Subsea Fiber Optic Cable System Northwest, U.S.A.

Our staff met with multiple permitting agencies to obtain information to facilitate the permitting process for the installation of a subsea fiber optic cable system. We also investigated all sources of information that were available concerning the proposed cable route to provide a desk-top study showing geological resources, existing cable information, and known obstructions along the route.

Our hydrographers conducted marine route surveys to confirm, or amend, the preliminary cable route and to provide a feasible and safe route for the cable system design, deployment, survivability, and subsequent maintenance. These surveys allowed decisions to be made about cable armoring and burial. Detailed drawings and reports showing all route obstacles and hazards were provided to the client to support the cable route and installation engineering.

For inshore and near-shore surveys, we equipped our 35' custom hydrographic survey vessel the M/V Luna Sea with a Reson 8101 multibeam sonar system, EdgeTech 4200-FS sidescan sonar system, and an EdgeTech 512 CHIRP sub-bottom profiler. A marine magnetometer was also used for locating and surveying existing cables.

Sea floor core samples were taken from all survey locations. These samples were described, recorded, and charted on the survey charts provided to the client. Additional samples were taken to provide a geotechnical evaluation of the seabed and to verify ground conditions.

CARIS Chesapeake, MakaiPlan, and Arc Info software were used to process and correct the survey data. Charts and detailed reports were provided to the client including all relevant information such as sediment type, seabed hazards, and features encountered along the cable route.

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