Hydrocopter

A hydrocopter is an amphibious propeller-driven catamaran with a boat-like hull, small wheels and pontoon skis (as in a seaplane).

An aircraft engine with a propeller and air rudder powers the vehicle over water, ice, snow and land.

[1] Hydrocopters are used in Arctic coastal regions, primarily Sweden and Finland, during "menföre" (Swedish, bad going), or "kelirikko" (Finnish broken going) (see also Russian “rasputitsa"), when melting ice cannot support ground vehicles and boats are hindered as well.

Hydrocopters have never been mass produced; they are made in small machine shops for individual customers.

The current iteration is a modular design with steering and propulsion in the stern and the main cabin is in the first segment.

Modern hydrocopters are primarily made from vacuum injected composites with a coating to prevent damage from moisture and cold temperatures.

Hydrocopters usually have less points of contact on the water and a high center of gravity so risk of capsizing is increased, especially in rough seas.

This equipment helps drivers in adverse weather when visibility is very low, which is typical of the Arctic coastal regions.

The Finnish Border Guard then replaced their fleet of hydrocopters with hovercraft because of stricter work safety standards.