Pioneering subsea fiber optic and electric solutions - communication interconnect advances and solutions for cabled observatory installation, operation and maintenance (focusing on wet-mate capabilities)

Since the mid 1990´s, the growth in subsea exploration and expansion of scientific cabled observatories have resulted with the increased usage and desire for reliable subsea cabling and connections. Following is a discussion and overview with considerations that should be made when specifying and selecting interconnected cabling systems for subsea applications. Attention is given to the advances in deepwater, high voltage, and high fiber count interconnection technologies. Considering these new advances will allow for future discussions involving the approaches that may be taken when configuring and installing science projects that may enable new developments within the oceanographic community.