What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Technical base in telecoms, electrical or fibre optics (engineering or higher vocational) with years at the splicing bench.
- Jointing qualification recognised by system owners: Universal Joint/UQJ scheme certified by the relevant consortium for telecoms, or cable-manufacturer qualifications for HV power (indicative per project).
- Sign-on: STCW A-VI/1, valid medical and, on power projects, the contractor's high-voltage electrical safety training.
Basic STCW
- Basic Safety Training STCW A-VI/1
Specific courses
- Fibre splicing and testing: OTDR, optical power and link budget
- Joint moulding/armour reinstatement; insulation and watertightness testing
- PFE safety: cable energised by power feed and earthing (telecom)
- Lay-deck procedures: cable highways, tanks and transfers
Indicative experience
Indicative: 3-5 years as a jointer alongside a qualified chief, with a minimum of certified joints per type before signing alone; system owners require periodic requalification per scheme (indicative).
Observations
The joint is the statistical weak point of any submarine system: this signature certifies tens of millions' worth of work. Progression: jointer → Chief Jointer → repair superintendent / system-owner representative.
What this role does
Owns the submarine cable's joints: performs and certifies final and repair splices —12-to-24-hour continuous operations with zero room for error—, leads the jointing team, controls quality with optical and electrical testing and keeps each joint's traceability. In power or telecom cable, one of his joints must last 25 years on the seabed.
Typical watches
- Intensive shifts during laying, splicing and repairs
Key responsibilities
- Direct splicing, terminations and continuity tests of the submarine cable.
- Supervise bending radii, tension and handling of the cable on deck.
- Validate OTDR parameters and technical tests before releasing each section.
- Coordinate with bridge, DP and beach team during critical operations.
Operational scope
- Carousel / deck de cable
- splicing room
- Laying and repair operations
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.