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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 27, 2005
Registration No. 333-120521
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 3 to
Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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4499 |
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76-0526032 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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10111 Richmond Ave.
Suite 340, Houston, TX 77042
(713)-963-9522
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive
offices) |
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Edward A. Guthrie
Executive Vice President
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
10111 Richmond Ave.
Suite 340
Houston, TX 77042
(713)-963-9522
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number,
including area code, of agent for service) |
Copy to:
W. Garney Griggs, Esq.
Strasburger & Price, LLP
1401 McKinney, Suite 2200
Houston, Texas 77010-4035
(713) 951-5600
Approximate date of
commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
If the securities being registered
on this form are being offered in connection with the formation
of a holding company and there is compliance with General
Instruction G, check the following
box. o
If this Form is filed to register
additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective
amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same
offering. o
The Registrant hereby amends
this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on
such date as the commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We are filing this Amendment No. 3 to our registration
statement on Form S-4, file no. 333-120521, in
response to comments from the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We are also filing this Amendment No. 3 to
include year end financial, segment and other current
information as well as our related Management Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.
Included in this filing are the list of exhibits pursuant to
Item 21 of Part II and the signature page.
Additionally, we are updating the Form S-4 to include:
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updated information regarding recent developments, |
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information regarding an option on one of our vessels, |
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information on amendments to our existing Credit Facility and
new acquisition credit facility, |
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updates to our markets and business activities, |
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information regarding: (i) additional material weaknesses
in internal controls identified during the period ended
December 31, 2004, (ii) our managements report
on internal control over financial reporting and (iii) our
independent registered public accounting firms assessment
of our managements report, and |
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information about liquidated damages we are paying on the Old
Notes until this registration statement becomes effective. |
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With the exception of the foregoing, and minor wording changes
and correction of rounding errors, no other information in our
Form S-4, file no. 333-120521 has been supplemented,
updated or amended.
This registration statement covers the registration of an
aggregate principal amount of $160,000,000 of our
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014, or the Exchange Notes, that may be
exchanged for equal principal amounts of our outstanding
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014, or the Old Notes. The complete prospectus
relating to the exchange offer, or the Exchange Offer
Prospectus, follows immediately after this explanatory note.
This registration statement also covers the registration of the
Exchange Notes for resale by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its
affiliates in market-making transactions. Following the Exchange
Offer Prospectus are certain pages of the prospectus relating
solely to such market-making transactions by Lehman Brothers
Inc. and its affiliates, or the Market-Making Prospectus,
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including alternate pages or sections for: |
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front and back cover pages and the table of contents, |
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Summary Summary Information About Our Exchange
Offer Use of Proceeds, |
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lead into the Risk Factors and Risk
Factors Risks Relating to the Exchange
Offer If you do not exchange your Old Notes, they
may be difficult to resell, which section will instead
read Risk Factors Risk Relating to the Notes and
Offering There may not be a liquid market for the
notes, and you may not be able to sell your notes at attractive
prices or at all, |
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Use of Proceeds, |
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Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences, and |
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Plan of Distribution. |
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excluding the following captions (and the information set forth
under such captions) in the Exchange Offer Prospectus: |
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Purpose of this Prospectus, |
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Summary Summary Information About Our Exchange
Offer, and |
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About Our Exchange Offer. |
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All other sections of the Exchange Offer Prospectus will be
included in the Market-Making Prospectus. |
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Information
contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted
prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of
these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation,
or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification
under the securities laws of any such
state.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
APRIL 27, 2005
PROSPECTUS
Offer to Exchange
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 (the Exchange Notes)
for all
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 (the Old Notes)
($160,000,000 principal amount outstanding)
The exchange offer expires at
5:00 p.m., New York City Time,
on , ,
unless we extend it.
We do not intend to list the
Exchange Notes on any national securities exchange, and we
cannot assure you that there will be a public market for the
Exchange Notes. The Exchange Notes are eligible for trading in
the Private Offering, Resales and Trading Automated Linkages
(PORTALsm)
Market.
You should carefully
consider the risk factors beginning on page 14.
Neither the SEC nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus
is ,
2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only upon the information contained in this
prospectus, the exhibits to which we refer you, and documents we
incorporate herein by reference. We have not authorized any
other person to provide you with different information. If
anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information,
you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell
these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is
not permitted. You should assume the information appearing in
this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front
cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since that
date.
We are not making any representation to any purchaser of the
Exchange Notes regarding the legality of an investment in the
Exchange Notes under any legal investment or similar laws or
regulations. You should not consider any information in this
prospectus to be legal, business or tax advice. You should
consult your own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor for
legal, business and tax advice regarding an investment in the
Exchange Notes. We have summarized certain documents and other
information in a manner we believe to be accurate, but we refer
you to the actual document for a more complete understanding of
what we discuss in this prospectus.
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PURPOSE OF THIS PROSPECTUS
We are using this prospectus to offer to exchange our Exchange
Notes described below, for our Old Notes, which are described
below. We are making this offer, which we call our exchange
offer, to the beneficial owners of our Old Notes. The terms of
our Exchange Notes are the same as that of our Old Notes, except
that our Exchange Notes will not be subject to restrictions on
transfer that apply to our Old Notes.
Our Old Notes are our
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 sold on July 21, 2004, which are
being exchanged pursuant to this exchange offer for our new
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014, or the Exchange Notes.
In addition, certain broker-dealers are permitted to use this
prospectus as we describe under Plan of Distribution.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
Industry and market data used throughout this prospectus were
obtained through company research, surveys and studies conducted
by third parties and industry and general publications. We have
not independently verified market and industry data from
third-party sources. While we believe this information is
reliable and market definitions are appropriate, none of the
research, surveys and studies or these definitions has been
verified by any independent sources.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference
herein contain statements that are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act.
Such forward-looking statements typically include words or
phrases such as anticipate, estimate,
projects, believes, and words or phrases
of similar import. Forward-looking statements and other
statements that are not historical facts concerning, among other
things, market conditions, the demand for marine support and
transportation services and future capital expenditures, are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
including without limitation, operational risk, dependence on
the oil and natural gas industry, delay or cost overruns on
construction projects, ongoing capital expenditure requirements,
uncertainties surrounding environmental and government
regulation, risk relating to leverage, risks of foreign
operations, risk of war, sabotage or terrorism, assumptions
concerning competition, and risks of currency fluctuations and
other matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions
and analyses made by us in light of our experience and
perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate
under the circumstances. Such statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed above,
general economic and business conditions, the business
opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by us,
changes in law or regulations and other factors, many of which
are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we have
accurately identified and properly weighed all of the factors
which affect market conditions and demand for our vessels, that
the information upon which we have relied is accurate or
complete, that our analysis of the market and demand for our
vessels is correct or that the strategy based on such analysis
will be successful.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of
this prospectus or the document in which it appears and we
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information about GulfMark and
the notes offered by this prospectus. This summary is not
complete and does not contain all the information that is
important to you. To understand the offer of Exchange Notes
fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of
the Exchange Notes, you should carefully read the entire
prospectus, especially the risk of investing in the Exchange
Notes discussed under Risk Factors. Unless the
context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to
GulfMark, we, us and
our refers to GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. See Glossary of Selected Industry
Terms for the definition of certain industry terminology
used in this prospectus.
Our Company
Overview
We are a premier provider of marine support and transportation
services to companies involved in the offshore exploration and
production of oil and natural gas. Our fleet of vessels provides
various services that support the ongoing operation and
construction of offshore oil and natural gas facilities and
drilling rigs, including the transportation of materials,
supplies and personnel, and the positioning of drilling
structures. We conduct a majority of our operations in the North
Sea, with the balance in offshore Southeast Asia and Brazil.
Periodically, we contract vessels into other regions to meet our
customers requirements. As of March 31, 2005, we
owned 47 vessels and managed seven vessels for other owners.
We operate the following operating segments: the North Sea,
Southeast Asia and the Americas. Our chief operating decision
maker regularly reviews financial information about each of
these operating segments in deciding how to allocate resources
and evaluate performance. The business within each of these
geographic regions has similar economic characteristics,
services, distribution methods and regulatory concerns. All of
the operating segments are considered reportable segments under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS,
No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information. For financial information about
our operating segments and geographic areas, see
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operation Segment
Results and Note (9) to our Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The size, diversity and technologically advanced nature of our
fleet enables us to provide offshore exploration and production
operators with a broad range of offshore marine services in all
major markets. Our fleet has grown in size and capability, from
an original 11 vessels in 1990 to our present number of 54
vessels, through strategic acquisitions and new construction of
technologically advanced vessels. Presently, we have 34 vessels
in the North Sea, ten vessels in Southeast Asia, five vessels in
Brazil, two vessels in India, one in West Africa and two vessels
mobilizing to Mexico. We believe our fleet is among the youngest
in the industry with a current overall approximate average age
of 14 years and approximately 11 years in our North
Sea based fleet.
GulfMark Offshore, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was organized
in 1996. Our principal office is located at 10111 Richmond Ave.,
Suite 340, Houston, TX 77042 and our phone number is
(713) 963-9522. Our internet address is
www.gulfmark.com. Information on our website is not a
part of this prospectus.
Offshore Marine Services Industry
Our customers employ our vessels to provide services supporting
the construction, positioning and ongoing operation of offshore
oil and natural gas drilling rigs and platforms. This industry
employs various types of vessels, referred to broadly as
offshore support vessels, or OSVs, that are used to transport
materials, supplies and personnel and to position drilling
structures. Offshore marine services providers are employed by
companies that are engaged in the offshore exploration and
production of oil and natural gas and related services. Services
provided by companies in this industry are performed in numerous
locations
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worldwide. The North Sea, offshore Southeast Asia, offshore West
Africa, offshore Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico are each major
markets that employ a large number of vessels. Vessel usage is
also significant in other international markets, including
India, Australia, Trinidad, the Persian Gulf and the
Mediterranean Sea. The industry is relatively fragmented, with
more than 20 major participants and numerous small regional
competitors.
Our Business Strategy
Our goal is to enhance our position as a premier provider of
offshore marine services in international markets by achieving
higher vessel utilization rates, relatively stable growth rates
and returns on investments that are superior to those of our
competitors. Key elements in implementing our strategy include:
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Developing and maintaining a large, modern, diversified
and technologically advanced fleet |
Our fleet size, location and profile allow us to provide a full
range of services to our customers from platform supply work to
specialized floating, production, storage and offloading, or
FPSO, support, including anchor handling and remotely operated
vehicle, or ROV, operations. We regularly upgrade our fleet to
improve capability, reliability and customer satisfaction. We
also seek to take advantage of attractive opportunities to
acquire or build new vessels to expand our fleet. We took
delivery of nine newbuild vessels between 2001 and 2003, one in
2004, acquired a vessel in December 2004 and have two newbuild
vessels that delivered in the first quarter of 2005. We believe
our relatively young fleet allows for less downtime, resulting
in more dependable operations for both our customers and us. Our
relatively young fleet requires less maintenance and
refurbishment work during required drydockings than older
fleets, which allows us to minimize downtime and maintenance
capital expenditures.
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Enhancing fleet utilization through development of
specialty applications for our vessels |
We operate some of the most technologically advanced vessels
available. Our highly efficient, multiple use vessels provide
our customers maximum flexibility and are constructed with
design elements such as dynamic positioning, firefighting, moon
pools, and ROV handling and oil spill response capabilities. In
addition, we design and equip newbuild vessels specifically to
customer needs. In March 2005, we took delivery of two vessels
that were built to customer specifications for long-term
contracts.
