A new training program dubbed the Monaco Weather Lab and devoted to marine weather, climatology and sea safety is being launched by the Monaco Yacht Club just in time for race season.

The introductory event on Thursday is bringing together meteorologists and maritime weather experts for a conference on ‘Interpreting marine weather in an the era of technology’ where they will join a panel of select professionals to present their ideas and perspectives.

Classes will take place at La Belle Classes Academy, the yacht club’s formal training centre, with the cooperation of Navimeteo, a company dedicated to maritime weather information services.

The course is designed for sailors and sea professionals, is being held in English and, after this inaugural event, will have four dates in 2020. Each six-hour class will have a maximum of 12 students to ensure proper time can be offered to each participant and covers both theory and practical training.

The Monaco Weather Lab’s main goal is “to enable all maritime professionals and boaters to know how to interpret the weather beyond technologies, to understand and safely manage the hazards of weather at sea and on the coast.”

The Weather Lab’s secondary objective is to create a working lab in Monaco, making it the go-to for professionals in the field who would look to them to receive information and advice on the safest and nicest routes to follow in the region.