New expedition rekindles hope in MH370 search with cutting-edge technology

A groundbreaking search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is underway, nearly 11 years after the plane's mysterious disappearance with 239 people on board. Spearheaded by marine robotics company Ocean Infinity, the ambitious operation employs advanced technology in a bid to solve one of aviation’s greatest enigmas.

Craig Wallace, an electrical engineer from Deep Sea Vision who contributed to the navigation systems used in the mission, expressed the emotional weight of the search. Speaking to 60 Minutes, Wallace underscored how significant a discovery would be for everyone involved.

"There would be tears; it's one of the biggest aviation mysteries, if not the biggest," he said. "To bring closure to all those people, I think it's a great thing."

This latest expedition is stationed approximately 1,500 kilometers off the coast of Western Australia and relies on three state-of-the-art underwater drones. These drones, remotely operated from the mothership, are capable of diving 6 kilometers to scan the ocean floor for up to 100 hours at a time. When anomalies are detected, the drones are redeployed to capture detailed sonar images.

Wallace described the emotional rollercoaster that comes with each potential lead. "The first thing is trepidation because you'll see so many targets that turn out to be nothing. It won't be until people get those camera images that we actually believe they’ve found the wreckage."

Cutting-edge technology meets harsh realities

The expedition is leveraging technological advancements that former Australian naval officer Peter Waring believes could have transformed the initial search efforts. Waring, who was involved in the original search in 2014, likened the current equipment to a "revolutionary leap" in maritime technology.

"What these new Ocean Infinity vessels represent, frankly, is as big a transition in maritime technology as the movement from sail to steam in the 1800s," he said.

Despite the sophistication of the equipment, the crew faces an unpredictable and unforgiving environment. The Indian Ocean, infamous for its towering 20-meter waves, presents unique challenges, with no nearby shelter and Perth being the closest port—a six to seven-day journey.

"There's absolutely no shelter out there," Waring said. "If something goes wrong, it will turn catastrophic very, very quickly."

A calculated yet controversial search

The mission aims to scour 15,000 square kilometers of the ocean floor, a search zone identified through years of research by independent scientists. However, Ocean Infinity has faced criticism for its lack of transparency regarding the data used to pinpoint the new area.

"I'd like to have seen all of the data that they're using to base this new search on published," Waring remarked. "I think that's the level of transparency that we really should have had here."

Adding to the stakes, Ocean Infinity began the search before securing a "no find, no fee" contract with the Malaysian government, a move some view as risky. This is the company’s second attempt to locate MH370 after a failed expedition in 2018, and the third search effort overall.

Cautiously optimistic, Waring reflected on the enduring mystery of MH370. "This is a mystery that really tears at the fabric of reality, and maybe it'll stitch it back together again slightly."

The search continues, carrying the hopes of the families and experts who have waited over a decade for answers.