Singapore, November 7th, 2008 pdf file
BOURBON inaugurates today the BOURBON 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 an outstanding 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 BOURBON who are based in Asia. It is indeed 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 second of the company after the one opened 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 all employees master and put into practice BOURBON operating standards and safety rules.
This simulator is a new version with updated parameters notably featuring the Bourbon Liberty 200 characteristics*.
In line with the objectives defined in its Horizon 2012 strategic plan, training is a priority for BOURBON to handle the substantial growth in its fleet of new generation innovative and high performance vessels. 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 high standards for operations, quality and safety worldwide. This training center will also allow to reinforce the continuing education programs for existing crews.
Jacques de Chateauvieux, CEO of BOURBON stated: “This second BOURBON Training Center in Asia strengthens our training capabilities in the fast growing Asian market, and demonstrates our ability to provide crew members with best in class training programs.”
*The Bourbon Liberty 200 Series is a modern diesel-electric and versatile anchor handling towing supply vessel equipped with state-of-the art technology.
The first Bourbon Liberty 200 vessel is expected to be delivered in January 2009.
More information on: www.bourbon-liberty.com
With 5,000 professionals and a fleet of 266 owned vessels and 194 units on order, BOURBON is currently present in more than 28 countries.
BOURBON offers a broad range of offshore oil and gas marine services. Under the Horizon 2012 plan BOURBON intends to become the leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services by offering the most demanding clients worldwide, a full line of innovative, high performance and new-generation vessels and an expanded offer of Inspection, Maintenance and Repair services, with the launch of its new "Subsea Services" activity, operating 8 ROVs in addition to the IMR vessels.
BOURBON also specializes in bulk transport and protects the French coastline for the French Navy.
Classified by ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark) in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed for trading on Euronext Paris, Compartment A, and is included in the Deferred Settlement Service SRD and in the SBF 120 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 indices.
With more than 200 professionals and a managed fleet of 10 Offshore Supply Vessels, and with 10 more units to be delivered in 2009, Bourbon Offshore Asia, incorporated in 2005, is already present in all countries in South East Asia.
By targeting more than 100 million USD in revenues in 2009, Bourbon Offshore Asia is becoming a significant player in this area.
In order to keep the BOURBON standards at the highest, Bourbon Offshore Asia will benefit from the new BOURBON Training Center and its simulator based in Singapore.
Bourbon Offshore Asia, a Joint Venture Company based in Singapore, is part of Bourbon Offshore Division, based in France.
OSC (Offshore Simulator Center) is the creator and owner of the first anchor handling simulator for offshore oil and gas service vessels.
Set up in July 2004, the purpose of Norwegian company OSC is to provide professionals of the offshore oil and gas marine services sector with new resources for improvement and innovation using its simulators, for any type of mission conducted in normal or extreme situations. Realistic interactive simulation has become essential for conducting safe assessment and training for seamen, from officers to technicians, through complete missions more particularly.
OSC is held by private operators (Farstad Shipping ASA and Rolls-Royce Marine AS) and by public institutions (Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) and Aalesund University College). These partnerships offer OSC solid bases for development, quality and performance.
Website: www.offsimcentre.no