Grapnel

A grapnel is a type of dragging tool used in the subsea cable industry to locate, retrieve, or clear old or lost cables from the seabed. It typically consists of a metal frame with multiple hooked arms designed to snag cables or debris as it is towed along the ocean floor.

Key features:

• Designed to hook and recover subsea cables or obstructions

• Towed behind a vessel during cable recovery or route clearing operations

• Comes in various types (e.g. flatfish, prong, or harpoon) depending on seabed conditions and task

Grapnels are essential tools in pre-lay route clearance, cable repair, and recovery operations.