Operations

MH370 search ship damaged by huge waves

Perth: One the ships deployed to search for the missing MH370 airplane has been damaged by huge waves in the southern Indian Ocean. The GO Phoenix has returned to Australia for repairs after its deep-tow system was broken. The 2013-built OSV is owned by GO Offshore.

The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau released images and video (see below) of the harsh conditions the search operation is encountering.

“A significant amount of welding is required to rectify the damaged frame,” the ATSB update said.

The Malaysian Airlines plane went missing on March 8 last year, triggering one of the world’s most extensive ocean search operations which has so far trawled through a 19,000 sq km area with no luck.

“Over coming weeks, search operations will be focused in the south to take advantage of the last of the better weather in that area prior to the expected onset of continuous poor weather during winter,” the ATSB added.

“The weather is forecast to be moderate over the next few days, but will worsen on the weekend. Search operations will continue through the winter months, but pauses are anticipated.”

 

 

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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