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Focusing on attractive international markets |
We have elected to conduct our current operations in the North
Sea and offshore Southeast Asia and Americas markets because we
believe there are higher barriers to entry, lower volatility of
day rates and greater potential for increasing day rates in
those markets than in other markets. Furthermore, our operating
experience in these markets has enabled us to anticipate and
profitably respond to trends in these markets, such as the
increasing demand for multi-function vessels met by our recent
additions to our North Sea fleet. In addition, we have the
capacity, under appropriate market conditions, to alter the
geographic focus of our operations to a limited degree by
shifting vessels between our existing markets and by entering
new ones as they develop economically and become more profitable.
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Managing our risk profile through chartering
arrangements |
We utilize various contractual arrangements in our fleet
operations, including long-term charters, short-term charters,
sharing arrangements and vessel pools. Sharing arrangements
provide us and our customers the opportunity to benefit from
rising charter rates by subchartering the contracted vessels to
third parties at prevailing market rates during any downtime in
the customers operations. We operate and participate in
pooling arrangements where vessels of similar specifications
enter into a marketing alliance. We believe these contractual
arrangements help us reduce volatility in both day rates and
vessel utilization and are beneficial to our customers.
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Recent Developments
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New Vessel Construction Program |
In March 2005 we received delivery of two newbuild vessels, both
for long-term contracts in Mexico. These vessels cost a total of
approximately $22 million, substantially all of which has
been paid.
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New Acquisition Credit Facility and Amendments to Credit
Facility |
On December 23, 2004 we entered into an acquisition credit
facility agreement, or acquisition facility, for a $50,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility among Gulf Offshore
N.S. Limited, our U.K. wholly-owned subsidiary, Nordea Bank
Norge ASA, as Arranger; and Nordea Bank Finland Plc, as Facility
Agent & Security Trustee. This facility is secured by eight
vessels and is limited to the financing of the acquisition of
offshore supply vessels and other related assets in the offshore
support industry. In order to allow us to enter into the
facility agreement, we requested an amendment to the negative
pledge covenant under our senior Credit Facility, which was
approved by the lenders under the Credit Facility. Additionally,
we requested an amendment to one of the financial covenants to
our Credit Facility, which reduced the EBITDA to Interest
coverage ratio for the period September 30, 2004 through
September 30, 2005. Both amendments to the Credit Facility
were approved and formally documented on November 17, 2004.
Additional amendments were made on March 22, 2005 and
March 24, 2005. Our acquisition facility was amended on
January 28, 2005 and March 24, 2005 and includes a
commitment fee of one-half of the margin on any undrawn portion
of the available facility.
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Issues Relating to Controls and Procedures |
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Period Ended as of December 31, 2004 |
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Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SECs rules and forms, and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of
the end of December 31, 2004. As described below, we have
identified material weaknesses in our internal control over
financial reporting. As a result of these material weaknesses,
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that, as of December 31, 2004, our disclosure
controls and procedures were not effective.
In light of these material weaknesses, in preparing its
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, we performed additional analyses and
other post-closing procedures in an effort to ensure that our
consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004 were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLPs report,
dated March 31, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on
our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, during the
first quarter of 2005, we began to implement additional controls
and procedures, as discussed below, that are intended to
remediate the material weaknesses that existed as of
December 31, 2004.
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Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting |
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004,
and in making this assessment, used the criteria set forth by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Based on this assessment,
management identified three material weaknesses as of
December 31, 2004. A material weakness is a control
deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results
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likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim
financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
A material weakness was identified related to the financial
statement close process, including insufficient controls over
properly analyzing and reconciling intercompany accounts,
maintaining appropriate support and analyses of certain
non-routine accruals, properly analyzing certain deferred cost
accounts, and properly assessing the accounting and reporting
implications related to new contractual agreements. Management
identified a second material weakness related to the accounting
for the effects of foreign currencies, including insufficient
controls over the analysis of the foreign currency translation
and transaction impact of intercompany amounts, as well as
amounts owed to third parties denominated in non-functional
currencies. A third material weakness was identified by
management related to accounting for income taxes associated
with new international operations, including insufficient
controls over the proper identification and application of the
relevant Brazilian tax rules to the calculation of the tax
provision of our new Brazilian operations. Our lack of adequate
accounting and tax resources, in terms of size, technical
expertise and institutional knowledge (due to unusually high
levels of personnel turnover in the finance and accounting
organization) to address certain of the financial and tax
reporting aspects of our multi-national operations, was the
underlying cause of these material weaknesses.
As a result of these material weaknesses, we recorded
adjustments prior to the issuance of our 2004 consolidated
financial statements. The adjustments primarily affected
non-routine accruals, deferred cost accounts, the measurement of
the foreign currency translation and transaction impact of
intercompany accounts, deferred taxes and the tax provision
related to our new Brazilian operations, including, as
applicable, the corresponding income statement accounts.
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Remediation of the Material Weaknesses in Internal Control
over Financial Reporting. |
To remediate these material weaknesses, in the first quarter of
2005, our management began to implement a remediation program,
including the establishment of additional controls, that is
intended to strengthen our internal controls over financial
reporting generally and to specifically address the identified
material weaknesses. This program and the enhanced controls
currently include:
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Financial statement close process. We have enhanced our
corporate accounting function by creating and filling several
new positions, including those of Accounting Manager and
Assistant Controller-Financial Reporting, to provide greater
review and analysis of financial results at both the corporate
and subsidiary levels. In addition, the newly hired staff also
bring experience in international financial statement
preparation, as well as skills related to the review and
analysis of complex accounting transactions in large
multi-national companies. We also hired an outside consultant
to, among other things, evaluate and assist us in establishing
improved controls over the process associated with intercompany
transactions. The consultant will assist in the training of the
new and existing personnel in the execution of the controls and
processes so established. |
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Translation and transaction effects of foreign currency
exchange. We have engaged an outside consultant to analyze
the foreign currency impact of our intercompany and third party
transactions. In addition, the consultant will also train our
staff to identify, segregate, analyze and measure the foreign
currency impact on these transactions in the future. We are also
in the process of reviewing the capability of our system to
automate the calculation and recording of foreign currency
effects at the transaction level. These steps will enable the
appropriate measurement of the foreign currency translation and
transaction impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
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Taxes related to new Brazilian operations. We have hired
a Corporate Tax Manager, an individual that has over ten years
experience with an accounting firm, separate from our
independent registered public accounting firm, in international
tax matters with a variety of multi-national clients. This
individual will analyze and monitor the related taxes in all the
taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. We have in the past
used, and we intend to continue to use, third-party tax service
providers for the more complex areas of our income tax
accounting. The addition to the |
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staff will enable an appropriate level of research, analysis and
review of complex international tax issues related to our
existing and future tax jurisdictions. |
We will continue to assess the adequacy of our finance and
accounting organization, both in terms of size and US GAAP and
tax expertise, in the future.
Management believes that these actions and resulting improvement
in controls will generally strengthen our disclosure controls
and procedures, as well as our internal control over financial
reporting, and will, over time, address the material weaknesses
that we identified in our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2004. However, because many of
the remedial actions we have undertaken are very recent and
because they relate, in large part, to the hiring of additional
personnel and many of the controls in our system of internal
controls rely extensively on manual review and approval, the
successful operation of these controls for, at least, several
fiscal quarters will likely be required prior to management
being able to conclude that the material weaknesses have been
eliminated.
To date, we estimate that these remedial steps relating to the
material weaknesses identified for the period ended
December 31, 2004 have cost us approximately
$300,000 in out-of-pocket costs, excluding the reallocation
of internal resources. We expect that we will spend
approximately $150,000 more to remediate these issues,
excluding the reallocation of internal resources.
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Report of our Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm |
Our independent registered public accounting firm audited
managements assessment that we did not maintain effective
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004, because of the effect of the three
material weaknesses identified in managements assessment.
Our independent registered public accounting firm considered
that these material weaknesses could result in a material
misstatement to our annual or interim consolidated financial
statements that would not be prevented or detected. These
material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature,
timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our independent
registered public accounting firms audit of our 2004
financial statements, but their report on our managements
assessment of internal controls did not affect our independent
registered public accounting firms report dated
March 31, 2005 on our financial statements.
In the opinion of our independent registered public accounting
firm, our assessment that we did not maintain effective internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004,
was fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO
control criteria. Also, in our independent registered public
accounting firms opinion, because of the effect of the
material weaknesses described above on the achievement of the
objectives of the control criteria, we did not maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004, based on the COSO control criteria.
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Period Ended as of September 30, 2004 |
During the review of our third quarter results, our independent
registered public accounting firm identified internal control
deficiencies related to the complexity of our multinational
operations. These deficiencies were considered by our
independent registered public accounting firm to be material
weaknesses, which, if not corrected, could result in a material
misstatement of our annual or interim financial results. Our
independent registered public accounting firm concluded that we
needed to evaluate our resources, processes and controls to
implement improvements in our internal controls surrounding our
financial statement close process. That conclusion was based on
several adjustments that were made in the course of their
quarterly review that, in their view, should have been
identified and resolved by us as part of the financial statement
close process.
The adjustments made in the third quarter 2004 involved:
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our foreign tax provision in Norway, |
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our allowance for bad debts, and |
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our accrued liabilities related to indirect labor costs in the
North Sea. |
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Our independent registered public accounting firm notified us
that in connection with these material weaknesses, we needed to
implement certain improvements to our financial statement close
process, specifically the evaluation of the related resources,
processes and controls.
In response to this notification, we have taken steps to improve
our financial statement close process, and have evaluated the
related resources, processes and controls as follows:
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|
Foreign Tax Provision. We have engaged an outside tax
advisor separate from our independent registered public
accounting firm to assist us with the tax considerations
resulting from our multinational operations. We have subscribed
to an online accounting research tool, which will be utilized to
research complex accounting issues. A part-time Assistant
Controller has been replaced with a full-time employee. With
these steps we began to remediate the deficiency in our foreign
tax provision close process. We will continue to take action to
remediate this deficiency, however, in light of the new material
weakness identified for the period ending December 31, 2004
relating to the deficiency identified for tax accounting related
to our new Brazilian operations. |
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for Bad Debts. We have developed a written
corporate policy regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts
receivables for significantly aged receivables that the Audit
Committee has approved and that we have implemented as of
December 31, 2004. This more formalized policy ensures
there is a critical review of our aged accounts receivable to
evaluate the collectibility of our receivables and to establish
appropriate allowances for bad debt. The newly adopted policy
formalizes a previous practice of reviewing each account
receivable that is six months old or more to determine whether,
under the facts and circumstances, an allowance for bad debt
should be established. In addition, the new policy, unlike
previous practice, mandates that a reserve for bad debt must be
established if an account receivable is outstanding a year or
more. The amount of such reserve to be established by management
is based on the facts and circumstances relating to the
particular customer. Our previous practice did not require that
a reserve for bad debt be established if an account receivable
was outstanding one year or more unless management believed it
was appropriate under the facts and circumstances. Since our
exposure to foreign government-owned and controlled oil
companies, as well as companies that provide logistics,
construction or other services to oil and gas companies, may
result in longer payment terms, management intends to continue
to meet with customers that have significant aged receivables to
assess the recovery of all receivables. We have implemented this
policy and believe the allowance for bad debt control deficiency
has been resolved. |
|
|
|
|
|
Indirect Labor Costs. The material weakness occurred as a
result of a lack of processes in place to reconcile accruals
against our actual indirect labor costs. We have revised our
processes to include a reconciliation of our accruals to actual
indirect labor costs incurred at the end of each reporting
period. These accruals will be reviewed and reconciled on an
on-going basis. We now believe the indirect labor cost control
deficiency has been resolved. |
|
We estimate that these remedial steps outlined above for the
material deficiencies identified in the third quarter cost us
approximately $100,000 in out-of-pocket costs, excluding the
reallocation of internal resources.
|
|
|
Limitations on Internal Controls |
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting to future periods are subject
to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate. See also
Business Internal Controls and
Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our
Business We have identified material weaknesses
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to the effectiveness of
our internal controls over financial reporting and we may
identify additional material weaknesses in the future.
