The latest modelling of the likely path of MH370 debris, by the University of Western Australia's coastal oceanography team, led by Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi.

The latest modelling of the likely path of MH370 debris, by the University of Western Australia's coastal oceanography team, led by Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi.

A PACKET of Malaysian noodles and a Malaysia Airlines baggage tag have been handed into Australian authorities for further investigation, as the worldwide hunt for MH370 debris continues.

Ever since a council worker on Reunion Island stumbled upon a flaperon considered “highly likely” to have come from the missing plane, beachgoers around the world have been on debris alert.

Chief Coordinator of the Joint Agency Coordination Centre Judith Zielke revealed the five-minute noodles were found on a South Australian beach and the bag tag at Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast.

Neither was being seriously considered as potentially from MH370, but Ms Zielke said it was encouraging that people were on the lookout for unusual items washing up on beaches.

“It’s very challenging for investigators to find something that can be linked to the aircraft — it would really have to be some form of debris from the aircraft,” said Ms Zielke.

“But we encourage people to bring anything unusual or out of place forward. It’s far better that we investigate and rule it out.”

Ms Zielke said the only item being seriously examined by French authorities was the flaperon, with other debris found on Reunion Island considered inconsequential or impossible to conclusively link to MH370.

“If the flaperon is 100 per cent confirmed, it will make the world of difference for families and hopefully answer some of their questions,” she said.

“We would hope the French judge overseeing the inquiry makes a call on that soon.”

Malaysia has even sent investigators to the Maldives to inspect debris, considered most likely to have come from a capsized barge.

Three Malaysian aviation experts arrived in the Maldives after they joined a regional search for wreckage from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight after islanders spotted unidentified debris washed up along the northern atolls of the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Government minister Mohamed Shareef said the Malaysian team, led by director-general of civil aviation Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, had arrived and would begin work after talks with local counterparts.

“I will also be meeting them shortly,” Shareef said. “We have secured the debris already collected.”

After that discovery, the Malaysian authorities alerted nearby Madagascar and South Africa to be on the lookout, saying it was possible debris would wash up in those locations. Mauritius has also joined the search.

Despite the anticipation of the French announcement, Ms Zielke said it was unlikely to have any bearing on the underwater search in the southern Indian Ocean.

The latest modelling of the likely path of MH370 debris, by the University of Western Australia's coastal oceanography team, led by Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi. The latest modelling of the likely path of MH370 debris, by the University of Western Australia's coastal oceanography team, led by Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi.

The massive operation passed the halfway point in the last week, with more than 60,000 square kilometres of sea floor now searched.

Fugro Discovery resumed its work yesterday after a six-day break and morale among the crew remained high, Ms Zielke said.

“Hearing of the debris is something that would’ve encouraged them to keep doing their job,” she said.

“The families (of MH370 victims) write to the crew, and continue to thank them for their efforts.

“I know they’d like nothing better than to be able to tell the families they’ve found the plane.”

It is now more than 17-months since the Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 777 disappeared after taking off from Kuala Lumpur to fly to Beijing.

There were 239 people on board, including six Australians.

No official explanation has ever been provided for the aircraft’s disappearance other than it was most likely a deliberate act by someone with extensive knowledge of the plane.