A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new generation high speed watercraft was held yesterday in St. Petersburg on the Neva River, the city officials said.
The high-speed passenger catamaran "Mercury", capable of carrying up to 70 people, the city government Transport Committee said.
"It is important to note that the vessel is completely new and distinguished by high reliability. The water buses are not tourist boats, but means of public transport. Therefore, we pay much attention to their security ", said Stanislav Popov, the head of the Transport Committee of the city government.
The watercraft hull design incorporates the latest hydrodynamic innovations. They offer the best combination of speed, weight and handling, which reduces fuel consumption and smooth and stable movement of the vessel. The "Mercury" provides a strong economic performance of operation and, consequently, reduces harmful emissions. The boat’s maximum speed is 46 km/h.
The vessels operator LLC Russian Cruises.
The catamaran is equipped with all the necessary rescue equipment : three inflatable rafts for 50 people, life jackets for 80 adults and 8 children.
The vessel will start operating next year as a commuter boat on Holiday Line service connecting St. Petersburg with Kronstadt and Zelenogorsk.