Inside the specialized ship keeping Africa connected to the digital world

When millions across Africa suddenly lost internet access last year, a specialized vessel the size of a football field quietly sailed to the rescue. The Léon Thévenin, carrying more than 50 technicians and engineers, represents Africa’s lifeline to the digital world when undersea fiber optic cables—the continent’s primary connection to global servers—suffer damage.

“You have heroes that save lives—I’m a hero because I save communication,” declares Shuru Arendse, a South African cable jointer who has worked aboard the ship for over a decade. This sentiment epitomizes the crew’s sense of purpose as they routinely brave harsh ocean conditions to repair critical infrastructure lying thousands of meters below.

Internet disruptions ripple through African economies with devastating consequences. When multiple cables were severed in separate incidents last year off both East and West African coasts, banking systems crashed, businesses ground to a halt, and millions were cut off from digital services.

The repair process involves precision technology, including a 9.5-ton remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that descends to the ocean floor to locate and retrieve damaged sections. Cable faults typically result from fishing trawlers, ship anchors dropped in prohibited areas, or occasionally natural phenomena like underwater currents.

Despite the technical focus, the human dimension remains prominent. Crew members from diverse backgrounds make profound personal sacrifices, spending over six months annually at sea away from families.

“We are the link between Africa and the world,” says chief engineer Ferron Hartzenberg, summarizing their critical mission maintaining digital connectivity for a continent increasingly dependent on reliable internet access.