Search mission in southern Indian Ocean to last several days: AMSA

The bad weather has still limited visibility of the search area for locate debris that may be linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight, and the search mission in southern Indian Ocean would be last several days, Media Liaison Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Andrea Hayward-Maher, said Friday.

According to the bad weather condition, to date, Australian aircraft found no objects related to the missing plane in southern Indian Ocean."It is a large area and the weather is difficult (to search),"Andrea told Xinhua.

According to local media, an Royal Australia Air Force(RAFF) Orion plane was unable to locate the debris Thursday, with Flight Lieutenant Chris Birrer telling reporters the weather conditions were so bad that "we were unable to see for very much of the flight".

Search planes from Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand will continue the hunt Friday, while merchant boats are also heading to the 23,000 square km search zone.

According to the latest release of the AMSA, five aircraft will be involved in Friday's search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

A RAAF P3 Orion departed for the search area at around 9.15 a.m. (AEDT). A civil Gulfstream jet and a second RAAF P3 Orion is due to depart for the search area at approximately 11 a.m.(AEDT). A third RAAF P3 Orion is due to depart at approximately 1 p.m. (AEDT) and the United States Navy P8 Poseidon aircraft at approximately 4 p.m. (AEDT).

Andrea told Xinhua that the reason AMSA tasked the surveillance plane (a civil Gulfstream jet) with the search operation is" because of its endurance, meaning the plane can last longer".

In addition, a Norwegian ship has arrived in the search zone last night and another merchant ship is due to arrive Friday night. But Andrea said she cannot provide the details of this vessel, including the nationality of it.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will make related remarks later on Friday, Andrea said.