A Decade Later, Ship Sets Sail to Find Missing Flight MH370

By
Mfame Editor
-
13

  • U.S. exploration firm Ocean Infinity has deployed a ship to the Southern Indian Ocean to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
  • Malaysia has not yet signed a contract with Ocean Infinity.
  • The firm plans to expand the previous search area by 15,000 sq km over 18 months, with January to April being the best search period.
  • Earlier searches by Australia, China, Malaysia, and Ocean Infinity (2018) found no wreckage.
  • A 2018 report suggested the aircraft was deliberately manipulated off course, but no definitive conclusions were drawn due to lack of wreckage.

A decade after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, the search for its wreckage has restarted, with U.S. firm Ocean Infinity mobilizing a vessel to the Southern Indian Ocean, tracking data confirms.

MH370 Search Resumes

Malaysia’s transport minister Anthony Loke stated that while the search has not been officially contracted, Ocean Infinity’s proactiveness is welcomed, and contract terms are being finalized.

The search will have a specific timeframe and will not be indefinite.

New Search Zone and Strategy

Ocean Infinity aims to cover an additional 15,000 sq km over 18 months, expanding past previously searched areas.

No exact coordinates of the new search zone have been revealed, but Ocean Infinity is confident this area is credible and previously missed.

The best search conditions are from January to April.

Decade-Long Mystery Continues

Previous Search Efforts:

  1. 2014-2017: Australia, China, and Malaysia conducted a 120,000 sq km seabed search, based on Inmarsat satellite data.
  2. 2018: Ocean Infinity’s two searches failed to locate the wreckage.

Flight Path Analysis:

  1. Last recorded transmission was 40 minutes after takeoff.
  2. Military radar showed a sudden change in course, flying back over Malaysia, into the Andaman Sea, and then turning southward before all contact was lost.

Debris Found:

  1. Confirmed and suspected debris washed up along Africa’s coast and Indian Ocean islands.

Unanswered Questions:

  1. A 495-page 2018 report concluded that the plane was likely deliberately diverted, but no evidence linked the captain, co-pilot, or crew to foul play.
  2. Victims’ families have demanded compensation from Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and Allianz Insurance.

What’s Next?

  1. Contract finalization between Malaysia and Ocean Infinity.
  2. Active search operations in the new designated area.
  3. Potential discovery of wreckage and flight data recorders, which could finally explain the mystery.

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!

Source: Reuters