Under Danish/Greenlandic and Icelandic law, there is a defined 200 meter protection zone on each side of the cables, where it is forbidden to fish, anchor or to use e.g. a sand-pump dredger.
Under Canadian law there is no defined protection zone around the submarine cable, but it is illegal to use fishing gear that drags over the cable or to expose the cable to danger by anchoring or using other equipment along the route of the submarine cable.
However, if a ship does inadvertently snag the submarine cable with its fishing gear or anchor, the following procedure should be used:
Do not attempt to pull your fishing gear or anchor clear of the cable!
Contact TELE Greenland’s 24-hour support centres:
Greenlandic waters - phone +299 808 030 or +299 891 639 or call Aasiaat Radio (Coastal Radio Service)
Icelandic waters - phone +354 800 1050 or +299 891 639
Canadian waters - phone +1 888 545 3535 or +299 891 639
Have the following details available:
- The name of the vessel
- The vessel’s call sign
- The name of the captain
- The vessel’s position
- Water depth
The support centre will provide the necessary assistance and guidance concerning how to disentangle the vessel’s gear from the submarine cable.
Once you are back in port, you need to complete a reporting form. Find the reporting form in the information package.