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A stern chute is a sloped ramp or guiding structure installed at the stern (rear) of a cable-laying vessel used in the subsea cable industry. Its primary function is to guide and control the deployment of subsea cables, such as power or communication cables, from the ship into the ocean with minimal stress or damage.

Key features:

• Angled design to smoothly transition cables from deck level into the water

• Often integrated with tensioners and rollers to manage cable tension and alignment

• Helps ensure safe and controlled overboarding of heavy, sensitive cables during installation

It plays a critical role in protecting cable integrity during laying operations, especially in deepwater or challenging environments.