues
tobethedrivingforceintheindustry,despite the recent rising demand fornaturalgasasacheaperalternative.
Despitethis,companiesareshiftingtoaccommodatethisrisingdemand.
IntheBrowseBasin,inWestAustralia,Shell has created the first floatingliquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility,whichwillproduceandexportatleast5.3milliontonsperannum.Theprojectisnowpreparingtobeginproduction.
INPEX’s Ichthys project, also locatedin the Browse Basin, has entered theconstructionphaseasof2012.Resourcesfor the Ichthys field are estimated at12.8 trillion cubic feet of gas and 527
todobusinessinMexicobydirectlybiddingonprojects.
“Thetransnational(companies)willnot invest in Pemex,” explainedAntonioTorresMinutti,directorofMagallanes and Associates out ofGuadalajara,Mexico.
Instead, international companieswill be allowed to bid on newprojects with the government. Ifwon, the companywould developthe oilwell aswith any other job.The differencewould be that aftertheoilisrefinedallproductwouldbe the property of the state. Thecompanywouldinsteadownashareoftheprofit.Theshareoftheprofitmay be roughly 50%, according toMinutti.
AccordingtoMinutti, thesedrasticchanges to policy are because theexpertise and resources todrill forandrefinethesewellscannolongerbefoundinthenation.
“Mexicohasnot investedonepesoininfrastructure(foroilrefinement)in 30 years,” Minutti said. Thegovernment has resorted to othermeans tomeet the nation’s energydemands.
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“Mexico is importing all that gasfromAsia and the United States,”Minuttisaid.Becauseofthesecosts,long term investments that wouldallow them access to their ownreserves.
“To be able to tap into the naturalresources, (Mexico) needs to bringinexpertise,”Magallanessaid.This,however,isnotaneasydecisiontomake.
“It is hard for Mexico,” Minuttisaid.Involvingothercountriesandglobal corporations is somethingMexicohasavoidedformanyyears.
“Theproblem,”Minuttisaid,“istheprofitswillbeoutsidethecountry.”Despitethebenefitsofloweredcostforgas,alargeportionoftheprofitwon’t go back into the Mexicaneconomywiththisnewpolicy.Thishas, however, been considered anecessaryprice.
The reform will need a majorityvoteamongthestatestobepassed.The time that takesvaries, and it’sunknownwhenthisnewpolicywillbeimplemented.
million barrels of condensate. At themoment,operationallifeoftheprojectisestimatedat40years.
Newprojectslikethesewillcreatenewopportunitiesfortelecomscompanies.
As of now, fiber is still the preferredmethod of connecting to offshoreplatformsandrigs.Insomewaysthereare still overwhelming advantages tousingacablesystemversussatelliteormicrowaveoptions.
New methods of applying thetechnology have also increased itsworth.Oneofthebestexamplesofthisisthe1,159kmfiberloopdevelopedbyBP to connect eight platforms in the
GulfofMexico. Itprovidesnecessaryhigh bandwidth, while reducing thedangers of losing connection due tothe depth of the cable and that datacanflowineitherdirectionbacktotheshore.
“Thedeepwaterfiberloopisnowkindofthebackbonethere,”Berlochersaid.“It’snowstartingtopickupsteam.”
However, this isn’t to say there isn’tcompetition.
“Oneofthebiggestchallenges(forthecableindustry)isgoingtobethenewO3bsatellitesystem,”Berlochersaid.
O3bstandsfortheOtherThreeBillion
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people who make up the worldpopulation without internet access.O3b Networks have launched new,low-orbit satellite with a significantlylowerlatency.
“Thesearevery,veryhighthroughputsatellites, providing some fairlyinexpensive bandwidth compare totraditionalsatellites,”Berlochersaid.
Thenewsatellitesystemismakingitspresence known in industries wheremobilityand isolationare factors, likeforcruiselines.Thismakesitapossiblecontenderforbusinesswithdeepwateroilplatformssinceitnegatesthecostoflayingnewfibertotheremotelocation.
Thisproveseventruerforoffshorerigs,whichmayalterposition.
The demand for oil and gas hasn’tdiminished.It’sstilloneofthegreatestsourcesofenergyon theplanet. Andoneoftheonlywaysforcompaniestomeetthisdemandistotakeadvantageof new sources of oil and gas in newlocations. The growing numberof offshore projects is a growingmarket for telecoms companies, andsubmarinefiber systems stilloffer thewidestarrayofadvantages. Handledright, thedemand for new cables canonly increasewith thedemandforoilandgas.
Stephen Jarvis is a freelance writer in the Washington D.C. area. He has published articles and done editorial work with
several publications including Submarine Telecoms Forum. Also, he has been a speaker for the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association National Conference.
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16
u.S. Fracking Threatens Russia’s Energy Dominance
Daniel Wiser
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The ongoing “shale revolution”in U.S. oil and gas productioncouldpromptRussianPresident
Vladimir Putin to institute economicand political reforms that wouldultimately undermine his regime,expertssay.
