Carousel (Cable Lay)

A carousel is a large rotating drum, mounted vertically or as a horizontal turntable, that stores continuous subsea cable or umbilical aboard a cable-lay vessel (CLV) so kilometers of product can be paid out without joints. Stored under controlled back-tension, the carousel feeds a tensioner and overboarding chute or quadrant; capacities on modern CLVs reach several thousand tonnes of product. The design controls minimum bend radius and sidewall pressure to protect the cable. Carousels distinguish a purpose-built CLV from a vessel using simpler cable drums or static tanks.