The owners of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant have retracted their earlier statements about the vessel sinking, as investigations by authorities continue.

Following global reports that the famous Hong Kong-based Jumbo Floating Restaurant had sunk at sea, its owners clarified on Thursday that the restaurant, once thought to be beyond repair, is actually still afloat near the Paracel Islands. As the situation develops, there are growing calls for a thorough investigation.

Jumbo Kingdom, a 260-foot, three-story restaurant designed like a traditional Chinese palace, ran into serious trouble last weekend while being towed through the South China Sea. According to its owners, water began to flood the vessel, causing it to tilt and eventually capsize.

The owners explained that the location of the incident is over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) deep, which complicates efforts to salvage the restaurant.

Under increasing pressure from authorities to clarify the details of the incident, the vessel’s owner, Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Limited, confirmed Thursday that both the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and its accompanying tugboat remain in the waters near the Paracel Islands (referred to as the Xisha Islands in China).

The statement submitted to the Hong Kong government did not clarify whether the Jumbo Floating Restaurant is still afloat or if it has become detached from its tugboat.

The change in messaging comes after a request from Hong Kong’s Marine Department for a formal written report from the restaurant group, as part of the preliminary investigation into the incident.

A representative from Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Limited told Dinogo on Friday that the company had consistently used the term 'capsize' to describe the event and had never claimed the vessel had sunk.

When asked if this contradicted earlier statements, the spokesman explained that the company was obligated to provide the water depth at the site of the incident, but refrained from confirming whether the vessel could still be salvaged or if it remained afloat.

A historic landmark

A major Hong Kong tourist destination, the Jumbo Floating Restaurant had served as the backdrop for several famous films, including 'Enter the Dragon' with Bruce Lee and 'James Bond: The Man with the Golden Gun.' It also welcomed notable figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Jimmy Carter, and Tom Cruise.

Various plans were proposed to preserve the restaurant, but its steep maintenance costs discouraged investors. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam also ruled out any government funding to rescue the landmark.

On June 14, the boat was towed away from Hong Kong after nearly fifty years anchored in the city's southwest waters.

Although the owners initially withheld details about its destination, the Marine Department later confirmed that the vessel was being transported to a shipyard in Cambodia.

The news of the restaurant's sinking sparked outrage online, with many Hong Kong social media users lamenting the undignified end of one of the city's most famous historical landmarks.

Tourism legislator Perry Yiu Pak-leung described the sinking of Jumbo Kingdom as a blow to Hong Kong's cultural heritage.

He urged that Hong Kong learn from this event, calling for greater collaboration between the government, conservationists, historians, and the business sector to safeguard and better utilize the city’s historic sites. 'We waited too long,' he added.

Demands for an inquiry

Lawmakers in Hong Kong are now urging the government to conduct a more extensive investigation into the incident.

'We need to determine if the tugboat company played a role in any malpractice or errors at sea when towing the Jumbo Kingdom,' said Tik Chi-yuen, chairman of the Third Side political party.

Stephen Li, a professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, remarked that it is 'quite rare' for a vessel to sink solely due to bad weather, emphasizing that modern advancements in navigation technology have made sea travel 'extremely safe.'

Li noted that the investigation could take years, particularly since the incident occurred outside Hong Kong's jurisdiction, in international waters.

The Marine Department issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that the ship owner had hired an agency to inspect the vessel and ensure it was fit for sea before it was towed.

It remains unclear whether the vessel was insured, which could complicate any potential salvage efforts.

Andrew Brooker, managing director of Hong Kong's Latitude Brokers, a marine insurance firm, stated that it was 'extremely unlikely' the vessel had insurance coverage for loss or damage.

'The marine insurance market is hesitant to cover the risk of towing a 50-year-old barge across 1,000 kilometers of open ocean during typhoon season,' he explained.

Brooker explained that the owners of Jumbo Kingdom would not have been legally obligated to insure the vessel once it was outside of Hong Kong's territorial waters.