| A Unique Fairlead Mechanism for Cable Handling This space-saving cable guidance device has fast become the standard on multi-streamer seismic vessels, with applications on surface and submarine towed array systems and for specialized offshore, cable-laying, and ROV requirements.
Proper handling of a marine cable is often underrated. Yet vessel downtime and cable replacement resulting from damage can be extremely expensive. Whether it is tough wire rope, complex electro-optical cable, or delicate oil-filled streamer, the service life of a cable depends directly on the guidance components of its overboarding system. If these do not address the cable’s physical characteristics and limitations, and the nature of its application, rapid deterioration and failure of the cable can result.
The importance of the handling system and the high cost of cable failure is not new. Pulleys of various sizes were used in ancient Roman derricks. The cables of more recent sailing ships were reeled off large capstans and paid-out through flared hawse holes to prevent damage to the manila fibres. There are few fundamental differences between these beginnings and some contemporary solutions to cable overboarding, such as the bellmouth (a fixed, trumpet-shaped guide) and the sheave (basically a pulley).
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