Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission file number: 1-6311

 

 

Tidewater Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   72-0487776

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification no.)

 

601 Poydras St., Suite 1900 New Orleans, Louisiana   70130
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (504) 568-1010

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or of such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

51,537,953 shares of Tidewater Inc. common stock $.10 par value per share were outstanding on July 25, 2008. Registrant has no other class of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TIDEWATER INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and par value data)

 

ASSETS    June 30,
2008
   March 31,
2008

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 184,670    270,205

Trade and other receivables, net

     332,516    308,813

Marine operating supplies

     47,754    46,369

Other current assets

     13,083    5,208

Total current assets

     578,023    630,595

Investments in, at equity, and advances to unconsolidated companies

     25,659    27,433

Properties and equipment:

     

Vessels and related equipment

     2,975,735    2,867,391

Other properties and equipment

     82,662    82,357
     3,058,397    2,949,748

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     1,282,943    1,270,710

Net properties and equipment

     1,775,454    1,679,038

Goodwill

     328,754    328,754

Other assets

     94,031    85,960

Total assets

   $ 2,801,921    2,751,780

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Current liabilities:

     

Current maturities on capitalized lease obligations

     9,776    10,059

Accounts payable

     91,724    93,147

Accrued expenses

     56,248    54,497

Accrued property and liability losses

     6,167    6,271

Other current liabilities

     52,909    34,930

Total current liabilities

     216,824    198,904

Long-term debt

     300,000    300,000

Deferred income taxes

     193,006    189,605

Accrued property and liability losses

     11,319    12,530

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     123,214    120,657

Commitment and contingencies (Note 5)

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock of $.10 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized, issued 51,532,953 shares at June and
52,318,806 shares at March

     5,153    5,232

Other stockholders’ equity

     1,952,405    1,924,852

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,957,558    1,930,084

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,801,921    2,751,780

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TIDEWATER INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

      Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2008     2007  

Revenues:

    

Vessel revenues

   $ 328,371     292,891  

Other marine revenues

     11,683     12,591  
       340,054     305,482  

Costs and expenses:

    

Vessel operating costs

     176,728     138,540  

Costs of other marine revenues

     10,429     11,747  

Depreciation and amortization

     30,621     28,197  

General and administrative

     35,108     31,512  

Gain on sales of assets

     (10,387 )   (6,930 )
       242,499     203,066  
     97,555     102,416  

Other income (expenses):

    

Foreign exchange loss

     (1,190 )   (525 )

Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated companies

     4,196     3,386  

Interest income and other, net

     1,899     5,641  

Interest and other debt costs

     (320 )   (2,842 )
       4,585     5,660  

Earnings before income taxes

     102,140     108,076  

Income taxes

     17,364     20,534  

Net earnings

   $ 84,776     87,542  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 1.65     1.56  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 1.64     1.55  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     51,519,584     56,072,548  

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

     295,455     446,798  

Adjusted weighted average common shares

     51,815,039     56,519,346  

Cash dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.25     0.15  

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TIDEWATER INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2008     2007  

Operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 84,776     87,542  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     30,621     28,197  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     (9,874 )   (14,285 )

Gain on sales of assets

     (10,387 )   (6,930 )

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated companies, net of dividends

     1,462     (3,403 )

Compensation expense - stock-based

     2,945     3,436  

Excess tax benefit on stock options exercised

     (1,408 )   (13,243 )

Changes in assets and liabilities, net:

    

Trade and other receivables

     (18,653 )   7,732  

Marine operating supplies

     (1,385 )   3,044  

Other current assets

     (7,875 )   (5,449 )

Accounts payable

     (1,918 )   2,772  

Accrued expenses

     1,751     4,988  

Accrued property and liability losses

     (105 )   (33 )

Other current liabilities

     20,043     11,110  

Other, net

     2,724     15,680  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     92,717     121,158  

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from sales of assets

     12,093     24,501  

Additions to properties and equipment

     (129,657 )   (111,543 )

Other

     312      

Net cash used in investing activities

     (117,252 )   (87,042 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Principal payments on capitalized lease obligations

     (283 )   (1,000 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     4,376     36,603  

Cash dividends

     (12,867 )   (8,490 )

Stock repurchases

     (53,634 )   (113,685 )

Excess tax benefits on stock options exercised

     1,408     13,243  

Net cash used in financing activities

     (61,000 )   (73,329 )

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (85,535 )   (39,213 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     270,205     393,806  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 184,670     354,593  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 238     1,517  

Income taxes

   $ 13,706     13,078  

Non-cash financing activities:

    

Capitalized leases

   $     16,938  

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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TIDEWATER INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1) Interim Financial Statements

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented herein have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows at the dates and for the periods indicated as required by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the respective full years. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 30, 2008.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tidewater Inc. and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The company uses the equity method to account for equity investments in which the company exercises significant influence but does not exercise control and is not the primary beneficiary.

(2) Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In July 2007, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions, which program the Board expanded by an additional $50.0 million on January 31, 2008. The Board of Directors’ authorization for this repurchase program expired on June 30, 2008. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, the company expended $53.6 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 915,900 common shares, or an average price paid per common share of $58.56. From inception of the July 2007 authorized program through its conclusion on June 30, 2008, the company used $250.0 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 4,502,100 common shares, at an average price paid per common share of $55.53.

In July 2006, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $157.9 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions. The Board of Directors’ authorization for this repurchase program expired on June 30, 2007. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, the company expended $113.7 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 1,693,400 common shares, or an average price paid per common share of $67.13. From inception of the July 2006 authorized repurchase program through its conclusion on June 30, 2007, the company used $154.1 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 2,560,500 common shares, at an average price paid per common share of $60.17.

Dividend Program

On May 28, 2008, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share which represents a 67% increase in the previously paid quarterly dividend rate of $0.15 per share and is the first dividend increase since 1996. Future dividends are subject to declaration by the company’s Board of Directors.

(3) Income Taxes

Income tax expense for interim periods is based on estimates of the effective tax rate for the entire fiscal year. The effective tax rate applicable to pre-tax earnings for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was 17% and 19%, respectively. The reduction in the effective tax rate during quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007, is a result of the company’s proportionally greater profitability

 

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from international operations, where statutory income tax rates are generally lower than those applicable to the U.S. operations.

Effective April 1, 2007, the company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law. This interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. The company’s balance sheet at June 30, 2008 reflects $41.9 million of tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions. The liabilities are attributable to the IRS disallowance of all claimed deductions from taxable income related to the company’s Foreign Sales Corporation and the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion for fiscal years 1999 through 2008, a permanent establishment issue related to a foreign joint venture and a tax audit of a foreign subsidiary. In addition, the company has $12.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to a state tax issue, including interest of $0.9 million. The unrecognized tax benefits would lower the effective tax rate if realized. Penalties and interest related to income tax liabilities are included in income tax expense.

On January 9, 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana rendered a summary judgment in the company’s favor concerning the IRS disallowance of the company’s tax deduction for foreign sales corporation commissions for fiscal years 1999 and 2000. On March 6, 2008, the IRS appealed the district court’s decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Although the ultimate resolution of this matter can not be predicted, it is reasonably possible that the dispute will be resolved within the next twelve months. The company has approximately $28.9 million of tax liabilities recorded at June 30, 2008, with respect to this issue, which includes liabilities recorded for similar deductions taken in years subsequent to fiscal 2000 that would be reversed should these deductions ultimately be allowed.

With limited exceptions, the company is no longer subject to tax audits by state, local or foreign taxing authorities for years prior to 2001. The company has ongoing examinations by various state and foreign tax authorities and does not believe that the results of these examinations will have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position or results of operations although resolution of outstanding audit issues could reduce reported tax expense and the related effective tax rate.

Included in other current liabilities at June 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 are income taxes payable of $36.0 million and $22.1 million, respectively.

