.post-body, .post-body p, .post-body p span { font-family: Arial, sans-serif !important; font-size: 17px !important; line-height: 1.6 !important;

Monday, 9 November 2026

MH 370 AND THE INDIAN OCEAN

In the eerie silence of the Indian Ocean, a new chapter has emerged in the disturbing saga of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, the plane that disappeared without a trace, leaving the world searching for answers.


The story of MH370 has become the stuff of modern legend. On March 8, 2017 (11 years ago), the Boeing 777 carrying passengers and crew disappeared from radar screens, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered lives.
"Good night, Malalaysian 370," the last message from the cockpit of MH370, the plane that disappeared... remains one of the most baffling mysteries in aviation history. Despite years of extensive search efforts, the aircraft's fate remains unknown and unsolved, adding to the lore of the unexplained phenomena that inhabit the vast and mysterious depths of the Indian Ocean... the 3rd largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km². The Ocean has large marginal, or regional seas, such as the Andaman Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea.
Malaysia is bounded from the west by Malacca Straits and the Andaman Sea, both connected to the Indian Ocean, and from the east by the South China Sea, being the largest marginal sea in the Pacific Basin...
A scary fact about the Indian Ocean is that it is home to one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history – remember the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami....



My experience of sailing the Indian Ocean in 1985 with KD Mutiara is a memory that is hard to forget... I'm imaging sailing on a calm sea when suddenly, a massive wave three times the size of the surrounding waves appears without warning... These are what we call rogue waves, and they can reach heights of up to 100 feet. Even the most advanced ships and experienced sailors can fall victim to these unpredictable monsters of the ocean.






Do you know that this ocean hides over three million shipwrecks resting at the bottom of the ocean, from ancient vessels to modern submarines...many of it remain undiscovered...? Imaging exploring these underwater graveyards, uncovering the eerie history of our seas...
I still remember, throughout the voyage across this Indian Ocean in 1985, I always prayed to God that our ship would not be one of the ships that disappeared without a trace in these terrifying oceans... Thank you, God....
My most memorable ship experience is crossing the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. I've been through some of the rough seas on this planet and a generous share of storms, and occasionally both at the same time. But in this Bay of Bengal, the worst rough seas I have ever experienced, everyone gets seasick. I've sailed the ocean half of my life, so I've had my fair share of rough seas...smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. A rough day at sea is better than any day in the office.






Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still and rough and rigid. But in the end, it is always beautiful.

As I reflect on my passage through the Indian Ocean, a tapestry of vivid memories unfolds, each wave whispering tales of adventure and awe. The vast expanse of water, stretching endlessly under the sun, was both a friend and a formidable foe.

The gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of our ship created a soothing rhythm, a lullaby that contrasted sharply with the sudden ferocity of storms that would arise without warning. I remember one particular night, the sky darkened, and the winds howled like a pack of wolves. The ocean transformed into a churning beast, and we were mere specks in its embrace. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a strange beauty—a reminder of nature's raw power.

Sailing through the Indian Ocean also meant encountering its rich tapestry of life. Dolphins danced alongside our vessel, their playful leaps a joyful sight against the backdrop of the deep blue. The sunsets were nothing short of magical, painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink, a breathtaking spectacle that made every challenging moment worthwhile.

Each port we visited brought new experiences and stories. From the bustling markets of coastal towns to the serene beaches where time seemed to stand still, the Indian Ocean was a gateway to diverse cultures and traditions. I cherished the moments spent with locals, sharing laughter and stories, forging connections that transcended language and distance.

Yet, the ocean also held its secrets—mysterious shipwrecks lying silently beneath the waves, remnants of journeys long forgotten. The thought of these hidden histories added an air of intrigue to our travels, a reminder of the countless souls who had traversed these waters before us.

In the end, my passage through the Indian Ocean was more than just a journey; it was a profound experience that shaped my understanding of the world and my place within it. The ocean, with all its beauty and unpredictability, taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL 11/3/2025: 12.54 a.m

TRAVEL INFO: REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES & INDIA (1985).


