Jumbo sinks

The Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsized and sank in the South China Sea just five days after the 76-meter vessel was towed from Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter last Tuesday.

Jumbo's owner, Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Limited, announced the "death" of the vessel, saying it was hit by a thunderstorm as it was sailing near the Paracel Islands on Saturday afternoon.

"Water got into the boat and it started to list. The tow company tried to save it but in vain," it said.

The vessel eventually fully listed and capsized on Sunday. No crew members were injured.

"The vessel sank more than 1,000 meters deep. It will be difficult for a salvage operation to be conducted," the company said. "Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises is sorrowful and heartbroken about the accident."

The company said it is still liaising with the tow company to understand details of the accident.

But it said professional marine engineers were hired to check the boat and installed hoardings before it left Hong Kong. It also acquired all necessary approvals before the voyage.

The seafood restaurant was towed from Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter at noon last Tuesday to an undisclosed shipyard outside of Hong Kong after it became a landmark in Southern District of Hong Kong Island for 46 years.

It is understood the vessel was on its way to somewhere in Southeast Asia as the shipyard had requested the ship's new location remain undisclosed.

Before it departed Hong Kong, the parent company said: "Throughout this journey, it has been a great honor for us to share beautiful collective memories with local and foreign visitors."

After the news broke yesterday, Hongkongers were sad about the loss of the vessel.

A netizen said: "So it becomes an underwater attraction."

But some netizens felt skeptical about the incident. One wrote: "They're obviously throwing it in the high seas like trash."

The restaurant's parent company announced on May 30 the restaurant was leaving Hong Kong as it could not find a new operator and there was no berth to moor the ship.

For almost half a century, the Jumbo and its smaller vessel, Tak Pak Restaurant, were destinations for families and tourists. Tak Pak remains in the Aberdeen shelter.

Jumbo suspended operations in March 2020 amid the pandemic.