(4) Employee Benefit Plans

The company has a defined benefit pension plan that covers certain U.S. citizen employees and employees who are permanent residents of the United States. Benefits are based on years of service and employee compensation. In addition, the company also offers a supplemental retirement plan (supplemental plan) that provides pension benefits to certain employees in excess of those allowed under the company’s tax-qualified pension plan. The company contributed $0.4 million to the defined benefit pension plan during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and expects to contribute an additional $1.3 million to the plan during the remainder of the current fiscal year. The company contributed $0.3 million to the defined benefit pension plan during the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Qualified retired employees currently are covered by a program which provides limited health care and life insurance benefits. Costs of the program are based on actuarially determined amounts and are accrued over the period from the date of hire to the full eligibility date of employees who are expected to qualify for these benefits. The net periodic benefit cost for the company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plan and the

 

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supplemental plan (referred to collectively as “Pension Benefits”) and the postretirement health care and life insurance plan (referred to collectively as “Other Benefits”) is comprised of the following components:

 

      Quarter Ended
June 30,
 
(In thousands)    2008     2007  

Pension Benefits:

    

Service cost

   $ 265     297  

Interest cost

     1,150     1,052  

Expected return on plan assets

     (635 )   (638 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     3     6  

Recognized actuarial loss

     400     488  

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 1,183     1,205  

Other Benefits:

    

Service cost

   $ 281     342  

Interest cost

     514     458  

Amortization of prior service cost

     (496 )   (547 )

Recognized actuarial loss

     268     339  

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 567     592  

(5) Commitments and contingencies

Vessel Commitments

As of June 30, 2008, the company has commitments to build 59 vessels at a total cost of approximately $1.2 billion, which includes contract costs and other incidental costs. The company is committed to the construction of 25 anchor handling towing supply vessels ranging between 6,500 to 13,600 brake horsepower (BHP), 28 platform supply vessels, four crewboats, and two offshore tugs. Scheduled delivery of the vessels is expected to begin in August 2008 with delivery of the final vessel in July 2012. As of June 30, 2008, $310.8 million has been expended on these vessels.

The company’s vessel construction program has been designed to, over time, replace the company’s aging fleet of vessels with fewer, larger and more efficient vessels and to opportunistically expand the size and capabilities of the company’s fleet. The majority of the company’s older vessels, its supply and towing-supply vessels, were constructed between 1976 and 1983. As such, most vessels of this class exceed 25 years of age and are candidates for replacement within the next several years, depending on the strength of the market during this time frame. In addition to age, market conditions also help determine when a vessel is no longer economically viable. The company anticipates using future operating cash flows, existing borrowing capacity or new borrowings or lease arrangements to fund this fleet renewal and modernization program over the next several years. The company believes that it has sufficient financial capacity to support a $1.0 billion annual investment in acquiring or building new vessels for the intermediate term, assuming customer demand, acquisition and shipyard economics and other considerations justify such an investment. The company stays in regular contact with its historical sources of capital and liquidity and monitors most other capital markets on an on-going basis. The company believes that adequate capital and liquidity will be available to fund the continuation of its fleet replacement program, although given constraints in the debt and capital markets, the terms and pricing of such capital or borrowings may not be as advantageous as the company has enjoyed historically.

The company has recently experienced some delays in the expected deliveries of equipment for vessels under construction (as has the offshore supply vessel industry in general). Further delays are possible. Certain of the company’s vessels under construction are committed to work under customer contracts that provide for the payment of liquidated damages by the company or its subsidiaries in certain cases of late delivery. Delays in the expected deliveries of any of these vessels could result in penalties being imposed by our customers. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to

 

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these penalties, will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Internal Investigation

In its Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the company reported that special counsel which had been previously engaged by the company’s Audit Committee to conduct an internal investigation into certain FCPA matters had substantially completed its investigation and reported its findings to the Audit Committee. The substantive areas of the internal investigation have been reported in earlier periodic filings of the company. The company further reported in its Form 10-K that the company has been diligently responding to special counsel’s observations and recommendations to upgrade its overall compliance posture and implement a more robust company-wide FCPA compliance and training program.

During the course of the investigation, special counsel has been periodically providing the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission with informational updates and, in June 2008, special counsel reported its most recent updated findings to these agencies. As part of its continuing cooperation with these agencies, the company entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice effective as of January 10, 2008 to toll certain statutes of limitations for a nine-month period ending on October 10, 2008. The agreement expressly provides that it does not constitute an admission by the company of any facts or of any wrongdoing. The Department of Justice has recently requested changes to the existing tolling agreement to reflect the current scope of special counsel’s investigation and to extend the tolling period for several more months. The company is likely to enter into an amended tolling agreement with the Department of Justice to reflect these changed terms. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also requested a tolling agreement and the company expects to enter into a separate tolling agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on substantially similar terms. The company is unable to predict whether either agency will separately pursue legal or administrative action against the company or any of its employees, what potential remedies or sanctions, if any, these agencies may seek, and what the time frame for resolution of this matter may be. These agencies have requested certain documents and information. The company has been voluntarily cooperating with those requests and expects to have additional meetings with the agencies as the limited remaining investigative work is completed or as otherwise warranted. In the meantime, however, after considering the findings reported by special counsel, management and the Board of Directors have initiated disciplinary measures against company employees implicated by the findings of the investigation.

Based on the findings of the investigation reported to the company and the Audit Committee to date, the company has not concluded that any potential liability that may result from an investigation or enforcement action by the Department of Justice or the Securities and Exchange Commission is both probable and reasonably estimable, and, thus, no accrual has been recorded as of June 30, 2008. Should additional information be obtained, the company will, if necessary, record a provision when the amount is probable and reasonably estimable. While uncertain, ultimate resolution with one or both of these agencies could have a material adverse effect on the company’s results of operations or cash flows.

The company continues to operate approximately 20 vessels in Nigerian offshore waters, either under valid permits, extensions of valid permits, or under temporary arrangements not objected to by the Nigerian government where the underlying permits have expired. Over the past year, the company has, from time to time, experienced difficulty in extending the term of previously issued permits or obtaining new permits. Unless a workable permanent solution is developed and implemented, the company is concerned that the existing arrangements may, from time to time, be difficult to further renew or extend, and the company may have to remove vessels from Nigerian waters for redeployment elsewhere. The company continues to work diligently with the United States government and the Nigerian authorities in an effort to find a workable solution to these matters. For the first quarter, approximately 8% of the company’s revenues were generated through its Nigerian operations, and the company currently believes that a substantial majority, if not all, of these revenues could be replaced in a reasonable time frame if redeployment of these vessels becomes necessary.

 

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Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund

Certain current and former subsidiaries of the company are, or have been, participating employers in an industry-wide multi-employer retirement fund in the United Kingdom, the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF). The company has been informed of a fund deficit that will require contributions from the participating employers. Substantially all of the fund’s deficit allocable to the company relates to current operating subsidiaries. The amount of the company’s share of the fund’s deficit will depend ultimately on a number of factors including an updated calculation of the total fund deficit, the number of participating employers, and the final method used in allocating the required contribution among participating employers. At June 30, 2008, $5.1 million remains payable to MNOPF in additional contributions, which is fully accrued. In the future the fund’s trustee may claim that the company owes additional amounts for various reasons, including the results of the future fund valuation reports and whether other assessed parties have the financial capability to contribute to the respective allocations.

Legal Proceedings

Various legal proceedings and claims are outstanding which arose in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

(6) Financial Instruments

On April 1, 2008, the company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157), for financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring the use of observable market data when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on active market data. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no impact on the company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

The company’s primary financial instruments required to be measured and recorded at fair value consist of investments held by participants in a supplemental executive retirement plan, a deferred supplemental savings plan and a multinational savings plan. These investments are valued based on quoted market prices and are carried at $30.2 million at June 30, 2008.

The company also enters into certain foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives which are recorded at fair value. The derivative instruments are valued using quoted prices and quotes obtainable from the counterparties to the derivative instruments. The company considers these derivatives to be immaterial to the financial statements at June 30, 2008.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). This statement provides companies an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No.159 became applicable to the company on April 1, 2008. The company has chosen not to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 159 for its existing financial instruments.

(7) Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB that are adopted by the company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161), which requires qualitative

 

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disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit risk related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Early adoption has been encouraged by FASB. The company is currently assessing SFAS No. 161.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS No. 160) which establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, SFAS No. 160 requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years and will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date. Early adoption is prohibited. The company is assessing SFAS No. 160 and has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R), which establishes principles and requirements for the reporting entity in a business combination, including recognition and measurement in the financial statements of the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. This statement also establishes disclosure requirements to enable financial statement users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited.

