I started diving in 1976 with the German Life Saving Association and became instructor in 1982 (BSAC M*), NAUI (CMAS Monitor***) in 1983 and VDTL (Instructor *****) in 1984. In between 1983 and 1986, I ran a dive boat in the Caribbean as captain and dive master. In 1985 I founded NAUI Germany and became NAUI Course Director. But only semiprofessional as I studied Marine Biology at the Munich university (LMU) receiving a prestigious Rolex Award for my thesis about the "Caribbean Queen Conch Hatchery" (in 1993). Beside my biological studies I studied press and communication sciences also at the Munich university and became (part time) Editor in Chief of the Swiss magazine AQUANAUT (1988-1993). In 1994 I was employed to change the existing German UW photo magazine UWF into the German dive magazine unterwasser, which I run as editor in chief till 2010. In 2008 I cofounded the Edition Fifty Fathoms with the CEO of Blancpain, Marc Hayek, the only underwater photo art magazine of its kind (published annually). I also worked in a team with John Thet (Asian Diver) and Matt Weiß (dpg) on various projects in that time. Since 2014 I assist the development of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment inside the international dive community and since 2016 I'm also in charge of the German Dive Federation magazine VDST-sporttaucher. The latter really brought me back into diving and away from the publishing desk. The VDST is the reason, I started a dive log again and thus became interested in the deepblu dive community, YOU! by its possibilities to communicate with people of the same interest.
In diving I love wreck diving due to the history of these ships and my special dedication goes into German submarines. Where I'm about to publish a book soon (I do say this for almost ten years ;) Since two years I put a lot of effort into Underwater-Polaroid photography. Don't ask my why but I suppose it's the mixture of knowledge, dedication, practice and just pure luck to get the only one of a kind photograph, especially in a time of millions of digital copies all over the place.
In real life my number one dedication is to my wife and twin-boys (24 years old). All of them are avid divers of course.
I have a captain's and pilot's license and love to drive fast and/or vintage (I just can't decide which more) cars and motorbikes.
Ah yes, and I love to write ;)
Dive Specialties (5)
Coral conservation
Search & Recovery Diver
UW Photographer
UW Videographer
Wreck diver
Dive Certifications/Status (1)
Associated Organizations (1)