Nautical Term: HRU

Definition of HRU

A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is a mechanical device employed in underwater electrical cables and pipelines. The HRU is designed to release the anchor chain or a connected buoy in the event of an underwater cable or pipeline failure due to hydrostatic pressure. Here’s an example of how an HRU can be described in a single paragraph: ‘The Atlantic Cable, a 1,600-mile-long underwater electrical cable that connects North America and Europe, is equipped with a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) that was designed to safely release the anchor chain or a connected buoy in the event of an underwater cable failure due to hydrostatic pressure.’

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