Renewed Search for MH370: New Technology and Strategies Unveiled

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has resumed over eleven years post-disappearance, with the Malaysian government approving a partnership with Ocean Infinity. Utilizing advanced technology, including the Armada 7806 vessel and various sonar systems, the effort aims to efficiently cover a challenging search area. Success would lead to a reward of US$70 million and possible recovery of critical data, while failure will mean no payment and a return to square one.

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has resumed more than eleven years after its tragic disappearance, claiming 239 lives. The Malaysian government has initiated a renewed search effort, collaborating with seabed exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which previously attempted a search in 2018. With a new plan approved in December, Ocean Infinity deployed advanced technology to the southern Indian Ocean, 1,500 kilometers west of Perth.

The search area, approximately the size of metropolitan Sydney, was determined through refined analyses of satellite data, weather conditions, and debris findings along the African coast and nearby islands. Ocean Infinity has a history of locating underwater wreckage, including an Argentinian submarine and a US Navy ship, using its expertise in underwater surveys.

Equipped for the search is the Armada 7806, a 78-meter offshore support vessel constructed by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard in 2023. This vessel utilizes advanced autonomous underwater vehicles developed by Kongsberg, capable of depths up to 6,000 meters for 100 hours, employing various sonar technologies for effective surveying.

The sonar systems, including sidescan, synthetic aperture, multibeam, and sub-bottom profiling sonar, are essential for mapping the seafloor and detecting underwater objects. Their combination enables detailed exploration and geological assessments, while onboard cameras assist in verifying targets found during sonar scanning.

Ocean Infinity has also enhanced its marine robotics and data analytics, allowing multiple vehicles to operate simultaneously across vast areas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the survey. Data collected will create detailed maps of the planned search zone.

The conditions in the search region are expected to be challenging, with potential weather difficulties for the support vessel and complex underwater terrain for the robotic vehicles. The operation may last up to 18 months, with favorable conditions expected from January to April. An agreement states that if Ocean Infinity successfully locates the wreckage of MH370, they will receive US$70 million for their efforts.

Subsequent retrieval of the aircraft’s black boxes would provide crucial insights into the incident. However, if unsuccessful, Ocean Infinity will incur no payment and the investigation will return to its initial state, requiring further exploration to find the missing aircraft.

In summary, the renewed search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has commenced with advanced technology and expertise from Ocean Infinity. Utilizing the Armada 7806 and innovative sonar systems, the search aims to cover a large area in complex underwater conditions over the next 18 months. Success could yield significant findings in the investigation, while failure would revert efforts to square one.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com