• country

• professional activity

• expectations for the course

• hobbies

2. Write about your photo on "what marine means to me":

• My photo is about ...

1. Each student has to create his profile according to the example (name, contry, ...)

2. Each student has to upload one (own) photo related to "what marine means to me"

During the welcome session on 31 March

1. Each student has to vote on 3 photos from other students with "Add Comment" from 1 to 3 points (that is, "1 point" for student X, "2 points" for student Y, "3 points" for student W)

I am one of the instructor, expert in ocean wave modelling.

I love to look at waves and how they interact. My picture is actually a composite of 2 pictures of how long swell propagating from the Southern Ocean (left to right on the picture) refract on the headland along the coast of Phillip Island in Australia. One can follow the long waves turning around the headland as they shoal in the shallow part and start to slowing break to then reach the beach as almost perfect wave fronts

I am really looking forward to attending this course, because I expect to learn new or better methods and tools for a more efficient marine forecasting and also ways (e.g. satellite data) to verify wave model data (e.g. sea state, surface wind).

The photo shows the western coast of Cyprus, near the town of Paphos, during a rainy and windy day when the sea state was slight to moderate. The ''weather'' in Cyprus usually visits us from the west, thus the western coast is quite vulnerable to the upcoming changes. The feedback taken from this coastline is crucial for us to assess our data.

I am a Hydrographic Engineer, and currently a professor of Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics at the Portuguese Naval Academy.

I am very interested in the short-term weather and sea-state forecasting based on "classical" synoptic meteorology methods, for these may be very important in real operation scenarios where communications between naval units and forecasting centers may be disrupted. I am very interested in this course, because it will be an excellent opportunity for learning from experienced meteorologists.

My hobbies are photography, wood carving, and studying physics, astronomy and meteorology.

My photo invokes the golden period of the Portuguese seafaring and one of its main protagonists, Prince Henry the Navigator. It also brings to mind how important atmosphere and ocean dynamics were in this past days, long before the age of scientific meteorology and oceanography, when the navigators had to empirically explore the general wind and current patterns. It is a kind of bridge between past and future.

I've been working in MET Norway since 2000. Since 2012 I have also been following up contracts and customers we have in MET Norway's small maritime commercial service. In addition I work shifts in the duty rotation. At the moment mainly with maritime forecasting, but I have also experience with forecasting for the public and aviation forecasting.

I am looking forward to meet colleagues from the other countries. Exchange experiences in maritime forecasting and I expect to learn more about remote sensing data.

When I'm not working, I like to spending time outside. Go for a walk, gardening, take a swim or kayaking. But you can also find me relaxing on the coach knitting.

My picture is from a stormy October day from one of the beaches on Jæren (the coastal areas just south for the city of Stavanger). I grew up in this area, and the rapid changing in weather conditions early fascinated me.

I’m meteorologist, senior forecaster and trainer at Air Force national meteorological and climatological centre in Rome (CNMCA). I’m Head of the medium and long range forecasting section.

My expectations are to learn and improve the marine forecasts.

My hobbies are: swimming, snorkeling, hiking, alpine and cross country ski, tennis, watching biathlon, ski and tennis.

In the photo it's me during the occasional lifeguard activity on the beaches of Rome. Observing the sea and the sky for 10 hours a day is also an interesting marine meteorological experience.

I have a strong interest in meteorology in general, the severe weather events and everything that happens at sea, as it is one of my passions.

I would like to make the most of this course, from the sources of information to the interpretation of satellite images and improving the forecasting of maritime storms.

My hobbies are trail running, nature, reading, learning languages, travelling, and sports in general.

For me, the sea represents freedom, passion, wildness, sport, nature, and disconnection, but also dangers and anxiety. In fact, one of my hobbies is rowing. It combines several of my passions: outdoor team sports, meteorology, and oceanography. That is why I chose this photo, from a day of Mediterranean llaüt (the boat on the photo) competition on the Costa Brava (Catalonia). In this photo, you can see the danger that the waves can pose.

I am looking forward to this course in order to learn new methods of marine forecasting and apply them to my forecast duties. I would also like to meet new people and exchange ideas.

My hobbies include hiking, latin dance, gym, travel.

The photo I uploaded was taken last summer in my origins island, Andros Cyclades. The view of the sea is always beautiful, not only in the day but also around sunset and at night. It always gives me a relaxing moment when I look at it. The sea of my island is most of the time rough due to the etesian winds, but that evening was one of the calm ones.

·        Weather forcaster at IPMA operational center in Lisbon.

·        With this course, I am looking forward to gaining new knowledge, new tools and new perspectives regarding maritime forecasting, which is one of the tasks we do in the operational center in forecasting for maritime navigation.

·        I don't have many hobbies at this stage of my life, as I have two young children who take up a lot of my free time. Between shift work and the kids and their activities, I have little time left that I like to spend on the couch watching a good series or film.

