MIXED MESSAGING ?
GROK:
Richard Godfrey (and collaborators like Prof. Simon Maskell) has indeed claimed that Ocean Infinity (OI) intends to eventually search the WSPR-proposed area.
This claim stems from meetings involving OI, the Malaysian government, and MH370 families, where Maskell (a co-author on WSPR analyses with Godfrey) reportedly confirmed OI's interest in the zone.
Godfrey's WSPR hotspot is centred on approximately 29.128°S, 99.934°E (roughly 30 km radius), based on his analysis of Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) radio data. Less than half of this area was covered in prior searches (e.g., OI's 2018 campaign).
However, OI has not searched it during the recent 2025–2026 campaigns—or any subsequent calm weather window—primarily because it is not part of the current contracted, prioritised search area.
Here's the context and reasoning, based on operational timelines and official priorities:
Godfrey's claim reflects private discussions and optimism from WSPR advocates, and OI might revisit the zone in a future extension (if Malaysia agrees and vessels are available post-winter). But the recent window was consumed by the contracted, data-driven southern area—interrupted by weather, schedule, and redeployment. No diversion to WSPR happened because it wasn't prioritised or approved for this campaign.
Families have called for contract extensions; any broader search (including WSPR) would need new approval. Updates continue on sites like mh370.radiantphysics.com or official Malaysian statements.
This claim stems from meetings involving OI, the Malaysian government, and MH370 families, where Maskell (a co-author on WSPR analyses with Godfrey) reportedly confirmed OI's interest in the zone.
Godfrey's WSPR hotspot is centred on approximately 29.128°S, 99.934°E (roughly 30 km radius), based on his analysis of Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) radio data. Less than half of this area was covered in prior searches (e.g., OI's 2018 campaign).
However, OI has not searched it during the recent 2025–2026 campaigns—or any subsequent calm weather window—primarily because it is not part of the current contracted, prioritised search area.
Here's the context and reasoning, based on operational timelines and official priorities:
- OI's actual search focus (approved by Malaysia under the "no find, no fee" deal): The operations targeted the high-probability zone along the 7th arc between ~33°S and 36°S, centred on the UGIB Last Estimated Position (~34.23°S, 93.78°E) and extending southeast. This includes "IG Hotspot" areas, data gaps from prior searches (e.g., steep terrain), and a high-priority zone south of the LEP. These locations align with mainstream evidence from Inmarsat satellite data (BTO/BFO), drift modelling, aircraft performance, and Bayesian analyses—not WSPR. The WSPR endpoint is hundreds of kilometres north and does not overlap with this contracted box.
- Search timeline and limited window:
- Short Phase 1 (March 2025): Using Armada 7806; infill and new areas in the above zone.
- Main Phase 2 (Dec 30, 2025–~Jan 23/24, 2026): Armada 8605 with HUGIN AUVs; ~7,571 km² covered total across phases (intermittent, up to 55 days allowed under the 18-month contract). Operations paused multiple times for weather (e.g., Jan 4–5, 2026, due to 2–3m swells/waves unsafe for AUV launch/recovery). The vessel then left for Fremantle (arrival late Jan), refuelled, and headed to other ports (e.g., Pago Pago) for commercial commitments or resupply.
- Why no search of WSPR during/after this (including recent calm windows):
- Contract and priorities: The Malaysia agreement specifies the 7th-arc zone as the "highest probability" target. Resources (vessel time, AUV missions, ~28 total search days) were allocated here first. Shifting ~300–450 km north to WSPR was never part of this phase. Even pro-WSPR sources (e.g., YouTube channels linked to Godfrey/Thomas) note the ship was "moving toward" it when weather hit—but official tracking and reports confirm operations stayed within the southern box and completed (or exhausted) the allocated segments there.
- Weather and logistics: The Southern Indian Ocean is notoriously rough. Swells repeatedly halted ops; the vessel redeployed rather than loiter for a marginal window. A Feb 2026 report hoped for resumption in March/April (better conditions), but no extension occurred. By March 8, 2026, Malaysia announced the phase complete with no findings; the contract's seasonal and operational limits kicked in before winter.
- No official OI endorsement of WSPR as priority: While some reports note OI "considering" radio data broadly, mainstream experts (e.g., ATSB reviews, Victor Iannello/Radiant Physics analyses) view WSPR as unproven/contested (Godfrey's endpoints have shifted over time; it's not peer-reviewed evidence like satellite data). OI's public/proposed areas have consistently matched the UGIB/IG zones, not WSPR.
Godfrey's claim reflects private discussions and optimism from WSPR advocates, and OI might revisit the zone in a future extension (if Malaysia agrees and vessels are available post-winter). But the recent window was consumed by the contracted, data-driven southern area—interrupted by weather, schedule, and redeployment. No diversion to WSPR happened because it wasn't prioritised or approved for this campaign.
Families have called for contract extensions; any broader search (including WSPR) would need new approval. Updates continue on sites like mh370.radiantphysics.com or official Malaysian statements.
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