MH370: No change in plans, search to extend for another 60,000 square kilometres - Liow

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in a statement today said that it it will extend its search by 60,000 square kilometres if the flight remains unlocated within the current search area.

"Based on the advice of the international experts from the Search Strategy Working Group, Malaysia, Australia and China have collectively decided to extend the search by an additional 60,000 square kilometres within the highest probability area if the aircraft is not located within the current 60,000 square kilometres search area.

"Currently, more than 52,000 square kilometres of the search area have been completed thus far. To date, Malaysia has committed more than AUD$60 million (RM174 mil) for the search and recovery efforts, which clearly demonstrates our commitment to finding MH370," he said.

Liow added that the two ships Fugro Equator and Fugro Discovery will be deployed for the second phase of the search.

"Moving forward, the two ships involved in the search for the wreckage of the crashed aircraft, Fugro Equator and Fugro Discovery will be deployed for the second phase of the search upon completion of the current 60,000 square kilometres area," he added.

Liow said to reflect operational needs, both ships have undergone winterisation effort to enable a continuous search operation during winter, as well as to ensure that the required area is searched as quickly and as effectively as possible.

"In addition, search operations over the coming weeks will be focused in the south of the search area to capitalise on the last of the better weather in that area prior to the expected onset of continuous poor weather during winter.

"Safety of the search crews remains a priority, particularly during the winter months.

"The search and recovery teams faced exceptional challenges in the search operations, as this is a remote location with adverse sea and weather conditions and known depths of more than 6,000 metres. Waves also have been known to reach heights of 15 to 18m," he said.