Figure 58 Cable plough, courtesy of Royal IHC.
Function
A cable plough is normally used to simultaneously lay and bury a cable but it can also be used in post-lay burial and pre-trenching.
What it costs*
The provision of the cable plough is usually part of the cable installation contract scope.
Who supplies them
The cable plough is usually provided by the cable installation contractor, either as part of the vessel or mobilised specifically.
Manufacturers: ETA Subsea Specialists, Osbit, Royal IHC and SMD.
Rental: ETA Subsea Specialists and Pharos Offshore.
Key facts
Cable ploughs can bury the cable down to 3-4 m below sea bed level.
The plough will require a tow force to pull the plough through the soil depending on the soil conditions and the required burial depth. Using a barge (for shallow water operations), this force is supplied by an anchor or a tow tug. For a dynamically positioned vessel, a specialist vessel with an appropriate bollard pull is required. It is often not possible to plough close to the turbine or substation. In that case, a Trenching ROV [I5.4.3] may be used.
What’s in it
- Plough share
- High pressure jetting nozzles
- Skids
- Bell mouth
- Cable depressor