New Bourbon Training Center Asia

On Nov. 7 Bourbon inaugurated its Training Center Asia and its AHTS simulator in Singapore in the premises of Bourbon Offshore Asia. The opening of this second Bourbon Training Center in Asia follows the opening of the Manila’s (Philippines) center in October 2007 dedicated to Dynamic Positioning (DP).

This Bourbon Training Center includes an AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel) simulator that represents a technological advance and an opportunity for Bourbon and the marine industry as a whole to raise its operational, safety and quality standards.

The Bourbon Training Center Asia aims to train all AHTS crew members of Bourbonr who are based in Asia. It is designed to provide seamen with the theoretical knowledge and practical training in anchor handling operations. The center includes a fully equipped bridge, the deck portion of the vessel and the classrooms needed for theoretical courses and debriefing.

The following command stations are reproduced down to the last detail: controls of the officer in charge of maneuvering the vessel (rear bridge station); controls of the officer operating the anchor lifting winch; two simulation stations for deck crews; simulation of the offshore oil rig with maneuvering of the anchor line winch and the crane for transfers from the facility to the vessel.

This AHTS simulator is the company’s second following the one in Marseilles (France) in November 2007. These simulators have been developed by Offshore Simulator Center (OSC) in Norway, and are an integral component of the Bourbon internal training policy.

It will train crews in anchor handling operations under real conditions, thus ensuring acquisition of the skills required for new employees, those already working on vessels, as well as employees promoted to AHTS vessels. This program is then confirmed by a training period at sea. The objective is to ensure that every employee masters and practices the BOURBON operating standards and its safety rules. This simulator is a new version with parameters notably featuring the Bourbon Liberty 200 characteristic.

In order to recruit 5,000 employees by 2012, Bourbon is implementing a series of tools and resources to integrate its newcomers, increase their awareness of the Bourbon culture, and guarantee that they have adopted the company's standards for operations, quality and safety worldwide. This training center will also allow continuing education programs for existing crews.

The first Bourbon Liberty 200 vessel is expected to be delivered in January 2009.

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