Bathymetric Survey Progressing Well - JACC

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Bathymetric survey being briefed by the Zhu Kezhen and Fugro Equator along the seventh arc at the southern Indian Ocean, has been progressing well, says Joint Action Coordination Centre (JACC). JACC, in a statement Thursday, said the process should be completed by September and the next step, a deep-water search, was expected to commence following the appointment of a prime contractor. "Since May 24 this year, the Zhu Kezhen, a Chinese PLA-Navy vessel has been conducting survey operations. The bathymetric data it is collecting will assist in characterising the sea floor topography. As of July 30, it has sounded over 25,000 square kilometres along the seventh arc. "Fugro Equator, an Australian-contracted specialised survey vessel, has also been conducting bathymetric survey. As of July 30, over 43,000 square kilometres have been sounded by Fugro Equator," it said. The survey process was initiated as a preparation for the deep sea search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370. JACC reiterated that it was crucial to map the sea floor in this remote region of the Indian Ocean, which until now had been poorly charted. "The aim is to identify significant features on the sea floor, which may present a hazard for the deep water vehicles that will be used for the search," it said. On March 8, the Beijing-bound MH370 went missing shortly after departing the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and remains missing despite an international search which has involved over two dozen countries. The plane, carrying 239 passengers and crew, was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30 am on the same day. A multinational search was mounted for the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, first in the South China Sea and then, after it was learnt that the plane had veered off course, in the southern Indian Ocean. An analysis of satellite data indicated that the plane's last position was in the southern Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on March 24 that Flight MH370 "ended in the southern Indian Ocean". --BERNAMA