(8) Subsequent Events

In July 2008, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions. The company would use its available cash and, when considered advantageous, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund any share repurchases. The repurchase program will end on the earlier of the date that all authorized funds have been expended or June 30, 2009, unless extended by the Board of Directors.

 

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(9) Segment and Geographic Distribution of Operations

The company follows SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” and operates in two business segments: United States and International. The following table provides a comparison of revenues, operating profit, depreciation and amortization, and additions to properties and equipment for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Vessel revenues and operating costs relate to vessels owned and operated by the company, while other marine services relate to the third-party activities of the company’s shipyards, brokered vessels and other miscellaneous marine-related businesses.

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
 

(In thousands)

     2008     2007  

Revenues:

    

Vessel revenues:

    

United States

   $ 40,102     43,072  

International

     288,269     249,819  
     328,371     292,891  

Other marine revenues

     11,683     12,591  
     $ 340,054     305,482  

Marine operating profit:

    

Vessel activity:

    

United States

   $ 9,289     10,365  

International

     87,262     95,910  
     96,551     106,275  

Gain on sales of assets

     10,387     6,930  

Other marine services

     1,104     735  

Operating profit

   $ 108,042     113,940  

Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated companies

     4,196     3,386  

Interest and other debt costs

     (320 )   (2,842 )

Corporate general and administrative

     (10,568 )   (11,097 )

Other income

     790     4,689  

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 102,140     108,076  

Depreciation and amortization:

    

Marine equipment operations:

    

United States

   $ 4,495     4,369  

International

     25,771     23,504  

General corporate depreciation

     355     324  
     $ 30,621     28,197  

Additions to properties and equipment:

    

Marine equipment operations:

    

United States

   $ 5,904     15,581  

International

     123,659     102,846  

General corporate

     94     10,054  
     $ 129,657     128,481  

 

- 11 -


The following table provides a comparison of total assets at June 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008:

 

(In thousands)    June 30,
2008
   March 31,
2008

Total assets:

     

Marine:

     

United States

   $ 525,295    523,723

International

     2,075,589    1,953,650
     2,600,884    2,477,373

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated Marine companies

     25,659    27,433
     2,626,543    2,504,806

General corporate

     175,378    246,974
     $ 2,801,921    2,751,780

 

- 12 -


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Tidewater Inc.:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Tidewater Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2008, and the related condensed consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Tidewater Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ equity and other comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated May 29, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, in 2008. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2008 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

July 30, 2008

 

- 13 -


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Forward Looking Information and Cautionary Statement

In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the company notes that this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the information incorporated herein by reference contain certain forward-looking statements which reflect the company’s current view with respect to future events and financial performance. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and the company’s future results of operations could differ materially from its historical results or current expectations. Some of these risks are discussed in this report, and include, without limitation, fluctuations in oil and gas prices; fleet additions by competitors and industry overcapacity; changes in capital spending by customers in the energy industry for exploration, development and production; changing customer demands for different vessel specifications which may make some of our vessels technologically obsolete for certain customer projects or in certain markets; acts of terrorism; significant weather conditions; unsettled political conditions, war, civil unrest and governmental actions, especially in higher risk countries of operations; foreign currency fluctuations; and enforcement of laws related to the environment, labor and foreign corrupt practices.

Forward-looking statements, which can generally be identified by the use of such terminology as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “believe,” “think,” “could,” “continue,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” and similar expressions contained in this report, are predictions and not guarantees of future performance or events. Any forward-looking statements are based on current industry, financial and economic information, which the company has assessed but which by its nature is dynamic and subject to rapid and possibly abrupt changes. The company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business. The forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk factors listed above and discussed in Items 1, 1A, 2 and 7 included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 30, 2008 and elsewhere in the Form 10-Q. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Management disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, future events or developments.

In addition, in certain places in this report, we refer to published reports of analysts that purport to describe trends or developments in energy production and drilling and exploration activity. The company does so for the convenience of our stockholders and in an effort to provide information available in the market that will assist the company’s investors in a better understanding of the company’s business. However, the company specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such information and undertakes no obligation to update such information.

Overview

The company provides services and equipment to the global offshore energy industry through the operation of a diversified fleet of marine service vessels. Revenues, net earnings and cash flows from operations are dependent upon the activity level of the vessel fleet that is ultimately dependent upon oil and natural gas prices that, in turn, are determined by the supply/demand relationship for crude oil and natural gas. The following information contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and related disclosures and the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 30, 2008.

General Market Conditions and Results of Operations

Offshore service vessels provide a diverse range of services and equipment to the energy industry. The company’s revenues and operating profit are primarily driven by fleet size, vessel utilization and day rates because operating costs and depreciation do not change proportionally with changes in revenue. Operating costs primarily consist of crew costs, repair and maintenance, insurance and loss reserves, fuel, lube oil and supplies and vessel operating leases. Fleet size and utilization are the major factors which affect crew costs. The timing and amount of repair and maintenance costs are influenced by customer demands, vessel age

 

- 14 -


and drydockings to satisfy safety and inspection requirements mandated by regulatory agencies. A certain number of drydockings are required over a given period to meet regulatory requirements. Drydocking costs are incurred only if economically justified, taking into consideration the vessel’s age, physical condition and future marketability. If a required drydocking is not performed, the vessel is either stacked or sold as it is not permitted to work without the proper certifications. When the company takes a productive vessel out of service for drydocking, the company not only incurs the drydocking cost but also loses revenue from that vessel during the drydock period. In any given period, downtime associated with drydockings and major repairs and maintenance can have a significant effect on the company’s revenues. In the current environment of record dayrates in international markets, drydockings have taken on an increasing importance to the company and its financial performance. Our older vessels, for which demand remains strong, require more frequent repair and drydockings, while some of the newer vessels built over the last eight years are now experiencing their first and second required regulatory drydockings. The combination of these factors has led to increased levels of expenditures for drydockings and can distort operating revenues within any period. Although the company attempts to efficiently manage its fleet drydocking schedule to minimize the disruptive effect, recent inflation in shipyard pricing and the heavy workloads at the shipyards are resulting in increased drydocking costs, increased days off hire at shipyards, and therefore, increased loss of revenue. The company does not see the shipyard situation improving in the foreseeable future and expects that the timing of drydockings in the future will result in continued quarterly volatility in repair and maintenance costs and loss in revenue. Fuel and lube costs can fluctuate in any given period depending on the number of mobilizations that occur in any given period.

The company also incurs vessel operating costs which are aggregated under the “other” vessel operating cost heading. These costs consist of brokers’ commissions, training costs and other type costs. Brokers’ commission costs are primarily incurred in the company’s international operations where brokers assist in obtaining work for the company’s vessels. Brokers are paid a percentage of day rates and, accordingly, as revenues increase so do commissions paid to brokers. Other type costs include, but are not limited to, satellite communication fees, agent fees, port fees, canal transit fees, vessel certification fees and temporary importation fees.

The following table compares revenues and operating expenses (excluding general and administrative expense, depreciation expense and gain on sales of assets) for the company’s vessel fleet and the related percentage of total revenue for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Vessel revenues and operating costs relate to vessels owned and operated by the company, while other marine revenues relate to third-party activities of the company’s shipyards, brokered vessels and other miscellaneous marine-related activities.

