Phoenix Completes ROV Operations in Search for MH370

Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix) recently completed deepwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations in support of the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370). Working under the direction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and deployed aboard the Chinese Rescue Salvage Bureau (RSB) vessel Dong Hai Jiu 101, Phoenix conducted a total of 33 dives using their 6,000 meter depth-rated Remora III ROV to inspect targets of interest identified during previously completed side scan sonar search operations. The Remora III ROV operated at depths down to 4,800 meters of seawater and provided investigators with clear imagery of the targets of interest, which were ultimately identified as a combination of seafloor geology and manmade objects, such as shipwrecks, a pile of wire rope, and a 55 gallon drum.

Phoenix has been involved in the search for MH370 since April 2014, initially using their 5,000 meter depth-rated Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) “Artemis,” and Hydrospheric Solutions Inc. 6,000 meter depth-rated ProSAS-60 towed synthetic aperture sonar system. In total, Phoenix completed 13 “swings” to the MH370 search area, which was located approximately 1,500 nautical miles west of Fremantle, Western Australia. Each swing consisted of a five-day transit to the search area, 30 days or more of search operations, and a five-day transit back to Fremantle, Western Australia.  During the course of  this  extensive  search  effort,  Phoenix  conducted  operations  on three  different  ships: the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield, the M/V GO Phoenix, and the Dong Hai Jiu 101.

“Phoenix is deeply honored to have participated in this historic deep ocean search effort, we are grateful to the ATSB and the RSB for their tremendous support, and we look forward to the day when the wreckage of MH370 is being found.” Mike Kutzleb, Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix.

Phoenix, an internationally recognized expert and proven industry leader in the field of undersea search and recovery, provides quick response and turn-key services for the location and recovery of objects from any water depth down to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) of seawater. Phoenix is an employee-owned, ISO 9001-2008 Management System-certified, marine services contractor providing manned and unmanned underwater solutions and project management services to a diverse set of clients worldwide. Services from our seven regional offices include wet and dry hyperbaric welding, Nondestructive Testing (NDT), subsea engineering, conventional and atmospheric diving, and intervention using AUVs, ROVs, and other robotic systems.