Introduction
Whenever something moves through water—whether it's a submarine, a sonar system, or a seismic streamer—it has to deal with water resistance. This resistance, known as hydrodynamic drag, affects not only the towed equipment but also the cable that connects it. That drag can slow things down, cause wear, or make it harder to reach the desired towing depth.
To counter these effects, engineers use something called cable fairings. These are smart add-ons that improve the flow of water around the cable, making operations smoother, faster, and more efficient. In this article, we’ll break down what cable fairings are, how they work, and which types might be right for your specific mission.