6
|
|
|
Obligation to Pay Additional Interest on the Old
Notes |
Commencing April 18, 2005 we became obligated to pay
liquidated damages on the Old Notes because, while we believe we
used commercially reasonable efforts to cause this registration
statement to become effective within 270 days after the
issue date of the Old Notes, we did not become effective
until ,
2005, which was days after the
issue date of the Old Notes. As a result, we will owe liquidated
damages of an additional 0.50% per annum per $1,000 principal
amount for days, or
$ per
$1,000 principal amount. All accrued liquidated damages will be
paid on July 15, 2005, which is the next interest payment
date. See Description of the Exchange Notes
Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages.
Summary Information About the Exchange Notes
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. |
|
Exchange Notes Offered |
|
$160,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
73/4% Senior
Notes due 2014. |
|
Maturity Date |
|
July 15, 2014. |
|
|
Interest Payment Dates |
|
January 15 and July 15, commencing July 15, 2005. |
|
|
Subsidiary Guarantees |
|
The Exchange Notes will not initially be guaranteed by any of
our subsidiaries. Under certain circumstances, our obligations
under the notes may in the future be jointly and severally
guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by one or more of our
restricted subsidiaries. See Description of the Exchange
Notes Subsidiary Guarantees. |
|
Ranking |
|
The Exchange Notes will be our senior unsecured obligations. Our
operations are conducted solely through our subsidiaries and
none of our subsidiaries will initially guarantee the Exchange
Notes. Accordingly, the Exchange Notes will be: |
|
|
|
pari passu in right of payment to all of our
existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness; |
|
|
|
senior in right of payment to all of our existing
and future subordinated indebtedness that expressly provides for
its subordination to the Exchange Notes; |
|
|
|
effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness and liabilities, including trade payables, of our
subsidiaries; and |
|
|
|
effectively subordinated to all of our and our
subsidiaries secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of
the assets securing such indebtedness. |
|
|
|
|
After giving effect to the offering of the Old Notes and the use
of the net proceeds therefrom, as of December 31, 2004: |
|
|
|
|
|
we (including our subsidiaries) had approximately
$277.5 million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness
outstanding, excluding trade payables, accrued liabilities and
intercompany indebtedness; |
|
|
|
|
excluding trade payables, accrued liabilities and
intercompany indebtedness, our subsidiaries had on a
consolidated basis |
7
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|
|
|
|
approximately $118.2 million aggregate principal amount of
indebtedness outstanding, all of which was secured; and |
|
|
|
|
|
we had an additional $0.0 million and
$42 million available for borrowing on a secured basis
respectively under our Credit Facility and our Acquisition
Facility. |
|
|
Optional Redemption |
|
At any time before July 15, 2007, we may redeem up to 35%
of the Exchange Notes with net cash proceeds of certain equity
offerings, as long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the indenture
remains outstanding after the redemption. |
|
|
|
Prior to July 15, 2009, we may redeem all or part of the
Exchange Notes by paying a make-whole premium. At any time on or
after July 15, 2009, we may redeem some or all of the
Exchange Notes at the redemption prices set forth under
Description of the Exchange Notes Optional
Redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
liquidated damages, if any, to the date of redemption. See
Description of the Exchange Notes Optional
Redemption. |
|
Mandatory Redemption |
|
The Exchange Notes will not be mandatorily redeemable prior to
their maturity date. |
|
Mandatory Offer to Repurchase |
|
If we sell certain assets or experience specific kinds of
changes in control, we must offer to purchase the Exchange Notes
at the prices set forth under Description of the Exchange
Notes Repurchase at the Option of Holders,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any,
to the date of purchase. |
|
Certain Covenants |
|
We will issue the Exchange Notes under an indenture between us
and the trustee, that we entered into in connection with the
issuance of the Old Notes. The indenture (among other things)
limits our and our restricted subsidiaries ability to: |
|
|
|
incur or guarantee additional indebtedness and issue
preferred stock; |
|
|
|
pay dividends or make other distributions; |
|
|
|
create liens; |
|
|
|
sell assets; |
|
|
|
place restrictions on the ability of our restricted
subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us; |
|
|
|
engage in mergers or consolidations with other
entities; |
|
|
|
engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and |
|
|
|
make certain investments. |
|
|
|
Each of these covenants is subject to a number of important
exceptions and qualifications. See Description of the
Exchange Notes Certain Covenants. |
|
Denominations |
|
The Exchange Notes will be available for purchase in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof; provided that Exchange Notes available for |
8
|
|
|
|
|
purchase by accredited investors will be in minimum
denominations of $100,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. See Description of the Exchange
Notes Principal, Maturity and Interest. |
|
No Prior Market;
PORTALsm
Market Listing |
|
The Exchange Notes will be new securities for which there is
currently no market. Although the initial purchasers have
informed us that they intend to make a market in Exchange Notes,
they are not obligated to do so, and they may discontinue
market-making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot
assure you that a liquid market for the Exchange Notes will
develop or be maintained. We have agreed to seek to have the
Exchange Notes made eligible for trading on the
PORTALsm
Market. |
Summary Information About Our Exchange Offer
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. |
|
Background of Our Exchange Offer |
|
On July 21, 2004, we sold in a private offering
$160 million aggregate principal amount of Old Notes. At
that time we agreed to pay liquidated damages, if, among other
things, we did not: |
|
|
|
file a registration statement within 120 days
after the issue date of the Old Notes, enabling holders to
exchange the Old Notes for publicly registered Exchange Notes
with substantially identical terms; |
|
|
|
use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
registration statement to become effective within 270 days
after the issue date of the Old Notes; |
|
|
|
use all commercially reasonable efforts to
consummate the exchange offer within 30 business days of
the effective date of the registration statement; and |
|
|
|
file a shelf registration statement for the resale
of Old Notes if we cannot effect an exchange offer within the
time period listed above and in certain other circumstances. |
|
|
|
|
Liquidated damages began to accrue on April 18, 2005, and
will be paid on the next interest payment date. |
|
|
The Exchange Offer |
|
We are offering to exchange the Old Notes for an equal amount of
our Exchange Notes. |
|
Terms of Our Exchange Notes |
|
The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical to our Old Notes
except: |
|
|
|
We have registered with the SEC our issuance of the
Exchange Notes. For that reason the Exchange Notes will be free
from certain transfer restrictions that apply to the Old Notes. |
9
|
|
|
|
|
Our Old Notes require us to file SEC registration
statements and to pay specified penalties for delay. Our
Exchange Notes do not have these provisions. |
|
Transfer of Our Exchange Notes |
|
We believe that you may freely transfer Exchange Notes that you
receive in the exchange offer if: |
|
|
|
you acquire the Exchange Notes in the ordinary
course of your business, |
|
|
|
you are not participating in a public distribution
of the Exchange Notes, and |
|
|
|
you are not our affiliate, which means a person who
has or shares the power to control us. |
|
|
|
|
We will require you to make these representations to us if you
wish to participate in the exchange offer. |
|
|
|
|
If you are a broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for your
own account in exchange for Old Notes that you acquired in your
market- making or other trading activities, you must acknowledge
that you will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act when you resell the Exchange Notes. You may
use this prospectus to meet those requirements. You should read
the section entitled Plan of Distribution. |
|
Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
|
The exchange offer is subject only to the following conditions: |
|
|
|
the exchange offer must comply with applicable laws
or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; and |
|
|
|
we must not be involved in or threatened with a
judicial or administrative proceeding that would prevent us from
proceeding with the exchange offer. |
|
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes |
|
If you hold Old Notes through the Depository Trust Company, or
DTC, and wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must
comply with DTCs automated tender offer program
procedures. We believe that all but $200,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Old Notes are held through DTC. |
|
|
|
If you do not hold Old Notes through DTC and wish to participate
in this exchange offer, you must on or before the expiration
time: |
|
|
|
complete, sign and date the enclosed letter of
transmittal according to the instructions contained in this
prospectus and in the letter of transmittal; and |
|
|
|
deliver to our exchange agent the letter of
transmittal, the Old Notes, and any other document that is
required by the instructions in the letter of transmittal or by
the Indenture. |
|
Withdrawal Rights |
|
If you hold Old Notes through DTC, you must comply with
DTCs automated tender offer program system procedures to
withdraw Old Notes that you tender. If you do not hold Old Notes
through DTC, you may withdraw Old Notes that you tender by
delivering a notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent at any
time before the exchange offer expires. |
10
|
|
|
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences |
|
Generally, your exchange of Old Notes for Exchange Notes in the
exchange offer should not be a taxable event for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of Old Notes
for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer. |
Risk Factors
Investing in the notes involves substantial risk. You should
carefully consider all the information in this prospectus prior
to investing in the notes. In particular, we urge you to
consider carefully the factors set forth herein under Risk
Factors.
11
SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND
OTHER DATA
The summary historical financial information presented below,
for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2004, has been derived from our historical
consolidated financial statements. The information presented
should be read together with Selected Historical
Consolidated Financial Data, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and our consolidated financial statements
including the notes thereto incorporated by reference herein.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
133,919 |
|
|
$ |
129,900 |
|
|
$ |
139,312 |
|
Direct operating expenses
|
|
|
58,007 |
|
|
|
69,836 |
|
|
|
71,239 |
|
Drydock expense(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,966 |
|
Bareboat charter expense
|
|
|
9,287 |
|
|
|
6,505 |
|
|
|
1,410 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
10,027 |
|
|
|
10,801 |
|
|
|
15,666 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
21,414 |
|
|
|
28,031 |
|
|
|
26,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
35,184 |
|
|
|
14,727 |
|
|
|
15,894 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(12,149 |
) |
|
|
(12,988 |
) |
|
|
(17,243 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
1,211 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
23,961 |
|
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
2,678 |
|
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting
principle net of $773 related tax effect(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,309 |
) |
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
23,961 |
|
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
(4,631 |
) |
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(b)
|
|
$ |
56,598 |
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
|
$ |
42,031 |
|
Total vessels in fleet(c)
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Average number of owned or chartered vessels(d)
|
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
|
46.8 |
|
|
|
45.6 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(e)
|
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in | |
|
|
thousands) | |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
17,529 |
|
Total long-term debt, including current portion
|
|
|
277,516 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
316,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of
the change in accounting principle we adopted relating to
drydock expenditures effective January 1, 2004. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle, interest expense, interest
income, income tax (benefit) provision, debt refinancing costs,
and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated
by adjusting EBITDA for certain items that we believe are
non-cash or unusual, consisting of: (i) gain on sale of
assets; (ii) loss from unconsolidated ventures;
(iii) minority interest; and (iv) other (income)
expense, net. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of
financial performance under accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and
should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow data, a
measure of liquidity or an alternative to operating income or
net income as indicators of our operating performance or any
other measures of performance derived in |
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented
because we believe they are used by security analysts, investors
and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in
our industry. However, because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are
not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus
susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled
measures of other companies or comparable for other purposes. |
|
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the calculation of EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
23,961 |
|
|
$ |
534 |
|
|
$ |
(4,631 |
) |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,309 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
12,149 |
|
|
|
12,988 |
|
|
|
17,243 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
(1,211 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
(276 |
) |
Debt refinancing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,524 |
|
Income tax (benefit) provision
|
|
|
2,959 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
(6,476 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
21,414 |
|
|
|
28,031 |
|
|
|
26,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
59,272 |
|
|
|
41,507 |
|
|
|
45,830 |
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(2,282 |
) |
Other (income) expense, net(i)
|
|
|
(2,493 |
) |
|
|
1,267 |
|
|
|
(1,517 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
$ |
56,598 |
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
|
$ |
42,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Includes foreign currency transaction adjustments. |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Includes managed vessels in addition to those that are owned and
bareboat chartered at the end of the applicable period. |
|
|
(d) |
|
Average number of vessels is calculated based on the aggregate
number of vessel days available during each period divided by
the number of calendar days in such period. Includes owned and
bareboat chartered vessels only, and is adjusted for additions
and dispositions occurring during each period. |
|
(e) |
|
Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges are calculated by
dividing earnings by fixed charges for the period indicated,
where earnings is defined as consolidated income or
loss from continuing operations plus income taxes, minority
interest and fixed charges, except capitalized interest; and
fixed charges is defined as consolidated interest on
indebtedness, including capitalized interest, amortization of
debt discount and issuance cost, and the estimated portion of
rental expense deemed to be equivalent to interest. Because we
have no preferred stock issued and outstanding, dividends
relating to preferred stock are not included in the calculation
of fixed charges. |
13
RISK FACTORS
We are using this prospectus to make our exchange offer to the
holders of our Old Notes. Those holders have already made their
investment decision with respect to our notes, and the only
additional risk that affects them is the risks we describe under
Risk Relating to the Exchange Offer immediately
below. Any broker-dealer who receives Exchange Notes that we
offer by this prospectus in exchange for Old Notes held for its
own account, or who participates in any distribution of the
Exchange Notes that we offer by this prospectus, is permitted to
use this prospectus with respect to the broker-dealers
sale or other distribution of those Exchange Notes. See
Plan of Distribution. Purchasers of those notes will
be making a new investment decision and will be affected by all
of the risk factors that we describe below, other than those
described under Risk Relating to the Exchange Offer
immediately below.
