The hydrocopter: A new era in ice safety

An hydrocopter in extreme icy conditions
©Raio Piiroja

In Estonia, what began as a fisher’s idea for survival has evolved into a professional vehicle designed for the world’s most unforgiving environments. The hydrocopter is a type of boat that utilises aerodynamic propulsion, much like a helicopter, rather than a traditional underwater motor – an adjustment allowing it to drive not only through water, but also on ice.

Fishers use this craft today. It is also used by rescue services, border patrol authorities, and remote communities.

A life-saving solution

The idea of this hydrocopter started with Raio Piroja, former professional football player turned fisher, when he fell with a snowmobile through moving ice, 12 kilometres from shore. The life-risking experience highlighted the absence of a reliable vessel to navigate Estonia's shifting ice and unpredictable coastal waters.

Piroja’s solution: an amphibious, air-propelled vessel capable of safely accessing terrains that traditional boats and snowmobiles cannot. Built with a reinforced hull and a rearaircraft propeller, it travels across open water, thin ice, and shallow marshes, allowing fishers to work safely in conditions that would otherwise be too dangerous to navigate.

Raio Piiroja with the hydrocopter propeller.
©Raio Piiroja

Materialising a vision

As with most great innovations, the development of this hydrocopter was not a straightforward process. The first prototype emerged from a long cycle of trial and error – at one point even featuring an inflatable pontoon mounted to a snowmobile. It was an independent, hands-on process. Piroja would sketch components by hand before heading to the workshop to cut and assemble the parts himself.

With the support of the EU through the Pärnu Fisheries Local Action Group, the hydrocopter transformed from a one-off prototype into a reproducible, industrial product. This meant more consistent quality, simplified maintenance and emergency repairs, and increased trust from professional users.

“We would not have the hydrocopter we have today without the support of the European Commission’s Maritime Fund, which, through the local fisheries group, enabled the design and construction of our hydrocopter.” says Piroja.

The hydrocopter has now become a fully standardised, factory-grade product. At 7 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, the 1.7-tonne craft is built for both power and accessibility, capable of safely navigating the harsh Arctic-type conditions. The heart of the machine is a massive rear propeller driven by a 500-horsepower engine. This setup allows the hydrocopter to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h on water and 200 km/h on smooth ice. Unlike a hovercraft, which requires complex systems to lift it off the ground, the hydrocopter maintains constant contact with the surface. The simplicity of a single, powerful propellor also provides an advantage of significantly reduced maintenance costs and increased reliability in extreme cold.

While Raio Piiroja began this journey alone, the transition to a professional-grade product required a specialised team. Today, the production is a collaborative effort: Piiroja builds the floating hulls, Rainer Rohtla constructs the cabins, and Riho Raun manages the engines, controls, and automation systems. Together, they have turned a personal safety need into a high-performance tool for the maritime industry.

Looking ahead – a world of possibilities

Today, the hydrocopter is not only used by fishers, but has also become an asset for national rescue and border guard services. The Estonian State Fleet is using such hydrocopter to patrol the eastern border on Lake Peipsi. Even in the most punishing winter environments, including scenarios where the vessel became completely encased in ice, it has proven to be exceptionally reliable.

The project is a testament to what happens when local knowledge meets creative ingenuity, and is supported by targeted European funding. By bridging the gap between a bold idea and a viable product, early access to funding was the catalyst that allowed this project to grow bigger and reach the market faster.

As the technology continues to evolve, new ideas and improvements remain on the horizon. The hydrocopter’s story is still being written, and its potential continues to grow.