Sailing ship „Meridianas“

A training sailing ship „Meridianas“ was built in 1948 in Finland, Turku shipyard as a contribution to the Soviet Union after the Second World War along with the other 48 that type of sail-boats. There are very few survived. Almost most fortunate was a sailing ship of this type, located in Estonia. Now it is parading in Tallinn. Our sailing ship, having gone to Klaipėda Navigation School, was the first ship for many post-war pilots, ship captains. Many famous Lithuanian sea captains – Vilius Pakalniškis, Zenonas Kaupas, Ričardas Lučka – received the baptism of the sea on shipboard. “Meridianas” ceased to operate as a training sailing ship in 1968.
In May 1969 “Meridianas” was moored near the Danė River bank and after restructuring turned into a restaurant. At that time it was a favorite restaurant of all Klaipėda citizens.
Later “Meridianas“ again was repaired, renovated its interior, wooden frame was „embedded“ into the tin armor. The ship-restaurant, standing at the Danė quay, has become an integral part of the port city.
While the „Meridianas“ owners were performing commercial operations, the ship strangely began to list to the one side, the stern began to get down. Townspeople worried about ship‘s condition. The abnormal condition of the ship also drew attention of the sailors, once having sailed the ship.
In the beginning of 2000 a special commission was created, which had to determine the ship‘s further fate. The commission has decided to prohibit the operation of a ship and its mooring.
In October 2000 at the District Court‘hearing there was judged the question of the ship tow from the municipal quay.
In 2001 the lawyer Artūras Žičkus bought the „Meridianas“ from the Municipality for a symbolic sum of one Litas and took the initiative to resurrect the „Meridianas“ for a new life.
On 12 April 2001 the ship was taken on tow to the dock of „Klaipėda Ship Repair“ AB.
A special support fund was established for repair of „Meridianas“, into which money was transferred not only by townspeople but also by major city companies. The main sponsor – “Švyturys-Utenos Alus” UAB.
In spring 2002 the renewed ship returned to its old location, and pleased city residents and guests with its updated white freeboards during Klaipėda 750th anniversary.
In autumn 2012 the owners of the „Meridianas“ changed, currently sailing ship belongs to Aidas Kaveckas and Aloyzas Kuzmarskis, by whose initiative the ship was reconditioned and returned to its permanent berth on 9 November 2013.