In wake of the most recent damage to its submarine cable by a vessel, the Guyana Power and Light company today held discussions with the Maritime Administration Department to examine a number of measures to prevent a recurrence.
In a statement this evening, GPL said the two sides have agreed that an additional 200m buffer zone on either side of the cable crossing be created. That buffer zone is to be published to alert mariners.
Additionally, there will be the reinforcement of the existing regulation on bridge watch since vessels moored at the assigned mooring points are required to have an Officer on watch continuously.
GPL will also now be incorporated into the policing loop and will utilize its 24hrs security presence at Kingston that overlooks cable crossing.
The company said relevant information will be shared.
The GPL statement explained that the damage to its 69kV Submarine Cable over the weekend occurred despite multiple actions being taken in the past to improve security because of previous incidents.
Experts have said the best solution would be to bury the cables even deeper but that would call for specialized dredging of the river and the equipment to carry out that task is not readily available in Guyana.
The submarine cables link the Vreed-en-hoop and Kingston power plants for the company. The cables were completely severed after being dragged on the river bed by the anchor of a vessel.
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