While a cut or damaged fiber optic cable can temporarily take your network down, it is possible to quickly fix the cable with the right tools. A steel messenger is a stranded steel cable that acts lashing wire. Executing this process with. Aerial installation can be preformed by lashing a fiber optic cable designed for aerial lashing to an existing steel messenger wire. Some precautions to aerial lashing. This practice covers the basic guidelines for installation of aerial fiber-optic cable. It is intended for personnel with prior experience in planning, engineering, or placement of aerial cable. During installation, all curvatures should be smooth.