LoVe Ocean Observatory cable damaged/sections missing (Norway)

The Lofoten-Vesteralen (LoVe) Ocean Observatory is a cabled subsea research network laid across the continental shelf off Vesteralen in northern Norway, operated by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR). In 2021 IMR reported that the system had been out of service for an extended period after a section of the observatory cable was damaged and went missing. According to IMR, a substantial part of the cable on the network's outer circuit had been displaced and could not be located, leaving instrument nodes without power and disconnected from the land station.

IMR described the loss as the result of a powerful external force. Project manager Geir Pedersen said that something or someone had pulled the cable out of position on the outer circuit, and that the most likely explanation was a passing vessel dragging it. The institute reported the incident to the police. The research vessel G.O. Sars was sent to survey the damaged installations and search for the missing cable.

On 25 November 2021 IMR announced that the search had succeeded: roughly 3 kilometres of the 4.2-kilometre cable had been recovered, found well out of position, up to 11 kilometres from where it had originally lain. IMR research director Geir Huse said the institute was pleased the cable had been located and that it was important to clarify what had happened, adding that the case would be followed up with the police. The cause was not conclusively established.

The verified record points to a strong external force displacing the cable, with IMR itself favouring an unintended vessel snag such as trawling or dragging gear. No party reported the incident and none was identified, and the cable also carried data of interest to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which kept the possibility of deliberate interference open in public discussion. On available evidence, however, deliberate sabotage was raised as a possibility rather than demonstrated. Attribution remains unknown, and an accidental cause cannot be ruled out.