AKIPRESS.COM - A sophisticated search vessel tasked with tracking down Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared mysteriously after turning off its tracking system, sparking conspiracy theories, AP reported.

The Seabed Constructor's Automatic Identification System (AIS) went offline on January 31 - just ten days into its search.

Bizarrely, it reconnected last night after 80 hours of undocumented travel. The reason for this temporary disconnect remains unclear.

The Constructor left the Port of Durban on January 2 and began searching for the plane, which vanished en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 2014 with 239 people on board.

The plane vanished after its aircraft communications, addressing and reporting system (Acars) was switched off less than an hour after taking off.

The vessel had been contracted on a 'no find, no fee' deal by Texan exploration company Ocean Infinity.