Putin largely relied on oil and gasproductiontofueleconomicexpansionduringhisfirsttwopresidentialtermsfrom 2000 to 2008. Hydrocarbonsaccounted for half of Russia’s GDPgrowthsince2000,accordingtoaMayreportbyLeonAron, resident scholaranddirector ofRussian studies at theAmericanEnterpriseInstitute.
Russia is one of the two largest oilproducers in the world, responsiblefor 12 percent of global oil output,and theworld’s leader in natural gasproduction, accounting for 20 percentofglobalgasoutput.
However,therearesignsthatRussia’senergy dominance is increasinglyvulnerable. Russian energy giantGazpromhaslostmorethan$280billioninmarketvaluesince2008.Expertsonthecountry’seconomyandgovernanceattributethedeclinetoU.S.investmentintheinnovativeoilandgasextractiontechnique of hydraulic fracturing, or
“fracking,” which dampened U.S.demand for imports and exerteddownward pressure on global gaspricesandGazprom’sprofits.
Russia’s overall economic growthslumped to just 1.2 percent in the
second quarter, significantly lowerthan the economicministry’s forecastof1.9percent.
“Russia’s business model fordevelopment over the next decadeis trashed,” said Donald N. Jensen,
HANOVER,GERMANY-APRIL10:RussianPresidentVladimirPutinspeaksattheopeningoftheHa-noverFair2005,atradefairforindustrialtechnology,onApril10,2004attheCongressCentruminHa-nover,Germany.Russia thepartnershipcountry for thisyearwith150companysoutof the total6090exhibitorsofthe'HannoverMesse'.(PhotobyAndreasRentz)
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resident fellow at the Johns HopkinsSchool of Advanced InternationalStudies’ Center for TransatlanticRelations,inaninterview.
Fracking—the injection of a mixtureof sand, chemicals, and water intoshalerockformationstoextractoilandgas—haspositioned theUnitedStatestobecomeatopenergyexporter.Aprilmarked the sixth consecutive monthfor the U.S. as the world’s leadingpetroleumproducer.TheWorldEnergyOutlook’s 2012 report estimated thatthe United States will become a netexporter of natural gas by 2020 andenergyindependentby2035.
Russia has been slow to respond,Jensen said. Gazprom CEO AlexeiMillercalledthediscoveryofextensivegasdepositsinshalerocka“myth”in2010,addingthatitwouldnotdisplaceconventional gas. The state-controlledcompany accounts for 78 percent ofRussia’sgasoutputandhasbeenwidelycondemnedbytransparencyadvocatesforitscorruptionandmismanagement.
Jensen also noted that the abundanceof natural gas in the United Statesinduced Middle Eastern countries toredirect their tankers toward Europe,enabling countries like Germany to
bargainwithGazpromandothers forlower prices. Gazprom’s exports toEuropedecreasedby8percentin2012tothelowestlevelinadecade.
“TheEuropeanshavealotmorewiggleroomintermsofthekindsofdealstheycanget,”Jensensaid.
The European Commission alsoinitiated antitrust proceedings againstGazprom to investigate allegationsof price fixing, which could furthererode the company’smarket share inEurope. Other oil and gas importers,including Ukraine and China, have
begun to explore their own sizableshaleresources.
Unlike Russia’s oil companies, whichwere privatized in the 1990s to spurtechnological improvements andbettermanagethepaceofproduction,Gazpromhasretainedamonopolyonthe country’s gas development andexports. The company has sufferedfrom the increased supply and lowerprices of gas worldwide, scuttlingan “unprofitable” project last year toproduce natural gas exports for theUnited States from theArctic BarentsSea,AronwroteinhisAEIreport.
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Russia might also be running out of“cheap oil,” Aron wrote, noting thatremaining oil reserves are located in“more remote” regions such as theArctic’scontinentalshelfandtheedgesofSiberia.
Additionally, Russian oil companiesare effectively taxed at a 70 percentrate—comparedtoa2011rateof42-43percent for Chevron and ExxonMobilintheU.S.Thisdiscouragesinnovationandtechnologicalupdates,Aronsaid.
Russia’seconomyhasstagnatedbeforebecause of energy troubles. Someeconomists posit that a decline in oilproductionwasactuallythechiefcauseoftheSovietUnion’sdemise.
Soviet oilproductiondecreasedby40percentbetween1988and1989fromahighofabout12millionbarrelsofoilproducedperdaytoa lowofabout7millionbarrels,resultingina90percentdevaluation of the Soviet currency,according to a 2011 post for Business
InsiderbyDouglasReynolds,professorofenergyeconomicsat theUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.
“It isclearwhytheSovietUnionrosetoprominenceasitwasabletoproducesomuchcheapoiluponwhichtobaseits economy.Oil smoothed out Sovietinefficiency.However,theSovietUnionfell when its oil production fell andit no longer had cheap, high qualityenergy,”Reynoldswrote.
Russia’s current stagnation has evenled confidants of Putin to suggestbreakingupGazprom,Aronreported.Igor Sechin, president of Rosneft,Russia’s largest oil producer, haslobbied for looseningGazprom’s gripon production and proposed naturalgasexports toAsia fromArcticfields.Putinhasalsoproposedtaxincentivesforexploringoffshoreoilreserves,buthasbeenreluctanttoact.
