MarineTraffic assists in search for missing airliner MH370

One of the leading maritime tracking AIS facilities, MarineTraffic has opened-up its satellite-AIS service in the search area relevant to the missing MH370 airliner.

Following requests from numerous agencies and individuals, this usually paid-for service has now been made available to any user free of charge.

Demitris Memos, managing director of MarineTraffic said, “Like most people around the world, we have taken an active interest in the search for this aircraft. With the battery life of the black box apparently nearing exhaustion, it is clearly necessary for everyone to do what they can to assist. Opening up our satellite tracking facility in the search area will help the watching world keep abreast of the search and, we hope, provide some assistance to those conducting operations in the area.”

The Australian operations centre will also have access to the facility to help them build a more comprehensive picture of non-search vessels transiting the area. This will also be helpful if additional assets are required to assist.

Currently, there are a number of vessels in the area including:

HMS ECHO

HMAS SUCCESS

OCEAN SHIELD

HAI XUN 01

SEAHORSE STANDARD

Coastal AIS tracking is delivered free of charge to all MarineTraffic users, but ocean positions delivered by satellite are a paid-for service. MarineTraffic will deliver free satellite positions in the search area for as long as is necessary.

Satellite AIS data is provided through MarineTraffic by Orbcomm and more information can be found at their website MarineTraffic