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4 NEWS 26.10.2023 LAST weekend, GO managed to com- plete an arduous mission to repair its submarine cable GO-1, landing in St. Paul's Bay. is is one of its three vital submarine cables that connect Malta to the rest of the world. e damage was not caused by natural wear and tear but by reckless human activity. After ap- proximately eight months of complex coordination, the damaged cable was fixed last weekend after three intensive days of relentless work. "Remarkably, this complex operation had zero impact on our customers, which demonstrates the company's fore- sight over recent years when it invested in two additional submarine cables with a promise to minimize disruptions. e presence of these backup cables, in fact, is what ensured that connectivity re- mained uninterrupted during all these months," explained Kelvin Camenzuli, Chief Digital Officer, at GO plc. e financial commitment forced by this damage, was substantial, with costs exceeding €1.3 million and the whole operation saw the deployment of 1.5 kilometres of cable, 1500 meters of ar- ticulated pipe, 150 screw anchors, and 20 rock stoppers. "e repair operation was a delicate one that demanded precise coordina- tion and careful planning. Not only be- cause it involved both land-based and underwater work, which also neces- sitated the deployment of specialized vessels from Greece, but because the damaged cable happened to be located within a designated Natura 2000 site. is further emphasized the need for meticulous attention to environmental preservation," Camenzuli said. e submarine cable in question is no stranger to adversity. Laid in a harsh marine environment, it is designed to withstand the harshest of conditions. However, the damage it suffered was not due to natural wear and tear but rather the result of human activity—an unfor- tunate occurrence that emphasized the importance of constant vigilance. Geoffrey Cauchi, GO's Networks Sen- ior Manager explained how throughout the repair initiative - a collaborative ef- fort involving various entities, including the Environment and Resources Au- thority, MEPA, Transport Malta, and the St Paul's Bay Local Council amongst others – ensuring minimal disruption to the environment and the protection of sea life was of utmost importance. "To achieve this, GO appointed an ERA Monitor who devised a meticulous Method of Procedure (MOP), which was approved by ERA to align with cur- rent requirements. Once the permit was granted, the operation commenced, cul- minating in the removal and collection of old cables, articulated pipes, and an- chors to prevent environmental harm." Cauchi remarked that whilst GO's commitment to the protection of its cables is unwavering, these cables were never intended to endure uplift forces. "Notwithstanding the fact that these cables are clearly earmarked on navi- gational charts so that boat owners in the proximity of these cables may avoid activities that could jeopardize these essential communication lifelines, evi- dence indicated that the cable had been pulled up and released abruptly, causing significant damage." "ese cables provide a robust net- work, ensuring uninterrupted connec- tivity for all our customers and when- ever one of these cables suffers damage, repairs are imperative to maintain the required capacity and protect the signif- icant investments made," Cauchi said. Over the years, GO has made signif- icant investments in three distinct and separate submarine cables—GO-TIS, GO-1, and PEACE— with the first two connecting Malta to Sicily, and the lat- ter, to Marseille in France. e magnitude of these repairs was considerable, both in terms of prepa- ration and execution. Eight months of intensive planning and preparation preceded the three-day repair opera- tion. "As we head into October, the protec- tion operation continues, with an esti- mated two weeks needed to complete it, weather permitting," he added. "Besides ensuring the protection of the delicate sea life in the area, the intricate eight-month operation that GO had to undertake, not only highlighted GO's unwavering commitment to keeping Malta connected but is a true reflection of its purpose to drive a digital Malta, where no one is left behind," Camenzuli said. GO successfully carries out submarine cable repairs CHETCUTI Cauchi Advocates has admitted senior lawyer Dr Natasha Cachia as a Partner at the firm. e announcement was made by Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates' managing partner Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti during a private event hosted for the firm. Chetcuti Cauchi said "Natasha represents the val- ues of the firm in the strongest way and us partners see her carrying them in stewardship for the next generation. She is a highly competent and prag- matic professional, always open to discussion, firm where necessary and at the same time, people-cen- tric - values that have never been more important than today, especially as we recalibrate our firm's standards." Commenting on her new appointment, Cachia stated "My belief in our firm's successful collective future makes me delighted with this new position as Partner at Chetcuti Cauchi. Working alongside my esteemed colleagues, I am committed to main- taining the highest professional standards while up- holding our core values. It is an honour to be part of this team, and I am appreciative of this valuable opportunity." Natasha is a seasoned corporate and commercial law expert, specializing in company law, commer- cial and contract law and M&A's. She is also high- ly experienced in the CSP and Trustee sectors and currently specialises in risk advisory services, in- cluding areas related to AML and CFT Legislation, Sanctions Advisory Services, and regulatory areas. Cachia currently manages Chetcuti Cauchi Advo- cates' Risk and Compliance department. Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates admit senior lawyer to partnership

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