MH370 Operational Search Update

  • Hits: 526
    Web Link 17 August 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Equator is in the search area. Sea conditions over the weekend were not suitable for deep tow operations. The vessel is standing by in the search area until the weather allows search operations to recommence.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 remains in Fremantle. Projected weather conditions for the next several weeks preclude the effective deployment of search equipment from this vessel. Dong Hai Jiu 101 will remain at anchor off Fremantle until weather conditions improve.

     

  • Hits: 551
    Web Link 10 August 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery is conducting search activities. The vessel will depart the search area for the last time on 11 August and transit to Singapore to be readied for its next project, unrelated to the search for MH370.
    • Fugro Equator is conducting search operations.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 arrived in Fremantle on 8 August for a scheduled port visit.

     

  • Hits: 538
    Web Link 03 August 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery is on weather standby in the search area.
    • Fugro Equator is en route to the search area.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is en route to Fremantle for resupply.

     

  • Hits: 601
    Web Link 27 July 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery continues operations in the search area.
    • Fugro Equator is en route to Fremantle for resupply.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently on weather standby and will conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.

     

  • Hits: 566
    Web Link 20 July 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery continues operations in the search area.
    • Fugro Equator is conducting underwater search operations and bathymetry as weather and sea conditions allow and is expected to depart the search area late tonight.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently on weather stand by and will conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow. 

     

  • Hits: 559
    Web Link 13 July 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery has undergone maintenance in Fremantle and is en route to the search area.
    • Fugro Equator is conducting underwater search operations and bathymetry as weather and sea conditions allow.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently on weather stand by and will conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.

     

  • Hits: 577
    Web Link 06 July 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.
    • Fugro Discovery resupplied in Fremantle and was en route to the search area, however an engineering issue has required the vessel to return to port for maintenance.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is en route to the search area, after returning an injured crew member to Fremantle. The vessel is expected to arrive in the search area early on 6 July.

     

  • Hits: 576
    Web Link 29 June 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery is en route to Fremantle to conduct scheduled resupply and maintenance before returning to the search.
    • Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations, as the weather and sea conditions allow.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 arrived in Fremantle on 22 June for scheduled resupply, and departed for the search area on 26 June.  Two days into the voyage a crew member sustained an injury. Although not life-threatening, the decision has been made to return to port to ensure the best possible medical attention can be provided.

     

  • Hits: 578
    Web Link 22 June 2016

    Key developments this week

    • A prolonged period of extreme winter weather conditions has brought rough seas and strong winds to the search area in recent weeks, severely impacting search operations.
    • Fugro Discovery is conducting underwater search operations, as weather and sea conditions permit. The vessel sustained some damage to a shaft bearing and the tow cable, causing delays in search operations as repairs are being made.
    • Fugro Equator arrived at the search area on 21 June, after conducting resupply in Fremantle. The vessel is tasked to conduct underwater search operations, as the weather and sea conditions allow.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently in transit to Fremantle for scheduled resupply.

     

  • Hits: 569
    Web Link 15 June 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Winter weather conditions continued to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, severely impacting search operations.
    • Fugro Discovery is conducting underwater search operations as weather permits.
    • Fugro Equator departed for Fremantle on 11 June, and arrived in port today to conduct resupply. It is anticipated the vessel will depart for the return voyage to the search area tomorrow.
    • Weather conditions allowed the Dong Hai Jiu 101 to recommence underwater search operations on 13 June.

     

  • Hits: 585
    Web Link 8 June 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Winter weather conditions continued to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, severely impacting search operations.
    • Fugro Discovery was on weather standby until Monday 6 June when it successfully deployed its towfish and is now undertaking search operations for the first time in four weeks.
    • Fugro Equator is undertaking bathymetric survey operations as conditions permit.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby north of the search area.

     

  • Hits: 623
    Web Link 1 June 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Winter weather conditions continue to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, impacting on operations.
    • Fugro Discovery is on weather standby north of the search area. Forecast poor weather conditions will likely delay search operations.
    • Fugro Equator has been unable to undertake deep tow search activities due to poor weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in such conditions, however, survey was suspended briefly when the weather became extreme. Surveying has now recommenced.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.

