Jeddah’s jetboats thrilling passengers with adrenaline-filled trips

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Captain Ahmed Al-Ghamdi and his business partner Santiago Barga pose with the jetboats. (Supplied)
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The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips. (Supplied)
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The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips. (Supplied)
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The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips. (Supplied)
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The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 July 2022
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Jeddah’s jetboats thrilling passengers with adrenaline-filled trips

  • The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips
  • The business at the Jeddah Yacht Club was the first to own fireboats in the Kingdom, Al-Ghamdi said

JEDDAH: Passengers taking high-powered speedboat journeys as part of Jeddah Season are leaving “satisfied and happy,” owner Ahmed Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.

The so-called fireboats carry 12 passengers while performing maneuvers and drifts in adrenaline-filled 25 minute trips.

The business at the Jeddah Yacht Club was the first to own fireboats in the Kingdom, Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.

He added that the people of Jeddah love water activities, which led to his decision to import the high-powered vessels from Spain.

“We know that the people in Jeddah love this kind of entertainment; people are fascinated and happy, and everyone loves it. There are passengers aged 10 to 95 years old, and we do tours that suit their ages,” he said.

 

Before establishing his business, Al-Ghamdi visited the Moggaro factory in Spain, which specializes in aluminum yachts.

He wanted to discover the latest trends in the motorboat industry, and soon fell in love with fireboats, also known as jetboats.

“I went to Santiago Barga, owner of Moggaro in Spain; his factory is one of the best existing factories for me. We developed the idea, sat studying it for a while, worked hard to make the arrangements, and today we have the boats in Jeddah,” Al-Ghamdi said.

Barga then visited the Kingdom to support his business partner and track how his bestselling jetboat, the Moggaro 700WJ, was operating on Jeddah’s waters.

“Ahmed Al-Ghamdi and I met in Spain. He didn’t come as a normal client who usually stays for two days; he stayed for a week, which created a good relationship between us,” Barga said.

While traveling on fireboats, passengers will experience exciting maneuvers, with video cameras recording the entire trip.

“I want to make this experience a good one for my clients. So I take care of the details as each of them will have their disposable towel and a locker to have their belongings, and showers as well as changing rooms,” Al-Ghamdi said.

He added that his passion for boats began in 1999, when started his first business in the industry. Al-Ghamdi said that in the future, he aims to localize all elements of his business.


Saudi Shoura Council members meet Uzbekistan Senate head

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Shoura Council members meet Uzbekistan Senate head

TASHKENT: A delegation from the Saudi-Uzbek Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the Shoura Council, headed by council member and committee chairman, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Jarbaa, met the head of the Uzbek Senate, Tanzila Narbaeva, in Tashkent.

Narbaeva welcomed the delegation, who are on an official visit to Uzbekistan, and stressed the keen interest of both countries’ leaders to build strong relations.

The two sides discussed ways to enhance ties, explored prospects for parliamentary cooperation between the Shoura Council and the Uzbek Senate and discussed other topics of mutual interest.

The meeting was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yousef Saleh Al-Otaibi.


KSrelief helps Syrian orphans in Jordan

Updated 10 min 31 sec ago
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KSrelief helps Syrian orphans in Jordan

  • Project was signed by the agency’s general supervisor, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, and the Secretary-General of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization Dr. Hussein Al-Shebli
  • Signing ceremony, held at the Saudi Embassy in Amman, was attended by Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Jordan

AMMAN: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has signed an agreement to implement a project to support 1,000 Syrian orphans and their host communities in Jordan.

The project, valued at almost SR4.9 million ($1.3 million), was signed by the agency’s general supervisor, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, and the secretary-general of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization, Dr. Hussein Al-Shebli.

The signing ceremony, held at the Saudi Embassy in Amman, was attended by Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Jordan and non-resident ambassador to the State of Palestine, and representatives of international humanitarian organizations.

As well as providing funds to cover the cost of the orphans’ basic needs, the agreement will support a range of education, recreation and community initiatives in Amman, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash, Balqa, Madaba, Karak, Tafilah, Ma’an and Aqaba.


Saudi citizenship granted to selection of researchers, innovators, and specialists

Saudi citizenship has been granted to a number of people with distinguished talents. (File/AFP)
Updated 4 min 39 sec ago
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Saudi citizenship granted to selection of researchers, innovators, and specialists

  • Move is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create an appealing environment that attracts, invests in, and retains exceptional creative minds

RIYADH: Saudi citizenship has been granted to a number of scientists, doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and people who have unique capabilities, expertise, and specializations, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The granting of citizenship was issued as part of a royal order granting Saudi citizenship to people with distinguished legal, medical, scientific, cultural, sports and technical expertise for the benefit of the nation in various fields.

It is also in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create an appealing environment that attracts, invests in, and retains exceptional creative minds.

A number of specialists, whose expertise in the economic, health, cultural, sports and innovation fields was considered distinguished, were previously awarded citizenship in 2021.


Two lynx kittens born at Prince Saud Al-Faisal National Center in Taif

Updated 04 July 2024
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Two lynx kittens born at Prince Saud Al-Faisal National Center in Taif

  • Births follow launch of specialist breeding program in 2022
  • New arrivals tribute to center’s efforts to protect endangered species, NCW chief says

RIYADH: A breeding program set up by the National Center for Wildlife Development has paid off after a lynx at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Center for Wildlife Research in Taif gave birth to two kittens, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The program was established in 2022 and is part of the center’s wider efforts to preserve wildlife and protect ecosystems in line with the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Green Initiative under Vision 2030.
NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban said the birth of the kittens represented the center’s “ongoing efforts to preserve endangered species and expand breeding programs” and was “evidence of the continued success in implementing ambitious environmental programs that aim to protect biodiversity in the Kingdom.”
Such initiatives sought to “promote the best practices of environmental conservation in accordance with an integrated legislative structure that embodies the center’s vision of achieving a thriving and sustainable wildlife,” he said.
Qurban said the predator breeding program was being run alongside other programs that sought to create suitable environments for the animals on their release, and that the Taif center had played a key role in helping to get endangered species back into their natural environments.


Kiswa of Kaaba to be replaced with advent of new Islamic year

The Kiswa of the Kaaba will be replaced on Muharram 1, the beginning of the new Hijri year. (SPA)
Updated 04 July 2024
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Kiswa of Kaaba to be replaced with advent of new Islamic year

  • Production of the Kiswa requires about 1,000 kilograms of raw silk which is dyed black at the complex, 120 kilograms of gold wire, and 100 kilograms of silver wire

RIYADH: The intricate black cloth covering the Kaaba will be replaced on Muharram 1, the beginning of the Hijri year, as part of an annual tradition.

The Kiswa will be changed with the help of 159 technicians and craftsmen, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The old Kiswa will be removed and replaced by a new one which consists of four separate sides and a door curtain. Each side will be raised separately to the top of the Kaaba in preparation for its unfolding over the old side.

The new Kiswa will be attached from above and the ropes of the old cloth will then be loosened.

Over 200 craftsmen and administrators work at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa in Makkah where the special cloth is produced.

The complex has separate departments for dyeing, machine-weaving, hand-weaving, printing, belts, gold-plating, sewing, and assembling.

The sewing and assembling department features the largest sewing machine in the world which is 16 meters long and runs on a computer system.

Production of the Kiswa requires about 1,000 kilograms of raw silk which is dyed black at the complex, 120 kilograms of gold wire, and 100 kilograms of silver wire.

The new Hijri year is due to start on July 7.