A historical Riva Florida runabout built in 1962 and a former US Navy patrol vessel named Hiawatha from 1932 have joined the Rahmi M Koç (RMK) Museum’s maritime collection in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hiawatha, which was donated by the US government, has been in Turkey since 1932, cruising on the Bosphorus. Many Americans used the boat during visits to Istanbul over the years, including the wife of former US President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Riva Florida runabouts were built in Sarnico, Italy, between 1952 and 1969. Early models, like the one that joined the RMK collection in October, were fitted with Chris Craft engines. It was the search for a suitable original engine that delayed the restoration schedule.

The RMK collection is being displayed at the RMK Museum, Turkey’s first museum devoted to the history of transport, industry and communications. The maritime collection features several full-size vessels, including steam tugs, a submarine, rowing boats, Turkish “taka” type boats, plus other old sailing and motor boats.

The collection, which will be also joined by a 19th century Dutch steam tugboat, contains historical tools for boatbuilding and a large range of nautical items that show the improvements made over time.

The RMK museum was established in 1994 by the Koç family, which also owns RMK Marine in Tuzla, a shipyard that has been producing superyachts, commercial and naval vessels since 1978.

The museum is located on the northern shore of the Golden Horn of Istanbul and is based in two historical buildings that are connected to each other. It is open to public every day except Mondays.