Geophysical survey operations are underway in Prince William Sound in advance of Cordova Telecom Cooperative (CTC) plans to install a 560-mile submarine fiber optic cable from Cordova to Juneau.
“The survey, which is connected to two grant awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service ReConnect Program, is one of the initial steps for the future installation of two submarine fiberoptic telecom cables,” said Sarah Kathrein, project manager for CTC. “The first line from the Fiber Internet Serving Homes in Alaska ‘FISH in AK’ grant is from Cordova to Seward, with branches to Johnstone Point and the village of Chenega. The second, Fiber Internet Serving Homes in Southeast Alaska ‘FISH in SEAK’ is from Cordova to Juneau with branches to Yakutat, Gustavus, Hoonah, and Pelican.”
Kathrein said it’ll take about a year for the cables to reach Cordova, and they should be installed by 2027.
“Once the survey is completed, the engineering specifications for the fiberoptic cable will be finalized,” she said.
The marine route survey, or MRS, consists of multiple teams led by Benthic GeoScience working in tandem to review proposed cable landings, and to assess the shallow, in-shore areas. The survey will also review one large ship moving along the proposed route, towing different technologies to assess the ocean floor and validate the path and installation method.
This vessel, the R/V Poseidon, began its first of two trips of the MRS the week of April 24 and is making its way from Seward toward Cordova, and eventually on to Juneau. It will then repeat the route in the opposite direction with different equipment. The Poseidon’s first pass through Cordova will be completed by May 18, with the in-shore survey done in a small vessel will take place from June 6-17.
Given the equipment in tow behind the Poseidon, CTC and its partner, Pioneer Consulting, are requesting fishing vessels refrain from setting nets in the survey path and provide .25 nautical miles of clearance.
“This will not shut down commercial fishing, and the wide berth is to protect both research equipment and the assets of local mariners,” Kathrein said.
Meanwhile Lorraine Gray, director of permitting and fisheries liaison for Pioneer Consulting, sent out a notice to Cordova District Fishermen United, the Copper River Marketing Association, NOAA Fisheries, and the U.S. Coast Guard notifying each of these entities of the project’s scope and the Poseidon’s contact information.
These submarine cables are part of CTC’s goals to provide fast, reliable, and affordable broadband connectivity throughout the Prince William Sound and to the rest of the Chugach region.
Anyone with any questions about the ReConnect Projects should contact Kathrein at 907-424-2345. For questions regarding the Poseidon, please contact Gray at [email protected].
