Boats...boats
 

Would it be an exaggeration to say that that part of the ocean may be teeming with small fishing boats? And if so, many would not have radio? And if so, then some of them will know something that they can't report until they return to port.

Re Interpol's database, and apologies if this has already been answered here:

Are all reports of stolen passports logged by Interpol?

There is a international Maritime SAR document but indeed loosely worded. More importantly, ICAO does spell out the authority and responsibility for SAR in maritime disasters.

The countries here Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, US, China (source: The New Straits Times, not sure why they left out Vietnam), had worked closely before in such or similar situations (Boxing Day Tsunami). Perhaps only China is the 'new player' but a good 85% do have past experiences. Sure, people rotate out but certain SOPs do get passed down. Additionally, most of these countries have conducted rescue exercises together, one of this is a submarine rescue exercise (not sure of it's frequency).

So to reply to your suggestion, there are sufficient multi-lateral / coalition / UN tasks out there for the Armed forces of modern countries to work together. The framework to cooperate is usually very standard and there isn't a dire need for more organisations. Hope this helps.

Dungdang . . .
 

AF447 bus was intact and powered until impact. MH370 appears to have had sudden in-flight electrical power loss at FL350.

Tfor2,

You are right. I know from personal experience, that very few Vietnamese fishing boats have radios. They may have walkie-talkies for local communication with other boats and they all will have mobile phones, but those are no use 100 miles from shore.

During offshore seismic operations, we employ chase vessels to keep fishing boats out of the way. The chase vessels often have to close withing hailing distance.

No it would not. But in my opinion they would not want to report anything at all. After scavenging the debris, the crews will wait for investigators to offer reward money.

Here's a comment that may ruffle some feathers. Look at the FIR of the region and you may have an idea of the SAR capabilities of that country. Compare not only in terms of geographical location but also in size.

http://www.swld.com.au/images/air_asia_FIR.jpg

"If Singapore is running the show, it will be run well. They don't muck around those blokes."

That's true of 'Old' Singapore.

FIR
 

Having not flown myself around for a number of years, I had to look this one up. Also, I'm sure an unusually large number of folks with no aviation experience at all are watching this site at the moment.

Flight information region - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Question for India Four Two:

Do your seismic sensors stay on the bottom and relay information to the surface via laser, sonar, or other transmission; or do they have to be retrieved? Also, would they register an event such as an airplane crash?

Well the report is just in, from Malaysian airlines on Sky (Australia). No aircraft parts have been found, the oil slick has been sent to a Laboratory be checked out, but so far nothing. They also said they are perplexed, indeed shattered, as we all are. Terrorism is now being considered, so they must have something. They are looking at all angles, and named all the countries that are now searching, but no signals are being received which makes it difficult to find wreckage, if indeed there is wreckage. So back to square one, people. And just appalling for the families.

If there is no wreckage (so far) could that be an indication that the aircraft has remained intact? Or is that doubtful?

Slip and turn Thanks, Slip and turn.

I have to correct myself. I kept writing 43khz, but I meant 37.5khz, for the frequency of the pinger. Anyway, here's a quote from Slip and turn's first link: Anyway, the "not originally designed" part is what popped into my head from the very first I heard of the French sending the Nuclear sub to try and hear the pinger. Running the signal through a heterodyne circuit, where they listened only for 37.5khz, would have helped tremendously. That's pretty much what the purpose built listening for pinger equipment does. The sub didn't have equipment purpose built or modified to listen for 37.5khz pingers.
I haven't yet read the dissertation, that the other link connects to, but wouldn't be surprised if it should be a "must read" for anyone thinking of locating a, downed in the water, airliner pinger.

YRP YRP, The Albert Michelson Interference Theory is actually some of the only stuff I'm good at! I'm apologize if I've changed your whole paradigm on believing that authorities are infallible, and it makes you feel uncomfortable, but, in truth, a little cynicism and experience is a good thing!
If the sub had the equipment mods it needed, AF447 may have been found 2 years earlier. Since it didn't, the area should have been searched by vessels with purpose built equipment, instead of being checked off the "Areas Already Searched" list. YRB, A physics course could help you a lot. I'm sure there are some good, as well as interesting, ones online. I had to learn mine in the olden days, where it was a bit dry. Anyway, good luck, and hope you're melancholy goes away.

Its a shame during the press conference, the journalists were more interested in the 2 passports, instead of probing into why they are searching the malacca strait, as the explanation given for searching the malacca strait was in my opinion vague at best. It just feels like they know something more than they are letting on at the moment.

Read more: MISSING MH370: Vietnam says cannot find object from missing jet - Latest - New Straits Times MISSING MH370: Vietnam says cannot find object from missing jet - Latest - New Straits Times

Whilst it could be true, I would disagree that he inferred this in the press conference, as they said they looking at all angles. I didn't hear the word terrorism mentioned.

Chief of Malaysian CAA, press conference he did not take questions which were unrelated to SAR.

At the moment they do not have anything that they can confirm as wreckage.

Vietnamese report regarding a floating door is not verified by Vietnamese authorities today. (reading between the lines, it may have been a valid report but either it or what it related to can't be verified at the moment)

A search radius of 50 NM from last point of contact has been conducted/completed

The search North of Malacca straights was done because of the chance the aircraft may have begun to turn and for no other reason.

40 ships searching 24hours per day and 34 aircraft 7am to 7pm.

Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Philippines Thailand USA involved in search.

FAA arrived this morning.

All bags on the flight were X-rayed according to international standards.

Offered to fly 5 next of kin from each passenger to KL.

They are looking at all angles for the cause.

No signals detected from the aircraft after the initial lost contact.

Oil slick amples sent to lab.

Report of tail wreckage was found to be logs tied together to form a pontoon.

They are puzzled and perplexed.

He deferred numerous questions regarding security and the two fake passport holders, quoting it could interfere with investigations and it was a matter for the investigators, not him. Bear in mind English is not his first language but he appeared calm in control, fluid and open.

compare the photo of the door that was touted as possibly from the aircraft with photos of the B777, looks nothing like it. The photo showed a large central (window) in the door, all the Malysian B777 doors have a small window at the side and the colour stripe paint along the bottom.

Just for reference MS990, which descended rapidly nose down in to the sea at night, left very little on the surface:

"At sunrise, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy training vessel Kings Pointer found an oil sheen and some small pieces of debris."

MAS370 LASt Known Position
 

I put the last known latitude and longitude according to Flightaware 4.7073N 102.5278E into Google Earth and it came up with a Malaysian mountaintop in the flight path of the plane not middle of ocean.

I assume this is because Flightaware coverage is incomplete?

See

Flight Track Log ? MAS370 ? 08-Mar-2014 ? WMKK / KUL - ZBAA / PEK ? FlightAware

There now seems to be speculation that MH 370 may have "disintegrated" at FL350. I cannot imagine what would cause it to virtually evaporate so that no debris could be found. Surely even a very large explosion would blow some parts off the aircraft that would remain intact?