SURF, a Groupe Bourbon subsidiary, accompanies the National Merchant Naval Officer Training College in Marseilles and contributes to the first recognized training center in France for dynamic-positioning operators

On June 30^th this year, the National Merchant Naval Officer Training College in Marseilles will open the first center in France to train officers in charge of dynamic-positioning systems.

The migration of drilling operations into deep-water zones calls for implementation of new technology. Often indispensable in offshore work, dynamic positioning allows operators to hold vessels on a fixed course or coordinate point (with regard to the seabed) or to position them under mobile equipment.

In response to shipowners' expectations, deck officers (who formerly had to train in Britain) can now follow a first-class DP program in the simulation room within the Merchant Naval Officer Training College in Marseilles. SURF plans to use these facilities to train over 100 officers in 2005.

This major training project took shape and gained impetus at the initiative and with financial backing of SURF, a Groupe Bourbon subsidiary, working in collaboration with the local authorities and the Marseilles Training College itself.

With this partnership, SURF, one of the most enterprising marine service firms in its field, yet again affirms its confidence in the young trainee officers from Marseilles, many of whom joined the company this year.

Through its longstanding collaboration with France's four National Merchant Naval Officer Training Colleges, the offshore subsidiary of Groupe Bourbon seeks to valorize service navy professions and to ensure that French training meets the most demanding international standards and requirements. Once trained, these naval officers will be fully qualified to apply for the many career opportunities offered by Groupe Bourbon.

For Jacques de CHATEAUVIEUX, Groupe Bourbon's chairman, " We realize how important it is to valorize service navy careers and warmly welcome the opening of this training center, the result of a profitable collaboration which will certainly be followed up in many directions with all the National Merchant Naval Officer Training Colleges. "

Marseilles, June 23^rd 2004