EuroWire January 2016

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News
Corporate
January 2016 27
The international cable protection
committee (ICPC) has released an analysis
of the main causes of submarine cable
breaks.
According to the ICPC, ships’ anchoring
and fishing activities are the main cause
of cable failure, accounting for 65–75
per cent of all cable faults. Natural
phenomena, such as subsea landslides
and ocean currents, are responsible for
up to 10 per cent of faults, while cable
component failure accounts for a further
five per cent.
The cause of around 10-20 per cent
of faults cannot be determined, but
the ICPC says it is unlikely to be sharks
because bites leave evidence in the
form of tooth imprints, or even teeth,
embedded in the sheathing.
Historically, between 1901 and 1957 –
a period dominated by subsea
telegraphic cables – at least 28 cables
were damaged by fish bites, including
sharks. During 1959 to 2006 – a span
that encompasses coaxial cables, and
their replacement by fibre optic systems
in 1988 – around 11 cables needed repair.
Fish bites accounted for 0.5 per cent of all
cable faults.
The first recorded shark bites of a deep
ocean fibre optic cable occurred off
the Canary Islands around 1985 to
1987, damaged by crocodile sharks
(Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) biting
through a cable’s polyethylene sheath.
This led to improvements in sheathing
technology.
The latest analysis, covering 2007
to 2014, recorded no cable faults
attributable to sharks. Due to increased
shipping and fishing activities on the
continental shelf, fibre optic cables are
now protected by the addition of steel
wire armour, as well as burial up to 3m
below the seabed.
International Cable Protection
Committee – UK
Website:
Shipping and fishing are the cable culprits
Altair acquires
Click2Cast
Altair has acquired Click2Cast, including
an office in Barcelona, Spain, as well
as the company’s technology and
employees.
The addition of Click2Cast technology
adds simple and quick casting simulation
technology to the Altair suite of products.
Having practical applications in both
design and engineering, Click2Cast
software will be made available through
Altair’s solidThinking and HyperWorks
business lines. The technology has been
available through the Altair Partner
Alliance to HyperWorks users since 2013.
Click2Cast offers an easy casting process
simulation, within an innovative and
user-friendly interface. The software
requires no special training and does not
require the user to have an extensive
technical background. It is a very
effective and powerful design tool, with
possible applications in a wide variety of
industries.
“We are very excited to further our
relationship and make Click2Cast part
of Altair’s software offering,” said Martin
Solina, general manager of Click2Cast.
Altair – USA
Website: