Map Update
 

This might also help

MAS370

This Australian announcement strikes me as significant as I cannot see why the Australian PM would be in a rush to get it out before confirmation via the P3C; there unless they were fairly certain it was wreckage.

The P3 is going to eyeball possible debris sighted by a high res satellite. I'd be guessing that some of the high res satellites available could read serial numbers on floating objects, so there's a very good chance that the P3 crew know exactly what to be looking for.

I wouldn't say he was in a rush. More keeping everyone informed in a calm manner with (as someone said in another thread), no embellishment.

Otherwise you would get a media feeding frenzy between when AMSA announces it will hold a press conference and the actual press conference.

Take the "wind out of the sails" so to speak by letting everyone know at the same time ?

"Provided the debris is reasonably proved to be from MH370, the world's press will be scrambling to charter planes to fly over that area for photos.

Given that these are "uncharted" waters, what chance is there of that? And who has permission-giving rights or will it be a melee?"


Well, if the Aust Gov't releases the photos, no need and removes any chance of a melee.

And what chance has a charter aircraft got of finding by eye sight a spec in the ocean ?

Yes, Australia could declare a no fly zone which they might need to do if you have multiple search aircraft flying around at various levels.

I see the PM is being passed info during question time.

I wonder if he might say more on the search in a few minutes?

Expect ABC24 will cover it

ABC News 24 live stream - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

edit: I believe it might be geoblocked. :(

I still can't think of many scenarios explaining how the plane might have ended up off the west coast of Australia.

ABC NEWS24 ( Australian ) live stream will not work outside Australia in my experience of trying before.

I suggest that it will be covered by CNN international live

I'd put the emphasis on the "middle of an ocean" that just happens to be "off the west coast of Australia by 2000+ kms" !

You could also say it was north of the Antarctic !

@AndyJS
 

In what way. The number of variables are manyfold, starting with heading select set to 190 degrees..and pressing HDG.

Exactly, Australia is only involved simply because there is no one any closer!
Australia has one of the largest search and rescue regions of any country.

FDR Acoustic beacon range?
 

Any Navy boys or girls have any idea on receivable range for submerged FDR's

True that the ABC24 and other Live AU TV news streams do not work now.
After checking a few alternatives, best so far seems to be LIVE from Austl parliament
(where PM made latest announcement)
showing now w/w on
Australia's Public Affairs Channel | A-PAC

Hoping they have found something. At least some closure for the relatives.

I suspect this is a real development. If so, protocol would be to let Malaysia know before public announcement. Any word on a press conference in KL?

If it has been found, I suspect help from various undisclosed sources. There is an obvious need to keep details and capabilities undisclosed. But there is also a need for governments to send a message that "you will not be able to get away with that" - in order to help protect people in the future. So there is a need to find a balance between these at times conflicting needs.

Boeing would have wanted this found for obvious reasons. And Boeing is a significant player for both government and defence.

Deep part of the ocean?

" If so, protocol would be to let Malaysia know before public announcement. Any word on a press conference in KL?""


Our PM called the Malaysian PM before announcing in Parliament hat something was found.


"I suspect help from various undisclosed sources. There is an obvious need to keep details and capabilities undisclosed."

All the PM said was from Satellite imagery. I doubt much else will come out unless whose ever satellite it is says so.

Suggest wait until the AMSA news conference in 10 minutes, then speculate further if you wish.

RE: "I suspect this is a real development. If so, protocol would be to let Malaysia know before public announcement. Any word on a press conference in KL?"

Australian PM Abbott also stated he informed Malaysian PM about latest development.

UPD:
500N post was first, this confirms.
Austl PressConf (John Young, AMSA) started, regular CNN covering it
LOL for me, was watching Anderson Cooper CNN (11PM Live NY time)
when they broke in with this, meaning it was NOT live at 11.

FYI, the two objects HAVE been identified by AMSA, just no one has said what they are.

Has Australia found the wreckage?
 

Objects found in Malaysia Airlines search

Two objects possibly related to the search for a missing Malaysia Airlines plane have been identified, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says

"The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has received information based on satellite information of objects possibly related to the search," he said before question time.

"Following specialist analysis of this satellite imagery, two possible objects related to the search have been identified."

The prime minister said an Australian airforce Orion had been diverted to locate the objects and is expected to arrive in the area shortly.

But he warned against drawing any premature conclusions or hopes on the search.