You should carefully read this entire prospectus and should
carefully consider the risks described below.
Risk Relating to the Exchange Offer
|
|
|
If you do not exchange your Old Notes, they may be
difficult to resell. |
We issued our Old Notes in transactions that were not registered
with the SEC. For that reason, they are subject to transfer
restrictions. If you do not exchange your Old Notes for the
Exchange Notes offered by this prospectus, these restrictions
will continue to apply. Even if you are permitted to transfer
your Old Notes, it probably will be more difficult to find a
buyer for Old Notes at the same price that a person would pay
for the Exchange Notes offered by this prospectus because the
Exchange Notes do not have transfer restrictions. After the
exchange offer is over, we will have no further requirement to
exchange Old Notes for Exchange Notes.
Risks Relating to the Exchange Notes
|
|
|
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our
financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations
under the notes. |
We have now and, after this offering, will continue to have a
significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31,
2004, after giving effect to the offering of the Old Notes and
the use of proceeds therefrom, we had $277.5 million of
outstanding indebtedness and no borrowing capacity under our
Credit Facility. In December 2004, we entered into a new
$50.0 million credit acquisition facility, under which
$8.0 million is currently outstanding. In addition, we and
our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness
in the future. Although the indenture governing the notes, as
well as the agreements relating to our existing indebtedness,
contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional
indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of
significant qualifications and exceptions, which would allow us
to incur a substantial amount of additional indebtedness. Our
substantial indebtedness could:
|
|
|
|
|
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to payments in respect of our indebtedness,
thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund
working capital, capital expenditures, potential acquisition
opportunities and other general corporate purposes; |
|
|
|
increase the amount of interest expense that we have to pay,
because some of our borrowings are at variable rates of
interest, which, if interest rates increase, will result in
higher interest expense; |
|
|
|
increase our vulnerability to adverse general economic or
industry conditions; |
|
|
|
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business or the industry in which we operate; |
|
|
|
limit our ability to borrow additional funds; |
|
|
|
restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, introducing new
technologies or exploiting business opportunities; |
14
|
|
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|
|
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with
respect to the notes; and |
|
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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our
competitors that have less debt. |
Any additional indebtedness we incur will exacerbate the risks
described above. Also, the restrictions contained in the
indenture governing the notes do not prevent us from incurring
obligations unless those obligations constitute indebtedness as
defined in the Indenture.
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To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant
amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many
factors beyond our control. |
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our
indebtedness, including the Exchange Notes offered hereby, and
to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability
to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is
subject to general economic, financial, competitive,
legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our
control. See Risks Relating to Our Business.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient
cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be
available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our
indebtedness, including the Exchange Notes, or to fund our other
liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of
our indebtedness, including the notes, on or before maturity. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our
indebtedness, including our existing credit facilities and the
Exchange Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
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Our operations may be restricted by the terms of our debt,
which could adversely affect us and increase our credit
risk. |
The indenture governing the notes and agreements governing our
other indebtedness contain various covenants and restrictions
that limit our ability and certain of our subsidiaries
ability to, among other things:
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incur or guarantee additional indebtedness and issue preferred
stock; |
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pay dividends or make other distributions; |
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create liens; |
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sell assets; |
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place restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries
to pay dividends or make other distributions to us; |
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engage in mergers or consolidations with other entities; |
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engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and |
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make certain investments. |
In addition, our credit facilities contain covenants that
require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy
financial tests. As a result of these covenants and
restrictions, we are limited in how we conduct our business, and
we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing,
to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business
opportunities.
In September 2004 we sought and obtained approval to amend the
covenants. Although we were in compliance with the covenants
before the amendment, the amended covenants will provide for
additional flexibility under the existing loan agreement should
our results of operations not improve. In addition, in March
2005, we sought and obtained approval to amend the covenants for
the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 in
connection with the change in accounting for drydock costs which
we adopted effective January 1, 2004.
15
We cannot assure you that we will be able to remain in
compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to
do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders
and/or amend the covenants.
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Our subsidiaries are not guaranteeing the notes. The notes
will be effectively subordinated to all future liabilities and
claims of creditors of our subsidiaries which do not become
guarantors. |
We will initially be the sole obligor on the notes. Our
operations are conducted through, and substantially all of our
assets are owned by, our subsidiaries, most of which are
organized under foreign jurisdictions. As a result, we will be
dependent on the earnings and cash flow from such subsidiaries
to meet our obligations under the notes and to pay our general
expenses. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future liabilities, including trade payables, of
our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, and the claims
of creditors of those subsidiaries, including trade creditors,
will have priority as to the assets and cash flows of those
subsidiaries. This is so even if such liabilities do not
constitute senior indebtedness. At December 31, 2004, after
giving effect to the offering of the Old Notes and the use of
proceeds therefrom, our subsidiaries had approximately
$118.2 million of liabilities outstanding, excluding trade
payables, accrued liabilities and intercompany liabilities. They
may also incur significant liabilities in the future which would
be effectively senior to the notes.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization,
bankruptcy or other similar proceeding regarding our or our
subsidiaries assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, the
holders of our and our subsidiaries secured debt will be
entitled to receive payment before we can make any payment with
respect to the notes. In addition, our rights and our
creditors rights and the rights of holders of the notes to
realize upon the assets of any of our subsidiaries would rank
behind the claims of creditors (including trade creditors and
tort claimants) of those subsidiaries, except to the extent that
we may be a creditor with recognized claims against that
subsidiary and any preferred shareholders of that subsidiary. If
any of the foregoing events occurs, we cannot assure that we
will have sufficient assets to pay amounts due on our and our
subsidiaries indebtedness and the notes. As a result, you
may receive less than you are entitled to receive or recover
nothing if any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization,
bankruptcy or other similar proceeding occurs.
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The notes will be unsecured and effectively subordinated
to our existing and future secured debt. |
The notes are not secured by any of our assets or those of our
subsidiaries. Nineteen of our vessels are currently subject to
mortgages under our credit facilities. Holders of our secured
debt will have claims that are prior to your claims as holder of
the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing the
secured debt. The notes will be effectively subordinated to our
existing and future secured debt. If we become insolvent or
liquidated, or if payment under any of our secured indebtedness
is accelerated, the holders of that secured indebtedness will be
entitled to exercise the remedies available to a secured lender
under applicable law, in addition to any remedies that may be
available under documents pertaining to that secured
indebtedness. To the extent that the value of the collateral
securing any of our secured indebtedness is equal to or exceeds
the amount of that indebtedness, holders of the notes will be
effectively subordinated to the claims of the holders of that
secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets
securing such obligations. Giving effect to the offering of the
Old Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom, we had
$118.2 million of outstanding secured indebtedness as of
December 31, 2004.
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Because we are a holding company, we may have limited
access to the cash flow of our subsidiaries to service our
indebtedness. |
We conduct all of our business through our subsidiaries. Our
assets consist of all of the outstanding shares of our direct
subsidiaries, which in turn, directly or indirectly own
outstanding shares in our other operating subsidiaries.
Accordingly, our ability to service our debt, including making
payments of interest on the notes, will depend upon the ability
of our subsidiaries to make such funds available to us pursuant
to repayments of intercompany loans and interest or
distributions. We cannot assure you that the agreements
governing the current and future indebtedness of our
subsidiaries will permit our subsidiaries to
16
provide us with sufficient dividends, distributions or loans to
fund payments on these notes when due. See Description of
Other Indebtedness.
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We may not be able to fulfill our obligation to purchase
the notes upon a change of control and this obligation may
discourage a sale or takeover of us. |
Upon the occurrence of certain specific kinds of change of
control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase the
notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the outstanding
principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid
interest. A change of control is also a default under our Credit
Facility and our most recent acquisition facility. These change
of control features may make a sale or takeover more difficult
for us. There can be no assurance that we would have sufficient
assets or be able to obtain sufficient third party financing on
favorable terms to satisfy all our obligations upon a change of
control. If an offer to repurchase the notes is required to be
made and we do not have available sufficient funds to pay for
the notes or such a payment were to constitute an event of
default under our Credit Facility or our most recent acquisition
facility, an event of default would occur under the indenture.
The occurrence of an event of default could result in
acceleration of the maturity of other indebtedness and the
notes. See Description of the Exchange Notes.
Furthermore, these provisions would not necessarily afford
protection to holders of the notes in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction that does not result in a change of
control. See Description of the Exchange Notes
Repurchase at the Option of Holders Change of
Control.
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Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific
circumstances, to void guarantees and require note holders to
return payments received from guarantors. |
Although there are currently no subsidiary guarantees with
respect to the notes, our obligations under the notes may, under
certain circumstances, be guaranteed on a general unsecured
basis in the future by certain of our domestic subsidiaries.
Under the federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of
state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee could be voided, or
claims in respect of a guarantee could be subordinated to all
other debts of that guarantor if, among other things, the
guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by
its guarantee, received less than reasonably equivalent value or
fair consideration for the incurrence of such guarantee; and:
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was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such
incurrence; or |
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was engaged in a business or transaction for which the
guarantors remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital; or |
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intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they mature. |
In addition, any payment by that guarantor pursuant to its
guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the
guarantor, or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the
guarantor.
