Kenya makes a huge splash in the marine industry with first of its kind modern boat worth over USD100,000
The 42-foot long sport fishing boat powered by two Volvo Penta IPS600 engines, can cruise at a high speed of 31 knots.
Mombasa-based Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) has launched first of its kind leisure and fishing boat dubbed ‘Tintin Tu’, which made its maiden trip at the scenic Mtwapa creek, a mooring area for boats in Mombasa
Worth more than Sh10 million ($100,000), ‘Tintin Tu’ was constructed at Sh2.5 billionAVA plant in Miritiniin collaboration with Volvo Penta, an industrial and marine power system specialist.
“The project was initiated by David Williamson (AVA factory manager). We bought it as a kit from Holland to be assembled at the AVA plant,” said AVA projects manager Mark Jennings.
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“It has taken us five years of hard work and this is the outcome now.”
The vessel, which can accommodate six people is owned by Mr Williamson and boasts three ensuite bedrooms fitted with an air conditioning and music system.
“I would come up with an interior design then after sometime demolish it until it worked,” said Mr Jennings adding that the boat meets the world standards.
The 42-foot long sport fishing boat designed in America and powered by two Volvo Penta IPS600 engines, can cruise at a high speed of 31 knots.
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The hull is made of aluminum and stainless steel sourced from Holland. The wood used in the vessel came in as complete knock down material used for vehicle assembling.
AVA is one of the three largest Knocked down (KD) arrangement assemblies for some internationally renowned brands such as Toyota and Scania.
AVA Production Manager Moses Abiero said due to the successful boat assembling, plans are underway for a roll-out.
“It is the first time and amazingly when we put it on water everything worked. The government should support the making of boats locally,” he said.
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“We are progressing to more numbers in future as making them on a larger scale will be cheaper.”
He added that the plant with its new venture hopes to tap into the largely unexploited marine infrastructure industry.
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