The Malaysian government has approved a new search for the missing flight MH370 utilizing advanced underwater technology by Ocean Infinity. The search area has been refined, and state-of-the-art vehicles will be deployed to explore depths of 6,000 meters. If successful, the recovery of the aircraft’s black boxes could provide crucial insights, with Ocean Infinity set to receive $70 million upon locating the wreckage.
The Malaysian government has authorized a renewed search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which vanished in 2014, utilizing advanced technology in the southern Indian Ocean. The search area was defined through an extensive analysis of satellite data and debris findings, covering approximately the same area as metropolitan Sydney. Seabed analysis firm Ocean Infinity will lead this search using cutting-edge autonomous underwater vehicles operated from the new support vessel, Armada 7806.
Ocean Infinity has proven its expertise in underwater recoveries, having located a missing Argentinian submarine and a US Navy ship. Equipped with sophisticated sonar systems, including sidescan and multibeam sonar, these vehicles can survey underwater terrains effectively, capturing high-resolution imagery and generating detailed maps of the seafloor to locate the aircraft wreckage.
The search will make use of robotics advancements enabling simultaneous deployment of multiple vehicles at depths of 6,000 meters. This approach increases search coverage significantly while allowing for efficient mapping of the designated area. The success of this endeavor is particularly contingent upon prevailing weather conditions, which are expected to be most favorable from January to April.
Should Ocean Infinity successfully locate MH370, they will receive $70 million from the Malaysian government, enabling efforts to recover the plane’s black boxes and resolve the mystery of its disappearance. If unsuccessful, however, Ocean Infinity will not receive payment, and the search for the aircraft will be reset.
In summary, the renewed search for MH370 harnesses state-of-the-art technology and experience from previous underwater recoveries. Ocean Infinity’s capabilities, coupled with advanced sonar systems and multiple vehicle deployments, aim to efficiently cover the large search area. The project’s success hinges on favorable weather, and if accomplished, would provide critical insights into the fate of the ill-fated flight. This undertaking underscores the persistent pursuit of understanding and closure surrounding one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