“Among the most destabilizingconsequences of the continuingdependenceonoilandgaswillbetheKremlin’s declining ability to securetheelites’loyalty,”Aronwrote.
“Fiercely protective of their share ofthe politically apportioned riches ofRussia’s state capitalism, powerful
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clanswillsquabbletosecurethesameshare of a diminishing pie, in theprocessthreateningthestabilityoftheregime.”
PutinhaslikelyresistedmodernizationofRussia’senergyeconomybecauseofthe alternatives, according to Aron’sreport.Lessdependenceonoilandgasrevenue would translate into cuts tosubsidies for Russia’s poorer regions,sharpreductionsinmilitaryspending,andfewertaxbreaksforthestate’s“petprojects.”
“If fully implemented, such reformswill erode the Kremlin’s control overthe economy, courts, and, inevitably,
politics,”Aronwrote.Some of those reformsmight alreadybe takingplace.TheNewYorkTimesreportedThursdaythatPutin’sregimehasbeguntoreleasesomeofthemorethan 110,000 people incarceratedfor “economic crimes” in Russia’sinfamous prison camps, particularlywhite-collarbusinessmen,inamovetocombatanemiceconomicgrowth
However,JensencautionedthatPutin’smainconcernistheopticsofhisregime.
“Putinwantstosoftentheappearanceofpower,buthealsowantstomaintainpower,”hesaid.“Iwouldn’ttakeittooseriously.”
R u s s i a ’ seconomic freefall will likelyc o m p l i c a t ePutin’s effortstoshowcasehiscountry at theG-20 summitnext month inSt. Petersburg.P r e s i d e n tBarack Obamahas announcedthathewillnotmeetwithPutin
one-on-oneaheadofthesummit,citingthe countries’ “lack of progress” onissuessuchasmissiledefense,humanrights, and the granting of asylum toNSAleakerEdwardSnowden.
Daniel Wiser is a Washington Free Beacon staff writer covering the global struggle for democracy and human rights.
This article courtesy of
Amsterdam, theNetherlands - July22, 2013: A collec-tion newspaperswith pictures andpublications of Ed-ward Snowden (29)an American con-tractor for the USNational SecurityAgency and formeremployee of theCIA. (Photo by LyaCattel)
Submarine CablesThe Handbook of Law and Policy
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Submarine f iber optic cables are critical communications infrastructure for States around the world. They are laid on the seabed, are often no bigger than a garden hose, and transmit immense amounts of data across oceans. These cables are the backbone of the internet and phone services and underpin core State interests, such as the f inance sector, shipping, commerce and banking industries. Without the capacity to transmit and receive data via submarine cables, the economic security of States would be severely compromised. Despite the fact that 95 per cent of all data and telecommunications between States are transmitted via submarine cables, there is little understanding of how these cables operate. As a result some States have developed policies and laws that undermine the integrity of international
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More information and details at www.brill.com/submarine-cables
TaBle of ConTenTs
Introduction - Why Submarine Cables? Douglas Burnett, Tara Davenport, Robert Beckman
PART I: BACKGROUNDChapter 1 - The Development of Submarine Cables. Stewart AshChapter 2 - The Submarine Cable Industry: How Does it Work? Mick Green
PART II: INTERNATIONAL LAW ON SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 3 – Overview of the International Legal Regime Governing Submarine Cables. Douglas Burnett, Tara Davenport, Robert Beckman
PART III: CABLE OPERATIONS - LAW AND PRACTICE Chapter 4 – The Planning and Surveying of Submarine Cable Routes. Graham Evans, Monique PageChapter 5 – The Manufacture and Laying of Submarine Cables. Keith Ford-Ramsden, Tara DavenportChapter 6 – Submarine Cable Repair and Maintenance. Keith Ford-Ramsden, Douglas BurnettChapter 7 – The Relationship between Submarine Cables and the Marine Environment. Lionel CarterChapter 8 – Out-of-Service Submarine Cables. Douglas Burnett
PART IV: PROTECTING CABLESHIPS AND SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 9 – Protecting Cableships Engaged in Cable Operations. Mick Green, Douglas Burnett Chapter 10 – Submarine Cables and Natural Hazards.Lionel CarterChapter 11 – Protecting Submarine Cables from Competing Uses. Bob Wargo, Tara DavenportChapter 12 – Protecting Submarine Cables from Intentional Damage: The Security Gap. Robert Beckman
PART V: SPECIAL PURPOSE SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 13 – Power Cables. Malcolm Eccles, Joska Ferencz, Douglas Burnett Chapter 14 – Marine Scientific Research Cables. Lionel Carter, Alfred H.A. Soons Chapter 15 – Military Cables. J. Ashley RoachChapter 16 - Submarine Cables and Offshore Energy. Wayne Nielsen, Tara Davenport
PART VI: APPENDICES AND KEYWORD INDEXAppendix 1 - Timeline of the Submarine Cable Industry Appendix 2 - Overview of the Major Submarine System Suppliers (1850 –2012)Appendix 3 - Excerpts of Most Relevant Treaty ProvisionsKeyword Index
• November 2013• ISBN 978 90 04 26032 0 / e-ISBN 978 90 04 26033 7• Hardback / Electronic• List price EUR 143.- / US$ 185.-• Imprint: Martinus Nijhoff
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Submarine CablesThe Handbook of Law and Policy
Edited by Douglas R. Burnett, Robert C. Beckman, and Tara M. Davenport
Submarine f iber optic cables are critical communications infrastructure for States around the world. They are laid on the seabed, are often no bigger than a garden hose, and transmit immense amounts of data across oceans. These cables are the backbone of the internet and phone services and underpin core State interests, such as the f inance sector, shipping, commerce and banking industries. Without the capacity to transmit and receive data via submarine cables, the economic security of States would be severely compromised. Despite the fact that 95 per cent of all data and telecommunications between States are transmitted via submarine cables, there is little understanding of how these cables operate. As a result some States have developed policies and laws that undermine the integrity of international
telecommunications systems. Submarine Cables: The Handbook of Law and Policy provides a one-stop-shop of essential information relating to the international governance of submarine cables. The Handbook is a unique collaboration between international lawyers and experts from the submarine cable industry. It provides a practical insight into the law and policy issues that affect the protection of submarine cables, as well as the laying, maintenance and operation of such cables. In addition, the law and policy issues in relation to other special purpose cables, such as power cables, marine scientif ic research cables, military cables, and offshore energy cables, are also addressed.
