Preliminary analysis of the oil slick sample collected by the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield on Sunday has confirmed that it is not aircraft engine oil or hydraulic fluid, Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said on Thursday.
The sample arrived in Perth yesterday where it was tested and analyzed.
Today the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has planned a visual search area totalling approximately 51,870 square kilometres, across three areas.
Overnight Bluefin-21 AUV completed another mission in the underwater search area and has commenced mission five. Bluefin-21 has searched approximately 110 square kilometres to date. Data analysis from the fourth mission did not provide any contacts of interest.
The weather forecast for today is isolated showers and south easterly winds.
[mappress] Press Release, April 18, 2014; Image: JACC