A New Search Begins

Over a decade after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, a British marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity, has embarked on what could be the final search for the missing Boeing 777. Their deep-water support vessel, Armada 7806, has begun scouring the seabed in the Indian Ocean, aiming to solve one of aviation's biggest mysteries.

The search mission, located 1,200 miles off Perth, Australia, is expected to be the last attempt to locate the plane that vanished almost 11 years ago. On March 8, 2014, the flight with 239 passengers and crew onboard disappeared from air traffic control's radar 40 minutes into its journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The search effort involves deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) from the Ocean Infinity ship to scan the ocean floor. These AUVs, capable of diving to a depth of 6km, are operated remotely from the company's control center in Southampton. They will explore four areas identified as potential crash sites by researchers.

The new search focuses on a 15,000 sq km arc in the southern Indian Ocean, based on data including satellite signals and disrupted radio transmissions deemed credible by Kuala Lumpur. The search is being conducted under a "no find, no fee" agreement between the Malaysian government and Ocean Infinity.

The Armada 7806, considered the most technically advanced ship of its kind, is expected to search in three to four "hotspots" where the plane's wreckage might be located. The vessel will spend up to six weeks surveying the area, with a break to restock supplies in Fremantle, Western Australia.

This new search offers a glimmer of hope for the families of those lost on MH370. It represents the culmination of years of investigation and analysis, utilizing advanced technology and data to finally bring closure to this tragic event.