Submarine Cable
Installation Services

02

Sea Bed Survey

Before any cable is laid, a thorough geomorphologic and bathymetric survey of the planned route is conducted. This covers the full cable path from the beach manhole to deep water, identifying seabed composition, obstacles, fishing activity, and optimal burial depth to ensure long-term cable protection.

03

Pre Lay Grapnel Run

Route clearance operations remove any seabed debris or obstructions along the planned cable corridor before installation begins. The grapnel run ensures a clean, unobstructed path that minimizes the risk of cable damage during the lay.

• Deployment and recovery of grapnels along the planned route
• Identification and logging of seabed obstacles
• Clearance of fishing gear, anchors, and debris
• Final route confirmation report

04

Shore End

The shore end is the critical transition between the submarine cable and the land-based cable system. Submarine Networks manages the entire shallow-water approach, beachhead operations, and coordination with the cable ship during the landing.

• Shallow water approach and anchor management
• Beach landing coordination with the cable ship
• Conduit installation from the beach manhole to the surf zone
• Final joint and termination at the cable landing station

05

Beach Works

Beach works encompass all on-shore civil and installation activities required to safely bury and protect the cable through the high-energy surf and dune environment.

• Dune survey and trench design
• High-pressure water jetting for cable burial
• Split pipe installation for above-ground cable protection
• Sacrificial grounding anode installation
• Dune restoration and backfill

06

Maintenance

Long-term cable integrity requires periodic inspection and intervention. Submarine Networks provides ongoing maintenance services to protect the cable investment and minimize outage risk over the system's lifetime.

• Periodic ROV or diver surveys of the cable route
• Cable reburial where scour has exposed the cable
• Route protection coordination with maritime authorities

07

Environmental Impact Study

Every submarine cable project in Argentina requires a formal environmental impact assessment. Submarine Networks produces comprehensive biodiversity and ecological impact studies, submitted to national and provincial environmental authorities as part of the permitting process.

08

Supply Vessel — Silicon Road

Submarine Networks operates the Silicon Road, a dedicated support vessel for submarine cable operations in South American waters.

Flag: Argentina	Year built: 1981
Service speed: 12 knots	Range: 14,400 NM
LOA: 58 m	Beam: 13.41 m
Depth: 4.2 m	Draft: 3.3 m
Displacement: 1,600 mt	Deadweight: 1,200 mt
Accommodation: 36 personnel	Fuel: 13 m³/24 hr at 11 kts

Capacities
Fresh Water: 80 mt	Gas Oil: 630 mt
Propulsion & Maneuvering
Type: Diesel	Main Engines: 2 GM16V model 645-E2
Reduction Gears: 2 PHILADELPHIA	Propellers: 2 × 3 ft diameter
Bow Thruster: GM 8V — 340 HP
Generators
Type: 2 × Diesel GM 71-8V	Power: 440/220/110 VAC
Navigation
Gyro: ANSCHUTZ-KIEL STD	Radar: Decca RM1229 / Racal DECCA
GPS: 2 × Drake MRT 65C	Speed Log: FURUNO DS-70
Depth Sounder: KODIAK 2650	Anemometer: DAVIS WIZARD 3
Deck Equipment
Anchors: 2 × HALL 1 ton	Crane: AUSTIN 10 ton
Communications
H.F. / VHF / UHF
Workboats: BIM inflatable 5.5 m / 70 HP  ·  ZEPHYR 3.5 m / 35 HP outboard