KUALA LUMPUR – The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has resumed in the Indian Ocean, marking what is likely the final attempt to uncover the fate of the aircraft that vanished 11 years ago. The renewed mission is led by Ocean Infinity, a US- and UK-based private marine exploration company, which has deployed its advanced deep-water search vessel Armada 7806 to a new search area approximately 1,500 kilometers off the coast of Perth, Australia. According to reports from Australian and British media on February 25, the vessel arrived at the designated zone over the weekend.
Why Has the Search Resumed Now?
The decision to relaunch the search follows the emergence of new credible evidence that has refined previous estimations of the aircraft’s final resting place. Despite earlier searches spanning thousands of square kilometers and extensive multinational efforts, MH370 remains missing, making it one of the most perplexing aviation mysteries in history.
Ocean Infinity’s renewed confidence stems from a combination of advanced technological capabilities and newly analyzed satellite data and drift modeling, which experts believe could provide the most precise coordinates yet. This breakthrough has encouraged Malaysian authorities to approve a renewed effort in collaboration with Ocean Infinity.
Who Is Leading and Financing the Search?
Ocean Infinity, a world leader in deep-sea exploration, is spearheading the mission under a “no find, no fee” agreement with the Malaysian government. This means that Malaysia will only pay for the search if it successfully locates the wreckage or the aircraft’s black boxes. The potential cost, if the search yields results, is estimated to be in the range of $70 million to $150 million.
Ocean Infinity had previously conducted a search for MH370 in 2018, covering approximately 112,000 square kilometers but without success. However, the company has since significantly upgraded its fleet with new autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and cutting-edge sonar technology, increasing the likelihood of a breakthrough.
A Last Chance for Answers
For families of the 239 passengers and crew members aboard MH370 on their way to Beijing, this final search represents a renewed glimmer of hope for closure. The disappearance of the aircraft on March 8, 2014, remains one of the greatest unsolved tragedies in aviation history. With advanced technology and a refined search area, experts and authorities are optimistic that this effort could finally bring definitive answers to one of the world’s most enduring aviation mysteries.
As the search progresses, authorities, aviation experts, and families around the world await with anticipation—this could be the moment when the final chapter of MH370’s story is finally written. (zai)