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Quarter
Ended
March 31,
 

(In thousands)

     2008    %     2007    %     2008    %  

Revenues:

               

Vessel revenues:

               

United States

   $ 40,102    12 %   43,072    14 %   36,838    11 %

International

     288,269    85 %   249,819    82 %   277,367    84 %
     328,371    97 %   292,891    96 %   314,205    95 %

Other marine revenues

     11,683    3 %   12,591    4 %   17,223    5 %
     $ 340,054    100 %   305,482    100 %   331,428    100 %

Operating costs:

               

Vessel operating costs:

               

Crew costs

   $ 93,152    27 %   76,245    25 %   82,642    25 %

Repair and maintenance

     35,848    11 %   24,558    8 %   28,125    8 %

Insurance and loss reserves

     5,473    2 %   6,038    2 %   5,542    2 %

Fuel, lube and supplies

     15,166    4 %   11,316    4 %   14,735    4 %

Vessel operating leases

     1,749    1 %   766    <1 %   1,660    1 %

Other

     25,340    7 %   19,617    6 %   22,464    7 %
     176,728    52 %   138,540    45 %   155,168    47 %

Costs of other marine revenues

     10,429    3 %   11,747    4 %   14,444    4 %
     $ 187,157    55 %   150,287    49 %   169,612    51 %

 

- 15 -


The following table subdivides vessel operating costs presented above by the company’s United States and International segments and its related percentage of total revenue for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Quarter
Ended
March 31,
 

(In thousands)

     2008    %     2007    %     2008    %  

Operating costs:

               

United States vessel operating costs:

               

Crew costs

   $ 15,088    4 %   16,836    6 %   15,059    5 %

Repair and maintenance

     3,952    1 %   3,933    1 %   2,289    1 %

Insurance and loss reserves

     1,845    1 %   2,295    1 %   1,527    <1 %

Fuel, lube and supplies

     678    <1 %   716    <1 %   496    <1 %

Vessel operating leases

     787    <1 %   69    <1 %   787    <1 %

Other

     1,439    <1 %   1,748    1 %   1,701    1 %
     23,789    7 %   25,597    8 %   21,859    7 %

International vessel operating costs:

               

Crew costs

   $ 78,064    23 %   59,409    19 %   67,583    20 %

Repair and maintenance

     31,896    9 %   20,625    7 %   25,836    8 %

Insurance and loss reserves

     3,628    1 %   3,743    1 %   4,015    1 %

Fuel, lube and supplies

     14,488    4 %   10,600    3 %   14,239    4 %

Vessel operating leases

     962    <1 %   697    <1 %   873    <1 %

Other

     23,901    7 %   17,869    6 %   20,763    6 %
       152,939    45 %   112,943    37 %   133,309    40 %

Total operating costs

   $ 176,728    52 %   138,540    45 %   155,168    47 %

As a result of the uncertainty of a certain customer to make payment of vessel charter hire, the company has deferred the recognition of approximately $6.0 million of billings as of June 30, 2008 ($5.7 million of billings as of March 31, 2008), which would otherwise have been recognized as revenue. The company will recognize the amounts as revenue as cash is collected or at such time as the uncertainty has been significantly reduced.

The company’s consolidated net earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 decreased approximately 3% compared to the net earnings achieved during the same period in fiscal 2008 primarily due to higher vessel operating costs and the impact of increased drydocking days in the current quarter on revenue. The company’s United States (U.S.) revenues decreased approximately 7%, or $3.0 million, during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008, while the company’s international revenues increased $38.5 million, or approximately 15%, during the same comparative period. Domestic-based vessel operating costs decreased approximately 7%, or $1.8 million, during the current quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008, while the company’s international-based vessel operating costs increased approximately 35%, or $40.0 million, during the same comparative period. A significant portion of the company’s operations are conducted internationally. For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, revenues generated from international operations as a percentage of the company’s total revenues were 85%.

The company’s U.S.-based revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower utilization on the U.S.-based vessels resulting from lower demand for the company’s vessels in the Gulf of Mexico offshore vessel market. Demand for vessels in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico offshore vessel market diminished as repair work on the offshore energy infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September 2005, respectively, was completed and numerous drilling rigs have relocated to international areas. The number of available drilling rigs in the U.S. market should continue to be the primary driver of the company’s future profitability in the U.S. market and, at present, the offshore rig count in the Gulf of Mexico remains at very low levels as compared to past industry up cycles. The strength of the international drilling market attracted offshore rigs from the U.S. market over the past few years and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Over the longer term, the company’s U.S.-based fleet should be affected more by the active offshore rig count in the United States than by any other single outside influence. In addition,

 

- 16 -


consolidation could result in the absorption of an oil and gas company with which the company has a strong commercial relationship into another company with which the company does not.

The deepwater offshore energy market is a growing segment of the energy market as record breaking energy prices drive more focus and capacity on the offshore deepwater market. Worldwide rig construction continues as rig owners capitalize on the high worldwide demand for drilling. Published reports suggest that over the next four years, the worldwide moveable drilling rig count will increase as new-build rigs currently on order and under construction stand at approximately 185 rigs which will supplement the current approximate 720 movable rigs worldwide. In addition, infrastructure investment is also being made in the floating production units market where approximately 85 new floating production units are currently under construction, which are expected to be delivered over the next four years.

Approximately 735 new-build vessels (platform supply vessels and anchor handlers only) are expected to be delivered to the worldwide offshore vessel market over the next four years as reported by ODS-Petrodata. An increase in vessel capacity could result in increased competition in the company’s industry which may have the effect of lowering charter rates. However, the worldwide offshore marine vessel industry has a large number of aging vessels that are nearing or exceeding their original estimated economic lives. These older vessels could potentially retire from the market within the next few years if the cost of extending the vessels’ lives is not economically justifiable. Although the future attrition rate of these aging vessels cannot be accurately predicted, the company believes that the retirement of a portion of these aging vessels may negate, at least in part, the potential effects the offshore marine vessel industry may encounter when the new-build vessels are delivered to the market. Additional vessel demand should be created with the addition of new drilling rigs and floating production units over the next few years which should help minimize the effects of 735 new-build vessels (platform supply vessels and anchor handlers only) being added to the offshore support vessel fleet.

Commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas are critical factors in E&P companies’ decisions to retain their drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico market or mobilize the rigs to more profitable international markets. Commodity prices for natural gas have strengthened since mid-November 2007 due to some production shut-ins, lower liquid natural gas imports and stronger demand for natural gas due to colder than expected late winter weather. Winter ending inventory levels for the resource were approximately 18% below last year’s level which bodes well for natural gas pricing during calendar year 2008 assuming storage levels do not approach full capacity during the summer injection season as has been the case during calendar years 2006 and 2007. The company’s U.S. results of operations are primarily driven by natural gas exploration and production and, given the relative uncertainty of natural gas pricing, it is unknown how U.S.-based vessel demand will be affected. Nonetheless, the prospects for E&P companies increasing their U.S.-based capital spending budgets look better today than a few short months ago.

While all of these factors create uncertainty as to the immediate future activity level of the U.S. vessel market, the company’s assets are highly mobile and should the U.S. market weaken further, the company has the ability to redeploy some of its vessels to international markets where the vessels may benefit from strong average day rates and earnings taxed at statutory income tax rates that are typically lower than in the United States. The company will continue to assess the demand for vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and consider relocating additional vessels to stronger international areas as necessary.

The strength in the company’s international-based revenues during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 can be attributed to higher average day rates and an increase in the number of vessels operating internationally. Average day rates for the total international-based fleet increased approximately 17% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008. The company’s international results of operations have been primarily dependent on the supply and demand relationship of crude oil. Crude oil prices soared during the first half of calendar year 2008 and surpassed the $140 per barrel mark during the company’s first quarter of fiscal 2009. Analysts expect future crude oil prices to remain at strong price levels for the rest of calendar year 2008 and well beyond due to strong global consumer demand for crude oil which is driven by emerging economies, dwindling excess OPEC production capacity, continuing concerns over possible supply interruptions caused by geopolitical risk in certain countries that are members of OPEC, and production declines in mature oil fields. Management anticipates international vessel demand will remain

 

- 17 -


strong as long as crude oil prices remain at levels that would support E&P companies continuing to expend their anticipated E&P spending budgets.

