Global Internet on Life Support: Meet the Man Fixing the Underwater Backbone of Our World
The internet, as we know it, is a remarkably fragile thing. Most of us don’t give a second thought to the invisible infrastructure that delivers Netflix, bank transactions, and video calls with loved ones. But right now, a dedicated team led by Ben Smith is working tirelessly to keep that infrastructure alive, repairing vital submarine cables that carry 95% of global data traffic. This is breaking news with potentially massive implications for connectivity worldwide.
The Silent Guardians of the Digital Age
Ben Smith, Deputy Chief of Mission aboard the Orange Marine repair ship Léon Thévenin, isn’t a household name. Yet, his work – and the work of his 90-person crew – is arguably more critical than many CEOs of tech giants. Stationed in Cape Town, they’re responsible for maintaining the vast network of fiber optic cables that snake across the ocean floor, connecting continents and powering our digital lives. From the Atlantic off Senegal to the Indian Ocean near Kenya, they respond to emergencies that can plunge entire regions into “digital darkness.”
“I plan and coordinate everything: what is the problem, what is needed and when can we go out?” Smith explained in a recent interview. The process is a high-stakes race against time. When a monitoring system detects an irregularity, the team has just 24 hours to mobilize. Missions can last anywhere from a few days to a grueling month, depending on the depth and severity of the damage.
How Deep Does the Problem Go?
Repairing these cables isn’t like fixing a wire in your wall. The Léon Thévenin uses specialized gripping devices to slowly haul damaged sections to the surface – sometimes from depths of 5,000 to 7,000 meters. The repair process itself, remarkably, hasn’t changed much in over a century. The damaged cable is cut, a new section spliced in with painstaking precision, and then carefully lowered back to the seabed. A simple sounding process that requires immense skill and specialized equipment.
Currently, there are 597 submarine cables crisscrossing the world’s oceans. They break roughly 150-200 times a year, usually due to natural events like earthquakes, landslides, or accidental damage from fishing vessels and anchors. While Europe often has redundancy – data flowing through multiple lines – many other regions are entirely reliant on single cables, making them incredibly vulnerable.
A Growing Threat: Sabotage and Security Concerns
Beyond natural disasters and accidents, a new threat is emerging: deliberate sabotage. Experts at the Kiel Institute for Security Policy have warned of an increased risk, particularly in the Baltic Sea, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Orange Marine reports no confirmed cases of sabotage to date, the vulnerability of these critical cables is becoming increasingly apparent. Protecting this underwater infrastructure is now a matter of national and global security.
Evergreen Insight: The reliance on a relatively small number of landing points and the physical vulnerability of submarine cables highlight a critical weakness in global internet infrastructure. Diversification of routes and enhanced security measures are essential to mitigate future risks. This isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a geopolitical one.
Life Aboard the Léon Thévenin: Two Months On, One Month Off
The life of a cable repair specialist is demanding. Smith operates on a rotation of two months at sea followed by one month at home with his wife and children. “She knows I’m not cut out for a 9-to-5 job,” he laughs, acknowledging the sacrifices his family makes. But he finds fulfillment in the work, describing the ship as a “second home” and appreciating the strong camaraderie among the crew. The Léon Thévenin offers comfortable living conditions – private cabins, good food, and reliable communication – but it’s the shared purpose that truly binds the team together.
Smith stumbled into this unusual career path after starting as a mechanical engineering student. A three-year stint on a ship for a diploma project led to a full-time career, working his way up from the engine room to his current role as Deputy Chief of Mission. “I’m very happy that I have it,” he says, reflecting on a job that takes him to the most remote and challenging corners of the ocean.
The work isn’t without its awe-inspiring moments. “Down there you can see what nature can do,” Smith says, recalling missions in submarine trenches where cables have sustained enormous damage. “That makes the work exciting – even if it is very demanding.”
The dedication of Ben Smith and the crew of the Léon Thévenin is a testament to the unseen efforts that keep our interconnected world functioning. They are the silent guardians of the digital age, working in the depths to ensure that our access to information, communication, and entertainment remains uninterrupted. As we become increasingly reliant on the internet, their work will only become more vital – and the risks they face more significant. Stay informed about the latest developments in internet infrastructure and security at archyde.com.
