Japan's NTT Communications strengthens underwater cable laying abilities

Tokyo [Japan], May 24 (ANI): The internet connects people and things around the world. Optical cables placed along the ocean floor provide more than 99 percent of international communications. Together with NTT group companies, NTT Communications has recently outfitted the new submarine cable-laying vessel, Kizuna, to strengthen its underwater cable-laying and maintenance capabilities. The Kizuna prides itself with the capability to enable easy maneuvering and stable fixed point positioning in the ocean using DPS (dynamic positioning system). Its advanced design comprises two azimuth propellers, and an electric propulsion system, to allow lateral movement and the capability to turn in a small radius. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with a jet cable laying system and with a maximum operating depth of 2,500m allows rapid laying and maintenance of undersea cables. The capabilities of the cable-laying vessel gained attention as it can perform different tasks on the ocean, particularly when the unprecedented earthquake struck Japan in March 2011. Kizuna is the first submarine cable-laying vessel equipped for the dual purpose of serving as a disaster-relief ship in the case of major natural disasters. Kizuna has been designed to assist during disaster recovery operations, for example through the rapid shipment of containers and other supplies. The vessel can also transport disaster recovery vehicles and emergency cellular network base stations, as well as satellite communication facilities and temporary accommodation for employees working in disaster zones. Takeshi Kawamoto, Captain, Navigation group, NTT World Engineering Marine Corporation, "In this way, we train every day to build and operate reliable communication cables that will withstand disasters. In addition, we want to protect the relationship of Japan with the rest of the world, maintain security, and protect the bonding with the rest of the international community." A clock is indispensable for everyday life. Aoyama Times and Images Museum', a unique clock museum has opened in Aoyama, Tokyo. Chiharu Kamise, Director, CASA D` ANGELA, Aoyama Times and Images Museum, "This museum has collected items that mainly fit these three categories: beautiful clocks, unusual clocks, and interesting clocks. Some broken watches I repaired are exhibited here. This is a very unusual watch with a Ferris wheel on top. It is a German watch made in the 1930s. Because it requires power as a clock, it has a pretty strong spring, and has a slightly different mechanism from ordinary clocks. This clock is called the Vienna Clock and was made in Vienna, Austria. It's called the GRANDE SONNERIE, which means it announces the time automatically every hour and every 15 minutes. There is a doll called the Automata here, and when the bell rings, the arm of this doll moves like this. In the 19th century, when there was no electric light, when you pull this cord in the middle of the night, it becomes a mechanism to tell the hour and the minute by the sound. This is a very rare item." While looking at the watches made using various mechanisms, it can easily make the viewers forget the time. (ANI)