Joint Agency Coordination Centre

MH370 Operational Search Update

27 January 2016

This operational report has been developed to provide regular updates on the progress of the

search effort for MH370. Our work will continue to be thorough and methodical, so sometimes

weekly progress may seem slow. Please be assured that work is continuing and is aimed at

finding MH370 as quickly as possible.

Key developments this week

Fugro Discovery is en route to the port of Fremantle after an incident on 24 January in

which the deep tow sonar vehicle (towfish) was separated from the vessel. The vessel is

expected to arrive in port around 29 January.

Fugro Equator continues to conduct search operations. The vessel will be departing

the search area on 4 February, returning to Fremantle for a scheduled resupply visit on

9 February 2016.

Havila Harmony arrived at Henderson on 21 January for a scheduled port visit and

maintenance.

Underwater search operations

Fugro Discovery

On 24 January while conducting search operations in the southern Indian Ocean, the deep tow

sonar vehicle being used by Fugro Discovery to search the ocean floor struck an undersea

volcano and was separated from the vessel.

Fugro Discovery is now returning to port to mobilise a replacement cable and the spare towfish

is being readied. The vessel is expected to arrive in port around 29 January.

3D view of volcano with added icon showing location of towfish. Source: ATSB

Volcano overview - Fugro Discovery was surveying from right to left along yellow trackline. Source: ATSB

Havila Harmony

During the last week of AUV operations before returning to port for resupply, the crew on board

Havila Harmony had detected irregularities with the HiPaP communications system. The

system was recalibrated and damage to the HiPaP pole was suspected to be the cause. The

HiPaP pole is a piece of underwater communications equipment that is lowered through the

ship’s hull and carries an acoustic transceiver used to position and control the autonomous

underwater vehicle (AUV).

Upon arrival at Henderson, divers confirmed that the pole was bent and fouled with fishing net.

The vessel was subsequently dry-docked at the BAE Systems ship lift facility to allow the pole

to be replaced.

The vessel is expected to depart Fremantle for the search area on 28 January and recommence

search activities around 2 February 2016.

Havila Harmony lifted out of the water at BAE Henderson, WA to facilitate replacement of HiPaP pole. Source: ATSB

Havila Harmony having been lifted out of the water to allow for repairs. Source: ATSB

Weather may continue to impact on search operations but more favourable conditions are

currently being experienced.

Consistent with the undertaking given by the Governments of Australia, Malaysia and the

People’s Republic of China in April last year, 120,000 square kilometres will be thoroughly

searched. It is anticipated this will be completed around the middle of the year. In the absence

of credible new information that leads to the identification of a specific location of the aircraft,

Governments have agreed that there will be no further expansion of the search area.

More than 85,000 square kilometres of the seafloor have been searched so far.

In the event the aircraft is found and accessible, Australia, Malaysia and the People’s Republic

of China have agreed to plans for recovery activities, including securing all the evidence

necessary for the accident investigation.

Weather

The weather is expected to be variable over the coming week but is not expected to negatively

impact on search operations.

Joint Agency Coordination Centre

www.jacc.gov.au