More information and details at www.brill.com/submarine-cables
TaBle of ConTenTs
Introduction - Why Submarine Cables? Douglas Burnett, Tara Davenport, Robert Beckman
PART I: BACKGROUNDChapter 1 - The Development of Submarine Cables. Stewart AshChapter 2 - The Submarine Cable Industry: How Does it Work? Mick Green
PART II: INTERNATIONAL LAW ON SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 3 – Overview of the International Legal Regime Governing Submarine Cables. Douglas Burnett, Tara Davenport, Robert Beckman
PART III: CABLE OPERATIONS - LAW AND PRACTICE Chapter 4 – The Planning and Surveying of Submarine Cable Routes. Graham Evans, Monique PageChapter 5 – The Manufacture and Laying of Submarine Cables. Keith Ford-Ramsden, Tara DavenportChapter 6 – Submarine Cable Repair and Maintenance. Keith Ford-Ramsden, Douglas BurnettChapter 7 – The Relationship between Submarine Cables and the Marine Environment. Lionel CarterChapter 8 – Out-of-Service Submarine Cables. Douglas Burnett
PART IV: PROTECTING CABLESHIPS AND SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 9 – Protecting Cableships Engaged in Cable Operations. Mick Green, Douglas Burnett Chapter 10 – Submarine Cables and Natural Hazards.Lionel CarterChapter 11 – Protecting Submarine Cables from Competing Uses. Bob Wargo, Tara DavenportChapter 12 – Protecting Submarine Cables from Intentional Damage: The Security Gap. Robert Beckman
PART V: SPECIAL PURPOSE SUBMARINE CABLESChapter 13 – Power Cables. Malcolm Eccles, Joska Ferencz, Douglas Burnett Chapter 14 – Marine Scientific Research Cables. Lionel Carter, Alfred H.A. Soons Chapter 15 – Military Cables. J. Ashley RoachChapter 16 - Submarine Cables and Offshore Energy. Wayne Nielsen, Tara Davenport
PART VI: APPENDICES AND KEYWORD INDEXAppendix 1 - Timeline of the Submarine Cable Industry Appendix 2 - Overview of the Major Submarine System Suppliers (1850 –2012)Appendix 3 - Excerpts of Most Relevant Treaty ProvisionsKeyword Index
• November 2013• ISBN 978 90 04 26032 0 / e-ISBN 978 90 04 26033 7• Hardback / Electronic• List price EUR 143.- / US$ 185.-• Imprint: Martinus Nijhoff
action Code: 50601
35% Discount
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22
NaSa, astro Technology Develop Offshore Fiber-Optic Technology
Karen Boman|
23
Anew fiber optic monitoringsystem developed throughcollaboration between
Houston-basedAstro Technology Inc.and the National Aeronautics andSpace Administration (NASA) wasdeployed earlier this year on two oilplatformsoffshoreWestAfrica.
The Tendon Tension MonitoringSystem (TTMS), which utilizes afiber-optic strain gauge system and aseriesofsensorclampstomeasurethetensiononsubsearisersandpipelines,was installed in March on twoplatforms at the Okume complex forHess Corporation’s subsidiary Hess-EquatorialGuinea.
SixteenTTMSclampswereinstalledbycommercialdiversusinganunderwateradhesivetestatNASA'sJohnsonSpaceCenter. Fiber-optic cables were thenrouted from the clamps to a controlroomaboardeachplatform.Thesystemmonitors stress along the platform'sfour legsand streams thedata in realtime, enabling operators to makeimmediateadjustmentstomaintainthestabilityoftheplatform.
Okume is located in approximately1,500feetofwater.Thesensorsinstalledwere placed at 60 feet and 120 feet
belowthesurfaceonthetendonsoftheplatforms. However, this technologycanbeusedat allwaterdepths, fromshallow to ultra-deepwater, AstroTechnology President David BrowertoldRigzone.
