Sea trials completed for new Russian hydrofoil ferry

Russia's Zelenodolsk Shipyard has completed conducting sea trials of a new hydrofoil ferry.

The vessel belongs to the Project 03830 series of hydrofoil commuter ferries, which are also the newest variants of a series of hydrofoil ferries that were introduced in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.

As with her Project 03830 sisters, the ferry has a length of 36 metres, a beam of 11 metres, a draught of two metres, and space for 124 passengers and seven crewmembers. The hydrofoil design will allow operation in wave heights of up to two metres even at speeds approaching 40 knots.

The design permits navigation in shallow as well as coastal waters while a flight control system with self-stabilising features will ensure improved seaworthiness and reduced load when accelerating.

The main cabin features 122 airliner-type reclining seats and luggage racks as well as spaces for passengers with limited mobility. This area of the ferry also boasts multimedia entertainment systems, wifi connectivity, climate control panels, and charging ports for mobile devices.

Design work on the ferry was undertaken by the Sea Tech Group.