Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Baruna Jaya I vessel of Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) is continuing its search for AirAsia flight QZ8501 at reported crash site around the Java Sea.

On Thursday (Dec 1), Baruna recovered a body near the site and a Malaysian military vessel transported it to Pangkalan Bun Search and Rescue (SAR) post.

"This noon, we will continue our search for the aircraft," Head of Baruna Jaya I Vessel Expedition Team Rahardian said during a telephonic interview from the Gulf of Kumai, Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, on Friday.

However, Rahardian informed, the Karimata Strait has been witnessing bad weather coupled with 2-3 meters high waves; hence his team has decided to take shelter in the Gulf of Kumai.

Rahardian added the search will be conducted in accordance with a SAR hydrodynamic model that connects the location of debris and bodies with the time AirAsia flight QZ8501 lost contact and the flow pattern in related sites.

Baruna Jaya I is equipped with a Multi Beam Echo Sounder, which has an undersea biometric mapping function, a Side Scan Sonar for more vivid and further mapping, a Megato Meter or metal detector, and a Remote Operated Vehicle that produces the real visuals of findings.

"All four equipment will function alternately so we can confirm its validity," Rahardian remarked.

He also emphasized that the Baruna Jaya I vessel will continue communicating with the National SAR Agency, which is the coordinator of a joint team for AirAsia flight QZ8501s search and rescue operation.

"Amid this unpredictable weather, hopefully, Baruna and its crew will be able to continue and find the missing aircraft," Rahardian noted.
(Uu.A060/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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