September 16, 2004
Shaw to Orcas Fiber Optic Cable Installation

Orcas Landing Work Site & Caldwell Marine International's Barge & Equipment

Click on a photo to view a larger and more detailed version

CMI's barge was trucked to the west coast in pieces & put together at the Port of Tacoma.

above: OPALCO Project Manager Terry Turner with CMI crew members (second from left)

left: The 52 year old US Steel Cable that was removed from the Decatur/ Blakely Crossing. This cable was taken to Seattle and scrapped.

above: The reel just behind the workers is the 48 strand fiber optic cable installed in the Shaw to Orcas crossing. The blue and largest reel contains the salvaged 25kV Pirelli cable removed from the Shaw/Orcas crossing. The black reel of yellow cable is the new fiber optic cable for the Shaw/Lopez crossing. The reel of cable on the far left, behind the crane, is the one shown in detail above.

CMI's diver prepares to enter the water (above), where he attaches the jet plow that is in the water to the crane on the barge so they can lift it out of the way (right) and begin installation.

Above: CMI's diver and crews prepare the low-impact plow for the installation of the 48 strand, single armor, fiber optic cable through approximately 70' of eelgrass beds at the Orcas South Landing.