·        My photo was taking two years ago at Consolação beach in Peniche, with the city and the Berlengas Island in the horizont, with my kids in first plan. This is the beach where we spend most of our holidays and weekends in the summer. Unlike many days in August, this day was a beautiful sunny day.

With this course I hope to learn new techniques in marine forecasting (and being remembered to some as well), to improve my forecast skills. I am looking forward to meet new people (and to meet some again), to exchange our knowledge. Furthermore, I hope to get ideas for useful products that might help our forecasters in duty.

Currently I don’t have “real” hobbies. That might change now when my youngest kid is leaving school in a couple of weeks, but at the moment my family is my biggest hobby. Interests are music, swimming, sailing and gliding (all as former hobbies).

My photo is taken in a fjord aside from the Magellan Strait. For me, it represents both the beauty and the roughness of the sea, gives an impression of width even in front of the mountains and an idea of possible leaving and approaching at the same time. By the way: the rainbow is no “rain”bow, but caused by sea spray – stable over a long period of that late afternoon.

Country: Portugal

Professional Activity: I am a hydrographer and oceanographer at the Maritime GEOMETOC Center of the Portuguese Navy, which is part of the Hydrographic Institute. My work focuses on analyzing METOC and hydrographic data to support naval operations and maritime safety.

Expectations for the course: I hope to acquire skills that will enhance the support we provide to naval units and task forces, ensuring safer maritime operations through a better understanding of oceanographic and meteorological phenomena.

Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, hiking, playing padel, and cybersecurity.

What marine means to me

My photo captures the stunning yet formidable nature of the ocean, depicting a striking pattern of crossing waves. To me, the sea is both a magnificent and perilous environment. Its beauty is undeniable, but it demands respect and understanding. Only through knowledge of its complex phenomena can we truly appreciate and safely navigate its ever-changing conditions.

It is still very interesting for me to do this. Because there is no weather type that repeats. I am also engaged in scientific work which is also related to the sea. Because I think that this is the way to understand it.

Wind and wave forecasting in the Black sea usually follows the classical synoptic theory. But this does not make the work of the forecaster easier. That is why it is necessary to constantly learn.

On 14th of May 2024, for the first time in my life I saw "cnoidal waves". In the Varna Bay. Such waves are usually generated in the oceans and I was extremely interested understanding their origin in this place. My photo is from that time.

I chose a photo from a beautiful summer evening on the island where my family comes from. The sea is a significant part of my life, as I come from a family of fishermen and sailors. To me, the sea represents a space for leisure activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing.

I hope to enhance my skills in marine weather forecasting, particularly in analyzing and monitoring marine weather situations, forecasting meteorological phenomena, and issuing warnings for hazardous conditions. I am eager to improve my understanding of satellite image interpretation, ocean and atmospheric models, and severe marine weather conditions.

In my free time, I love immersing myself in a good book, letting stories transport me to different worlds. I also enjoy relaxing with a good TV show and taking peaceful walks by the sea, appreciating the beauty and serenity of the ocean.

My photo reflects what the sea means to me. The open horizon represents freedom, the ability to explore without limits. Being on a ship is also about knowledge—understanding the ocean, the weather, and everything that surrounds us. And, of course, every journey is an adventure, filled with new experiences and challenges.

City/Country:
Split, Croatia

Professional Background:
I work as a marine meteorologist and operational weather forecaster at the Marine Meteorological Center of the Croatian Hydrological and Meteorological Service. My role involves analyzing meteorological conditions and preparing marine weather forecasts for the Adriatic Sea, with the aim of ensuring the safety of seafarers and maritime operations.

Expectations for the Course:
My expectations for the course are to deepen my knowledge of marine forecasting. I hope to enhance my skills in analyzing and monitoring marine weather conditions, forecasting meteorological phenomena, and issuing timely warnings for hazardous weather. I am particularly eager to improve my understanding of satellite image interpretation, oceanic and atmospheric models, and the dynamics of severe marine weather systems.

Hobbies:
Traveling, photography, swimming, hiking, and storm chasing.

Photo Description:
My whole life has been oriented toward the sea and meteorology, and photography is a natural extension of that passion. After finishing a shift at work, I went storm chasing with friends to experience the impressive storm lighting up the central Adriatic. I’m often the first person to warn others about dangerous weather—but also the first one to show up in person to watch it unfold live.

I live in Lübeck at the Baltic Sea. I work for the German Weather Service in Hamburg as a meteorologist. Occasionally, I have the chance to take part in expeditions on board of research vessels as a forecaster, but most of the time I am in the office in Hamburg.

I want to improve my analyzing skills by up to date methods. Generally, I like to learn from the experience of other forecaster a lot. So I am very happy to meet you all.

My photo shows a typical short period wind swell we experience frequently at the Western Baltic Sea. Waves will only appear in the fetch, no ground swells. Too bad because I like to surf and windsurf in my spare time. So I have to travel to the Atlantic with my family for vacations. Luckily all fell in love with surfing.