Family members of victims from missing flight MH370 have travelled to Perth to meet the search team and urge the Australian government to continue funding the investigation into what happened.
The search, which has cost up to $180 million so far, is due to be suspended by the joint Australian, Malaysian and Chinese team in December unless new evidence is found.
The Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board shortly after taking off en route from Kuala Lumpur in March 2014 and is considered one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time.
About eight family members on a self-funded trip will meet officials aboard the Dutch Fugro Equator search ship that docked in Fremantle this week.
A spokeswoman from the Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre said the visit was a private one that it was not sponsoring but officials were to provide information to the families and take them aboard the ship.
Grace Nathan, whose mother Anne Daisy was on the plane, said this week relatives want the search to go on and criticised Malaysian authorities - who are leading the investigation under international aviations rules, for a lack of will.
American Blaine Gibson, who has conducted his own investigation and found debris believed to be from the plane in Madagascar and Mozambique, is also in Perth to meet the families.
A wing part found on the island of Reunion in July last year was confirmed as from the plane with another four pieces almost certainly from it.