Marine operating profit and other components of earnings before income taxes and its related percentage of total revenue for the quarters ended June 30 and March 31 consists of the following:

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Quarter
Ended
March 31,
 

(In thousands)

     2008     %     2007     %     2008     %  

Vessel activity:

            

United States

   $ 9,289     3 %   10,365     3 %   8,357     3 %

International

     87,262     26 %   95,910     31 %   97,037     29 %
     96,551     28 %   106,275     35 %   105,394     32 %

Gain on sales of assets

     10,387     3 %   6,930     2 %   1,757     1 %

Other marine services

     1,104     <1 %   735     <1 %   2,643     1 %

Operating profit

   $ 108,042     32 %   113,940     37 %   109,794     33 %

Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated companies

     4,196     1 %   3,386     1 %   4,217     1 %

Interest and other debt costs

     (320 )   (<1 %)   (2,842 )   (1 %)   (1,279 )   (<1 %)

Corporate general and administrative

     (10,568 )   (3 %)   (11,097 )   (4 %)   (10,467 )   (3 %)

Other income

     790     <1 %   4,689     2 %   2,111     1 %

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 102,140     30 %   108,076     35 %   104,376     31 %

United States-based Operations

U.S.-based vessel revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased approximately 7%, or $3.0 million, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008 due primarily to lower utilization rates as a result of weakness in the GOM market during the comparative periods. U.S. based vessel revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased approximately 9%, or $3.3 million, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 due to a 7% increase in average day rates and a 5% increase in utilization rates, reflecting a resurgence in activity levels as a result of improving natural gas prices.

Revenues on the active towing supply/supply of vessels, the company’s major income producing vessel class in the domestic market, decreased approximately 29%, or $7.3 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008, while revenues on this same class increased approximately 25%, or $3.5 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Revenues on the company’s deepwater class of vessels increased approximately 38%, or $4.7 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, while revenues on this same class were comparable to the revenues earned during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The company’s crew/utility class of vessels experienced a decrease in revenues of approximately 6% and 3%, or $0.4 million and $0.2 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively.

Average day rates on the towing supply/supply class of vessels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased a modest 3% as compared to the average day rates achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and increased approximately 18% as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Utilization rates on this same class of vessel decreased approximately 19% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008 but increased approximately 8% as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Average day rates for the company’s deepwater class of vessels increased approximately 5% and 3% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively. Utilization rates on the deepwater class increased approximately 4% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, but decreased approximately 3% as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Average day rates on the crew/utility class of vessels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were comparable to the rates achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and decreased 3% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Utilization rates on the crew/utility class of vessel decreased approximately 13% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2008 and increased approximately 6% as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

- 18 -


Current quarter revenues were slightly dampened by the scheduled drydock of one of the company’s deepwater vessels which resulted in the vessel earning revenue on fewer days during the current quarter. The scheduled maintenance days also had an impact on the domestic-based deepwater vessel utilization statistics and repair and maintenance costs during the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, operating profit for the U.S.-based vessels decreased approximately $1.1 million, or approximately 10%, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, due primarily to lower revenues. Operating profit increased approximately 11%, or $1.0 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 due to higher average day rates and utilization on the U.S.-based towing supply/supply vessels. Higher revenues earned during the current quarter were slightly offset by higher repair and maintenance costs.

International-based Operations

International-based vessel revenues increased approximately 15%, or $38.5 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, due primarily to higher average day rates on all vessel classes operating in international markets and to an increase in the number of vessels operating internationally. International-based vessel revenues increased approximately 4%, or $10.9 million, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, due primarily to higher total average day rates.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to same period in fiscal 2008, 103%, 1%, 2% and 1% of the international revenue growth was generated by the company’s towing supply/supply, crew/utility, offshore tug and other classes of vessels, respectively. The company’s international towing supply/supply, crew/utility, offshore tug and other classes of vessels generated approximately 83%, 10%, 19%, and 4% of the revenue growth during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, respectively.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the deepwater class of vessels had a loss of revenue of approximately 4% as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, as a result of an increased number of maintenance days during the current quarter resulting from a higher level of drydockings performed which decreased the utilization rate on the deepwater class of vessel. The deepwater class of vessels also had a loss of revenue of approximately 3% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, due to lower average day rates on the class of vessel, resulting from the drydockings of several of the company’s larger deepwater vessels during the quarter that generate day rates higher than the vessel class average.

Average day rates on the international deepwater class of vessels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased approximately 7% compared to the same period in fiscal 2008 but decreased approximately 3% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Utilization rates on the deepwater class of vessels decreased approximately 13% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and was comparable to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Average day rates for the company’s international towing supply/supply class of vessels increased approximately 23% and 5% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively. Utilization rates on the international towing supply/supply class of vessels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was comparable to the same period in fiscal 2008 but increased a modest 1% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Average day rates on crew/utility class of vessels increased approximately 7% and 3% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively. Utilization rates on crew/utility class of vessels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were comparable to the rates achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and increased a modest 1% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Average day rates on the international offshore tugs increased approximately 27% and 21% during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively, while utilization rates on this same class of vessels decreased approximately 16% and 6% during the same comparative periods, respectively.

International-based vessel operating profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased approximately 9% and 10%, or $8.6 million and $9.8 million, as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008,

 

- 19 -


respectively, due to higher vessel operating costs (primarily crew costs, repair and maintenance and other type costs) despite earning higher international-based revenues during the respective time periods. In addition, international-based general and administrative costs for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased approximately 24% and 5% as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively.

While international-based vessel revenues improved during the current quarter, as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, the revenue line was negatively impacted by an increased number of maintenance days during the current quarter resulting from a higher level of drydockings performed. The increased number of maintenance days negatively impacted the utilization statistics of the company’s vessels during the current quarter, as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008.

Other Items

Insurance and loss reserves for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased approximately 9% and 1%, as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively, due to lower loss reserves recorded in the current period resulting from the company’s safety record.

Gain on sales of assets for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased approximately 50%, or $3.5 million, from the same period in fiscal 2008 due to higher gains earned on the mix of vessels sold. Gain on sales of assets increased $8.6 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 because of a higher number of vessel sales during the current quarter.

Vessel Class Statistics

Vessel utilization is determined primarily by market conditions and to a lesser extent by drydocking requirements. Vessel day rates are determined by the demand created through the level of offshore exploration, development and production spending by energy companies relative to the supply of offshore service vessels. Suitability of equipment and the degree of service provided also influence vessel day rates. Vessel utilization rates are calculated by dividing the number of days a vessel works during a reporting period by the number of days the vessel is available to work in the reporting period. Average day rates are calculated by dividing the revenue a vessel earns during a reporting period by the number of days the vessel worked in the reporting period. Vessel utilization and average day rates are calculated only on vessels in service and, as such, do not include vessels withdrawn from service or joint venture vessels. The following tables compare day-based utilization percentages and average day rates by vessel class and in total for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and March 31, 2008:

 

- 20 -


     Quarter Ended
June 30,
   Quarter
Ended
March 31,
      2008     2007    2008

UTILIZATION:

       

United States-based fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

     94.9 %   91.3    97.5

Towing-supply/supply

     49.8     61.0    46.2

Crew/utility

     77.3     88.3    73.0

Total

     63.0 %   70.3    60.1

International-based fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

     83.6 %   96.3    83.5

Towing-supply/supply

     77.2     77.4    76.7

Crew/utility

     86.1     86.2    85.1

Offshore tugs

     53.4     63.4    56.7

Other

     41.8     54.7    58.7

Total

     76.6 %   79.0    76.7

Worldwide fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

     85.9 %   95.5    86.4

Towing-supply/supply

     73.6     75.0    72.7

Crew/utility

     84.7     86.5    83.1

Offshore tugs

     53.4     63.4    56.7

Other

     41.8     54.7    58.7

Total

     74.8 %   77.8    74.5

AVERAGE VESSEL DAY RATES:

       

United States-based fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

   $ 24,514     23,432    23,904

Towing-supply/supply

     11,633     11,951    9,863

Crew/utility

     6,010     5,992    6,201

Total

   $ 12,835     12,001    12,027

International-based fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

   $ 24,728     23,175    25,474

Towing-supply/supply

     11,660     9,478    11,117

Crew/utility

     4,965     4,663    4,819

Offshore tugs

     8,931     7,044    7,413

Other

     9,893     5,653    5,140

Total

   $ 11,221     9,557    10,766

Worldwide fleet:

       

Deepwater vessels

   $ 24,679     23,218    25,110

Towing-supply/supply

     11,658     9,774    11,013

Crew/utility

     5,114     4,855    5,018

Offshore tugs

     8,931     7,044    7,413

Other

     9,893     5,653    5,140

Total

   $ 11,396     9,852    10,900

 

