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© 2006-2014 International Cable Protection Committee Ltd

Submarine Cables: O&M and Cable Maintenance

PTC – 19 January 2014

Dean Veverka Director Networks & Vice President Operations

Southern Cross Cables Ltd.

ICPC Vice-Chairman

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Protecting Cables During Operation - Best Industry Practice -

ICPC Recommendation # 6 provides Best Industry Practice for Protection of Submarine Cables and covers Dissemination of cable route information

Stakeholder Liaison & Education

Monitoring Security of Cable Routes

Legal

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Vessel Monitoring System

(VMS)

• Local laws may specify the

minimum size of vessel that is

fitted with VMS

• VMS integrates with onboard GPS

and relays information to fishing

authority

• Cable owners may be able to

obtain information via court order if

a vessel is suspected of damaging

a cable

Cable damaged by trawling gearSource: TE Subcom

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Monitoring Security of

Cable Route _______________

Automatic Identification System

(AIS)

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AIS Determination of cause of fault can be uncertain

AIS provides conclusive proof for faults caused by anchor

Can protect a cable against a ship dragging it’s anchor whilst at anchor

Cannot protect a cable against a ship dragging it’s anchor whilst underway but can prevent multiple failures

Warnings sent to vessel captain and owner have avoided anchor drag faults on monitored cables.

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Air and Sea PatrolsAIR PATROL

Air patrol may be cost effective in certain areas or seasons where there is high marine activity

Patrols may be flown all year or just the seasonal peaks

Potential offending vessels can be contacted via VHF or leaflets dropped indicating location of the cable

SEA PATROL

Sea patrol is effective because allows direct contact

Sea patrols may again be all year or just when fishing vessels are concentrated during certain season

Always randomise patrols

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Terrestrial Patrols Submerged plant actions need to be complemented

with effective monitoring of the land route

Patrols ideally undertaken daily

A cable owners representative should be present during any authorised work in vicinity of the cable with authority to stop work

“Dial-before-you dig” service should be established with local authorities

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National Legislation

National legislation could help reduce the risk of cable damage

Australian Government has recognised the strategic importance of submarine cables

Protection zones designated for Southern Cross, Australia-Japan SEA-ME-WE 3 cable systems

High risk operations banned & low risk activities restricted

Criminal penalties up to $A330,000 &/or 10 years prison

Source: Australian Communications & Media Authority

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ACMA

SEAIOCMA

YokohamaNAZ

MECMA

Zone Maintenance Agreements Established for repair of cables with dedicated vessels

NAZ – North America ZoneACMA – Atlantic Cable Maintenance Agreement

MECMA – Mediterranean Cable Maintenance Agreement SEAIOCMA – South East Asia and Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement

Yokohama Zone

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SouthAfrica Zone

APMA

South Pacific Zone

APMMSANPMMSA

E Marine

APMA

APMMSA

APMA – Atlantic Private Maintenance Agreement, including MED – ASN and SubCom APMMSA – Asia Pacific Private Maintenance Agreement - ASN and SubComNPMMSA – Northern Pacific Zone – SubCom South Pacific Zone - ASNRed Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Arabian Sea – E MarineSouth African Agreement - FTM

Private Maintenance AgreementsSpecialized vessels placed strategically around the globe

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ICPC Activity Update ITU – Green Repeater Initiative

ISA – Deep Sea Mining Leases – MOU

APEC – Bali Workshop on Best Practice Guideline

CSCAP – Workshop Cable Security Issues

Publications: Submarine Cables - Handbook on Law and Policy

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Sharing the seabed in harmony