Astro Technology, which specializesin instrumentation and monitoringtechnologieswithafocusonreal-timefiber-optic sensory systems for oiland gas, has successfully used fiber-opticmonitoringsystemsatdepthsof
upto7,500 feet.Thesametechnologyhas also been applied in otherextreme environments through AstroTechnology's20-yearhistory.AsAstroTechnologydevelopsnewtechnologiesand applications, it employs testingthrough a variety of means, Browernoted.
The technology was developed as aresultofaSpaceActAgreement,whichpermitsNASAtopartnerwithoutsideorganizationstobringNASAexpertise,
24
assets or information to awider community. SpaceActAgreement, which date back to 1958, allows NASA toworkwithabroadspectrumofpartnersfromallpublicand private sector disciplines, according to NASA'swebsite.
"SinceNASAisamission-drivenAgencyandreliesheavilyontechnology,themajorityofourSpaceActAgreementsaim to develop or mature dual-use technologies ofrelevancytobothNASAandourpartner,"NASAsaidonitswebsite.
TheprojectwascompletedaspartoftheClearGulfJointIndustry Project,which is a partnership betweenAstroTechnology,NASAandtheoilandgasindustry.
"TheClearGulf JIPprovidesuswithaccess to state-of-the-art testing and verification processes thatwe couldnotgetanywhereelse,"Browercommented."Inthiscase,NASAthoroughlytestedtheunderwateradhesiveusedtoconnectthesensorstotheplatformlegs,andverifiedthatthetechnologywouldoperateinadeepwaterdrillingenvironment."
"The testing and verification process – completed by aspecializedgroupofengineersatNASA'sJohnsonSpaceCenter – is just another way to assure our clients thatthismonitoring system is the right technology for theirproject,"saidBrower.
Such precise, real-time monitoring can help preventaccidents that might otherwise lead to productioninterruptions,environmentaldamageandfatalities,saidAstroTechnologyPresidentDavidBrowerinastatement.
25
"Thesuccessof this initial installation isgoodnews fortheenvironment,butit'salsoawinfortheentireenergyindustry," Brower commented, noting that the TTMSis a more cost-effective and reliable alternative to themonitoringsystemscurrentlyinuseonmostplatforms.
Tendon tension can be monitored through traditionalloadcells,butthesensorsontheTTMSareabletodetectmuchmoresubtlechangestotensionduetotides,waveactivity, storms and even routine boat dock operations,Broweradded.
Astro Technology will conduct further testing anddevelopmentattheJohnsonSpaceCenterfollowingtheinitialinstallation'ssuccess.
Karen Boman is a writer for RigZone has more than 10 years of experience covering the upstream oil and gas sector.
This article courtesy of
To continue from last year, which I was hoping to turn in to an annual tradition, I hereby invite you to join me and your industry associates for a social Submarine Telecom Cable reception in Miami on the 7th of November.
There will be no presentations, no booths, no conference, it will simply involve you coming to discuss the industry with your peers whilst enjoying my hospitality. The only cost to you is your time.
I know many planned on being in Miami that week anyway, so I hope the time is still open in your calendars.
To confirm simply RSVP to [email protected] by the 18th October 2013.
On receiving your RSVP further information will be sent out, then it is simply a case of bringing yourself and spreading the word. The more the merrier.
I look forward to seeing you all for drinks and talks.
All the best
Stephen Brogarth
Drinks in Miami?
27
Cable Companies gearing up for Offshore Renewables
gregor McPherson
28
With the growth in offshorerenewable energy projects,demand for power cabling
is prompting many telecoms cablelaying companies to increase theflexibility of their fleets.Gone are thedays of dedicated telecoms vessels,today multipurpose vessels are nowthe norm. This need for a broaderhandling capabilityhasprompted thedevelopment of new cable handlingtechnologies.
Telecomshasdominatedthesubmarinecable laying market for well over a100 years, and after faltering at theturn of new century will continueto show significant growth to meetthe seemingly insatiable demand forhigherInternetcapacity.Itisafactthattelecoms cable storage, handling anddeploymenttechniqueshaveremainedlargelyunchangedformanyyears.Thecableisstoredinabasketorcabletankandhandlingrequirementsarevaried,from high speed installation, joint/repeaterhandlingthroughtooftenhightension maintenance provisioning.Typically there is no requirement topreventtwistingofwhatareinvariablysmalldiametercables,asitisbeinglaidup ina cable tank.Easy tophysically
handle, it isgenerally lightenough toallowmentowalkitintothecorrectlynestedpositionforeaseofsubsequentdeployment.
Developmentsincabletechnologyandmanufacture allowed production oflong,unrepeatedcablelengthsenablingfestoon(orsinglespan)cablingsystemssuchthatrepeaters(oramplifiers)couldremainonshore,have inpracticehadlittle impact on handling techniquesemployed. Multi-track cable engines,where one possible exception being
better suited to handling the smalland slippery PU coated ‘skinny’cables than traditionalwheel engines,were developed. A further notabledevelopment during this period wasthe widening application of cabledrum engines (CDEs). Hitherto usedto recover up damaged cables, withimprovements in load measurementtechnology, they were increasinglyproposedasthesolemethodoflayingaswell.While lacking the lay speedsof wheel engines they required lessspace and therefore couldbeusedon
29
smaller vessels. The other significanttechnologychangehasbeentheswitchtovariablespeedelectricdrivesinplaceofhydraulics,allowinggreatercontrolofcablelaying.
