Services are usually very demanding, with heavy payloads, costly equipment and human factors all involved.
Reliability is a prime requisite in most cable uses.
Many of these operations involve harsh and corrosive environments. Proper and regular maintenance can extend cable life five times or more. Whether owned or leased, the hourly cost of specialized equipment can be considerable. Problems resulting in lost time or labour can be very costly. Equally high are those applying to cargo or equipment damage and loss.