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Missing plane MH370: HMS Echo in 'black box' search Missing plane MH370: HMS Echo in 'black box' search
(about 7 hours later)
The crew of a Royal Navy ship are "working 24/7" to hunt for flight recorders from the missing Malaysian plane, their commander has said.The crew of a Royal Navy ship are "working 24/7" to hunt for flight recorders from the missing Malaysian plane, their commander has said.
HMS Echo is helping to scour the southern Indian Ocean after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board on 8 March.HMS Echo is helping to scour the southern Indian Ocean after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board on 8 March.
Sonar "pings" were detected last week by search teams - but no new signals have been confirmed since last Tuesday.Sonar "pings" were detected last week by search teams - but no new signals have been confirmed since last Tuesday.
Cdr Phillip Newell said the search was proving to be "challenging".Cdr Phillip Newell said the search was proving to be "challenging".
Plymouth-based hydrographic survey ship HMS Echo was diverted from gathering data on its way from Oman to the Seychelles to help in the search.Plymouth-based hydrographic survey ship HMS Echo was diverted from gathering data on its way from Oman to the Seychelles to help in the search.
The ship, whose specialist equipment has been adapted to pick up signals from the plane's black box flight recorders, arrived in the search area on Thursday.The ship, whose specialist equipment has been adapted to pick up signals from the plane's black box flight recorders, arrived in the search area on Thursday.
"I have a brilliant team, young, bright and enthusiastic and we are working 24/7 to cover the sea bed and observe on the surface," said Cdr Newell."I have a brilliant team, young, bright and enthusiastic and we are working 24/7 to cover the sea bed and observe on the surface," said Cdr Newell.
Australian defence vessel Ocean Shield has been using a US Navy towed pinger locator to listen out for signals, which were detected twice last weekend and twice on Tuesday.Australian defence vessel Ocean Shield has been using a US Navy towed pinger locator to listen out for signals, which were detected twice last weekend and twice on Tuesday.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was confident the signals were from the black box - but on Saturday he warned those signals were "rapidly fading".Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was confident the signals were from the black box - but on Saturday he warned those signals were "rapidly fading".
"No-one should underestimate the difficulties of the task still ahead of us," Mr Abbott warned."No-one should underestimate the difficulties of the task still ahead of us," Mr Abbott warned.
Cdr Newell said bad weather had also caused difficulties in interpreting the signals.Cdr Newell said bad weather had also caused difficulties in interpreting the signals.
"It's been challenging," he added."It's been challenging," he added.
"Over the last couple of days we have been conducting oceanographic observations to support Ocean Shield."Over the last couple of days we have been conducting oceanographic observations to support Ocean Shield.
"The key thing is to help their understanding of what is going on, and how it is affecting the ocean column.""The key thing is to help their understanding of what is going on, and how it is affecting the ocean column."
He said another challenge was directing Australian P-3 Orion aircraft which is dropping sound-locating buoys into the water. He said another challenge was directing Australian P-3 Orion aircraft which are dropping sound-locating buoys into the water.
"It's key to make sure that we detect anything that can help in the investigation," he said."It's key to make sure that we detect anything that can help in the investigation," he said.
Search teams are trying to pinpoint the source of the signals so they can send down a robotic submersible to look for wreckage and black boxes.Search teams are trying to pinpoint the source of the signals so they can send down a robotic submersible to look for wreckage and black boxes.
The search is also being helped by nuclear submarine HMS Tireless, which has advanced underwater search capabilities. The UK's contribution to the search also includes nuclear submarine HMS Tireless, which has advanced underwater search capabilities.
Australia is overseeing the day-to-day operations via its newly created Joint Agency Coordination Centre. Eight countries are involved in the search.
As well as naval ships from the UK and Australia, investigators are using military aircraft from a host of countries and an ice-breaking research ship from China.
'Time running out'
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it lost contact with air traffic controllers last month.Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it lost contact with air traffic controllers last month.
Officials believe the plane flew off course for an unknown reason and went down off the west coast of Australia.Officials believe the plane flew off course for an unknown reason and went down off the west coast of Australia.
But those involved in the search believe time could be running out because the battery life of a black box usually lasts for only a month - and that window has passed.But those involved in the search believe time could be running out because the battery life of a black box usually lasts for only a month - and that window has passed.
Before arriving in the latest search area, HMS Echo had already searched 6,000 square miles (15,540 square km) of ocean 1,000 miles (1609km) north-west of Perth.Before arriving in the latest search area, HMS Echo had already searched 6,000 square miles (15,540 square km) of ocean 1,000 miles (1609km) north-west of Perth.
Cdr Newell said the ship would continue to provide support until its tasking is reviewed later this month. Cdr Newell said the ship would continue to provide support until its tasking was reviewed later this month.