From basket to carousel
Adapting an existing telecomscable ships to handle power cablebrings with it a new set of handlingchallenges.Forastartthepowercableismoresusceptibletobacktensionsthattelecomscable.Alsoitisimperativetopreventthecabletwisting.Theoptionsare to replace the existing cable tankstorewitheitheracarouselorlargereelontheshipdeck.
Theselectionofacarousel/turntableorreelisdependentupon:typeofvesseland product storage and handlingrequirements. When cable is storedbelow deck it means modifying theexistingbasketorcablestorewiththeinstallationofacarousel.Powercablesare less able to cope with the 5-10Teback tension generally encounteredwith telecom systems; they are alsorelativelydense,andhavesmallbendradii. The carousel combines thebenefitsofabasket– thecablecanbe
storedatzerotension–withtheabilityto accommodate slight mismatchesin linear and rotary speed. It alsoallows significantly longer lengths ofcable tobestored thana reel; therebymaximising the time spent offshorecablelaying.
Replacing a basket with a carouselrequirestheadditionofalargeloadingarmtoensurethecableisstoredcorrectlyand to reduce residual cable twist ofthe cable as it is deployed from the
carousel.andontotheseabed.Planningconsiderations influencing the ease ofinstallationofthecarouselincludetheavailabilityofacircularcabletankandthesuitabilityofthetanktoptosupportthemoreconcentratedloaded,ensuringthattheamountofheighttakenupbythe turntable is optimised.Access forpersonneltoboththestorageareaandbelow the floor has to be consideredalongwithcableroutingandthehencethe loading arm configuration. Thislatter point is largely determined by
30
the required minimum bend radius.The required minimum bend radiuslargely determines this latter point,whiletheactualloadingarmstructuraldesign is driven by the cable’s bendstiffness.Additionally,accessspaceforinstallationwilldeterminethedetailofthecarouseldesign.
Forexample,therecentconversionofatelecomscablevesseltoalsohandlenon-coilablepowercableinvolvedtakingoutthecabletankfloorandinstallingtwo,
large capacity, 3,000 tonne turntables.Thetwo,‘basket’,turntableshaveopenlatticeouterwalls,aclosedhubandpostpositions for installing partitions, andaredesignedtooperateatamaximumproduct linear speed of 1,000m/hr (atcore). Loading arms and cable trackshave also been fitted to control thecable’s4mminimumbendradius,alongwith all system controls. To save timeand cost, the turntables systems wereadapted to accommodate the vessel’sexistinghydraulicpowerunits(HPUs).
Carousels are not limited to belowdeskofcourse, theycanalsobedeck-mounted either on the vessel or ona barge. The advantage of a deck-mounted carousel is that it is easierto increase the storage capacity byloweringthedeck,forexample,a9.2mdiameterreelcantake300-400Tofcableproduct.Moreover,italsohastheaddedflexibilityofallowingmovementofthereelfromporttostarboard,ifnecessary.Ofcourse,itisstillpossibletousethecarouselasabasketwhenrequired.Theability to partition the basket allowsgives greater operational flexibility a.And a positive advantage over a reelsystemwhere product is unloaded inreverseoftheloadsequence.
Arecenttrendhasbeentheincreasinguse of modular reels and carousels.Thesebringanotherlevelofflexibilitytocablelaying,andoffshoreoperations.Atoneendofthescale,DutchcompanyBlue Offshore, a specialist marineinstallation contractor, has opted fora deck-mounted, adaptable modularturntable system. With 9,000 tonnesof carrying capacity in its full 32mconfiguration, it will be the largestturntableof itstypeintheworld.Thedesign has been fully optimised for
31
telecomandpowercablehandling.Attheotherendofthescale,a400tonnesmodular turntable for Aberdeen-basedMooringSystemscanbereadilyconfigured in either ‘reel’ or ‘basket’modes for handling a wide range offlexible products including cables,umbilicals, dynamic risers and hoses.It is road transportable, allowing it tobedeliveredanywhere in theUKandloadedontoashipforimmediateuse.
Reel Systems
Ondeck,cablehandlingsystemstendtobemostlyreel,providedthecableisabletosupportsomelevelofbacktension.The benefits of using a reel includeeasier linear/rotary speed matching,lowerinstalledpowerandgenerallyasimplerlowerarrangement.Moreover,bystoringundertensionthereismorecontrol over stiffer cable products.ItCable to takenfromthereelandthetensionoptimisedbypassingthecablethroughadeckcircuitincorporatinganadjustable compensator, and finally acabletensionerbeforebeingdispatchedoverboardviaacablechute.
Recently a cable handling systemhasbeendevelopedspecificallyforoffshore
wind farms in which cable arraysare deployed. The cable is variablediameter: maximum diameter at thefurthestwindturbineandnarrowestatthewindturbineclosest toshore.Thereelbasedsystemfeaturesasegmentedreel allowing the different diametercable tobe loadedon toa single reel,thereby significantly reducing thecablehandlingcomplexity.Inaddition,thecablelayinginvolveddepositingaloopofcableoftheseabedatthesiteof each wind turbine. Disengagingthe reel control and compensator andlifting the cable from its deck circuitand depositing it overboard achievedthis.
