In line with the BOURBON Horizon 2010 strategic plan announced in February 2006, which
provides for 1.2 billion euros in investments in its Offshore Division, BOURBON is in the process
of doubling its workforce. By recruiting over 4,000 seamen by 2010, half of whom will be officers,
BOURBON will meet the very strong growth in the offshore market, for which 110 service vessels
have already been ordered.
Apart from recruitment, BOURBON's second big challenge is training.

Technical training in near-real conditions
Two simulators developed by BOURBON in collaboration with the Offshore Simulator Center in
Aalesund, Norway, one in France and the other in the Philippines, will train captains, chief
engineers and bridge officers in all maneuvers and exercises in almost-real conditions.
Thanks to the use of leading-edge products and processes, the recreation of a real bridge and
realistic visual supports, this simulator can reproduce an almost real situation on both visual and
sensorial levels. In partnership with the Aalesund University College, Offshore Simulator
Center AS provides IT development and all display systems.
Relevant and realistic interactive simulation is the key to successful improvement and innovation.
The simulator systems allow “full mission” training, where crew members on deck and operators
may engage in the simulation in addition to the navigators and other bridge crew such as winch
operators. Critical operations may be tried and investigated under safe conditions before they
actually take place. The relevance of new ideas and technologies, and novel modes of operation,
may be adequately explored.