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Minister of Environment Inspects Largest Floating Water Barges Worldwide in Yanbu

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Minister of Environment Inspects Largest Floating Water Barges Worldwide in Yanbu

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli conducted an inspection tour of the "Environment system" in Yanbu Governorate, located in the Madinah region.
During the visit, the minister closely monitored several projects and their progress, while also receiving updates on the services being delivered to the residents of the governorate.
Eng. Al-Fadhli commenced his visits by engaging with citizens, farmers, and fishermen at the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (YNBCCI) premises. He attentively heard their requests and addressed their inquiries regarding the services offered by the ministry, according to SPA.
During the meeting, the minister emphasized his commitment to backing development projects that provide environmental, water, and agricultural services to the citizens. He also expressed his determination to spare no effort in supporting the strategies, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Eng. Al-Fadhli was briefed on the operations of the floating water barges in Yanbu, which play a vital role in meeting the water demand. The Kingdom possesses 3 giant barges, recognized as the largest globally, with a combined production capacity of 150,000 cubic meters per day.
Additionally, the minister held discussions with several leaders from the "Environment system" and examined the noteworthy accomplishments at the governorate level.
They explored avenues for further development and presented strategies for the environment, water, and agriculture sectors, all in alignment with the objectives of sustainable development and the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.

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Harry Chandler, Navy Medic Who Survived Japan’s Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dies at 103

Pearl Harbor survivor Harry Chandler, 102, of Tequesta, Fla., speaks to the media during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. (AP)
Pearl Harbor survivor Harry Chandler, 102, of Tequesta, Fla., speaks to the media during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. (AP)
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Harry Chandler, Navy Medic Who Survived Japan’s Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dies at 103

Pearl Harbor survivor Harry Chandler, 102, of Tequesta, Fla., speaks to the media during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. (AP)
Pearl Harbor survivor Harry Chandler, 102, of Tequesta, Fla., speaks to the media during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. (AP)

Harry Chandler, a Navy medic who helped pull injured sailors from the oily waters of Pearl Harbor after the 1941 Japanese attack on the naval base, has died. He was 103.

Chandler died Monday at a senior living center in Tequesta, Florida, according to Ron Mahaffee, the husband of his granddaughter Kelli Fahey. Chandler had congestive heart failure, but Mahaffee said doctors and nurses noted his advanced age when giving a cause of death.

The third Pearl Harbor survivor to die in the past few weeks, Chandler was a hospital corpsman 3rd class on Dec. 7, 1941, when waves of Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs and fired machine guns on battleships in the harbor and plunged the US into World War II.

He told The Associated Press in 2023 that he saw the planes approach as he was raising the flag that morning at a mobile hospital in Aiea Heights, which is in the hills overlooking the base.

“I thought they were planes coming in from the states until I saw the bombs dropping,” Chandler said. His first instinct was to take cover and “get the hell out of here.”

“I was afraid that they’d start strafing,” he said.

His unit rode trucks down to attend the injured. He said in a Pacific Historic Parks oral history interview that he boarded a boat to help pluck wounded sailors from the water.

The harbor was covered in oil from exploding ships, so Chandler washed the sailors off after lifting them out. He said he was too focused on his work to be afraid.

“It got so busy you weren't scared. Weren’t scared at all. We were busy. It was after you got scared,” Chandler said.

He realized later that he could have been killed, “But you didn’t think about that while you were busy taking care of people.”

The attack killed more than 2,300 US servicemen. Nearly half, or 1,177, were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank nine minutes after it was bombed.

Chandler's memories came flowing back when he visited Pearl Harbor for a 2023 ceremony commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the bombing.

“I look out there, and I can still see what’s going on. I can still see what was happening,” Chandler told The Associated Press.

Asked what he wanted Americans to know about Pearl Harbor, he said: “Be prepared.”

“We should have known that was going to happen. The intelligence has to be better,” he said.

After the war Chandler worked as a painter and wallpaper hanger and bought an upholstery business with his brother. He also joined the Navy reserves, retiring as a senior chief in 1981.

Chandler was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and lived for most of his adult life in nearby South Hadley, Mahaffee said. In recent decades he split his time between Massachusetts and Florida.

An avid golfer, he shot five hole-in-ones during his lifetime, his grandson-in-law added.

Chandler had one biological daughter and adopted two daughters from his second marriage, to Anna Chandler, who died in 2004. He is survived by two daughters, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Military historian J. Michael Wenger has estimated that there were some 87,000 military personnel on the island of Oahu the day of the attack. With Chandler’s death only 15 are still living, according to a tally maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

Bob Fernandez, who served on the USS Curtiss, also died this month, at age 100, and Warren Upton, 105, who served on the USS Utah, died last week.