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The following table compares the average number of vessels by class and geographic distribution for the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2008:

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
   Quarter
Ended
March 31,
      2008    2007    2008

United States-based fleet:

        

Deepwater vessels

   8    6    8

Towing-supply/supply

   34    38    34

Crew/utility

   13    12    14

Total

   55    56    56

International-based fleet:

        

Deepwater vessels

   31    30    31

Towing-supply/supply

   226    218    227

Crew/utility

   70    74    70

Offshore tugs

   36    37    36

Other

   5    5    5

Total

   368    364    369

Owned or chartered vessels included in marine revenues

   423    420    425

Vessels withdrawn from service

   19    25    21

Joint-venture and other

   14    13    14

Total

   456    458    460

Included in total owned or chartered vessels are vessels that were stacked by the company. The company considers a vessel to be stacked if its crew is removed from the vessel and limited maintenance is being performed on the vessel. This action is taken to reduce operating costs when management does not foresee adequate marketing possibilities in the near future. Vessels are added to this list when market conditions warrant and they are removed from this list when sold or otherwise disposed of or when returned to active service. As economically practical marketing opportunities arise, the stacked vessels can be returned to service by performing any necessary maintenance on the vessel and returning fleet personnel to operate the vessel. Although not currently fulfilling charters, stacked vessels are considered to be in service and are included in the calculation of the company’s utilization statistics. The company had 51, 48 and 53 stacked vessels at June 30, 2008 and 2007 and at March 31, 2008, respectively.

Vessels withdrawn from service represent those vessels that management has determined are unlikely to return to active service and are currently marketed for sale. Vessels withdrawn from service are not included in the company’s utilization statistics.

The following is a summary of net properties and equipment at June 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008:

 

     June 30, 2008    March 31, 2008
      Number
Of Vessels
   Carrying
Value
   Number
of Vessels
   Carrying
Value
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Vessels in active service

   363    $ 1,386,361    367    $ 1,375,194

Stacked vessels

   51      13,003    53      14,103

Vessels withdrawn from service

   19      2,505    20      2,788

Marine equipment under construction

        330,701         243,205

Other property and equipment

          42,884           43,748

Totals

   433    $ 1,775,454    440    $ 1,679,038

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the company took delivery of one anchor handling towing supply vessel and one offshore tug and sold to third party operators two anchor handling towing supply vessels, one crewboat, two utility vessels, three offshore tugs and one other type vessel.

 

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During fiscal 2008, the company took delivery of seven anchor handling towing supply vessels, five platform supply vessels, four crewboats and three offshore tugs and sold to third party operators six anchor handling towing supply vessels, nine platform supply vessels, one crewboat, six utility vessels and four offshore tugs.

General and Administrative Expenses

Consolidated general and administrative expenses for the quarters ended June 30 and March 31 consist of the following components:

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Quarter
Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)    2008    %     2007    %     2008    %  

Personnel

   $ 20,539    6 %   18,254    6 %   17,727    5 %

Office and property

     4,929    1 %   3,992    1 %   4,727    1 %

Sales and marketing

     2,153    1 %   1,709    1 %   1,848    1 %

Professional services

     4,820    1 %   5,608    2 %   7,302    2 %

Other

     2,667    1 %   1,949    1 %   1,681    1 %

Total

   $ 35,108    10 %   31,512    10 %   33,285    10 %

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were approximately 11% and 6% higher as compared to the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008, respectively, due to the amortization of restricted stock and phantom stock awards granted during the last two fiscal years, higher salary expense and an improved business environment.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Matters

The company’s current ratio, level of working capital and amount of cash flows from operations for any year are directly related to fleet activity and vessel day rates. Fleet activity and vessel day rates are ultimately determined by the supply/demand relationship for crude oil and natural gas. Variations from year-to-year in these items are primarily the result of market conditions. Cash from operations, in combination with the company’s senior unsecured debt and available line of credit, provide the company, in management’s opinion, with adequate resources to satisfy its current liquidity requirements. At June 30, 2008, the entire amount of the company’s $300.0 million revolving line of credit (which includes a mechanism for increasing the amount of the facility to $400.0 million) was available for future financing needs. Continued payment of dividends, currently at $0.25 per common share per quarter, is subject to declaration by the Board of Directors.

On May 28, 2008, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share which represents a 67% increase in the previously paid quarterly dividend rate of $0.15 per share and is the first dividend increase since 1996. Future dividends are subject to declaration by the company’s Board of Directors.

In July 2008, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions. The company would use its available cash and, when considered advantageous, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund any share repurchases. The repurchase program will end on the earlier of the date that all authorized funds have been expended or June 30, 2009, unless extended by the Board of Directors.

In July 2007, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions, which program the Board expanded by an additional $50.0 million on January 31, 2008. The Board of Directors’ authorization for this repurchase program expired on June 30, 2008. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, the company expended $53.6 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 915,900 common shares, or an average price paid per common share of $58.56. From inception of the July 2007 authorized program through its conclusion on June 30, 2008, the company used $250.0 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 4,502,100 common shares, at an average price paid per common share of $55.53.

 

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In July 2006, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $157.9 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions. The Board of Directors’ authorization for this repurchase program expired on June 30, 2007. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, the company expended $113.7 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 1,693,400 common shares, or an average price paid per common share of $67.13. From inception of the July 2006 authorized repurchase program through its conclusion on June 30, 2007, the company used $154.1 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 2,560,500 common shares, at an average price paid per common share of $60.17.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for any period will fluctuate according to the level of business activity for the applicable period. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, net cash from operating activities was $92.7 million compared to $121.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Significant components of cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2008, include net earnings of $84.8 million, adjusted for non-cash items of $13.4 million and changes in working capital balances of $5.4 million.

Significant components of cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2007, include net earnings of $87.5 million, adjusted for non-cash items of $6.2 million and changes in working capital balances of $39.8 million.

Investing Activities

Investing activities for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, used $117.3 million of cash, which is attributed to $129.7 million of additions to properties and equipment, offset by approximately $12.1 million in proceeds from the sales of assets. Additions to properties and equipment were comprised of approximately $14.6 million in capitalized major repair costs, $114.6 million for the construction of offshore marine vessels and $0.5 million of other properties and equipment purchases.

Investing activities for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, used $87.0 million of cash, which is attributed to $111.5 million of additions to properties and equipment, offset by approximately $24.5 million in proceeds from the sales of assets. Additions to properties and equipment were comprised of approximately $15.3 million in capitalized major repair costs, $3.1 million for vessel enhancements, $81.8 million for the construction of offshore marine vessels, $10.0 million for the construction of an aircraft and $1.3 million of other properties and equipment purchases.

Financing Activities

Financing activities for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, used $61.0 million of cash, which is primarily the result of $53.6 million used to repurchase the company’s common stock, $12.9 million used for quarterly payment of common stock dividends of $0.25 per common share, and $0.3 million of principal payments on capitalized lease obligations. These uses of cash were partially offset by $4.4 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock resulting from stock option exercisements and $1.4 million tax benefit on stock options exercised during the quarter.

Financing activities for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, used $73.3 million of cash, which is primarily the result of $113.7 million used to repurchase the company’s common stock, $8.5 million used for quarterly payment of common stock dividends of $0.15 per common share, and $1.0 million of principal payments on capitalized lease obligations. These uses of cash were partially offset by $36.6 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock resulting from stock option exercisements and $13.2 million tax benefit on stock options exercised during the quarter.

Vessel Construction and Acquisition Expenditures

As of June 30, 2008, the company is constructing 25 anchor handling towing supply vessels, varying in size from 6,500 brake horsepower (BHP) to 13,600 BHP, for a total capital commitment of approximately

 

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$491.2 million. Six different international shipyards are constructing the vessels. Six of the anchor handling towing supply vessels are large deepwater class vessels. Scheduled deliveries for the 25 vessels will begin in August 2008 with the last vessel scheduled for delivery in January 2012. As of June 30, 2008, the company expended $150.3 million for the construction of these vessels.

