More than a decade after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the search for the missing aircraft has been reignited.
Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, has now commenced a new deep-sea search operation in the southern Indian Ocean, bringing renewed hope to families and investigators seeking answers.
The company’s return to the search is based on a “no find, no fee” proposal with the Malaysian government.
This means Ocean Infinity will only receive payment, a reported $70 million, if they successfully locate the wreckage. This arrangement underscores the company’s confidence in their technology and the potential for a breakthrough.
The Malaysian government has welcomed the commencement of the new search; however, the final agreement is still yet to be signed and formalized.
Ocean Infinity 2025 Search Area
The current search focuses on a newly defined area, expanding upon previous efforts. Ocean Infinity has refined its technology since its last search attempt in 2018, and have made several successful deep water recoveries.
In the time elapsed since the last MH370 search, experts have analyzed existing data and refined search parameters. This has led to the identification of a 15,000 square kilometer area deemed worthy of further investigation.
This new zone is located in the vast and challenging terrain of the southern Indian Ocean, known for its extreme depths and turbulent conditions.
The new search area takes in specific locations proposed by three research groups. The three key groups are the MH370-Caption team, headed by Captain Patrick Blelley and Jean Luc Marchand; the Independent Group, and Richard Godfrey’s WSPR analysis team.
Additionally, a number of groups have contributed expertise and input to Ocean Infinity, notably including researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA).
The new search broadens the region under investigation beyond the ‘seventh arc’ where previous searches were focused.
Armada 78 06 Vessel Deployment
Ocean Infinity is deploying its advanced technology in this renewed mission. Their Armada 78 06 vessel, equipped with cutting-edge deep-sea search capabilities, is at the forefront of the operation.
This vessel is designed for complex underwater survey operations. It is capable of operating in the extreme depths where MH370 is believed to have crashed.
The company is also utilizing low crew survey techniques and remote operations from Southampton, UK. This increases search efficiency and reduces operational costs.
The public can track the vessel’s movements, increasing transparency in the search. This level of openness is important for the families of the victims and the wider public. Many have been following the MH370 mystery for years.
While search operations are actively underway, it is important to note that the contract between the Malaysian government and Ocean Infinity is still in the process of being finalized.
The Malaysian government has welcomed the commencement of the new search. However, after 10 months of negotiation, the final agreement is still yet to be signed and formalized.
Conclusion
The disappearance of MH370 in March 2014 remains one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. The Boeing 777, carrying 239 passengers and crew, vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Despite extensive searches, only a few pieces of debris have been recovered and identified, leaving many questions unanswered.
The resumption of the search by Ocean Infinity represents a critical step in the ongoing quest to find MH370.
The company’s sophisticated technology, coupled with the refined search area, offers a renewed opportunity to locate the aircraft and provide closure to the families of those lost.
The world watches closely as Ocean Infinity navigates the challenging waters of the southern Indian Ocean. The hope is that this new search will finally bring the answers that have eluded investigators for over a decade, and provide some solace to those who have waited so long.
