More RSN ships join QZ8501 search and rescue operations

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Navy’s MV Swift Rescue has arrived at the southern coast of Kalimantan, where the missing flight QZ8501 is believed to be located. The vessel will be using an underwater telephone to attempt to pick up signals from the plane’s black box.

It joins three others — the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme, Victory-class missile corvette RSS Valour, and Endurance-class landing ship tank RSS Persistence — to conduct search and rescue operations in the area.

MINDEF says the Bedok-class mine countermeasure vessel RSS Kallang will also reach the search area on Friday (Jan 2).

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle was also flown to the RSS Persistence on Thursday afternoon. The Singapore Navy’s Head of Unmanned Systems, Major Teng Teck Hong, said the system will scan the seabed for abnormalities that are metallic and reflective.

“We will be able to decipher if they are normal seabed objects, or actually something different like parts (of a plane),” he said.

Operations are currently on hold until the weather clears up.

CNA