Words spread that the renowned Jumbo Floating Restaurant “suddenly sank” on its way from Aberdeen on June 14 to South East Asia for repairs and maintenance. But a few days later, the Marine Department said the Jumbo Floating Restaurant is still afloat near the Paracel Island. As the mystery deepens, the Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises, parent company of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, released a statement on June 26.
Previously, Sing Tao Daily quoted Chairman of Hong Kong Insurance Professionals Federation, Mak Shun-pong, that the estimated amount of the Jumbo floating Restaurant is at least HK$100 million (US$12.8 million). Conspiracy theory suggested that the sinking of the Restaurant would be to the Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises’s benefit as this does not save the considerable maintenance costs, but also receiving the insurance compensations. The Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises issued another statement on June 26 to clarify that the company will not receive any compensation from the sinking of the Floating Restaurant as it only has insurance for third parties.