The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent
transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any
proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has
occurred. Generally, however, a guarantor would be considered
insolvent if:
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the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was
greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets; or |
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if the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than
the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability
on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they
become absolute and mature; or |
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it could not pay its debts as they become due. |
17
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There may not be a liquid market for the notes, and you
may not be able to sell your notes at attractive prices or at
all. |
Prior to this offering, there was no public market for the notes
and, although the notes are expected to be eligible for trading
in the
PORTALsm
Market, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will
develop for the notes. Future trading prices of the notes will
depend on many factors, including, among other things, our
ability to effect the exchange offer, prevailing interest rates
and interest rate volatility, our operating results and the
market for similar securities. Although the initial purchasers
have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in
the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue
their market-making activities at any time without notice. We do
not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities
exchange or automated quotation system. If an active market for
the notes fails to develop or be sustained, the trading price of
the notes could fall. Even if an active trading market were to
develop, the notes could trade at prices that may be lower than
the initial offering price.
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Many of the covenants contained in the indenture will
terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by both
Standard & Poors and Moodys. |
Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes will
terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by both
Standard and Poors Rating Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and Moodys Investor Services,
Inc., provided that at such time no default has occurred and is
continuing. The covenants that will terminate in such an event
restrict, among other things, our ability to incur or guarantee
indebtedness, pay dividends and enter into certain other
transactions. There can be no assurance that the notes will ever
be rated investment grade or, if they are rated investment
grade, that the notes will maintain such ratings. However,
termination of these covenants would allow us to engage in
certain transactions that would not be permitted while these
covenants were in force. See Description of the Exchange
Notes Certain Covenants Termination of
Certain Covenants.
Risks Relating to Our Business
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We rely on the oil and gas industry and volatile oil and
natural gas prices impact demand for our services. |
Demand for our services depends on activity in offshore oil and
natural gas exploration, development and production. The level
of exploration, development and production activity is affected
by factors such as:
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prevailing oil and natural gas prices, |
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expectations about future prices, |
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the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and
natural gas, |
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the sale and expiration dates of available offshore leases, |
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demand for petroleum products, |
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current availability of oil and natural gas resources, |
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the rate of discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves in
offshore areas, |
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local and international political and economic conditions, |
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technological advances, and |
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the ability of oil and natural gas companies to generate or
otherwise obtain funds for capital. |
During recent years, the level of offshore exploration,
development and production activity has been volatile. Even
during periods of high prices for oil and natural gas, oil and
natural gas companies may not increase their exploration and
development activities. A decline in the worldwide demand for
oil and natural gas or prolonged low oil or natural gas prices
in the future would likely result in reduced
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exploration and development of offshore areas and a decline in
the demand for offshore marine services. Any such decrease in
activity is likely to reduce our day rates and utilization rates
and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations. See
Business Offshore Marine Services Industry
Overview and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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An increase in a supply of offshore support vessels would
likely have a negative effect on charter rates for our vessels,
which could reduce our earnings. |
Charter rates for marine support vessels depend in part on the
supply of the vessels. Excess vessel capacity in the industry
may result from:
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constructing new vessels, |
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moving vessels from one offshore market area to another, or |
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converting vessels formerly dedicated to services other than
offshore marine services. |
In the last ten years, construction of vessels of the type
operated by us for use in the North Sea has significantly
increased. The addition of new capacity to the worldwide
offshore marine fleet is likely to increase competition in those
markets where we presently operate which, in turn, could reduce
day rates, utilization rates and operating margins. If this
increased vessel capacity does not result in the retirement of
older vessels, our financial condition and results of operations
may be adversely affected.
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Government regulation and environmental risks reduce our
business opportunities and increase our costs. |
We must comply with extensive government regulation in the form
of international conventions, federal and state laws and
regulations in jurisdictions where our vessels operate and are
registered. These conventions, laws and regulations govern:
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oil spills and other matters of environmental protection, |
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worker health, safety and training, |
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construction and operation of vessels, and |
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vessel and port security. |
We believe that we are in material compliance with the laws and
regulations to which we are subject. We are not a party to any
material pending regulatory litigation or other proceeding and
we are unaware of any threatened litigation or proceeding,
which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
However, the risks of incurring substantial compliance costs,
liabilities and penalties for noncompliance are inherent in
offshore marine services operations. Compliance with
environmental, health, safety and vessel and port security laws
increases our costs of doing business. Additionally,
environmental, health, safety and vessel and port security laws
change frequently. Therefore, we are unable to predict the
future costs or other future impact of environmental, health,
safety and vessel and port security laws on our operations.
There can be no assurance that we can avoid significant costs,
liabilities and penalties imposed on us as a result of
government regulation in the future. See
Business Environmental and Government
Regulation.
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We are subject to hazards customary for the operation of
vessels that could adversely affect our financial performance if
we are not adequately insured or indemnified. |
Our operations are subject to various operating hazards and
risks, including:
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catastrophic marine disaster, |
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adverse sea and weather conditions, |
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mechanical failure, |
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navigation errors, |
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collision, |
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oil and hazardous substance spills, containment and clean-up, |
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labor shortages and strikes, |
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damage to and loss of drilling rigs and production facilities,
and |
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war, sabotage and terrorism risk. |
These risks represent a threat to the safety of personnel and to
our vessels, cargo, equipment under tow and other property, as
well as the environment. We could be required to suspend our
operations or request that others suspend their operations as a
result of these hazards. Third parties may have significant
claims against us for damages due to personal injury, death,
property damage, pollution and loss of business.
We maintain insurance coverage against substantially all of the
casualty and liability risks listed above, subject to
deductibles and certain exclusions. However, we may not be able
to renew or maintain our existing coverage at commercially
reasonable rates or at all. Additionally, there is no assurance
that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover future
claims that may arise. See Business Operational
Risks and Insurance.
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Substantially all our revenues are derived from our
international operations and those operations are subject to
government regulation and operating risks. |
During the past five years, we derived substantially all of our
revenues from foreign sources. We therefore face risks inherent
in conducting business internationally, such as:
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legal and government regulatory requirements, |
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difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international
operations, |
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language and cultural differences, |
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potential vessel seizure or nationalization of assets, |
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import-export quotas or other trade barriers, |
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difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer
collection periods, |
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political and economic instability, |
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imposition of currency exchange controls, and |
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potentially adverse tax consequences. |
In the past, these conditions or events have not materially
affected our operations. However, we cannot predict whether any
such conditions or events might develop in the future. Also, we
organized our subsidiary structure and our operations in part
based on certain assumptions about various foreign and domestic
tax laws, currency exchange requirements and capital
repatriation laws. While we believe our assumptions are correct,
there can be no assurance that taxing or other authorities will
reach the same conclusion. If our assumptions are incorrect, or
if the relevant countries change or modify such laws or the
current interpretation of such laws, we may suffer adverse tax
and financial consequences, including the reduction of cash flow
available to meet required debt service and other obligations.
Any of these factors could materially adversely affect our
international operations and, consequently, our business,
operating results and financial condition.
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Our international operations are vulnerable to currency
exchange rate fluctuations and exchange rate risks. |
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations
and exchange rate risks as a result of our foreign operations.
To minimize the financial impact of these risks, we attempt to
match the currency of our debt and operating costs with the
currency of the revenue streams. We occasionally enter into
forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge specific exposures,
but we do not speculate in foreign currencies. Because we
conduct a large portion of our operations in foreign currencies,
any increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar in relation to
the value of applicable foreign currencies could potentially
adversely affect our operating revenues when translated into
U.S. Dollars. See Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Currency Fluctuations and Inflation.
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Vessel construction and repair projects are subject to
risks, including delays and cost overruns, that could have an
adverse impact on our results of operations. |
Our vessel construction and repair projects are subject to the
risks of delay and cost overruns inherent in any large
construction project, including:
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shortages of equipment, |
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unforeseen engineering problems, |
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work stoppages, |
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weather interference, |
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unanticipated cost increases, and |
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shortages of materials or skilled labor. |
Significant cost overruns or delays in connection with our
repair projects would adversely affect our financial condition
and results of operations. Significant delays could also result
in penalties under, or the termination of, most of the long-term
contracts under which we plan to operate our vessels.
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Our current operations and future growth may require
significant additional capital, and our substantial indebtedness
could impair our ability to fund our capital
requirements. |
Expenditures required for the repair, certification and
maintenance of a vessel typically increase with vessel age.
These expenditures may increase to a level at which they are not
economically justifiable. We cannot assure you that we will have
sufficient resources to maintain our fleet either by extending
the economic life of existing vessels through major
refurbishment or by acquiring new or used vessels. See
Business Our Fleet.
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Our industry is highly competitive, which depresses vessel
prices and utilization and adversely affects our financial
performance. |
We operate in a competitive industry. The principal competitive
factors in the marine support and transportation services
industry include:
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price, service and reputation of vessel operations and crews, |
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national flag preference, |
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operating conditions, |
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suitability of vessel types, |
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vessel availability, |
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technical capabilities of equipment and personnel, |
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safety and efficiency, |
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complexity of maintaining logistical support, and |
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cost of moving equipment from one market to another. |
Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources
than we have. Competitive bidding and downward pressures on
profits and pricing margins could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. See
Business Customers, Contract Terms and
Competition.
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We are subject to war, sabotage and terrorism risk. |
War, sabotage, and terrorist attacks or any similar risk may
affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including changes
in the insurance markets, disruptions of fuel supplies and
markets, particularly oil, and the possibility that
infrastructure facilities, including pipelines, production
facilities, refineries, electric generation, transmission and
distribution facilities, could be direct targets of, or indirect
casualties of, an act of terror. War or risk of war may also
have an adverse effect on the economy. Terrorist attacks have
resulted in a hardening of the insurance market. As a result of
these events, the cost to cover war risks on our vessels has
increased and could continue to increase. We will evaluate the
need to maintain this coverage as it applies to our fleet in the
future. Instability in the financial markets as a result of war,
sabotage or terrorism could also affect our ability to raise
capital and could also adversely affect the oil, gas and power
industries and restrict their future growth.
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We depend on key personnel. |
We depend to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities
of our executive officers and other key management personnel.
There is no assurance that these individuals will continue in
such capacity for any particular period of time. The loss of the
services of one or more of our executive officers or key
management personnel could adversely affect our operations.
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We have identified material weaknesses under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to the effectiveness of our internal
controls over financial reporting and we may identify additional
material weaknesses in the future. |
The SEC, as directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, adopted rules generally requiring each public company to
include a report of management on the companys internal
controls over financial reporting in its annual report on
Form 10-K that contains an assessment by management of the
effectiveness of the companys internal controls over
financial reporting. In addition, the companys independent
registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on
managements assessment of the effectiveness of the
companys internal controls over financial reporting. This
requirement first applied to our annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ending December 31, 2004.
During the third quarter and at year end, we identified
material weaknesses in our internal financial
controls. Some of these weaknesses resulted in errors in our
internal historical financial statements that were corrected
prior to issuance of our consolidated financial statements.
Although we have begun to correct the internal control
deficiencies that resulted in the errors in our internal
financial statements, we continue to have material weaknesses in
our internal controls. See Business Internal
Controls.
Although we continue to take steps to correct these internal
control deficiencies, these measures may not ensure that we will
implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial
reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new
or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their
implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to
fail to meet our future reporting obligations. In addition, we
may in the future identify further material weaknesses or
significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial
reporting.
