Britain joins global search for MH370

A file picture of the HMS Echo, which is joining the international hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. – Reuters pic. March 21, 2014.

Britain has joined the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, sending its multi-role hydrographic survey ship, the HMS Echo, to the southern Indian Ocean, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.

Speaking at the daily media briefing on the search and rescue operation, the Acting Transport Minister said Malaysian authorities had been in touch with the United Kingdom's acting High Commissioner who has pledged the dispatch the HMS Echo, which is now heading to the southern Indian Ocean.

"The UK authorities have provided a list of other assets that could be deployed," Hishammuddin said.The HMS Echo is designed to collect ocean data to support submarine and amphibious operations, and is equipped with a survey motor boat and a contingent of Royal Marines.

On the search for the objects spotted by the satellite in the Indian Ocean, Hishammuddin said that as of 5.40pm, there was no news if they had been found.

Hishammuddin said search efforts southwest of Perth were continuing with China deploying 5 ships and 3 ship-borne helicopters, which are currently heading toward the southern corridor.

"Japan is also deploying its assets to Perth, including 2 P-3 Orions, to assist with the Australian search efforts," he said.

"I have also been in touch with the French delegation, which is led by the French Ambassador to Malaysia, and includes the man who led the investigation into the Air France 447 crash. They have agreed to assist us with their experience and expertise."

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the press conference today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, March 21, 2014.Hishammuddin added that he would be speaking to the US Secretary of Defence later today to request further specialist assets to help with the search and rescue efforts, including remotely-operated vehicles for deep ocean salvage.

Earlier today, Australia said that radars had failed to detect any sign of the missing jetliner in the Indian Ocean and it was switching to skilled observers to spot any debris.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Asma) is coordinating the hunt for the Boeing 777 aircraft in between the mainland and Antarctica, in an area 2,500 kilometres southwest of Perth.

Asma emergency response division head, John Young, told reporters that since there was no radar detection, the search and rescue team has replanned the search to be visual, AFP reported.

"So the aircraft are flying relatively low, highly trained and skilled observers looking out of the aircraft windows, and looking to see objects."

Five planes were in the air today – three Australian RAAF P3 Orions, one long-range corporate jet and a United States Navy P8 Poseidon – as part of a global effort to find the Boeing 777, which vanished on March 8. – March 21, 2014.