The company is also committed to the construction of six 230-foot, eight 240-foot, two 260-foot and twelve 280-foot platform supply vessels for a total aggregate investment of approximately $650.7 million. The company’s shipyard, Quality Shipyards, LLC, is constructing the two 260-foot deepwater class vessels. One international shipyard is constructing the six 230-foot vessels, while two different international shipyards are constructing the eight 240-foot deepwater class vessels. The six 230-foot vessels are scheduled for delivery beginning in January 2009 with final delivery of the sixth vessel in January 2010. Expected delivery for the eight 240-foot deepwater class vessels will begin in January 2009 with delivery of the eighth 240-foot vessel in September 2009. The twelve 280-foot deepwater class vessels are being constructed at an international shipyard, and are expected to be delivered to the market beginning in November 2010 with final delivery of the twelfth 280-foot vessel in July of 2012. As of June 30, 2008, $140.1 million has been expended on these 28 vessels.

The company is also committed to the construction of two 175-foot, fast, crew/supply boats and two water jet crewboats for an aggregate cost of approximately $21.3 million. Two separate international shipyards are constructing these vessels. The two water jet crewboats are expected to be delivered in February 2009. The two fast, crew/supply vessels are expected to be delivered in June and September of 2009. As of June 30, 2008, the company had expended $9.4 million for the construction of these four vessels.

The company is also committed to the construction of two offshore tugs for an aggregated cost of approximately $28.4 million. The offshore tugs are being constructed at an international shipyard and are expected to be delivered to the company in July and August of 2009. As of June 30, 2008, $11.0 million has been expended on these two offshore tugs.

The table below summarizes the various vessel commitments by vessel class and type as of June 30, 2008:

 

     U. S. Built    International Built
Vessel class and type    Number
of
Vessels
  

Total

Cost
Commitment

   Expended
Through
6/30/08
   Number
of
Vessels
  

Total

Cost
Commitment

   Expended
Through
6/30/08
          (In thousands)         (In thousands)

Deepwater vessels:

                 

Anchor handling towing supply

                6    $ 172,478    $ 79,348

Platform supply vessels

   2    $ 62,765    $ 11,336    20    $ 513,568    $ 107,159

Replacement Fleet:

                 

Anchor handling towing supply

                19    $ 318,767    $ 70,949

Platform supply vessels

                6    $ 74,379    $ 21,620

Crewboats and offshore tugs:

                 

Crewboats

                4    $ 21,308    $ 9,411

Offshore tugs

                2    $ 28,433    $ 10,955

Totals

   2    $ 62,765    $ 11,336    57    $ 1,128,933    $ 299,442

The table below summarizes by vessel class and vessel type the number of vessels expected to be delivered by quarter of the various vessel commitments as discussed above:

 

     Quarter Period Ended
Vessel class and type    09/08    12/08    03/09    06/09    09/09    Thereafter

Deepwater vessels:

                 

Anchor handling towing supply

            1    1    4

Platform supply vessels

         3    2    3    14

Replacement Fleet:

                 

Anchor handling towing supply

   4    5    1    1       8

Platform supply vessels

         2    1    1    2

Crewboats and offshore tugs:

                 

Crewboats

         2    1    1   

Offshore tugs

               2   

Totals

   4    5    8    6    8    28

 

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To date, the company has financed its vessel commitment programs from its current cash balances, its operating cash flow, its $300 million senior unsecured notes, its revolving credit facility and various capitalized and operating lease arrangements. Of the total $1.2 billion of capital commitments for vessels currently under construction the company has expended $310.8 million as of June 30, 2008.

Interest and Debt Costs

The company is capitalizing a portion of its interest costs incurred on borrowed funds used to construct vessels. Interest and debt costs incurred, net of $3.4 million interest capitalized for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, was approximately $0.3 million. Interest and debt costs, net of $2.1 million interest capitalized for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, was approximately $2.8 million.

Total interest and debt costs incurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 was lower than the same period in fiscal 2008 because the relative-portion of interest cost capitalized during the quarter period ended June 30, 2008 was higher than the same period in fiscal 2008 due to an increase in the level of investments in the company’s new construction program during the comparative periods.

Other Liquidity Matters

Vessel Construction. The company’s vessel construction program has been designed to, over time, replace the company’s aging fleet of vessels with fewer, larger and more efficient vessels and to opportunistically expand the size and capabilities of the company’s fleet. The majority of the company’s older vessels, its supply and towing-supply vessels, were constructed between 1976 and 1983. As such, most vessels of this class exceed 25 years of age and are candidates for replacement within the next several years, depending on the strength of the market during this time frame. In addition to age, market conditions also help determine when a vessel is no longer economically viable. The company anticipates using future operating cash flows, existing borrowing capacity or new borrowings or lease arrangements to fund this fleet renewal and modernization program over the next several years. The company believes that it has sufficient financial capacity to support a $1.0 billion annual investment in acquiring or building new vessels for the intermediate term, assuming customer demand, acquisition and shipyard economics and other considerations justify such an investment. The company stays in regular contact with its historical sources of capital and liquidity and monitors most other capital markets on an on-going basis. The company believes that adequate capital and liquidity will be available to fund the continuation of its fleet replacement program, although given constraints in the debt and capital markets, the terms and pricing of such capital or borrowings may not be as advantageous as the company has enjoyed historically.

The company has recently experienced some delays in the expected deliveries of equipment for vessels under construction (as has the offshore supply vessel industry in general). Further delays are possible. Certain of the company’s vessels under construction are committed to work under customer contracts that provide for the payment of liquidated damages by the company or its subsidiaries in certain cases of late delivery. Delays in the expected deliveries of any of these vessels could result in penalties being imposed by our customers. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these penalties, will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund. Certain current and former subsidiaries of the company are, or have been, participating employers in an industry-wide multi-employer retirement fund in the United Kingdom, the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF). The company has been informed of a fund deficit that will require contributions from the participating employers. Substantially all of the fund’s deficit allocable to the company relates to current operating subsidiaries. The amount of the company’s share of the fund’s deficit will depend ultimately on a number of factors including an updated calculation of the total fund deficit, the number of participating employers, and the final method used in allocating the required contribution among participating employers. At June 30, 2008, $5.1 million remains payable to MNOPF in additional contributions, which is fully accrued. In the future the fund’s trustee may claim that the company owes additional amounts for various reasons, including the results of the future fund valuation reports and whether other assessed parties have the financial capability to contribute to the respective allocations.

 

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Legal Proceedings. Various legal proceedings and claims are outstanding which arose in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Internal Investigation

A full discussion on the company’s internal investigation on its Nigerian operations is contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In March 2006, the company entered into an agreement to sell five of its vessels that were under construction at the time to Banc of America Leasing & Capital LLC (BOAL&C), an unrelated third party, for $76.5 million and simultaneously enter into bareboat charter arrangements with BOAL&C upon the vessels’ delivery to the market. Construction on these five vessels was completed at various times between March 2006 and March 2008, at which time the company sold the respective vessel and simultaneously entered into bareboat charter arrangement.

The company accounted for all five transactions as sale/leaseback transactions with operating lease treatment. Accordingly, the company did not record the assets on its books and the company is expensing periodic lease payments. The company expensed $1.7 million and $0.8 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The charter hire operating lease terms on the first two vessels sold to BOAL&C expire in calendar year 2014. The company has the option to extend the respective charter hire operating leases three times, each for a period of 12 months, which would provide the company the opportunity to extend the operating leases through calendar year 2017. The charter hire operating lease terms on the third and fourth vessels sold to BOAL&C expire in 2015 and the company has the option to extend the charter hire operating leases three times, each for a period of 12 months, which would provide the company the opportunity to extend the operating leases through calendar year 2018. The charter hire operating lease terms on the fifth vessel sold to BOAL&C expires in 2016 and the company has the option to extend the charter hire operating leases three times, each for a period of 12 months, which would provide the company the opportunity to extend the operating leases through calendar year 2019.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2008, describes the accounting policies that are critical to reporting the company’s financial position and operating results and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the discussion contained in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, regarding these critical accounting policies.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. In such evaluation, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by an asset group are compared to the carrying amount of the asset group to determine if a write-down may be required. The company estimates cash flows based upon historical data adjusted for the company’s best estimate of future market performance that is based on industry trends. If impairment exists, the carrying value of the asset group is reduced to its estimated fair value. Vessels with similar operating and marketing characteristics are grouped for asset impairment testing.

