A British-flagged cable-laying ship, the Cable Innovator, is on its way to repair a damaged undersea fiber optic cable that has disrupted telecommunications and internet service in Sitka, Alaska since last Thursday. The ship made a stop in Victoria, British Columbia to load necessary materials for the repair and is expected to arrive in Sitka by the end of the week. Alaska telecom firm GCI has been dealing with the disruption caused by the damaged cable but has not disclosed specific details about the incident, including the exact location of the break or the circumstances that led to it.
Unsubstantiated rumors have been circulating on social media in Sitka about the involvement of a cruise ship, but GCI has neither confirmed nor denied these claims. GCI stated that it would provide further information once the Cable Innovator arrives at the scene and the repair work begins. The company says it cannot be more specific about the incident until the ship is on scene and repairs are underway.
The disruption began late last week when GCI detected a break in the fiber optic cable that connects Sitka to the outside world. The cable is the sole source of internet and phone service for the Southeast Alaska town. The outage has created substantial disruptions for Sitka’s residents and businesses.
Businesses have gone cash-only, leading to long lines at ATMs, while elective surgeries at the local hospital are on hold.
Sitka’s internet blackout impact
Residents are finding alternative ways to connect, with satellite communication becoming a temporary lifeline.
“It’s mayhem,” says Rebecca Himschoot, the independent lawmaker representing Sitka in the Alaska House. “It’s just been shocking how dependent we are on the internet and how hard it is to do daily functions without it.”
At the same time, the outage has provided a unique opportunity for people to reconnect in more personal ways. “People are walking around more, going to friends’ homes, hanging out and talking,” says Jessica Ieremia, director of Sitka’s library, which has become a community hub thanks to its satellite internet unit.
The forced digital detox has some positive by-products. “For three minutes of texting, you end up with an hour of conversation with people you haven’t seen for a while,” Himschoot said. The outage has inspired thoughts about more permanent changes, such as tighter cell phone restrictions in schools or even a community-wide internet-free day each week.
While these ideas might face resistance, there’s an acknowledgment that the situation, despite its challenges, has brought a certain “golden moment” to Sitka. It has allowed residents a glimpse at a slower, more connected way of life, grounded in personal interaction rather than digital communication. For now, the town waits for full restoration of services, aided by GCI’s efforts and the community’s resilience.
The Cable Innovator is expected to arrive in Sitka on September 9 to begin the repair work.
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