Makai Ocean Engineering Launches New Training Simulator for Submarine Cable Installations

Makai Ocean Engineering has released the Makai Simulator, a training tool that enables submarine cable installers to prepare MakaiLay operators in a safe, realistic, and cost-effective way, entirely from shore. Developed by Makai with contribution from Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), the Simulator gives teams the ability to build hands-on experience with offshore cable installation workflows in a controlled, office-based environment.

As the global demand for subsea infrastructure accelerates, driven by expanding internet connectivity, offshore renewable energy, and defense requirements, there is growing pressure to deploy cable systems faster, more reliably, and with a limited pool of experienced personnel, many of whom are already engaged on other projects. Traditional onboard training is expensive, time-limited, and increasingly impractical. The Makai Simulator addresses this gap by providing a realistic, flexible, and cost-effective solution for building operational readiness without tying up a vessel. Replicating real-world conditions down to the behavior of cable engines, plough systems, and vessel dynamics, it gives operators the experience and confidence needed to perform at sea.

The system includes two fully integrated components: the Vessel Simulator, which generates live ship positioning, plough parameters, and cable engine data in real-time; and the Training Simulator, a desktop version of MakaiLay that interacts