MH37 0 The search for MH370 is at a ‘critical juncture’, says acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as searchers zero in on the missing aircraft’s most likely position.

“Based on my discussions with the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) and specifically with (centre chief) Angus Houston, the narrowing of the search today and tomorrow is at a very critical juncture.

“I appeal to everybody around the world to pray and pray hard that we find something to work on over the next couple of days,” he told a press conference today.

He explained that JACC and other experts have narrowed the search area down to a plot of seabed that will be examined over the next 48 hours.

Beyond that, if nothing is found, he said he concurs with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s earlier statement that the search operation will need to “regroup and reconsider”.

He stressed that this does not mean that the search operation will cease, but the methods used may change and the information at hand, including the British satellite company Inmarsat’s analysis, will be reviewed.

The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft and 239 persons on board went missing on March 8, and 43 days have gone by with almost no trace of the missing jetliner.

A US Navy Blufin-21 underwater drone is currently scouring the bottom of the Southern Indian Ocean where signals consistent with aircraft black box pingers were heard over a week ago.

Searchers were led to the area after analysis of hourly satellite transmissions from the aircraft yielded clues to its position and heading.

Civilian expertise sought

Hishammuddin also told the press conference that several local companies such as DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) and Boustead Holdings Bhd have been asked to consult with international partners regarding the assets that would be useful in the search, particularly underwater drones.

Both of these companies that are named are involved in Malaysia’s defence industry.

Hishammuddin says they will be looking for equipment based on advice given by French air crash investigator Jean Paul Troadec from his experience in handling the Air France 447 crash in 2009.

According to the minister, the particular type of sonar that is needed for the search is rare in the military, and civilian expertise may be required.

“They (the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety) moved from the ping locators to sonar technology, from vessels and aeroplanes to underwater and even deep-sea vessels.

“That - as I alluded to in my statement just now - requires the cooperation of commercial entities, especially oil companies involved with deep-sea rigs,” he said.

Hishammuddin says he hopes to get the assets in place by the time the search for MH370 moves on to its next phase.

However, this may not be required if there are ‘positive developments’ in the next two days, he said.