Legendary Soviet passenger hydrofoil gets a new lease of life

The Kometa is a passenger hydrofoil that was designed in the USSR in the early 1960s.

A Kometa on the Volga River in 1983. Source: Yuri Belozerov/TASS

It was one of the first Soviet hydrofoil ships to be used for a passenger service. While the Rocket was used for transportation on rivers, the Kometa was made for the sea

The Kometa being prepared for launch at the Poti Ship Repair Yard, Georgian SSR, in 1974. Source: Igor Vinogradov/RIA Novosti

Experts say the Kometa, which means comet in Russian, is one of the most successful passenger hydrofoils in the world.

A worker repairs the hydrofoil's propulsion system in 1990. Source: Grigory Kalachyan, Sergei Kozlov/TASS

One ship is operated by five crewmembers and can carry up to 120 people

A Kometa undergoing repairs at the Poti Shipyard, Georgian SSR, in 1978. Source: ShipyardIrakly Chokhonelidze/TASS

The ships were exported to Greece, China, Poland, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Thailand, Albania, and Italy. They are still in operation in some countries.

A Kometa hydrofoil in London in 1975. Source: Titov I./TASS

During the 1992 Abkhazia-Georgia conflict, a Russian Kometa was struck by a rocket that was launched from a helicopter. Despite having a hole below its waterline, the hydrofoil managed to operate at full speed and reach a port.

Captain P. Petrov on a voyage in the Latvian SSR in 1987. Source: Viktor Lisitsyn/TASS

After the fall of the Soviet Union, many Kometa ships were converted into bars and restaurants.

Residents of Riga travel on board a Kometa in 1987. Source: Viktor Lisitsyn/TASS

The biggest drawbacks of the Kometa are its high fuel consumption and maintenance costs

A Kometa in Symi, Greece in 1999. Source: Andrew Bone

The Kometa-120M, a new passenger hydrofoil ship, is being developed in Russia. The ship, which has been named Gull, will cost more than $6 million.

A prototype of the latest version. Source: JSC Vympel Shipyard