Although the company believes its assumptions and estimates are reasonable, deviations from the assumptions and estimates could produce materially different results. Management estimates may vary

 

- 27 -


considerably from actual outcomes due to future adverse market conditions or poor operating results that could result in the inability to recover the current carrying value of an asset group, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. As the company’s fleet continues to age, management closely monitors the estimates and assumptions used in the impairment analysis to properly identify evolving trends and changes in market conditions that could impact the results of the impairment evaluation.

In addition to the periodic review of long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances warrant, the company also performs a review of its stacked vessels and vessels withdrawn from service every six months. This review considers items such as the vessel’s age, length of time stacked and likelihood of a return to active service, among others. The company records an impairment charge when the carrying value of a vessel withdrawn from service or stacked vessel that is unlikely to return to service exceeds its estimated fair value.

Effects of Inflation

Day-to-day operating costs are generally affected by inflation. However, because the energy services industry requires specialized goods and services, general economic inflationary trends may not affect the company’s operating costs. The major impact on operating costs is the level of offshore exploration, development and production spending by energy exploration and production companies. As the spending increases, prices of goods and services used by the energy industry and the energy services industry will increase. Future increases in vessel day rates may shield the company from the inflationary effects on operating costs.

Due to the increase in business activity resulting from strong global oil and gas fundamentals, the competitive market for experienced crew personnel has exerted upward pressure on wages in the labor markets which increased the company’s operating expenses.

In addition, strong fundamentals have also increased the activity levels at shipyards worldwide, which led to increased pricing for both repair work and new construction work at shipyards. Also, the commodity price of steel has increased dramatically due to increased worldwide demand for the metal. The price of steel is high by historical standards and although prices moderated some since calendar year 2005, availability of iron ore, the main component of steel, is tighter today than in 2005 when prices for iron ore increased dramatically. If the price of steel continues to rise, the cost of new vessels will result in higher capital expenditures and depreciation expenses which will reduce the company’s future operating profits, unless day rates increase commensurately.

Environmental Matters

During the ordinary course of business, the company’s operations are subject to a wide variety of environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with existing governmental regulations that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment has not had, nor is expected to have, a material effect on the company. Further, the company is involved in various legal proceedings that relate to asbestos and other environmental matters. In the opinion of management, based on current information, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The company is proactive in establishing policies and operating procedures for safeguarding the environment against any hazardous materials aboard its vessels and at shore base locations. Whenever possible, hazardous materials are maintained or transferred in confined areas in an attempt to ensure containment if accidents occur. In addition, the company has established operating policies that are intended to increase awareness of actions that may harm the environment.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk refers to the potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices including the correlation among these factors and their volatility. The company is primarily exposed to interest rate risk and foreign currency fluctuations and exchange risk.

 

- 28 -


Interest Rate Risk. Changes in interest rates may result in changes in the fair market value of the company’s financial instruments, interest income and interest expense. The company’s financial instruments that are exposed to interest rate risk are its cash equivalents and long-term borrowings. Due to the short duration and conservative nature of the cash equivalent investment portfolio, the company does not expect any material loss with respect to its investments. The book value for cash equivalents is considered to be representative of its fair value.

At June 30, 2008, the company had $300.0 million of debt outstanding which represents senior unsecured notes that were issued on July 8, 2003. The multiple series of notes with maturities ranging from 7 years to 12 years have an average outstanding life to maturity of 9.5 years and can be retired prior to maturity without penalty. The weighted average interest rate on the notes is 4.35%. The fair value of this debt at June 30, 2008 was estimated to be $283.0 million. Because the debt outstanding at June 30, 2008 bears interest at fixed rates, interest expense would not be impacted by changes in market interest rates. A 100 basis-point increase in market interest rates would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of this debt at June 30, 2008 of approximately $11.1 million and a 100 basis-point decrease in market interest rates would result in an increase in the estimated fair value of this debt at June 30, 2008 of approximately $11.7 million.

Foreign Exchange Risk. The company’s financial instruments that can be affected by foreign currency fluctuations and exchange risks consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company periodically enters into spot and forward derivative financial instruments as a hedge against foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and currency commitments. Spot derivative financial instruments are short-term in nature and settle within two business days. The fair value approximates the carrying value due to the short-term nature of this instrument, and as a result, no gains or losses are recognized. Forward derivative financial instruments are generally longer-term in nature but generally do not exceed one year. The accounting for gains or losses on forward contracts is dependent on the nature of the risk being hedged and the effectiveness of the hedge. The company enters into derivative instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet its risk management objectives and does not use derivative contracts for speculative purposes.

The company had no spot contracts outstanding at June 30, 2008.

At June 30, 2008, the company had one Singapore Dollar forward contract outstanding totaling $12.0 million that hedged the company’s foreign exchange exposure relating to the final payment of one of its capital lease obligations. The company will make its payment in Singapore dollars and purchased a foreign currency hedge to limit possible currency fluctuations on the remaining commitment which totals a current U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $11.0 million. The company also had five Euro forward contracts outstanding at June 30, 2008 totaling $2.0 million that hedged the company’s foreign exchange exposure relating to the construction commitment of two crewboats at an international shipyard that totaled a U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $3.4 million. At June 30, 2008, the combined change in fair value of these six forward contracts was approximately $0.4 million, of which $0.1 million was recorded as an increase to earnings during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, because the forward contracts do not qualify as hedge instruments. All changes in fair value of the forward contracts are recorded in earnings.

Because of its significant international operations, the company is exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange risk on all charter hire contracts denominated in foreign currencies. The company does not hedge against any foreign currency rate fluctuations associated with foreign currency contracts that arise in the normal course of business. To minimize the financial impact of these items the company attempts to contract a significant majority of its services in United States dollars. The company continually monitors the currency exchange risks associated with all contracts not denominated in U.S. dollars.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

CEO and CFO Certificates

Included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “Certifications” of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The first form of certification is required in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This section of the Quarterly Report contains the information concerning the

 

- 29 -


controls evaluation referred to in the Section 302 Certifications and this information should be read in conjunction with the Section 302 Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘Exchange Act”)) are designed with the objective of ensuring that all information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive and chief financial officers, or person performing similar functions, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The company evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer along with the company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of June 30, 2008 the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be disclosed in the reports the company files and submits under the Exchange Act.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Various legal proceedings and claims are outstanding which arose in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30, 2008.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In July 2007, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions, which program the Board expanded by an additional $50.0 million on January 31, 2008. The Board of Directors’ authorization for this repurchase program expired on June 30, 2008. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, the company expended $53.6 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 915,900 common shares, or an average price paid per common share of $58.56. From inception of the July 2007 authorized program through its conclusion on June 30, 2008, the company used $250.0 million for the repurchase and cancellation of 4,502,100 common shares, at an average price paid per common share of $55.53.

In July 2008, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the company to use up to $200.0 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in open-market or privately-negotiated transactions. The company would use its available cash and, when considered advantageous, borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund any share repurchases. The repurchase program will end on the earlier of the date that all authorized funds have been expended or June 30, 2009, unless extended by the Board of Directors.

The following table summarizes the stock repurchase activity for the three months ended June 30, 2008 purchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program:

 

     Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Program
   Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program

April 1, 2008 – April 30, 2008

      $       $ 53,637,555

May 1, 2008 - May 31, 2008

   915,900      58.56    915,900      3,679

June 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

               
                   

Total

   915,900    $ 58.56    915,900   
                   

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The information required by this Item 6 is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

TIDEWATER INC.

   

(Registrant)

Date: August 1, 2008

   

/s/ Dean E. Taylor

   

Dean E. Taylor

   

Chairman of the Board, President and

   

Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 1, 2008

   

/s/ J. Keith Lousteau

   

J. Keith Lousteau

   

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 1, 2008

   

/s/ Craig J. Demarest

   

Craig J. Demarest

   

Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer and Controller

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10*   Consulting Agreement by and between Tidewater Inc. and J. Keith Lousteau entered into as of July 7, 2008.
15*   Letter re Unaudited Interim Financial Information
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Filed herewith
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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