The city's HADAG ferry fleet carried 5.6 million passengers in 2005. That was 10.8% more than in 2004 and a giant 154% more than eight years ago, he reported.

The latest ferry has amenities and a comfort level usually only found on ocean going ships, such as an open deck, wide access ramps, toilets for the handicapped and a storage area for cycles.

Ovelgonne was built in 10 months at the city's Spezialschiffbau Oortkaten (SSB) Shipyard. Like her sister ships in the 2000 Class, it is even safer than regulations require, HADAG said, and equipped with two DSB mini-slide rescue raft systems. It also boasts DGPS and ELNA river radar.

The latest vessel is 8.15m wide with a side height of 2.6m and draws 1.7m. It is driven by twin Volvo Penta diesels, Type D-12-BMH of 331kW each and propelled by two contra-rotating Rolls-Royce propellers located under the stern, providing high manoeuvrability, additional safety and a speed of 12 knots. They reportedly reduce gas-oil fuel consumption by 10 to 15% compared to similar vessels.

Ovelgonne, which carries 250 passengers, also has two 77kW auxiliaries and boasts a Jastram 50 kW side thruster.