The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has resumed, more than ten years after the aircraft mysteriously vanished with 239 individuals on board. The Boeing 777 disappeared shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing on March 8, 2014, drawing global attention to one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
This undertaking signifies a renewed commitment to uncovering the fate of the jet, whose disappearance prompted the largest maritime search operation in history, involving numerous countries and advanced technology.
Key Developments
- The search vessel, Armada 86 05, has arrived at the designated search area equipped with two autonomous underwater vehicles.
- The operation is backed by a “no-find, no-fee” agreement with the marine robotics company Ocean Infinity, which will receive $70 million only if wreckage is discovered.
- Ocean Infinity previously conducted an unsuccessful search in 2018 but has narrowed the focus to what they consider the most likely crash site area.
- A brief resumption of seabed search operations took place earlier this year in a new area of the southern Indian Ocean, but efforts were suspended due to adverse weather conditions.
Full Report
The Malaysian government’s transport ministry revealed earlier this month that the deep-sea search would be led by the American company Ocean Infinity. The operation is scheduled to last 55 days and is set to begin at the end of December.
As part of the preparation, the Armada 86 05 has been equipped with advanced technology, including autonomous underwater vehicles designed to assist in the challenging search conditions. While the exact search area remains undisclosed, the agency expressed optimism due to Ocean Infinity’s refined search zone based on expert analysis.
Ocean Infinity’s chief executive, Oliver Plunkett, stated that the firm is collaborating with multiple experts to enhance the search’s effectiveness and stressed the sensitive nature of the operation, refraining from providing further details.
Moreover, in an earlier search attempt in April, efforts were halted due to unfavorable weather after a short resumption in operations within a 5,800-square-mile area. The company remains committed to bringing closure to the families of those on board MH370.
Context & Previous Events
Nearly a decade after the aircraft’s disappearance, the initial multinational search spearheaded by Australia failed to locate the wreckage, although potential debris was discovered along the coastlines of East African and Indian Ocean islands. The 2014 incident raised numerous questions about aviation safety and tracking technologies.
In 2018, Ocean Infinity conducted a privately funded search but was unable to find the aircraft. The new agreement with the Malaysian government marks a renewed effort to utilize modern technology and methodologies in hopes of locating the missing jet.
