Southern Cross Cable Network

Submarine Cables:
O&M and Cable Maintenance
Title
PTC – 19 January 2014
Dean Veverka
Director Networks & Vice President Operations
Southern Cross Cables Ltd.
ICPC Vice-Chairman
© 2006-2014 International Cable Protection Committee Ltd
www.iscpc.org
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
www.iscpc.org
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 damaged by trawling gear
Source: TE Subcom
• Cable owners may be able to
obtain information via court order if
a vessel is suspected of damaging
a cable
www.iscpc.org
Monitoring Security of
Cable Route
_______________
Automatic
Identification System
(AIS)
www.iscpc.org
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.
www.iscpc.org
Air and Sea Patrols
AIR 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
www.iscpc.org
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
www.iscpc.org
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
www.iscpc.org
Zone Maintenance Agreements
Established for repair of cables with dedicated vessels
MECMA
Yokohama
NAZ
ACMA
SEAIOCMA
NAZ – North America Zone
ACMA – Atlantic Cable Maintenance Agreement
MECMA – Mediterranean Cable Maintenance Agreement
SEAIOCMA – South East Asia and Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement
Yokohama Zone
www.iscpc.org
Private Maintenance Agreements
Specialized vessels placed strategically around the globe
APMA
NPMMSA
APMMSA
APMA
E Marine
South
Africa
Zone
APMMSA
South
Pacific
Zone
APMA – Atlantic Private Maintenance Agreement, including MED – ASN and SubCom
APMMSA – Asia Pacific Private Maintenance Agreement - ASN and SubCom
NPMMSA – Northern Pacific Zone – SubCom
South Pacific Zone - ASN
Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Arabian Sea – E Marine
South African Agreement - FTM
www.iscpc.org
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
www.iscpc.org
Sharing the seabed in harmony
www.iscpc.org