Since the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act are new, we are unable to predict the adverse impact, if
any, these possible events could have on the markets for our
publicly-traded
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securities, or what, if any, the legal consequences to us might
be. Some of the adverse consequences could include the following:
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the possible disclosure of the existence of additional material
weaknesses; |
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failure to receive the required Section 404 report from our
independent registered public accounting firm on a timely basis,
or receipt of a report that is qualified as to scope; |
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the adverse legal consequences, if any, of a failure to comply
with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements on a timely basis; and |
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a possible adverse impact on the markets for our publicly-owned
securities related to any such disclosure or failure to deliver
or receive reports. |
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23
ABOUT OUR EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer
We sold the Old Notes on July 21, 2004, to Lehman Brothers,
Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Morgan
Stanley & Co. As a condition to the sale, we entered
into a registration rights agreement with these initial
purchasers, which requires us to:
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file a registration statement within 120 days after the
issue date of the Old Notes, enabling holders to exchange the
Old Notes for publicly registered Exchange Notes with
substantially identical terms; |
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use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
registration statement to become effective within 270 days
after the issue date of the Old Notes; |
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use all commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the
exchange offer within 30 business days of the effective date of
the registration statement; and |
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file a shelf registration statement for the resale of Old Notes
if we cannot effect an exchange offer within the time period
listed above and in certain other circumstances. See
Description of Our Exchange Notes Registration
Rights; Liquidated Damages. |
If we fail to do the above we will be obligated to pay
liquidated damages to the holder of Old Notes. The registration
rights agreement has been incorporated by reference as an
exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part by reference from our 2004 third quarter
Form 10-Q.
Commencing April 18, 2005 we became obligated to pay
liquidated damages on the Old Notes because while we believe we
used commercially reasonable efforts to cause this registration
statement to become effective within 270 days after the
issue date of the Old Notes, we did not become effective
until ,
2005, which
was days
after the issue date of the Old Notes. As a result, we will owe
liquidated damages of an additional 0.50% per annum per $1,000
principal amount
for days
or
$ per
$1,000 principal amount. All accrued liquidated damages will be
paid on July 15, 2005, which is the next interest payment
date. See Description of the Exchange Notes
Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages.
We are not making this exchange offer to, and we will not accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Notes in any
jurisdiction where the exchange offer or the acceptance of Old
Notes would violate the securities or blue sky laws of that
jurisdiction.
Resale of the Exchange Notes
Under existing interpretations of the staff of the SEC stated in
several no-action letters to third parties, the Exchange Notes
should be freely transferable after the exchange offer without
further registration under the Securities Act.
If you are a broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes from us (like
the initial purchasers of the Old Notes) that you intend to
resell under Rule 144A or any other available exemption
under the Securities Act, you:
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cannot rely on these interpretations of the staff of the SEC, |
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cannot tender your Old Notes in the exchange offer, and |
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must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act for any sale or transfer of
the Old Notes unless you rely on an exemption from these
requirements. |
If you are eligible and wish to participate in this exchange
offer, you must make the following representations in the letter
of transmittal that was sent to you with this prospectus. If you
hold Old Notes
24
through DTC and wish to participate in the exchange offer, you
must agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal. By
executing or becoming bound by the letter of transmittal, you
will represent that:
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you are not our affiliate, |
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you acquired the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of your
business, and |
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you are not participating, and do not intend to participate, in
a distribution of the Exchange Notes. |
Any broker-dealer participating in the exchange offer who
acquired Old Notes for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act before
reselling any Exchange Notes. The letter of transmittal states
that a broker-dealer that acknowledges that it will, and does,
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act will not be deemed to have admitted that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act. These broker-dealers may use this prospectus for a resale
of the Exchange Notes. If this applies to you, you should read
the section entitled Plan of Distribution.
We do not intend to seek our own no-action letter. We cannot
assure you that the staff of the SEC would make a similar
determination about the Exchange Notes as it has in these
no-action letters to third parties.
After the exchange offer expires, holders of Old Notes will not
have any further registration rights. This means that Old Notes
that are not exchanged will continue to be subject to
restrictions on transfer. In some limited circumstances,
however, the registration rights agreement may require us to
file a registration statement to permit resales of the Old
Notes. If you do not exchange your Old Notes in the exchange
offer, you may be subject to the risk described in Risk
Factors Risk Related to the Exchange Offer.
The transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to
the Old Notes do not apply to the Exchange Notes because we will
issue the Exchange Notes in a transaction registered under the
Securities Act.
Terms of the Exchange Offer; Period for Tendering Old
Notes
This prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal
contain the terms and conditions of the exchange offer. We will
accept for exchange Old Notes which are properly tendered before
expiration of the exchange offer, unless you have withdrawn them
as permitted below. The following is some information about the
terms of the exchange offer:
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our acceptance of the Old Notes that you tender will constitute
a binding agreement between you and us as described in this
prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. |
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the terms of the Exchange Notes are identical to the Old Notes
except that: |
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the Exchange Notes will be issued in a transaction registered
under the Securities Act; |
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the Exchange Notes will not be subject to transfer restrictions;
and |
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the Exchange Notes will not have provisions for the payment of
liquidated damages. |
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the Exchange Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes.
The indenture that governs the Old Notes will govern the
Exchange Notes. |
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you may tender some or all of your Old Notes in denominations of
$1,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of $1,000. For
each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes properly tendered, we
will issue $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes. |
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the Exchange Notes, like the Old Notes, will bear interest at a
rate of
73/4%
per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on each
January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15,
2005, to holders of record on the immediately preceding
January 1 and July 1. Interest on the notes will
accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid, or if no interest has been paid, |
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from the date of original issuance. Interest will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. |
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as of the date of this prospectus, we had issued
$160.0 million in total principal amount of the Old Notes.
The exchange offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal
amount of Old Notes being tendered. |
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the exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time,
on ,
2005, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend it. The term
expiration date
means ,
2005, or the latest time and date of an extension. |
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if we extend the exchange offer, we will give oral or written
notice of the extension to the exchange agent. We will notify
the holders as described below. During an extension, all Old
Notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange
offer and may be accepted for exchange by us. |
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we will give prompt oral or written notice to holders of Old
Notes of any extension, amendment or termination. If we extend
the expiration date, we will issue a press release or other
public announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the business day after the previously scheduled
expiration date. Without limiting the manner in which we may
choose to make any public announcement, we will have no
obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any
public announcement other than by issuing a release to the Dow
Jones News Service. |
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we may amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not accept for
exchange any Old Notes that we have not yet accepted, if any of
the conditions under the heading Certain
Conditions to the Exchange Offer occur. |
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holders and beneficial owners of Old Notes have no appraisal or
dissenters rights in connection with the exchange offer. |
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Old Notes which are not tendered for exchange, or are tendered
but not accepted, will remain outstanding and be entitled to the
benefits of the indenture, but they will not be entitled to any
further registration or exchange rights under the registration
rights agreement. |
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any Old Notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be
returned without expense to the tendering holder as soon as
possible after the exchange offer is over. |
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we intend to conduct the exchange offer as required by the
Exchange Act and the SECs rules governing unlawful tender
practices. This requires us to: |
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keep the exchange offer open for at least 20 business days; |
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give 10 days notice of any change in the terms of the
exchange offer; and |
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issue a press release if we extend the exchange offer. |
Neither we nor our Board of Directors makes any recommendation
to holders or beneficial owners of Old Notes whether to tender
all or any portion of their Old Notes in the exchange offer.
Moreover, we have not authorized any person to make any
recommendation of this type. You must make your own decision
whether and what amount to tender in the exchange offer after
reading this prospectus and the letter of transmittal and
consulting with your advisors, if any, based on your own
financial position and requirements.
Important Rules Concerning the Exchange Offer
You should note that:
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we will determine all questions of validity, form, eligibility
and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange, including
time of receipt, in our sole discretion. This determination
shall be final and binding. |
26
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we reserve the absolute right to reject any Old Notes not
properly tendered or not to accept any Old Notes if we or our
lawyers believe that acceptance would be unlawful. |
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we reserve the absolute right to waive any defects or
irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to any Old
Notes either before or after the expiration date. This includes
the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to
tender Old Notes in the exchange offer. Unless we agree to waive
any defect or irregularity, it must be cured within a reasonable
period of time that we shall determine. |
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our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer as to any Old Notes either before or after the expiration
date, including the letter of transmittal and its instructions,
shall be final and binding on all parties. |
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neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person shall be
required to give notice of any defect or irregularity with
respect to any tender of Old Notes for exchange, nor shall any
of us be liable for not giving this notification. |
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
If you wish to tender your Old Notes for exchange in the
exchange offer, you must:
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if you do not hold your Old Notes through DTC, deliver a
properly completed and signed letter of transmittal, and all
other documents required by the letter of transmittal, to the
exchange agent at one of the addresses under the heading
Exchange Agent before the expiration of the
exchange offer, or |
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if you hold your Old Notes through DTC, comply with DTCs
automated tender offer program procedures, which are described
below; |
AND
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the exchange agent must receive your Old Notes with the letter
of transmittal, or |
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the exchange agent must receive, before the expiration of the
exchange offer, a timely book-entry confirmation of Old Notes
into the exchange agents account at DTC based on the
procedure for book-entry transfer described below, or |
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you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below. |
The method of physical delivery of Old Notes, letters of
transmittal and all other required documents is at your election
and risk. If delivery is by mail, we recommend that you use
registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt
requested. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time for
timely delivery. You should not send any letters of transmittal
or Old Notes to us.
If you wish to tender your Old Notes but they are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee, you should contact the registered holder and
instruct it to tender on your behalf. If you are the registered
holder of Old Notes owned by another person, you should contact
the owner and take instructions from the owner about
participating in the exchange offer.
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How to sign your letter of transmittal and other
documents. |
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal
must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes are tendered:
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by a registered holder of the Old Notes who has not completed
the box entitled Special Issuance Instructions or
Special Delivery Instructions on the letter of
transmittal, or |
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for the account of an eligible guarantor institution within the
meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act. |
27
If signatures are required to be guaranteed, the guarantees must
be by:
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a member of or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange Medallion
Signature Program, |
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a member of a national securities exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., |
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a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States, or |
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an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning or
Rule 17Ad-15 of the Exchange Act. |
If Old Notes tendered for exchange are registered in the name of
a person other than the person signing the letter of
transmittal, they must be endorsed, or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer or exchange satisfactory to us in our
sole discretion and signed by the registered holder with the
signature guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution.
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered holder of Old Notes, they must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case
signed exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on
the Old Notes.
If the letter of transmittal or any Old Notes or powers of
attorney are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, these persons
should so indicate when signing. Unless we waive this
requirement, they should submit proper evidence satisfactory to
us of their authority to act.
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial
institution that is a participant in DTCs system must use
DTCs automated tender offer program to tender Old Notes
that are held through DTC. These participants must, instead of
physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and
delivering it to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance
of the exchange offer electronically by causing DTC to transfer
the Old Notes to the exchange agent. DTC will then send an
agents message to the exchange agent. An agents
message forms part of the book-entry confirmation that:
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DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in
its automated tender offer program that is tendering Old Notes
that are the subject of the book-entry confirmation; |
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the participant has agreed to be bound by the terms of the
letter of transmittal or, in the case of an agents message
relating to guaranteed delivery, that the participant has agreed
to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and |
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the agreement may be enforced against the participant. |
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Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange
Notes |
Promptly after the expiration date, we will accept all properly
tendered Old Notes and will issue the Exchange Notes if none of
the events described in Certain Conditions to
the Exchange Offer has occurred. We will be deemed to have
accepted properly tendered Old Notes for exchange when we give
oral or written notice of acceptance to the exchange agent.
