Decade-Long Search for MH370 Resumes as Ocean Infinity Takes Action

HONG KONG — Eleven years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared, Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company based in Austin, Texas, is resuming its search for the wreckage. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced on Tuesday that the government has granted initial approval for the company to restart the search operations in the southern Indian Ocean.

Minister Loke reported that the details of the new contract are currently being finalized, which includes determining the duration of the search. The announcement comes after the company conducted a previous unsuccessful search in 2018, where no traces of the Boeing 777 aircraft were recovered.

Flight MH370 vanished from radar on March 8, 2014, shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing. The plane was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members when it dramatically veered off course. Despite one of the largest and most extensive searches in aviation history, which explored hundreds of thousands of square miles, only about two dozen pieces of debris have been found on the shores of East Africa.

Loke stated, “Ocean Infinity is confident that the current search area is more credible, as they have previously covered a large area and believe this is the area that was missed in past searches.” He highlighted that the company is prepared to take risks in this renewed search effort, saying, “That is why the Malaysian government is proceeding with it.”

A spokesperson for Ocean Infinity provided no further details regarding the operation, indicating that the focus remains on the renewed search strategy.

The missing Boeing 777 aircraft is believed to lie in one of the most remote parts of the ocean, possibly miles underwater. Initially, searches focused on the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before expanding to the Indian Ocean region southwest of Australia. The cause of the plane’s disappearance remains unknown, with various theories suggesting mechanical failure, hijacking, or deliberate actions by the pilots.

Families of the victims, including many Chinese nationals, have been advocating for a renewed search effort. Grace Nathan, who lost her mother in the incident, expressed relief at the new search initiative. “We’re very relieved and pleased that the search is resuming once again after such a long hiatus,” she stated. Similarly, Jaquita Gonzales, who lost her husband Patrick Gomes, said, “We just want to know where it is and what happened. Memories come back like yesterday; it’s fresh in our heads.”

According to maritime tracking sites, Ocean Infinity’s vessel Armada 78 06 is already deployed in the southern Indian Ocean. The Malaysian government is expected to finalize a contract with Ocean Infinity that could last for 18 months and may include a payout of $70 million if the wreckage is located and verified.

As the tenth anniversary of the disappearance approaches, Loke mentioned that renewed search efforts could provide much-needed answers not just for the families involved but also for the aviation industry as a whole. The Malaysian Transport Minister stated that understanding the mystery behind MH370 is crucial in preventing future aviation incidents.

The aviation community remains focused on analyzing satellite data that suggests the aircraft flew for an additional six hours after losing contact. As the international investigation into MH370 continues, the families await closure while researchers explore the possibilities of locating the aircraft’s remains.