According to Australia’s Joint Agency Coordinating Centre, which is leading the search, the bathymetric survey will provide a map of the underwater search zone, charting the contours, depths and composition of the sea floor in water depths up to 6,000 metres (3.7 miles).

The M.V. Fugro Equator is operated by Fugro Survey Pte Ltd. Its specially designed hull, diesel electric drive and rudder propellers, maximises fuel efficiency, navigational control and station keeping capabilities. Permanently installed equipment includes the latest in digital seismic, seabed and sub seabed mapping systems. Acoustic positioning is provided by a through hull USBL system. Surface positioning is Fugro Starfix high precision, GNSS. All acquisition, navigation, processing, charting and reporting systems are networked and integrated through industrial grade servers.