A New Cost-Effective Approach to Coastal Underwater Cable Installation

摘要

In this paper, we investigate and evaluate two alternative depth data sources for the use in terrain modelling to be used for advanced fiberoptic underwater cable installation along the Norwegian coast. We have shown that a new method using depth data available from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service in so-called fair sheets combined with limited on-site corrective depth measurements with the cable ship's single beam echosounder equipment, is suitable for this purpose. As a consequence, the multibeam echo sounder survey is avoided, thereby reducing the costs significantly. We also describe methods for remote assistance during laying which may contribute to the reduction of costs.