[Peetwo]

Captain's Log 17.01.17: ATSB search all over bar the shouting -

Here is the official version courtesy of DDDD_MNFI Chester's miniscule webpage..  :

MH370 Tripartite Joint Communiqué

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Media Release
DC013/2017
17 January 2017
Joint release with:
The Hon Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai
Malaysian Minister of Transport
The Hon Mr Li Xiaopeng
People's Republic of China Minister of Transport

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Today the last search vessel has left the underwater search area. Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has not been located in the 120,000 square-kilometre underwater search area in the southern Indian Ocean.

Despite every effort using the best science available, cutting edge technology, as well as modelling and advice from highly skilled professionals who are the best in their field, unfortunately, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft.

Accordingly, the underwater search for MH370 has been suspended.

The decision to suspend the underwater search has not been taken lightly nor without sadness. It is consistent with decisions made by our three countries in the July 2016 Ministerial Tripartite meeting in Putrajaya Malaysia.

Whilst combined scientific studies have continued to refine areas of probability, to date no new information has been discovered to determine the specific location of the aircraft.
We have been overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication shown by the hundreds of people involved in the search, which has been an unprecedented challenge. Their tireless work has continued to improve our knowledge of the search area and has been critical in our efforts to locate the aircraft. We would like to reiterate our utmost appreciation to the many nations that have provided expertise and assistance since the early days of this unfortunate tragedy.

Today's announcement is significant for our three countries, but more importantly for the family and friends of those on board the aircraft. We again take this opportunity to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives and acknowledge the enormous loss felt by their loved ones.

We remain hopeful that new information will come to light and that at some point in the future the aircraft will be located.

And a media report courtesy of the ABC:

MH370: Search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane suspended
By political reporter Henry Belot
Tue 17 Jan 2017, 6:00pm


Photo: The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, carrying 239 people, disappeared in March 2014. (Wikimedia: Ercan Karakas, file photo)

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been suspended, with authorities unable to locate the aircraft in the Indian Ocean.

The passenger plane carrying 239 passengers and crew, including six Australians, disappeared on March 8, 2014 while travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
Its disappearance is one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history, with authorities unsuccessfully searching 120,000 square kilometres of the ocean floor.

In a joint statement, the Australian, Malaysian and Chinese governments said the decision to abandon the search was not taken lightly, or without sadness.

"Despite every effort using the best science available, cutting-edge technology, as well as modelling and advice from highly skilled professionals who are the best in their field, unfortunately, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft," the statement said.

"Whilst combined scientific studies have continued to refine areas of probability, to date no new information has been discovered to determine the specific location of the aircraft."

In July last year authorities warned the hunt would be suspended if the latest search did not yield any results.

The three Government representatives said they had been overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication of those involved in the search.

"Their tireless work has continued to improve our knowledge of the search area and has been critical in our efforts to locate the aircraft," the statement said.


Photo: Search crews have been trawling the Indian Ocean for the missing Boeing 777. (Supplied: ATSB, photo by Mel Proudlock)

"We would like to reiterate our utmost appreciation to the many nations that have provided expertise and assistance since the early days of this unfortunate tragedy."
Earlier this month, Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai rejected calls for relatives of passengers on board the MH370 to extend the search.

Australian authorities also rejected calls to extend the search, claiming there was a lack of credible evidence.

A total of 33 pieces of wreckage suspected to be from the plane have been found, including parts of wings and a tail, on the shores of Mauritius, the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa.

The three representatives, including Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester, said the announcement was an important development for the families of passengers and crew.

"We again take this opportunity to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives and acknowledge the enormous loss felt by their loved ones," they said.

"We remain hopeful that new information will come to light and that at some point in the future the aircraft will be located."

In December, an Australian Government report found authorities had likely been looking in the wrong section of ocean.

"There is a high degree of confidence that the previously identified underwater area searched to date does not contain the missing aircraft," the Australian Transport Safety Bureau report said.

At the time, Mr Chester said he was still hopeful authorities would find the plane in the search area.

A report released by the ATSB a month earlier found it was unlikely the Boeing 777 was in a controlled descent when it crashed into the ocean.

Sad day for NOK, the extended families and former friends of the 239 lost souls of MH370, our thoughts are with you...P2