It seems that the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 is put on hold temporarily. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), who said that both ships that are used in the search are now en route to Fremantle, Australia.
Australia was one of the first countries to volunteer a vessel to try and find any signs of the missing Boeing 777, which disappeared on 8th March, 2014, presumably somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
Dutch-Based Company Fugro was Awarded Contract to Search for MH370
The two ships came from the Netherlands-based company Fugro, which was awarded a $50 million worth contract in August by the Australian Transportation and Safety Bureau.
In October 2014, Fugro sent a vessel named “Discovery” to start search operations. The boat was joined by the “Equator” in January this year, while a third ship was briefly used, but was soon taken out of commission.
So far, Discovery and Equator have scanned over 70,000 kilometers from total 120,000 square kilometers in the area, however, their progress seems to have all but stopped last week.
Both Discovery and Equator Leave for Fremantle, Australia
First, the Equator had to vacate the search area for a result mission to Fremantle on 3rd November. The vessel was scheduled to arrive on Monday.
The plan was for the Discovery to release its sonar system while the Equator is away. However, on 4th November, one of its crew members came down with appendicitis and the ship had to sail back to Fremantle as well.
About this, the agency said in a statement:
As we have continued to emphasize, the safety and well-being of the crew is of the highest priority.
When asked if this means that there are currently no ships engaged in the search for the missing MH370, the media representative said:
Yes, that is correct.
So far, the search for the Boeing 777 was largely unsuccessful, with the only confirmed found being a flaperon found in July on Reunion Island.
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