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The Museum of the World ocean was established by the decision of the RSFSR Government on April 12, 1990. According to the Regulations, the Museum of the World ocean carries out scientific research and functions as the republican centre for research and scientific-methodical work in the field of history and ocean’s nature study.
The Museum of the World ocean possesses the only Embankment of the historical fleet in the country. The largest scientific-research vessel in the world, the Vitiaz; the only afloat museum-submarine in Russia, the B-413; the only vessel of space communication in the world with an exposition aboard, the Kosmonavt Viktor Patsaev; and the only logger in the country, the SRT-129, are moored at the museum quay. The Embankment of the historical fleet reaches Saint-Petersburg where the oldest icebreaker in the world – the Krasin – is moored. It is a department of the museum. The history of the World ocean exploration is presented aboard the museum vessels.
The coastal museum complex consists of the main building where the exposition “The World of the Ocean. A Touch…” is displayed with its amazing aquariums, collections of shells and corals, geological and palaeontological samples; the biggest skeleton of cachalot in the world; the exhibition and expositional building “Maritime Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad”; the exhibition building “Packgaus” and other objects.
The Museum of the World ocean owes a revived architectural monument of the XIX century –the “Koenig Gates” where the exposition “Grand Embassy” is located. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, took part in the solemn opening ceremony of the historical and cultural centre. The “Fredericksburg Gates”, an architectural monument of the XIX century, were passed to the museum in 2007.
Each year new expositions are opened in the museum. In the nearest future – restoration of the Fredericksburg Gates and enlargement of one of the most important museum expositions – “The World Ocean”; creation of a museum department “Berega” in Svetlogorsk; building of a sailing club “Marina” and other projects.
Resource potential and geopolitical location of the Kaliningrad region determine the mission and the status of the museum as a structure of regional, All-Russian and international significance. The mission of the Museum of the World ocean is a detailed presentation of the Ocean as a planetary phenomenon and a great role of Russian people in its exploration, forming visitors’ integral world-view through understanding of the richest resource – the oceanic space which divides countries and peoples but at the same time connects them.
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