MH370 search speculation hosed down

MH370 Search Survey Map, Australian Transport Safety Bureau

As of last week, the two vessels, Go Phoenix and Fugro Discovery, had covered 3000sq km of the “high probability” search area covering 55,000sq km in the search for the missing Boeing 777.

Speculation that one of the ships searching for Malaysia Airlines MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean may have found something has been dismissed by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. 

One of the search vessels had been stationary for 24 hours but in a statement issued to News Corp Australia in response to questions about the GO Phoenix, an ATSB spokesman said the vessel had experienced “an issue” with its towfish at the weekend.

“The issue has been rectified, however severe weather has delayed a safe redeployment of the towfish and recommencement of search operations,” said the spokesman.

As of last week, the two vessels, Go Phoenix and Fugro Discovery, had covered 3000sq km of the “high probability” search area covering 55,000sq km in the search for the missing Boeing 777.

On March 8, MAS flight MH370 departed from Kuala Lumpur with 13 crew members and 227 passengers bound for Beijing.

However, the aircraft dropped off the radar about an hour after departure and has not been seen or located since.

MAS commercial director Hugh Dunleavy last week said that MH370 might be declared officially lost by the end of the year.