We will issue Exchange Notes in exchange for accepted Old Notes
only after the exchange agent timely receives:
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if you hold your Old Notes through DTC, a book-entry
confirmation that the Old Notes have been transferred into the
exchange agents account at DTC, and |
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if you do not hold your Old Notes through DTC, the Old Notes and
a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and
all other required documents. |
If we do not accept any tendered Old Notes for any reason or if
you submit certificates representing Old Notes in a greater
principal amount than you wish to exchange, we will return your
unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes. If you tendered these Old
Notes by book-entry transfer into the exchange agents
account at DTC, your account at DTC will be credited with the
non-exchanged Old Notes. In
28
either case, there will be no cost to you, and this will be done
as soon as possible after the exchange offer is over. If we have
not accepted properly tendered Old Notes within 40 business days
from the commencement of the exchange offer, you may withdraw
your tender in the manner described in
Withdrawal Rights.
Book-Entry Transfer
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account
in its name at DTC with respect to the Old Notes for purposes of
the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus.
Any participant in DTCs system must make book-entry
delivery of Old Notes by causing DTC to transfer Old Notes into
the exchange agents account in accordance with DTCs
automated tender offer program procedures for transfer. Holders
of Old Notes who are unable to deliver confirmation of the
book-entry tender of their Old Notes into the exchange
agents account at DTC or all other documents required by
the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent before the
exchange offer expires must tender Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures described below. Delivery of
documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the exchange
agent.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
If you wish to tender Old Notes but:
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they are not immediately available and you cannot deliver your
Old Notes or the letter of transmittal or other required
documents to the exchange agent before the exchange offer
expires, or |
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you cannot comply with DTCs automated tender offer program
procedures for book-entry transfer before the exchange offer
expires, |
then, you may tender your Old Notes if:
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the tender is made through an eligible guarantor institution; |
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before expiration of the exchange offer, the exchange agent
receives from the eligible guarantor institution a properly
completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, by facsimile
transmission, mail or hand delivery, and notice of guaranteed
delivery. Any notice of guaranteed delivery must state: |
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the name and address of the holder of Old Notes, |
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the amount of Old Notes tendered, |
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that the tender is being made by guaranteed delivery, and |
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that within five Nasdaq Stock Markets National Market
System trading days after the date that the notice of guaranteed
delivery was signed, the Old Notes or a book-entry confirmation,
together with the letter of transmittal and any other documents
required by the letter of transmittal, will be deposited by the
eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and |
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the exchange agent receives the Old Notes, or a book-entry
confirmation, together with the letter of transmittal and all
other documents required by the letter of transmittal, within
five Nasdaq Stock Markets National Market System trading
days after the date that the notice of guaranteed delivery was
signed. |
Withdrawal Rights
You may withdraw your tender of Old Notes at any time before
expiration of the exchange offer. You may also withdraw your
tender of Old Notes if we have not accepted them for exchange
within 40 business days from the commencement of the exchange
offer. For a withdrawal to be effective:
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if you hold Old Notes otherwise than through DTC, the exchange
agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal at one of the
addresses listed under the heading Exchange
Agent, or |
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if you hold Old Notes through DTC, you must comply with
DTCs automated tender offer program system requirements
for withdrawal. |
Any notice of withdrawal must specify:
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the name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be
withdrawn, |
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the Old Notes to be withdrawn, including the principal amount of
such Old Notes, |
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if certificates for Old Notes have been delivered, the name in
which the Old Notes are registered, if different from that of
the person withdrawing, |
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if certificates for Old Notes have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the exchange agent, the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of
withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
institution, unless the withdrawing holder is an eligible
guarantor institution, and |
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if Old Notes have been tendered by book-entry transfer, the name
and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the
withdrawn Old Notes. In this case, the notice of withdrawal must
otherwise comply with DTCs automated tender offer program
procedures for withdrawal. |
We will determine all questions of validity, form and
eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of
withdrawal. Our determination will be final and binding on all
parties. We will deem any properly withdrawn Old Notes not to
have been validly tendered for exchange in the exchange offer.
If you have properly withdrawn Old Notes and wish to re-tender
them, you may do so at any time before the exchange offer
expires by following one of the procedures described under the
heading Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.
Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer
Despite any other provisions of the exchange offer, we will not
be required to accept Old Notes for exchange or issue Exchange
Notes, and we may terminate or amend the exchange offer, if at
any time prior to the expiration date:
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the exchange offer would violate applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, or |
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there is or has been threatened any judicial or administrative
proceeding that would prevent us from continuing with the
exchange offer. |
These conditions are for our benefit only, and we may assert
them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to them. If we
fail to exercise the rights described above, we shall not be
deemed to have waived these rights. These rights shall continue,
and we may assert any of them at any one or more times.
In addition, we will not accept Old Notes or issue Exchange
Notes if there is or has been threatened a stop order involving
the exchange offer or the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Exchange Agent
We have appointed U.S. Bank National Association as the
exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should send all
executed letters of transmittal and you should direct all
questions and requests for
30
help and all requests for copies of this prospectus, the letter
of transmittal and notices of guaranteed delivery to the
exchange agent at one of the following addresses:
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By Mail, Hand or Overnight Delivery: |
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U.S. Bank National Association |
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60 Livingston Avenue |
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St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 |
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Attn: Specialized Finance |
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By Facsimile: 651-495-8158 |
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For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: 800-934-6802 |
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Delivery to an address or location that is not shown above is
not valid delivery. |
Fees and Expenses
We are contacting you by mail about the exchange offer. We may
make additional offers by telephone, fax or in person by our
officers, regular employees and affiliates. We will not pay our
officers, employees or affiliates to do this.
We will not pay brokers, dealers or others who seek acceptances
of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay all costs required
by the registration rights agreement, including:
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all registration and filing fees and expenses, |
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all costs to comply with securities laws, |
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all printing expenses, and |
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the fees and expenses of our lawyers and accountants. |
In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the initial purchasers
of the Old Notes and others who are tendering notes in the
exchange offer or participating in the Plan of
Distribution, as a group, for the fees and expenses of one
lawyer.
Transfer Taxes
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We will pay any transfer taxes that apply to the exchange of Old
Notes in the exchange offer, unless: |
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you instruct us to register Exchange Notes in the name of a
person other than the registered holder; |
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you ask us to return Old Notes not tendered or accepted for
exchange to a person other than the registered holder; or |
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the tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of a person
other than the person who signed the letter of transmittal. |
In any of these cases, you will be required to pay any transfer
taxes that apply.
Accounting Treatment
We will record the Exchange Notes at the same carrying value as
the Old Notes, which is the total principal amount shown in our
accounting records on the date of the exchange. We will not
recognize gain or loss for accounting purposes because of the
exchange offer. We will amortize the expenses of the exchange
offer over the term of the Exchange Notes.
31
U.S. Federal Tax Consequences
The economic terms of the Exchange Notes and the Old Notes are
identical. Your exchange of Old Notes for Exchange Notes in the
exchange offer should not be taxable for U.S. federal
income tax purposes:
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you should not recognize taxable gain or loss when you exchange
your Old Notes for Exchange Notes; |
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you will be deemed to have held your Exchange Notes for as long
as you held your Old Notes; and |
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you will have the same tax basis in your Exchange Notes as you
had in your Old Notes. |
You should read the section entitled Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences before deciding to
exchange your Old Notes for Exchange Notes.
Participation in the Exchange Offer; Untendered Notes
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary. We urge you to
consult your financial and tax advisors before making your
decision.
When we exchange all properly tendered Old Notes in this
exchange offer, we will have satisfied an obligation of the
registration rights agreement. If you do not tender your Old
Notes in the exchange offer, you will still hold Old Notes. You
will have no further registration rights for your Old Notes, and
there will be restrictions on the transfer of your Old Notes.
You should read the risk factor under the heading Risk
Related to the Exchange Offer in deciding whether to
exchange Old Notes for Exchange Notes.
We may in the future seek to acquire untendered Old Notes in the
open market, through privately negotiated transactions or
subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We intend to comply
with applicable law in doing so. We do not have any present plan
to acquire any Old Notes that are not tendered in the exchange
offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of
these notes. In some instances, however, the registration rights
agreement may require us to file a registration statement to
permit resales of the untendered Old Notes.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from our sale of the Old Notes were
approximately $156.1 million. We used a portion of the
proceeds from the sale of the Old Notes (i) to repurchase
$130,000,000 aggregate principal amount and to pay accrued and
unpaid interest of our 8.75% Senior Notes due 2008 in the tender
offer and the subsequent redemption, (ii) to repay a
portion of indebtedness under our Credit Facility, (iii) to
pay fees and expenses, and (iv) for general corporate
purposes, including the payment of other debt. The initial
purchasers of the Old Notes were Lehman Brothers Inc., Jefferies
& Company, Inc., and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
Our Credit Facility has a final maturity date of March 31,
2008, with reductions in increments of $4 million each
quarter beginning in September 2004, and a weighted average
interest rate, as of December 31, 2004, of 6.1%.
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer that we
make by this prospectus.
32
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and
capitalization as of December 31, 2004 on an actual basis.
We have not shown our capitalization on an adjusted
basis because we will not receive any proceeds from the
exchange offer.
This table should be read in conjunction with
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources, our consolidated financial statements
and related notes, and other financial information incorporated
by reference herein.
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As of | |
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December 31, 2004 | |
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(Dollars in millions) | |
Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
17.5 |
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Long-term debt, including current portion:
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Credit Facility(1)
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92.0 |
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Acquisition Facility(2)
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8.0 |
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Other debt(3)
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18.2 |
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7.75% senior notes due 2014 (including a discount of $646)
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159.4 |
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Total long-term debt, including current portion
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277.5 |
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Shareholders equity(4)
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316.2 |
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Total capitalization
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$ |
593.7 |
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(1) |
As of December 31, 2004, there were no borrowings available
for general corporate purposes under our Credit Facility. |
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(2) |
As of December 31, 2004, additional borrowings of up to
$42 million were available for acquisition purposes under
the Acquisition Facility. |
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(3) |
Includes the outstanding indebtedness under the senior secured
credit facility of our subsidiary, GulfMark Rederi AS, with Den
Norske Bank ASA which relates to vessel acquisitions. |
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(4) |
Includes the net decrease in shareholders equity resulting
from the debt refinancing costs of $6.5 million
($4.3 million net of taxes), which are comprised of
$4.4 million for the payment of tender premiums and
$2.1 million from the write-off of unamortized debt
issuance costs and unamortized debt discount. |
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33
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The historical financial data presented in the table below for
each of the five years in the period ended December 31,
2004 and at the end of each year is derived from our
Consolidated Financial Statements for the full year.