     

  • Hits: 590
    Web Link 25 May 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Winter weather conditions continue to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, impacting on operations.
    • Fugro Discovery is on weather standby north of the search area. Forecast poor weather conditions will likely delay search operations.
    • Fugro Equator as been unable to undertake deep tow search activities due to poor weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in such conditions.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.

     

  • Hits: 639
    Web Link 18 May 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Winter weather conditions brought rough seas and strong winds to the search area which impacted on operations this week.
    • Fugro Discovery arrived in Fremantle on 16 May for resupply. The vessel departed for the search area on 17 May.
    • Fugro Equator arrived back in the search area on 14 May but was unable to undertake search activities due to the weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in poor weather conditions.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 arrived back in the search area on 16 May. The vessel is on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.

     

  • Hits: 566
    Web Link 11 May 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Poor weather conditions prompted the crew of Fugro Discovery to recover the deeptow vehicle and go to weather avoidance on 8 May. The vessel is expected to depart for Fremantle later today.
    • Fugro Equator departed Fremantle for the search area on 6 May but poor weather has slowed transit to the search area. The vessel is anticipated to arrive on 11 May but weather conditions in the coming days are expected to preclude search operations.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 completed testing of the SLH-ProSAS-60 deep tow system and departed for the search area on 10 May.

     

  • Hits: 612
    Web Link 4 May 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery experienced problems with its deep-tow side scan sonar on 1 May, requiring the equipment to be reset. As this created a gap in the data, the vessel turned and transited back to the point at which the signal had begun to degrade before re-running the line to ensure complete coverage of the area. Search operations are continuing.
    • Fugro Equator departed the search area on 29 April, and is en route to Fremantle to conduct a scheduled resupply visit.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 will shortly depart Fremantle port and proceeded to the calibration range to test the recovered SLH-ProSAS-60 deep tow system. Once testing is complete, the vessel will return to Fremantle for supplies, before departing for the search area.

     

  • Hits: 584
    Web Link 27 April 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Rough weather conditions over the weekendresulted in Fugro Discovery suspending search operations for a short period, but the vessel has since resumed underwater search operations. The vessel will be departing the search area around 13 May for a scheduled resupply visit to Fremantle. 
    • Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations. The vessel will be departing the search area around 28 April for a scheduled resupply visit to Fremantle.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is alongside in Fremantle port while the recovered SLH‑ProSAS‑60 deep tow system is checked and tested.

     

  • Hits: 609
    Web Link 20 April 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery continues to conduct underwater search operations.
    • Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 deployed Phoenix International’s Remora III remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and located the lost SLH‑ProSAS‑60 deep tow system.  Recovery operations were successful and the towfish and depressor were recovered on 18 April.

     

  • Hits: 646
    Web Link 13 April 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery arrived back in the search area on 12 April after a scheduled port visit to Fremantle. The vessel has resumed underwater search operations.
    • Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 departed for the search area on 11 April, carrying Phoenix International's Remora III remotely-operated vehicle (ROV). The ROV will be used in the recovery of the lost SLH-ProSAS-60 tow system.

     

  • Hits: 616
    Web Link 06 April 2016

    Key developments this week

    • Fugro Discovery departed the search area on 30 March and arrived in Fremantle for a scheduled resupply visit on 5 April. The vessel is departing today, returning to the search area.
    • Fugro Equator arrived back in the search area on 30 March and is engaged in underwater search operations.
    • Dong Hai Jiu 101 is at Fremantle where Phoenix International's Remora III remote operated vehicle (ROV) is being mobilised. The ROV will be used in the recovery of the lost SLH-ProSAS-60 towfish.
    • Possible aircraft debris has been found on the island of Rodrigues in Mauritius. The Malaysian Government is working with officials from Mauritius to seek to take custody of the debris and arrange for its examination.