Works commence to rectify damaged GPL submarine cable

The first damaged submarine cable which was laid on the riverbed along the channel of the Demerara River and connects to the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Power Stations is currently undergoing repairs and mariners are being cautioned to exercise extra care in the area.

In a notice published in the daily newspapers by the Maritime Department, it was revealed that these works commenced on June 8.
It will see the submarine cables being laid as well as “pile driving activities across the Demerara River from Princes Street Outfall, Georgetown, to Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stelling”.
These works are expected to last for a seven-day period and should be completed by Saturday if all goes well.
This operation will be conducted using the vessels M/T Mindy Lynn, M/T Red Dawn and D/B Marine.
“During this period, four wooden piles would be installed within this restricted area and would be fitted with lights showing the characteristic FL Q Y (Quick Flashing Yellow Light),” Maritime said.
Moreover, it warned that these vessels will remain on site for the duration of the project so mariners are warned to navigate with caution when in the area.
The 69kV submarine cable on the riverbed along the channel of the Demerara River, and connecting it’s Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Power Stations was the first cable to be damaged.
A recent examination revealed no further damage on the cable.
As previously reported, investigations conducted on Wednesday, June 5, revealed a compromised section of the cable approximately 0.7 km offshore from its Kingston operations.
Officials from the China Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) were a part of GPL’s efforts to retrieve and examine the submarine cable.
In the interim, the utility company is continuing to engage MARAD in identifying an alternative route to lay a 13.8kV submarine cable along the Demerara River, in an effort to reconnect the Vreed-en-Hoop operations to the eastern sections of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System. Both entities are also engaged in discussions regarding establishing improved maritime conduct within proximity of the submarine cables.
The second GPL submarine cable was disrupted on Thursday due to another maritime accident that occurred four days after the disruption of the 69kV submarine cable.
This 13.8kV submarine cable, which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River.
As a result of this incident, West Demerara customers from Vriesland to La Retraite were without electricity while efforts were underway to alternatively power these customers from the Vreed-en-Hoop Substation.
According to a release from GPL, the dislodged cable was located on Thursday afternoon by deep-water divers, and efforts are being made to hoist and examine it for damages.