Flexible Cable Storage and Handling Systems, more challenges to come
As has been shown, cable storageand handling technology continuesto develop to meet the challengesfaced by telecoms cable and offshoreoperators. Thekey engineering issueswhen modifying an existing vesselare: height of the reel and the loadarm size togetherwithbend stiffness;bend radius - ensuring good controlof the product through all 4 corners;lineofsight;andsimpleand intuitive
operation.Alltheseissuesareamplifiedwhenusingmobileequipment.
The technology has now developedto the point where we can providecablehandlingsystemsthatarehighlyadaptableandmodular,toachievetheoptimumconditionsforeaseofstorageand handling during deployment, nomatter the type of vessel and cableproduct.
Gregor McPherson is a professional mechanical engineer, Gregor McPherson holds an MBA from Glasgow University. He has worked
in the marine handling equipment sector all his career. Mr McPherson joined Caley Ocean Systems in 1994 and has been Sales and Marketing Director since 2000.
Quarterly Submarine Cable AlmanacReleaseDate:November2013ProductDetails:Link
2014 Submarine TelecomsIndustry Calendar
ReleaseDate:December2013ProductDetails:Link
2014 Submarine Cables of the World MapReleaseDate:January2014ProductDetails:Link
35
Back Reflection by Stewart ash
TheCommercialCableCompany’sMaintenanceCableship
Over the last two additions I havewritten about some of the significantcontributionsoftheCommercialCableCompany (CCC) to trans-Atlantictelegraphy.However,thiswasnotthefirsttimethattheCCChasfeaturedinBack Reflection. Some readers mayremember that the roleplayedby theCCC cableship Mackay-Bennett in theTitanicdisasterin1912,wasdescribedinIssue61.
While researching the story of theAtlantic Price War, I came across adetaileddescriptionoftheCSMackay-Bennett in a book called “SubmarineCable Laying and Repairing” writtenby H. D. Wilkinson and publishedas a secondedition in 1908. It struck
methatthedescriptioninWilkinson’sbook would be very close to thearrangements of the vessel when shesailedonthatfatefulvoyage,andthatreadersmaybeinterestedinthelayoutof amaintenance cable ship thatwasoperating at the beginning of the 20thCentury,over100yearsago. Sohereitis!
The Cable Ship “Mackay-Bennett.”—This steamer, owned by theCommercial Cable Company of NewYork, isemployed in themaintenanceof the Company’s systems in theAtlantic and European waters. ThethreeAtlantic cablesof thisCompanyfromIreland toNovaScotia representtogether6,894nauticalmiles(nm),thetwo from Nova Scotia to the States1,352nm,andthetwoEuropeancablesconnecting Irelandwith England and
France 839nm, or a total of 9,085nm.OtherAtlanticmaintenancevesselsarethe “Minia,” of the Anglo-AmericanTelegraphCompany,andthe“Pouyer-Quertier,”oftheCompagnieFrançaise.
The “Mackay-Bennett,” launched inSeptember,1884,wasbuiltatGovan,ontheClyde,intheyardofMessrs.JohnElderandCo.,andmeasures270ft.by40ft.,by24ft6insbydepthmoulded.Hertonnage is 1,012.92net registered and1,700grossregistered.Theillustration(Fig. 192) has beenkindly lent by theCompany’s General Superintendentin England, Mr. G. H. Bambridge, towhosecourtesy thewriter is indebtedfortheaccompanyingdetails.
In the design of this steamer specialpainshavebeentakentogivehergoodsteering and manoeuvring qualities.
36
In addition to the usual stern rudder,a second rudder is fixed at the bowinside the lineof the stem,whichcanbeworkedbyahand-wheel.Thisveryusefuladditionenablesacoursetobekept when going astern (frequentlyrequired in repair work), in easingstrainoncableorinfetchingorgettingclearofabuoyorsplice.SteamsteeringgearonMessrs.
Muir and Caldwell’s system is fittedin the wheel-house aft, and can beoperated from either of two wheels,one amidships and one on the poop.A hand-wheel is also fitted aft as a
tripaspeedof12.3knotswasattained,the engines developing 2,190 I.H.P1.The coalbunker capacity is 750 tons.Three cable tanks are fitted, having atotalcapacitytoloadinglinesof385nmor 710 tons of deep-sea cable, 1in. indiameter.Theforetank,No.1,is20ft.,No.230ft.andNo.328ft.indiameter,and themean diameters of the conesare respectively 6ft. 2in., 7ft. 2in. and6ft.2in.Theforeandafttankscanbeloadedtoaheightof10ft.,andthetankamidshipsto14ft.Attheseheightsthefore tank holds 60nm, the mid-ships195nm,and theaft tank130nmof theabovetypeofcable.Thetanksareallinconnectionwithpumpsintheengine-room,bymeansofwhich theycanbeflooded with water or discharged, asrequired.
