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Online Talk - Famous for Five Minutes: the recovery of a Boeing 747 from Hong Kong Harbour in 1993 - Mr. Alan Loynd

Alan Loynd tells the story of how he was part of the team which recovered a jumbo jet from the waters of Hong Kong harbour following a typhoon in 1993. Such a recovery had never been attempted before, so there was no instruction manual and the participants had to devise their own plans. Government convened a recovery committee, and the operation stands as a fine example of how the public and private sectors in Hong Kong worked together to resolve a situation which might have forced Kai Tak airport to close for several months. The talk concludes with a rarely-seen film which the government commissioned at the time.

The Speaker

Alan Loynd went to sea at the age of 16 and joined the Swire Group in 1976. After sailing in ranks up to Captain, he was seconded to Hong Kong Salvage & Towage, where he commanded salvage tugs and served as General Manager and Salvage Master. He now runs his own marine consultancy in Hong Kong, and recently wrote his first book, the story of his 52 years in shipping which was published by Proverse Hong Kong.

Venue: Online. Announcement will be made in advance if meeting arrangement can be changed to hybrid mode depending on the most current public gathering restrictions.

Admission: No charge, please register your attendance in advance

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register your attendance