RV Mtafiti — KMFRI’s offshore oceanographic research vessel, based in Mombasa.
About RV Mtafiti
RV Mtafiti — Swahili for “researcher” — is KMFRI’s offshore oceanographic research vessel and the first permanent maritime research platform stationed on the East African Indian Ocean coast between Somalia and Mozambique.
Originally the Belgian research ship RV Zeeleeuw (built in 1977 and rebuilt for research in 2000), the vessel was donated to KMFRI by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and sailed roughly 7,000 km over more than 50 days from Ostend, Belgium, to Mombasa, where it was renamed and put into service.
From its home port of Mombasa it supports fisheries research, oceanographic surveys and marine-resource studies across Kenya’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and the wider Western Indian Ocean, while helping train marine scientists from across the region.
Vessel Specifications
Length Overall
55.6 m
Beam
9 m
Draught
3.65 m
Cruise Speed
14.5 knots
Propulsion
2 × ABC · 1,192 kW
Crew & Scientists
10 crew + 12 scientists
Year Built
1977 · rebuilt 2000
IMO Number
8424903
Onboard Systems & Navigation
Marine electronics, navigation and propulsion fitted aboard RV Mtafiti
Radar
Twin marine radar (M252 & C252) for navigation and traffic awareness during surveys.
DGPS & Electronic Navigation
Leica Mx 421B differential GPS with Navi Sailor electronic charting for precise positioning.
Gyrocompass & Heave Sensor
Raytheon gyrocompass and TSS HS-50 heave sensor for stable, accurate survey data at sea.
Satellite & Navtex Comms
Inmarsat-C satellite communications and Navtex for offshore communication and maritime safety.
Propulsion System
Two ABC 6MDXC engines (1,192 kW) driving a KaMeWa variable-pitch propeller for precise manoeuvring and station-keeping.
Research Configuration
Rebuilt for research in 2000 and configured for offshore oceanographic and fisheries operations across the Western Indian Ocean.
Research Capabilities
Oceanographic Surveys
Physical, chemical and biological oceanography across Kenya’s EEZ and the wider Western Indian Ocean.
Fisheries Research & Stock Assessment
Offshore surveys and sampling that underpin sustainable management of Kenya’s marine fisheries.
Marine Resource Management
Generating the data needed to manage and develop Kenya’s Blue Economy resources.
Regional Capacity Building
A shared platform for training marine scientists from across the East African region.