After some initial slack is taken up, it may become extremely hard to lift, and this could threaten your vessel s stability. Furthermore, active cables may carry up to 10,000 volts of electricity. GCI will create a policy to compensate any fisherman, using prudent fishing practices, who loses gear due to the placement of the cable. This policy will be created to ensure that compensation is quick and equitable to fishermen. Fishing vessels are advised not to cross immediately astern of a ship which is laying cable.
Submarine cables take some time to settle onto the seabed after laying.
It is also important to keep well clear of cable buoys marking breaks, installation or repairs, because the cable is likely to be slack or in suspension, and hence more likely to be fouled by fishing gear, for a considerable distance from the buoy. Cable buoys are yellow with a yellow light showing at night. A person or vessel that damages a cable willfully or negligently may be liable. Cables generally offer better speed, reliability and security than satellites. The Alaska United Fiber System can carry more than 120,000 simultaneous telephone, fax, or data calls.