Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, via its Vympel Shipyard division, has handed over a new hydrofoil ferry to local shipowner State Transport Leasing Company.
Named after a city in Crimea, Yevpatoria is the latest example of the Project 23160 series of hydrofoil ferries, which are each crewed by five people and are capable of transporting up to 120 passengers at speeds of over 32 knots.
The passengers are housed in an air-conditioned cabin with business class and economy seating areas while a pitch control system keeps the ferry's attitude as level as possible for more comfortable sailing.
As with other Project 23160 hydrofoil ferries, Yevpatoria will provide an inter-city commuter service via coastal routes, particularly along the Azov-Black Sea basin.
The ferry was designed to operate in wave heights of up to 2.5 metres and Beaufort force five winds while in hullborne configuration. When sailing at higher speeds in foilborne configuration, it can operate in two-metre wave heights and Beaufort force four winds.
The vessel can still sail even as outside air temperatures drop to five degrees Celsius, making it suitable for some of Russia's more remote northern regions.
Design work on the Project 23160 ferries was undertaken by Alexeev's Hydrofoil Design Bureau in compliance with Russian Maritime Register of Shipping class rules covering navigation in both open sea and inland waterways.