Huge new MH370 search authorised by Malaysia authorities with marine robotics deployed

What actually happened to the doomed MH370 flight that went missing over a decade ago is still unknown, but fresh answers may be coming as the Malaysian government approves a brand new search

A renewed search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will begin as the Malaysian government gives the go-ahead to Texas-based marine robotics company.

The search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight will use more advanced technology to map a full picture of the ocean floor. However, experts warn that one false move could destroy efforts in what is likely to be the final search for the doomed aircraft, due to the ocean’s vast, isolated and treacherous area.

The Malaysian government has agreed to a “no-find, no-fee” contract with Ocean Infinity to restart the seabed search operation at a new 5,800-square-mile site in the Indian ocean.

If they finally discover the doomed flight, Ocean Infinity will be paid 70 million dollars (£53.8 million). The company have tried to search for the jet before, but turned up with no new information.

Craig Wallace, an electrical engineer from Deep Sea Vision said: “Make no mistakes, the Indian Ocean that they’re working in is among the worst in the world. They’ve recorded wave heights of 20 meters, so 60 feet. It’s extreme conditions and there will be a lot of times where they simply cannot launch or recover the vehicle.”

In another warning, former Australian naval officer Peter Waring, who took part in the initial search for MH370, told Australian programme 60 Minutes: “There’s absolutely no shelter out there, and there’s nowhere to hide. You’re six or seven days away from the nearest port, which is Perth. These are dangerous conditions. If something goes wrong, it will turn catastrophic very, very quickly.”

The Boeing 777 plane vanished from radar shortly after taking off on March 8 2014, carrying 239 people on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Satellite data showed the plane turned from its flight path and headed south to the far-southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.

The first search spanned three million square kilometres above the water and more than 120,000 square kilometres under the sea, but failed to turn up any clues to its location, although debris washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands.

Ocean Infinity chief executive Oliver Punkett earlier this year reportedly said the company had improved its technology since their last search in 2018.

He has said the firm is working with many experts to analyse data and had narrowed the search area to the most likely site.

Mr Loke said his ministry will ink a contract with Ocean Infinity soon but did not provide details on the terms. The firm has reportedly sent a search vessel to the site and indicated that January to April is the best period for the search.

“The government is committed to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of the passengers of flight MH370,” Mr Loke said in a statement.

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