Training is literally the lifeblood of a boat owner's company. That is especially true of that company is Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) owner and operator of over 100 vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. The Galliano, La based company first established a training center in early 1999 using space in the company's main office building. By the end of 1999 the training center was in its own two-story building adjacent to the main office building. "Our training center operates year around offering a wide variety of courses, typically lasting five days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm," said Warren Sanamo, Jr. director of the training center. The courses are free for all Chouest employees and include a daily complimentary lunch for all participants.