Primary mission to identify location of wreckage

operation on a ‘no cure, no fee’ basis within 90 days,” he said after the signing ceremony at the Transport Ministry.

DCA was represented by its directorgeneral Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman while Ocean Infinity chief executive officer Oliver Plunkett represented the exploration firm.

Liow said the vessel for the search mission, Seabed Constructor is on its way to the search area, taking advantage of the currently favourable weather conditions in the Indian Ocean.

“The ship has a crew of 65, including two from the Royal Malaysian Navy who will be the government’s representatives during the mission.

“The primary mission is to identify the location of the wreckage and/or both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder and present evidence to confirm the exact location of the two main items,” he said.

Liow said any payment to Ocean Infinity will be borne by the government, based on the area the wreckage is located.

The payment structure shall be: US$20 million (within the first 5,000sq km searched); US$30 million (within the next 10,000sq km searched); and US$50 million (within the next 10,000sq km searched). Liow added that should the vital parts of MH370 be found within 90 days after the search has been extended beyond 25,000sq km, the government will pay US$70 million.

“The MH370 response team headed by Azharuddin and officials from my ministry, Foreign Ministry and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry as well as the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers will be monitoring the progress charted by Ocean infinity via an operations room at the DCA premises.”

The team will be updating the families of those who were on board MH370 via text messages and email as well as provide updated information on the MH370 official website at http://mh370.gov.my/lndex.php/ en/.

Plunkett said the ship is equipped with eight autonomous underwater vehicles with sonar capabilities to scan up to 1,200sq km of seabed daily and should be able to complete the search area within the 90 days stipulated, subject to weather conditions.

Meanwhile, lawyer Grace S. Nathan, whose mother was a passenger on MH370, expressed appreciation to the government for “honouring their commitment”.

“We hope Ocean Infinity will find the plane and this situation does not only mean closure for us, but also for aviation safety in order to prevent a similar tragedy.”

Her mother perished in the MH370 tragedy.