Aussie vessel back to MH370 search area: rescue command

Australian vessel Ocean Shield has returned to the search area to continue the efforts for the missing MH370 jet, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC). [Special coverage]

The statement said the Ocean Shield returned to the vicinity of the acoustic signals to continue the underwater search on Tuesday.

The submarine vehicle Bluefin-21 was deployed from the Ocean Shield Tuesday afternoon but was recovered about two hours later due to communications problems.

Work continues to rectify the issue and the Bluefin-21 has not redeployed to date, according to the JACC.

The statement said preparations to conduct the bathymetric survey are continuing.

A Chinese survey ship is in the search area and will assist in preparations for future operations, said the statement.

Meanwhile, other vessels from Australia, Malaysia and China and an Australian aircraft remain on standby.

In the latest statement, the JACC said itself has relocated from Perth to Canberra and is based at the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

The JACC statement also said international search effort presently includes assets from Australia, China, Malaysia and the United States.