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Old Mar 30, 2014, 7:06 am
  #159  
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Ship to tow 'black box' search device

An Australian Naval support vessel, HMAS Ocean Shield, is being fitted with a US machine known as a "towed pinger locator" - as the search for missing flight MH370's "black box" devices is stepped up.

A TPL is pulled underwater behind a ship at slow speeds, and uses a hydrophone - highly sensitive listening equipment - to detect any ultrasonic signals - "pings" - from aircraft flight recorders.





All above images from BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26849818

The Ocean Shield, which leaves Perth tomorrow on an initial 30-day mission, has been fitted with US Navy equipment designed to electronically hunt for the box, including a towed pinger locator and unmanned underwater drone.

With the ship not likely to reach the search zone west of Perth for several days, it had been feared the 30-day life of the satellite "pinger"’ within the black box could expire before the equipment arrived.

But Captain Mark Matthews, the US Navy supervisor of salvage and diving, revealed today that while the pinger is certified for 30 days, it could last for up to another 15 days.

...

The towed pinger locater on the Ocean Shield has a range of 1.6km and depth capability up to 6000m, with the search set to be conducted at a speed of just 5km/h.

An unmanned underwater drone will also be on board, ready to dive once the pinger locater has found a signal to map the sea floor and photograph potential debris there.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/west...-1226868567514

Last edited by NewbieRunner; Apr 5, 2014 at 6:44 am Reason: correct images
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