Red Hook-Little Saint James

Overview

The Red Hook-Little Saint James submarine cable is a short underwater telecommunications system spanning 5 kilometers within the Virgin Islands (U.S.). This cable was commissioned in 2005 and is owned by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, a public utility responsible for essential services in the region. It serves as a critical link between Great Bay on the island of Saint Thomas and the private island of Little Saint James. Despite its limited length, the cable plays an important role in connecting these two locations, supporting local infrastructure and communication needs.

Submarine cables like Red Hook-Little Saint James are essential for reliable telecommunications in island regions, where physical geography often limits terrestrial alternatives. By bridging these two points, the cable enhances connectivity in a region where tourism, commerce and public services depend heavily on stable communication networks.

Route and Landings

The Red Hook-Little Saint James cable begins at Great Bay, located on the southeastern shore of Saint Thomas, one of the main islands of the Virgin Islands (U.S.). Great Bay is a key area for local infrastructure, serving as a hub for both residential and commercial activities. The cable then crosses a short stretch of the Caribbean Sea to reach Little Saint James, a small private island situated to the south of Saint Thomas. The route is geographically straightforward, as the islands are in close proximity, separated by calm, shallow waters typical of the Caribbean.

Great Bay's selection as a landing point aligns with its role as a developed area with existing infrastructure, making it a logical choice for connecting to Little Saint James. The latter, being privately owned, likely relies on this cable for its telecommunications and other utilities. This connection underscores the importance of submarine cables in linking even small, isolated locations to broader networks.

Ownership and History

The Red Hook-Little Saint James cable is owned and operated by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA), a government-owned utility responsible for water and electricity services across the U.S. Virgin Islands. VIWAPA's involvement in telecommunications infrastructure highlights the multifaceted role of public utilities in small island territories, where integrated services are often necessary to meet the needs of the population and local businesses.

The cable was declared ready for service in 2005, marking its integration into the region's telecommunications framework. While specific operational details are not publicly available, its establishment reflects the broader trend of deploying submarine cables to improve connectivity in the Caribbean. The U.S. Virgin Islands, as an unincorporated U.S. territory, benefit from such infrastructure to maintain links with mainland United States and neighboring islands, supporting economic and social development.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the Red Hook-Little Saint James cable has provided limited insights due to its short length and specific scope. However, its geographic location in the calm, shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea likely contributes to its stability and reliability. Submarine cables in such environments typically experience fewer disruptions compared to those in deeper or more turbulent waters.

The cable's role in connecting Great Bay and Little Saint James is indicative of its localized purpose, serving as a utility link rather than a major international data conduit. Given its ownership by VIWAPA, it is reasonable to infer that the cable supports both telecommunications and potentially other utilities, such as power transmission. While detailed data on its current operational status is unavailable, the cable's existence underscores the importance of tailored infrastructure solutions for small island communities.