The oil sample collected by Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield on Sunday within the search mission for missing MH 370 has now arrived in Perth and will be subject to detailed testing and analysis. Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said that it will provide details of the results when they become available.
According to JACC chief coordinator Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Angus Houston “the oil slick was detected about 5,500m within the vicinity of ‘pings’ previously detected by the towed pinger locator used by the Ocean Shield.”
On the other hand, the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Bluefin-21, was forced to resurface yesterday morning to rectify a technical issue. While on deck, its data was downloaded, JACC said. Initial analysis of the data downloaded indicates no significant detections.
The AUV was redeployed and overnight Bluefin-21 AUV completed a full mission in the search area and is currently planning for its next mission. Bluefin-21 has searched approximately 90 square kilometres to date and the data from its latest mission is being analysed.
Up to ten military aircraft, two civil aircraft and 11 ships will assist in today’s search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Today the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has planned a visual search area totalling approximately 40,349 square kilometres. The centre of the search areas lies approximately 2,170 kilometres north west of Perth.
The weather forecast for today is isolated showers and south easterly winds.
[mappress] Press Release, April 17, 2014; Image: JACC