Hj Zulheimy Maamor
16 March 2024 > 5 Ramadan 1445H

Among the experiences in the navy that I cannot erase from my memory is sailing across the Indian Ocean to the ports of the Republic of Maldives and Madras in India with the ships KD Mutiara and KD Hang Tuah in 1985.
I served onboard KD Mutiara, a Royal Malaysian Navy hydrography vessel responsible for hydrographic measurements, meteorological observations, and limited oceanographic observation research work.

CROSSING THE BAY OF BENGAL, IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

My most memorable ship experience is crossing the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. I've been through some of the rough seas on this planet and a generous share of storms, and occasionally both at the same time. But in this Bay of Bengal, the worst rough seas I have ever experienced, everyone gets seasick. I've sailed the ocean half of my life, so I've had my fair share of rough seas...smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. A rough day at sea is better than any day in the office. 

Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still and rough and rigid. But in the end, it is always beautiful. 

The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. Geographically, it is positioned between the Indian subcontinent and the Indochinese peninsula, located below the Bengal region. The bay is about 1,600 km wide with an average depth of more than 2,600 metres. 














REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES
The Maldives is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. It is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 km from the Asian continent's mainland. 
There are 26 reefs gazetted as territories containing a total of 1,192 small islands. Only 200 islands are inhabited by humans.

The Maldives Islands were once colonised by the Portuguese (1558), the Dutch (1654), and finally the British in 1887. The Maldives declared its independence from the British in 1965.







The structure of Munaaru, the distinctive historical minaret of the Male Friday Mosque (Male Hukuru Miskiy), located in the capital of Male. It was built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar in 1675, 18 years after the adjacent coral stone mosque was under construction. 
The entire complex is a treasured national landmark and is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. 


Outside the National Museum in Male, Republic of Maldives. The museum is located in Sultan Park, and the building seen is the older structure, which was the only remaining part of the Maldivian Royal Palace compound that survived a fire in 1968.

MASJID SULTAN MUHAMMAD THAKURUFAANU AL-AUZAM
Named after one of the most celebrated of Maldivian heroes, the mosque is the largest mosque in the Maldives and also one of the largest in South Asia, admitting over 6,000 people. Opened in 1984 by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.









The Maldives, with its white sandy beaches, sparkling blue water, and beautiful sunset, makes it the perfect getaway. 

1985 - MADRAS, INDIA 
KD Mutiara's next destination is Madras in India (now known as Chennai), located on the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal. It is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. The name Madras comes from Madraspatnam, the site chosen by the British East India Company in 1639.




MADRAS PORT

KD Mutiara Communicators at Madras Harbour, India (1985)






The Alankar Theatre complex at Mount Road (now Anna Salai), not far from the LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) building. 






The house of Dr M.G. Ramachandran (now MGR Memorial House) was a famous Tamil film actor, producer and politician. He served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987. 
His full name is Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran (born January 17, 1917 – December 24, 1987). We had the opportunity to stop for a while in front of his house on the way to Mahabalipuram, located at Arcot Street, T. Nagar. 

MAHABALIPURAM
Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, is a town on a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It's known for its temples and monuments built by the Pallava Dynasty in the 7th and 8th century. It is a historic city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu.











INS ADYAR – a prominent base depot ship and shore establishment of the Indian Navy, located in Madras, Tamil Nadu. It serves as a vital logistics, maintenance and administrative hub under the Eastern Naval.
It was commissioned on 19 February 1954, located at Fort St George, near the port of Madras. It functions alongside the HQ of the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area. 

This year (2024), as this blog is written, would be the 20th anniversary of Tsunami striking the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. 
Immediately before the 2004 tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal, the ocean water of Mahabalipuram's coast pulled back approximately 500 metres. Tourists and residents who witnessed this event from the beach recalled seeing a long, straight row of large rocks emerge from the water. 
On the 2004 tsunami, more than 230,000 people, mostly in Southern Asia, were killed by a 100-foot-high tsunami triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean. 

Other readings:

If you have time to explore Madras (now Chennai), this 284 sq-mil (400 sq km) conglomerate of urban villages and diverse neighbourhoods making up Tamil Naidu's will pleasantly surprise you. Its role is as keeper of South Indian artistic, religious and culinary traditions. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
17 March 2024 > 6 Ramadan 1445H: 8.03 am