‘Realistic prospects of finding jet’

PUTRAJAYA: Ocean Infinity Limited believes it has a “realistic prospect” of finding the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Its chief executive officer, Oliver Plunkett, said the company would be deploying eight Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) or drones to sweep the seabed.

“We have a fleet of drones that are equipped with sensors, detectors and cameras, which can go below sea surfaces.

“These drones come with information that we will process. These drones are supposed to identify objects and locate wreckage of the missing aircraft underwater.”

In the previous search, Fugro specialist survey vessels deployed only one AUV to locate the wreckage.

Plunkett said the vessel, known as the Seabed Constructor, was expected to be at the search location in the southern Indian Ocean on Jan 17.

“The operations will be launched immediately after the vessel arrives at the location and the search will be completed within the 90-day time frame given by the Malaysian government.”

Established in 2015, Ocean Infinity is equipped with the latest technologies.

“We have 6,100 hours of AUV dive time in a variety of terrains and projects like the Gulf stream and the coast of the United States.

“We are capable of operating in depths of 5,860m and collecting high-resolution data at record-breaking speeds.

“For the search of MH370, we are expecting to complete 1,200 sq km a day. Therefore, we are projecting to complete searching the 25,000 sq km within the first 30 days. With the remaining 60 days, we will carry on looking for MH370 in wider areas if it is not found within the 25,000 sq km area.”

Plunkett said Ocean Infinity comprised experts and industry leaders who had vast knowledge in offshore survey operations using AUVs, including four who were involved in the search for Air France Flight 447 in 2009.

“For the MH370 search mission, we have 65 crew members, including 25 experts.”