A mere two weeks following the Malaysian government’s decision to initiate a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the mission has been put on hold.
The recent effort to locate MH370 was made public last month when the Malaysian government partnered with the exploration company Ocean Infinity. They aimed to examine a 15,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean, hoping to uncover new information about the mysterious disappearance of the Boeing 777.
Since the aircraft disappeared on March 8, 2014, the families of those onboard have been yearning for answers. Despite numerous expert theories on the plane’s fate, the majority of the wreckage remains elusive.
Malaysia’s transport minister, Loke Siew Fook, had raised hopes by noting that Ocean Infinity would receive $70 million if they found the wreckage. However, officials have now stated that the timing is not ideal for the search to proceed.
Transport minister Anthony Loke mentioned that Ocean Infinity had initiated its search, but during an event at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on April 2, he disclosed that the company had “stopped the operation for the time being.”
Loke further explained that Ocean Infinity plans to “resume the search at the end of this year,” stating: “Right now, it’s not the season.”
According to Aviation Source News, harsh weather conditions in the search area prompted the delay. Ocean Infinity’s equipment was challenged by strong winds, turbulent seas, and erratic currents, complicating the search efforts.
When operations recommence, Ocean Infinity will deploy autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) from their ship to scour the ocean floor for any sign of the lost plane.
These vehicles can dive to depths of more than three miles and are controlled via a satellite link from Ocean Infinity’s control center in Southampton, UK. They are capable of staying underwater for four days at a time, during which they will investigate four regions identified as possible crash locations.
In a statement about the ongoing search efforts, Loke declared: “The government is committed to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of the MH370 passengers.”