New Russian-built passenger hovercraft to be deployed on Yenisei River

Russian builder Paryashchiye Mashiny (PARMA) has completed construction on a new hovercraft designed to carry passengers and cargo.

Vasily Ilyin belongs to the Project PM44 series of hovercraft designed in compliance with Russian Classification Society rules. It will be operated on the Yenisei River year-round.

The vessel has a length of 17 metres, a beam of six metres, and space for 40 passengers, two crewmembers and up to 4,000 kg of assorted cargo. The air-cushion system will meanwhile enable manoeuvring even over ice and snow, and recent sea trials proved that the vessel can attain maximum speeds of 54 knots on frozen surfaces and 37 knots on open water.

The propulsion arrangement consists of two six-cylinder diesel engines driving controllable-pitch propellers. The total fuel capacity is 800 litres.

The main passenger cabin also boasts a toilet and luggage racks. For emergency evacuation, two 25-person liferafts are also available.

The wheelhouse electronics include displays from Raymarine.