Samara Region Sells 'Sunken' Hovercraft from Fatal Crash
Residents of Samara Region noticed an advertisement published on one of the popular aggregator sites. Three Neptune-type air-cushion vehicles were put up for sale.
The message was posted on the website on 14 January 2026. The author of the publication claims that the vessels were built in 2015, 2016, and 2018.
«The ACVs require repair. The documents are not valid. All three vessels are being sold to a single buyer. Inspection by appointment, price negotiable», — states the advertisement.
Samara residents suggested that the vessels previously belonged to Samarskoye Rechnoye Passazhirskoye Predpriyatiye LLC (Samara River Passenger Enterprise). One of these Neptunes even ended up at the bottom of the Volga River. Because of this, it was dubbed the «sunken one».
The incident in question occurred in Samara Region in early April 2022. At that time, during a trip between Samara and Rozhdestveno, a hovercraft capsized. There were 11 people on board at that moment. One of them could not be saved. The vessel itself was retrieved from the water several days later.
In spring 2023, the captain of the Neptune appeared before the court. According to the investigator«s version, he was one of the first to abandon the ship and did not organize the evacuation of passengers. Viktor Legostayev was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment, suspended with a 3-year probation period.
After Samara residents drew attention to the advertisement, the sale of the vessels was commented on by representatives of the region«s Ministry of Transport. According to department employees, the deal is related to decommissioned property and does not affect the operation of the Samara–Rozhdestveno crossing.
«Information about the sale of three Neptune-type air-cushion vehicles (ACVs) on commercial platforms is true. However, these vessels are not related to the current fleet of the crossing. This is decommissioned equipment that was taken out of service in 2019, 2022, and 2023 according to technical commission acts due to unsuitability for further operation and economic impracticality of restoration», — explained the Ministry of Transport.
Officials stated that the sale of the equipment is a standard economic procedure. Its purpose is to optimize expenses.
«Comparing the sale of decommissioned equipment with ensuring current transportation does not reflect the real state of affairs and may mislead residents. The ministry considers it important to clearly separate these issues», — added the Ministry of Transport.
Representatives of the department clarified that currently the crossing is serviced by 4 Neptune vessels and 2 Slavir vessels. They can accommodate 21 and 10 passengers respectively.
«Three vessels are used on the line, and three additional ACVs are on standby at the River Station pier and are intended to enter the route if necessary. These vessels are part of the current provision of the crossing and are not subject to sale», — specified the Ministry of Transport.
