The Lifeline of Connectivity: Meet the Heroes of Africa's Undersea Internet Repairs

With internet outages impacting millions in Africa, the Léon Thévenin serves as a beacon of connectivity. Its dedicated crew, equipped with advanced technology, collaborates to repair crucial fibre optic cables, ensuring continuity in communications and services across the continent.

The Léon Thévenin, a ship resembling a football field in size, is crucial for maintaining internet connectivity across Africa. Crew members, including over 50 skilled engineers and technicians, spend weeks at sea fixing damaged undersea cables underground, a service essential given the continent's history with internet blackouts due to cable failures.

Last year’s widespread outages highlighted the importance of such repairs, which Thavenin has been conducting for over a decade. As Shuru Arendse, a cable jointer from South Africa, passionately declares, “Because of me, countries stay connected. ... I save communication.” The crew is proud of their work, reflecting their dedication and the crucial role they play in keeping businesses and individuals online.

Internet connectivity in Africa hinges on approximately 600 undersea fibre optic cables, which connect servers located mainly outside the continent to coastal cities. These cables, typically durable for 25 years, can be damaged primarily through human activity—fishing trawlers and improper anchoring leading to costly outages.

Recent disruptions saw critical cables severed due to anchors, affecting millions in East and West Africa. The crew of the Léon Thévenin possesses a wealth of knowledge about identifying and repairing these faults efficiently, often working in depths that surpass 5,000 meters.

When cables are damaged, the repair process begins with locating the fault through monitoring the strength of electrical signals that the cables transmit. Once identified, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deploys to the ocean floor to cut away the damaged section and replace it with a new piece. The entire procedure, while often unnoticed by everyday users, can take several days.

The ship's crew is ever-prepared for deployment, capable of sailing within 24 hours of an alert, but they also face challenges, including bureaucratic delays in getting necessary permits, which can prolong their response time. Many crew members face personal sacrifices, missing significant family events due to their commitments to the mission and the ship.

Their diverse backgrounds—from South African engineers to Filipino technicians—create a unique camaraderie aboard the Léon Thévenin. Each member shares a common purpose and is mindful of the ship's mission to be the vital connection between Africa and the global digital landscape.

As they navigate the seas, they reflect on their journeys through conversations around meals and leisure time, proud of their roles in maintaining the lifeline of communication for millions across the continent.