Steam cable gear capable of dealingwith repairing work in the deepestwaters of the Atlantic is fixed bothforwardandaft.Thatintheforepartoftheship,usedchieflyforgrapplingandpicking-up, has a single drumdrivenby a double-cylinder engine withinclinedcylinders,fittedwithclutchforsingleordoublepurchase,andabrakeforpaying-outwiththeenginethrown
1.I.H.P=IndicatedHorsePower36
stand-by, giving a third means ofsteering independent of steam. HermanoeuvringqualitiesarestillfurtherincreasedbytheuseofBrown’spatenthydraulic reversing gear, previouslyreferredto.
As theMackay-Bennett isa twin-screwsteamer and Brown’s reversing gearis fitted to each engine, there is notmuch time lost in turning her roundeitherway. Bilgekeels are alsofittedwhich minimise the rolling in heavyweather. The engines are compoundsurface-condensing, with cylinders25in.and50in.diameter. Onher trial
Figure192:Mackay-Bennett
37
out of gear. The brake is controlledby a hand-wheel and screw. The aftgearisdrivenbyasimilarenginewithclutch for throwing out of gearwhenpaying-outwith the brake. The bowandsternsheavesarefittedunderneaththeworkingdeckorplatform,asinthe“Faraday.”Thetestingroomissituatedunderneath the forward part of thebridge. Lord Kelvin’s sounding air-tubenavigationalmachineandJames’ssubmarinesentryforindicatingdepthswhileinmotionarecarried,andtheshipisalso suppliedwithMessrs. Johnson
and Phillips’ sounding machine fordeep-seawork.Fortrimmingpurposesthe Mackay-Bennett is built with aspecialcellulardoublebottomrunningthewhole length of the vessel,whichcanbeutilisedforwaterballasttotheextentof300tons.TheequipmentofthishandsomevesseliscompletedwithanelectriclightingplantconsistingoftwoSiemensdynamos,eachwithanormaloutputof90amperesat110volts.ThesearedrivenbyapairofTangyeengines,thelightbeingdistributedthroughoutthe ship, and night operations are
facilitatedbydeck-lightreflectorsfittedwithsixandeightincandescentlamps.
I think readers can see that manythings have changed in the design ofcableships in the ensuing 129 yearssincetheMackay Bennett waslaunched; however, the basic layout remainsvery much the same and should berecognisable to those readerswhoarefamiliarwithtoday’svessels.
For any readers that are interested infindingoutmore about thehistoryofcableships,Iwouldrecommendtoyou,the bible of this subject; “CableshipsandSubmarineCables”byKRHaigh;Second Edition published in 1978. Itis a great pity that there has been nonew reference book, on cableships,publishedoverthelast35years,sinceduringthatperiodmanyuniquevesselshavecomeandgone.
CSMackayBennettat
Wharf,Halifax,NovaScotia
PostcardisdatedJune
1912.
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41
by Kevin g. Summers
As you may know, I live on afarmwayoutinthecountry.Myday begins with milking cows,
feeding hogs and watering chickens.Afteracoupleofhoursofchores,Icomein for a big farm breakfast and thenstart my computer work for the day.Unfortunately, we have extrememlyunreliable internet at home, so I oftenspend a few hours every day at thelibrary.Forsomereason,thelibraryhasamuchbetterconnectionthanIdo.
It'sinterestingtoworkatthelibrary.Youseealotofotherpeoplehardatwork,andsometimesyoucanengagetheminabitofconversation. Rememberconversation,theway thatwe used to communicatebeforetheinternetandcellphones?I'vealsonoticedahighpercentageofAppleusersinRappahannockCounty,Virginia.Someoneshouldlookintothat.
Iusedtoworkatthelibrarysometimesbefore Imovedout to the country and
bought an internet connection thatwas as slow as dial-up and as reliableas satellite. We lived within walkingdistance of an amazing library inLeesburg,Virginia.Iusedtogoupthereandwritemost days. Itwas nice, butthepeopleweren'tnearlyasfriendlyinthebigtownastheyareouthereinthecountry.Someoneshouldlookintothataswell.
Theinterestingthingaboutlibraries,fullof hardcover books and the occasionalwhisper,isthatupuntiljustafewyearsago, they were the repositories of allhumanknowledge.
Think about it. BeforeWikiPedia andGoogle, libraries were the only placea person could go if they wanted tolearnabout theTitanicdisasteror JohnBrown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Theywere the only place where a personcould lay their hands on Our Town,East of Eden, Augustine's Confessions
andSlaughterhouseFiveandahundredthousandotherliteraryworksthatspaneverybyteofknowledgeacquiredbyallofthetoilsofmansincethebeginningoftime.Prettyamazing.
Andnowthatknowledge,alltheworksofliteratureandhistoryandscienceandart, are just seconds away (or quarterhoursawayatmyhouse)thankstotheinternet and its good old backbone,submarinecables. Consider thatwhenyougoaboutyourday.Thesecablesthataresuchahugepartofourlives,theyaretherenotjustenableyoutodobusinessordownloadmusicortweetpicturesofyoursandwich,theyaretheretodeliverthemassofhumanknowledgetoeverycorneroftheglobe.
And some people don't believe inmiracles.
