More than a year after local cable TV company E-Networks was told by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications that it had not been licensed to lay and land a subsea cable, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has once again placed a notice for mariners about the company’s cable laying project, which was due to start yesterday.
According to a Notice to Mariners that was published in Kaieteur News’ August 19th edition, on August 27th, IT Marine SRL was due to commence a cable laying project for E-Networks Inc. within the Guyana Maritime Zone, with operations scheduled to be finished on October 31st.
The notice explained that the operation will include the use of four vessels – IT Intrepid, El Zoro Grande II, Trinity Trade-winds and Trinity Transporter III.
The area of operation reportedly stretches off Kingston for approximately 26 nautical miles from the Coast of Guyana, and covers an area of approximately 32 square kilometres.
The notice warned that all mariners are requested to maintain a wide berth of the vessels and navigate with caution when in the vicinity. Communication can be made on VHF Channel 16 via the Georgetown Lighthouse.
On July 24th last year, a similar notice to mariners had been appearing in the local press over the span of a few days under the signature of Harbour Master Michael Tennant. The notice advised that on July 31st, IT International Telecom Canada Inc. would commence a survey exercise on behalf of E-Networks Inc. as preparatory works for a subsea cable laying project within the Guyana Maritime Zone.
It also noted that the exercise was scheduled for a two-month period at a drill site approximately 23.1 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 10 square kilometres.
However, a press statement later issued by the Ministry had said that applications for licences to lay and land subsea cable systems and/or other major telecommunications operations by any entity that did not hold a telecommunications licence would be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act. Section 23 (9) (a) of the Act specifies that a person who intends to land, install or operate any submarine or terrestrial cable for the purpose of connecting to a cable, other facility or telecommunication network outside of Guyana shall first obtain an individual licence or if that person has already been granted an individual licence shall first obtain an amendment to such individual licence expressly authorising the landing, installation, or operation of any such cable.
