Letters from families helping MH370 search crews stay motivated

More than 10 months after Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board, the agency in charge of the search mission has given an indication of how search crews are remaining motivated throughout the grueling process.

So far, 16,000 square kilometers of the ocean floor have been scanned by a variety of search vessels, representing more than a quarter of the priority search area. However, no sign of the missing Boeing 777 has yet been detected.

But, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which is coordinating the search efforts, letter from families of the passengers on board the flight are ensuring search crews are constantly reminded of the importance of their mission. "This helps the crew understand that they are working to find the answers that will mean a great deal to people who have lost loved ones on the flight and for the future safety of air travel," an ATSB spokesperson told News Ltd. on Thursday.

Crew members on board search vessels are also changed regularly to ensure fresh eyes and a fresh mind are in charge of the mission, while consistent briefings were also described as important by the ATSB.

"It's a hard job in a tough and fatiguing environment, so fresh crews are swapped after every (six-week) swing," the spokesperson continued. "Whenever new crews are about to go out to the search area, they receive a thorough briefing on the operation, including by representatives of the ATSB explaining the search and its context.

"The briefing helps them to understand the particular importance of finding MH370 and that their work has a human side."

A new vessel, the Fugro Supporter, will join the search alongside fellow vessels the Fugro Discovery and GO Phoenix shortly.

Although bad weather, stemming from Tropical Cyclone Bansi, halted search efforts over the weekend, it is hoped that the Fugro Supporter's ability to negotiate tough conditions will speed up the search process.