The Léon Thévenin, a significant repair vessel, has been essential in maintaining internet connectivity across Africa. Operating for over 13 years, this ship addresses the frequent disruptions caused by human activity and natural disasters by fixing damaged undersea cables, ensuring that millions remain online despite bandwidth challenges.
The Léon Thévenin: Africa's Lifeline for Internet Connectivity
The Léon Thévenin: Africa's Lifeline for Internet Connectivity
A ship on a vital mission, repairing undersea cables to keep Africa digitally connected amid persistent challenges.
In the heart of the Atlantic, the Léon Thévenin sails tirelessly, embodying a vital service to Africa's digital connectivity. Comparable to the size of a football field, this ship is crewed by over 50 skilled technicians and engineers. Its primary mission is to repair the undersea internet cables that are crucial for communication across the continent, particularly highlighted during the significant internet outages of the previous year when several cables were damaged.
The ship's crew recognizes their pivotal role in keeping countries connected. "Because of me, countries stay connected," says Shuru Arendse, a seasoned cable jointer from South Africa. His statement underlines the sentiment shared by many on board—their work directly impacts countless businesses and individuals reliant on stable internet access for everything from social communication to banking transactions.
The interconnectedness of the internet is underpinned by a network of around 600 fibre optic cables that span the globe. These cables, often buried deep beneath the ocean floor, link various coastal cities across Africa to servers located largely outside the continent. Benjamin Smith, the deputy chief of mission aboard the Léon Thévenin, explains how crucial these connections are for accessing online services.
However, undersea cables can encounter challenges. Although designed for a lifespan of about 25 years with minimal maintenance, these cables often fall victim to human activities such as anchoring and fishing, or natural disasters that cause severe weather patterns affecting their integrity. For instance, the Congo Canyon’s extreme weather conditions can lead to damaging currents, contributing to cable failures.
Recent interruptions to African internet services have underscored the importance of the Léon Thévenin's interventions. Last year, significant damage was inflicted on several cables in the Red Sea, affecting users in East Africa for weeks. Such issues are typically detected by monitoring electrical signals through the cables, allowing the crew to identify and address the problems swiftly.
When repairs are necessary, the Léon Thévenin can respond within 24 hours, though their effectiveness may be delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. Should cables be located deeper than 50 meters, the ship is summoned, capable of performing repairs well below 5,000 meters underwater. A repair witnessed by a BBC team took over a week but went largely unnoticed by users thanks to rerouting data traffic to alternate functioning cables during the process.
Traditional repair methods involve deploying a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to pinpoint the damaged sections of cable and execute the necessary repairs. This ROV, resembling a bulldozer, is essential in locating faults and facilitating the complex splicing of new sections to restore connectivity. After repairs, the crew meticulously ensures the cable is positioned correctly on the seabed, updating navigation maps accordingly.
The crew aboard the Léon Thévenin represents a blend of diverse backgrounds and cultures, dedicated to their roles despite significant personal sacrifices. Many crew members recount the emotional toll due to the time spent away from their families, but they find solace and camaraderie among colleagues. Their shared commitment fosters a sense of belonging on the ship, and they all recognize their essential function as a bridge linking Africa with the connected world.
As technology and communication continue to advance, the role of ships like the Léon Thévenin remains crucial in maintaining the digital lifeline of Africa, underscoring the intertwined fates of the continent’s connectivity and its broader socioeconomic development.
The ship's crew recognizes their pivotal role in keeping countries connected. "Because of me, countries stay connected," says Shuru Arendse, a seasoned cable jointer from South Africa. His statement underlines the sentiment shared by many on board—their work directly impacts countless businesses and individuals reliant on stable internet access for everything from social communication to banking transactions.
The interconnectedness of the internet is underpinned by a network of around 600 fibre optic cables that span the globe. These cables, often buried deep beneath the ocean floor, link various coastal cities across Africa to servers located largely outside the continent. Benjamin Smith, the deputy chief of mission aboard the Léon Thévenin, explains how crucial these connections are for accessing online services.
However, undersea cables can encounter challenges. Although designed for a lifespan of about 25 years with minimal maintenance, these cables often fall victim to human activities such as anchoring and fishing, or natural disasters that cause severe weather patterns affecting their integrity. For instance, the Congo Canyon’s extreme weather conditions can lead to damaging currents, contributing to cable failures.
Recent interruptions to African internet services have underscored the importance of the Léon Thévenin's interventions. Last year, significant damage was inflicted on several cables in the Red Sea, affecting users in East Africa for weeks. Such issues are typically detected by monitoring electrical signals through the cables, allowing the crew to identify and address the problems swiftly.
When repairs are necessary, the Léon Thévenin can respond within 24 hours, though their effectiveness may be delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. Should cables be located deeper than 50 meters, the ship is summoned, capable of performing repairs well below 5,000 meters underwater. A repair witnessed by a BBC team took over a week but went largely unnoticed by users thanks to rerouting data traffic to alternate functioning cables during the process.
Traditional repair methods involve deploying a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to pinpoint the damaged sections of cable and execute the necessary repairs. This ROV, resembling a bulldozer, is essential in locating faults and facilitating the complex splicing of new sections to restore connectivity. After repairs, the crew meticulously ensures the cable is positioned correctly on the seabed, updating navigation maps accordingly.
The crew aboard the Léon Thévenin represents a blend of diverse backgrounds and cultures, dedicated to their roles despite significant personal sacrifices. Many crew members recount the emotional toll due to the time spent away from their families, but they find solace and camaraderie among colleagues. Their shared commitment fosters a sense of belonging on the ship, and they all recognize their essential function as a bridge linking Africa with the connected world.
As technology and communication continue to advance, the role of ships like the Léon Thévenin remains crucial in maintaining the digital lifeline of Africa, underscoring the intertwined fates of the continent’s connectivity and its broader socioeconomic development.
