The survey vessel, Fugro Equator.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has awarded Fugro a contract that will see the deployment of its specialist vessel, equipment, and expertise in the underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370, aka MH370.

Using its survey vessel, the Fugro Equator, which is fitted with multibeam echosounder equipment, Fugro will conduct a bathymetric survey of the search area. The seabed data obtained will assist in the production of maps of the seabed offshore of Western Australia – the area deemed most likely to contain the missing wreckage.

This area is relatively uncharted, and the maps will assist in planning subsequent stages of the MH370 search. Fugro and ATSB expect the Fugro Equator to begin its operation by mid-June 2014.