SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The Main Directions of Research, Collecting, Expositional and Educational Activity of the Museum of the World Ocean

The main directions of research, collecting, expositional and educational activity of the Museum of the World ocean are determined according to the profile of the museum and its development concept. The museum profile is a complex and interdisciplinary one. Acquisition can fall into the following directions:
- natural-science;
- scientific and technical;
- memorial;
- historical and cultural.

Research Activity

History of the World ocean exploration is a presentation of impartial picture of the World ocean exploration with its main historical stages; contribution of various countries, organizations and specialists in oceanographic science, first of all, of our Motherland.

Preservation of monuments of maritime history is preservation and restoration of the museum objects. First of all, it is safety of the afloat Vitiaz and the submarine B-413 (in perspective – the other objects); preservation of the ship of the XIX century and monitoring of its conditions, restoration of objects(anchors, deck remains, plating, etc.) lifted from the bottom of the ocean, sea, rivers and lakes.

Creation of optimal conditions for aquarium dwellers is a permanent monitoring of temperature, salt and hydrochemical conditions; study of fish diseases and their treatment; reproduction in aquariums.

Study of environment in the place of the SRV Vitiaz’s moorage. About 20 hydro-meteorological parameters of water and air conditions are measured daily in the monitoring laboratory in co-operation with the Atlantic branch of RAS P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology. Such work on weather changes is important for safe moorage of the museum vessels and for information analysis about the river level and draught. The data can be used for academic and applied research and for student’s diplomas and yearly essays preparation.

Collections study. As the collections are gathered it is very important to determine description, cataloging and study of the museum collections: geological, palaeontological, shells, charts, corals, amber and inclusions, numismatic, philatelic, boat models, oceanological equipment and other collections. This work is made by both the museum workers and highly specialized co-workers.

Collecting Activity

History of the World Ocean Exploration

• Accumulation of empirical knowledge about the ocean (till the middle of the XIX century).
• Formation of the ocean science (from the middle of the XIX century till the beginning of the WWI, 1914).
• The World ocean exploration in the period between the World Wars (1914-1945).
• The World ocean exploration in the second part of the XX century (1945 – the present time).
• International co-operation in the World ocean exploration.

Nature of the World Ocean

• Palaeooceanology.
• Geology and geomorphology.
• Physical and chemical processes in the ocean.
• Climate and atmospheric processes above the ocean.
• Life in the ocean. Aquariums.
• Ecological problems of the ocean.
• Oceanic resources.
• Seaside countries and peoples.

Historical Fleet

• Peter the Great – the founder of the Russian Fleet. The Fredericksburg Gates.
• Scientific-research fleet. The SRV Vitiaz.
• Icebreaker fleet. The icebreaker Krasin.
• Undersea fleet. The submarine B-413.
• Space fleet. The SRV Kosmonavt Viktor Patsaev.
• Fishing fleet. The SRT-129.
• Sailing fleet. The bark Kruzenstern.
• Submersible manned vehicles.
• Water traveling means.

Maritime History and Culture of the Baltic

• The Baltic nature.
• The Baltic resources.
• Ports. Seafaring.
• Shipbuilding. Fleet.
• Nautical education and maritime science.
• Underwater archeology.
• Shores. The “Shores” museum.
• International co-operation. The Koenig Gates.
• Russia in the Baltic. Elizabeth’s fort.

Item assemblage of the museum collection is formed according to the above-listed thematic directions and represented in the following collections:

• cartographical
• palaeontological
• geological
• ichthyologic
• shells
• corals
• osteological
• numismatic
• philatelic
• archeological
• art
• graphic
• sculpture
• decorative and applied arts
• amber samples
• boat models and ship drafts
• written sources
• photographs, cinema, photo documents
• equipment, ship and scientific devices
• memorable items and objects of marine everyday life
• rare books

Expositional work directions are straightly connected with the museum objects:
“The History of the World Ocean Exploration” - the SRV Vitiaz and open territory.
“The History of Fishing Industry Fleet” – the SRT-129 and open territory.
“The History of Undersea Fleet” – the submarine B-413 and open territory.
“The History of Space Fleet”, “The Planet Earth” - the SRV Kosmonavt Viktor Patsaev andopen territory.
“The History of Sailing Fleet” – the bark Kruzenstern and open territory.
“The History of the Arctic Exploration” – the icebreaker Krasin.
“The Maritime History and Culture of the Baltic – the building “Maritime Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad”.
“International Co-operation” – the historical and cultural centre “Grand Embassy”.
“Peter the Great – the Founder of the Russian Fleet” – the Fredericksburg Gates.
“Shores: Past, Present and Future” – the “Shores” department.
“Russia in the Baltic” – “Elizabeth’s Fort”.