Missing Flight MH370 Latest Search News: U.S. Firm in Talks With U.S. Government About Conducting New Massive Search
The Malaysian government is currently in talks with a U.S. firm about the possibility of relaunching the search for the MH370. According to reports, the discussion intends to make this new search effort work on a "no find, no fee" basis, where the U.S. company only gets paid if it successfully locates the missing aircraft.
The U.S. company is Ocean Infinity, a seabed exploration firm based in Houston, Texas that uses a wide range of autonomous vehicles in conducting its searches. The company has reportedly offered the Malaysian government its service, on the condition that it will only receive payment if it is able to find the missing Boeing 777.
Ocean Infinity is known to operate from its main multi-purpose ship, which loads six underwater machines that can operate at a depth of 6,000 meters while collecting high-definition imagery from the deep. The company also operates six unmanned surface vehicles and submersibles, which work to ensure accurate positioning and constant communication during a search.
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According to reports, if the Malaysian government agrees with the deal, this will be Ocean Infinity's first time to search for a missing plane. However, given its strong background in deep-sea operations like seabed mapping and imaging, marine geological surveys, and environmental monitoring, it looks like the company will be of big help in possibly locating the missing plane, which disappeared with its 239 passengers and crew on March 8, 2014.
A massive search for the missing plane was called off at the beginning of 2017 due to spiraling operational costs, but a team from Cardiff University recently tried to conduct its own search across the Indian Ocean. The team reportedly used underwater sound waves in locating the plane, but just like the previous search operations, it failed to uncover the fate of the plane.
Currently, the Malaysian government is said to be "negotiating the terms and conditions" with Ocean Infinity.
