Fourth Vessel Joins Ongoing MH370 Search

Published Jan 12, 2015 9:47 AM by The Maritime Executive

An additional vessel has been commissioned to carry out underwater search activities for missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft MH370.

Fugro Supporter is currently on its way to the search area after conducting trials in Bali. It is expected to arrive in the search area and commence search activities in late January.

The addition of Fugro Supporter, jointly funded by the governments of Australia and Malaysia, brings the number of vessels engaged in the underwater search for the aircraft to four.

The bathymetric survey of the sea floor has revealed previously unknown features including rugged terrain and deep trenches.

Fugro Supporter has been equipped with a Kongsberg HUGIN 4500 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The AUV will be used to scan those portions of the search area that cannot be searched effectively by the equipment on other vessels.

The M.V. Fugro Supporter is a multipurpose survey vessel operated by Fugro Pelagos, Inc., and based out of Singapore. Fitted with state-of-the-art geophysical and geotechnical equipment, this full-ocean depth vessel specializes in cable route surveys and is a versatile platform capable of deploying work class ROVs, AUVs, and both 2-D and 3-D High Resolution seismic spreads.