Seacom cable repaired by the end of the week

Seacom's submarine cable will be repaired by the end of the week, it says.

However, it cautions that a number of exogenous factors, such as location, water depth, currents and weather, could cause unexpected delays.

The cable stopped working on 5 July, when a repeater between Mumbai and Mombasa failed. Initially, the estimated time of repair was six to eight days. Seacom later said this particular fault was very difficult to repair, as a highly specialised vessel and technical crew were required and various environmental factors also played a part.

According to the company, the ship has been deployed to the location of the fault and is locating the cable – which will have shifted since it was dropped a year ago due to strong submarine currents in the area.

“Once located with the help of cable station staff and specialised equipment, the cable will be picked up before being brought onboard the ship to undergo the necessary repair. This will include cutting the cable to remove the affected portion, reviewing the physical integrity of the cable, before proceeding with the initial splicing of the spare cable segment, which has been tested and prepared while in transit onboard the ship.

“When the final splicing is completed, the entire system will be thoroughly tested before the cable is lowered back in the water,” says a Seacom statement.

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