VBMS successfully completes three cable repairs

The cable-laying barge’s 8-point mooring system and 2.3 depth made it highly suitable for repairing two inter-array cables in the shallow waters of the outer Thames Estuary. The export cable repair was carried out 20 kilometers offshore, in the Irish Sea.

Universal joint

To connect the replacement and existing cable sections, VBMS acquired a Subsea Universal Joint which was successfully installed by High Voltage engineering specialists EDS. The Universal Joint is designed to connect export cables of varied sizes as well as cable from different manufacturers - providing a rapid independent installation solution that can be completed in less than 48 hours, thus taking advantage of small weather windows.

Cable Integrity Solutions

At the end of May, VBMS and EDS launched their Cable Integrity Solutions, including the ‘Prepare to Repair’ framework. The model facilitates critical preparations being carried out upfront, ensuring that if a cable fails, arrangements are in place and the repair process can be started immediately, therefore significantly minimising downtime. VBMS and EDS estimate that with their solutions cable repairs can be completed up to 70% faster.