Can we ever find MH370? Britain’s most advanced ship resumes search

Ocean Infinity, a British firm specializing in deep-sea exploration, has launched a new search for the wreckage of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Nearly 11 years after the aircraft vanished, this latest effort aims to explore areas that were previously overlooked.

A High-Tech Search Mission

The company's state-of-the-art vessel, the Armada 7806, has been deployed to the Indian Ocean to scan the seabed for possible wreckage. Equipped with advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles, the ship is conducting a high-tech search with satellite-linked operations from Ocean Infinity’s control center in Southampton, UK.

Malaysia’s Conditional Approval

While the Malaysian government has granted preliminary approval under a 'no find, no fee' agreement, a formal contract has yet to be finalized. Despite this, Ocean Infinity has moved forward with the mission, demonstrating its commitment to solving one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.

A Renewed Hope for Answers

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has expressed support for the search, acknowledging the proactive approach taken by Ocean Infinity. The operation will initially target three to four high-probability locations based on fresh data and expert analyses, focusing on areas that were not thoroughly examined in past searches.

Theories and New Search Areas

Independent researchers believe that previous searches may have missed key locations where MH370 could have crashed. The Armada 7806 will focus on a 5,800-square-mile section of the southern Indian Ocean, about 1,200 miles off the coast of Perth, Australia. Another potential search zone, located about 100 nautical miles further south, aligns with calculations by aviation experts who suspect the aircraft may have flown farther than initially believed before running out of fuel.

A Mission Fueled by Determination

Ocean Infinity’s CEO, Oliver Plunkett, has made it a personal mission to locate the missing plane, having previously launched a search in 2018 that ended unsuccessfully. This time, the team is hopeful that advanced technology and refined search data will finally uncover the fate of MH370 and provide long-awaited closure for the families of the 239 passengers and crew on board.

The search operation is being carried out before the arrival of winter in the southern hemisphere, as weather conditions could significantly impact the mission. If the wreckage is found, Malaysia would need to approve a full-scale recovery operation, which could reignite international efforts to solve this decade-long mystery.

MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, during a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. After veering off its flight path, the aircraft is believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean, making it one of the most perplexing disappearances in aviation history. This latest effort by Ocean Infinity represents another critical attempt to find answers once and for all.