The West Africa Cable System (WACS) is a fiber optic cable carrying a large part of Gran Canaria’s communications to Europe, Africa and the rest of the world. It lands about 9 nautical miles south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in Salinetas Bay. Yachts often anchor in the sheltered bay nearby but must take care to avoid the cable when anchoring. Fiber optic cables are susceptible to damage from anchoring tackle.

Published 5 years ago

The WACS communications cable was installed in 2011, connecting Grand Canary Island to 14 other countries in Europe and West Africa. It carries internet, telephone, fax, data and other communications.

Fiber optic cables carry more than 95% of international communications, with more capacity, speed, and security than satellites, but they may be damaged by anchors, fishing gear and other seabed activities.

The WACS cable lands in the Bay of Salinetas, about 9 nautical miles south of the port of Las Palmas, and 0.3 km south of the Port of Taliarte, on Grand Canary Island.

For more details see this pdf with cable information.

Spanish cable protection law provides a zone of a ¼ nautical mile on each side of cables where vessels should not anchor, drag nets or other gear that could damage them. Due to possible uncertainty in locations of marine operations, mariners are asked to keep anchors, fishing gear and other items that contact the seabed at least one mile away.

If your gear snags something that may be the cable, please do not try to lift it. That could cause risks to the vessel, crew, and cable. Weight and tension of the cable could affect vessel stability, and cables carry up to 12,000 volts of electrical current.

In case of a suspected snag on this cable call the emergency number +34 6628 65078.