The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the
our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto
incorporated by reference herein and Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts and number of vessels) | |
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
77,702 |
|
|
$ |
114,063 |
|
|
$ |
133,919 |
|
|
$ |
129,900 |
|
|
$ |
139,312 |
|
Direct operating expenses
|
|
|
34,060 |
|
|
|
43,403 |
|
|
|
58,007 |
|
|
|
69,836 |
|
|
|
71,239 |
|
Drydock expense(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,966 |
|
Bareboat charter expense
|
|
|
6,661 |
|
|
|
8,931 |
|
|
|
9,287 |
|
|
|
6,505 |
|
|
|
1,410 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
6,328 |
|
|
|
7,623 |
|
|
|
10,027 |
|
|
|
10,801 |
|
|
|
15,666 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
12,613 |
|
|
|
15,327 |
|
|
|
21,414 |
|
|
|
28,031 |
|
|
|
26,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
18,040 |
|
|
|
38,779 |
|
|
|
35,184 |
|
|
|
14,727 |
|
|
|
15,894 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(12,239 |
) |
|
|
(12,770 |
) |
|
|
(12,149 |
) |
|
|
(12,988 |
) |
|
|
(17,243 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
1,508 |
|
|
|
1,201 |
|
|
|
1,211 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
Debt refinancing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,524 |
) |
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
3,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
2,282 |
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(1,501 |
) |
|
|
2,493 |
|
|
|
(1,267 |
) |
|
|
1,517 |
|
Income tax (provision) benefit
|
|
|
(3,056 |
) |
|
|
12,213 |
|
|
|
(2,959 |
) |
|
|
(192 |
) |
|
|
6,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$ |
7,907 |
|
|
$ |
37,922 |
|
|
$ |
23,961 |
|
|
$ |
534 |
|
|
$ |
2,678 |
|
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting
principle net of $773 related tax effect(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,309 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
7,907 |
|
|
$ |
37,922 |
|
|
$ |
23,961 |
|
|
$ |
534 |
|
|
$ |
(4,631 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts per common share (basic):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
2.31 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting
principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
2.31 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares (basic)
|
|
|
16,326 |
|
|
|
16,388 |
|
|
|
19,132 |
|
|
|
19,919 |
|
|
|
19,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts per common share (diluted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
|
$ |
2.26 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting
principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
|
$ |
2.26 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares (diluted)(b)
|
|
|
16,652 |
|
|
|
16,806 |
|
|
|
19,566 |
|
|
|
20,272 |
|
|
|
19,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of Cash Flows Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities(c)
|
|
$ |
12,028 |
|
|
$ |
37,535 |
|
|
$ |
34,872 |
|
|
$ |
20,150 |
|
|
$ |
25,561 |
|
Cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(3,880 |
) |
|
|
(80,363 |
) |
|
|
(88,299 |
) |
|
|
(91,575 |
) |
|
|
(40,404 |
) |
Cash provided by financing activities(c)
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
31,526 |
|
|
|
39,720 |
|
|
|
68,646 |
|
|
|
23,005 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
(2,178 |
) |
|
|
(812 |
) |
|
|
1,192 |
|
|
|
1,707 |
|
|
|
1,032 |
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(d)
|
|
$ |
30,653 |
|
|
$ |
54,106 |
|
|
$ |
56,598 |
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
|
$ |
42,031 |
|
Cash dividends per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total vessels in fleet(e)
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Average number of owned or chartered vessels(f)
|
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
|
38.0 |
|
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
|
46.8 |
|
|
|
45.6 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(g)
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
|
|
2.75 |
|
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
34,785 |
|
|
$ |
22,671 |
|
|
$ |
9,619 |
|
|
$ |
8,336 |
|
|
$ |
17,529 |
|
Vessels and equipment including construction in progress, net
|
|
|
182,628 |
|
|
|
262,364 |
|
|
|
379,208 |
|
|
|
485,502 |
|
|
|
538,978 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
263,914 |
|
|
|
352,051 |
|
|
|
486,547 |
|
|
|
575,501 |
|
|
|
632,718 |
|
Long-term debt(g)
|
|
|
130,097 |
|
|
|
180,669 |
|
|
|
165,233 |
|
|
|
236,589 |
|
|
|
258,022 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
97,587 |
|
|
|
133,392 |
|
|
|
254,779 |
|
|
|
292,128 |
|
|
|
316,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of
the change in accounting principle we adopted relating to
drydock expenditures effective as of January 1, 2004. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of
shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding. |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Includes purchase of vessels and equipment and expenditures for
drydocking. Effective with the second quarter of 2004, we have
reclassified drydocking expenditures, which relate to periodic
Classification Society and regulatory requirements for
certification of our vessels, in our statements of cash flows to
operating activities. Prior to this reclassification we
presented such expenditures in investing activities. This
reclassification neither increased nor decreased cash or cash
equivalents. Amounts shown as expenditures for capital and
drydocking costs include the following amounts (in thousands)
for drydocking: $2,360, $4,878, $6,231, and $7,480 for the years
ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle, interest expense, interest
income, income tax (benefit) provision, debt refinancing costs,
and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated
by adjusting EBITDA for certain items that we believe are
non-cash or unusual, consisting of: (i) gain on sale of
assets; (ii) loss from unconsolidated ventures;
(iii) minority interest; and (iv) other (income)
expense, net. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of
financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as
an alternative to cash flow data, a measure of liquidity or an
alternative to operating income or net income as indicators of
our operating performance or any other measures of performance
derived in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are
presented because we believe they are used by security analysts,
investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of
companies in our industry. However, because EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP
and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other
similarly titled measures used by other companies or comparable
for other purposes. |
|
35
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the calculation of EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
7,907 |
|
|
$ |
37,922 |
|
|
$ |
23,961 |
|
|
$ |
534 |
|
|
$ |
(4,631 |
) |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,309 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
12,239 |
|
|
|
12,770 |
|
|
|
12,149 |
|
|
|
12,988 |
|
|
|
17,243 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
(1,508 |
) |
|
|
(1,201 |
) |
|
|
(1,211 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
(276 |
) |
Debt refinancing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,524 |
|
Income tax (benefit) provision
|
|
|
3,056 |
|
|
|
(12,213 |
) |
|
|
2,959 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
(6,476 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
12,613 |
|
|
|
15,327 |
|
|
|
21,414 |
|
|
|
28,031 |
|
|
|
26,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
34,307 |
|
|
|
52,605 |
|
|
|
59,272 |
|
|
|
41,507 |
|
|
|
45,830 |
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
(3,651 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(2,282 |
) |
Other (income) expense, net(i)
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
1,501 |
|
|
|
(2,493 |
) |
|
|
1,267 |
|
|
|
(1,517 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
$ |
30,653 |
|
|
$ |
54,106 |
|
|
$ |
56,598 |
|
|
$ |
42,758 |
|
|
$ |
42,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Includes foreign currency transaction adjustments. |
|
|
|
|
(e) |
|
Includes managed vessels in addition to those that are owned and
chartered at the end of the applicable period. |
|
|
|
(f) |
|
Average number of vessels is calculated based on the aggregate
number of vessel days available during each period divided by
the number of calendar days in such period. Includes owned and
bareboat chartered vessels only, and is adjusted for additions
and dispositions occurring during each period. |
|
|
|
(g) |
|
Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges are calculated by
dividing earnings by fixed charges for the period indicated,
where earnings is defined as consolidated income or
loss from continuing operations plus income taxes, minority
interest and fixed charges, except capitalized interest; and
fixed charges is defined as consolidated interest on
indebtedness, including capitalized interest, amortization of
debt discount and issuance cost, and the estimated portion of
rental expense deemed to be equivalent to interest. Because we
have no preferred stock issued and outstanding, dividends
relating to preferred stock are not included in the calculation
of fixed charges. |
|
|
|
(h) |
|
Excludes current portion of long-term debt. |
|
36
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
We provide marine support and transportation services to
companies involved in the offshore exploration and production of
oil and natural gas. Our vessels transport drilling materials,
supplies and personnel to offshore facilities, as well as move
and position drilling structures. The majority of our operations
are based in the North Sea with 34 vessels operating from the
area. We also have ten vessels operating in Southeast Asia, five
vessels in Brazil, two vessels in India, one vessel in West
Africa, and two vessels mobilizing to Mexico. Our fleet has
grown in both size and capability, from an original 11 vessels
in 1990 to our present number of 54 vessels, through strategic
acquisitions and new construction of technologically advanced
vessels, partially offset by dispositions of certain older, less
profitable vessels. As of March 31, 2005, our fleet
includes 47 owned vessels and seven managed vessels.
Our results of operations are affected primarily by day rates,
fleet utilization and the number and type of vessels in our
fleet. Utilization and day rates, in turn, are influenced
principally by the demand for vessel services from the
exploration and production sectors of the oil and natural gas
industry. The supply of vessels to meet this fluctuating demand
is related directly to the perception of future activity in both
the drilling and production phases of the oil and natural gas
industry as well as the availability of capital to build new
vessels to meet the changing market requirements.
In recent years the North Sea market has been characterized by
delivery of new higher capacity and specification vessels, which
have generally left the region or replaced older vessels that
transferred to other oil service markets. During this same time
frame, despite consistently high commodity prices in the oil and
gas industry, exploration and production activities by oil and
gas companies have not increased according to historical
precedent. These two factors have led to lower utilization in
the North Sea market over the last two years than had been
experienced in the last decade and applied downward pressure to
day rates. The first six months of 2004 were consistent with the
lower utilization and day rates obtained during the previous two
years. Improvements in industry day rates, and more particularly
in utilization, during the third and fourth quarters indicate
improving conditions. We believe that this market is poised for
recovery as new drilling programs and associated construction
projects in both the Norwegian and U.K. sectors of the North Sea
begin in the latter part of 2004 and in 2005. Until such time as
contracts for vessels are tendered, however, it is difficult to
predict when this recovery will take place. The other two major
markets in which we currently operate, Southeast Asia and
Brazil, have been exemplified by consistent demand and
relatively stable day rates. In addition to the one vessel we
transferred to the region from the North Sea early in 2004,
there have been several vessel operators that have repositioned
equipment into Southeast Asia, which may tend to heighten
competition in the region in the future. In October 2004, we
mobilized the frontrunner for our newly delivered Brazilian
vessel, the Austral Abrolhos, to the North Sea, as well.
We anticipate the Brazil and Southeast Asia markets will
continue to develop in the near term.
From time to time, we bareboat charter vessels with revenues and
operating expenses reported in the same income and expense
categories as our owned vessels. The chartered vessels, however,
incur bareboat charter fees instead of depreciation expense.
Bareboat charter fees are generally higher than the depreciation
expense on owned vessels of similar age and specification. The
operating income realized from these vessels is therefore
adversely affected by the higher costs associated with the
bareboat charter fees. These vessels are included in calculating
fleet day rates and utilization in the applicable periods. We
have no bareboat chartered vessels at the present time.
We also provide management services to other vessel owners for a
fee. We do not include charter revenues and vessel expenses of
these vessels in our operating results. However, management fees
are included in operating revenues. These vessels have been
excluded for purposes of calculating fleet rates per day worked
and utilization in the applicable periods.
Our operating costs are primarily a function of fleet
configuration and utilization levels. The most significant
direct operating costs are wages paid to vessel crews,
maintenance and repairs, and marine
37
insurance. Generally, fluctuations in vessel utilization have
little effect on direct operating costs in the short term. As a
result, direct operating costs as a percentage of revenues may
vary substantially due to changes in day rates and utilization.
In addition to direct operating costs, we incur fixed charges
related to the depreciation of our fleet and costs for routine
drydock inspections, maintenance and repairs designed to ensure
compliance with applicable regulations and maintaining
certifications for our vessels with various international
Classification Societies. The aggregate number of drydockings
and other repairs undertaken in a given period generally
determines maintenance and repair expenses.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements contain information that is pertinent to
managements discussion and analysis. The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of any
contingent assets and liabilities. Management believes these
accounting policies involve judgment due to the sensitivity of
the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary in determining
the related asset and liability amounts. We believe we have
exercised proper judgment in determining these estimates based
on the facts and circumstances available to management at the
time the estimates were made.
|
|
|
Change in Accounting Principle |
Effective January 1, 2004, we began expensing the costs
associated with the periodic requirements of the various
classification societies, which requires each vessel to be
placed in drydock twice in a five-year period. Generally,
drydock costs include refurbishment of structural components as
well as major overhauls of operating equipment, and is subject
to scrutiny by the relevant classification society. Previously,
costs incurred in connection with drydockings were capitalized
and amortized over 30 months, which approximated the period
between required drydockings.
The industrys accounting practices have historically
allowed three methods to account for these expenditures:
(1) defer and amortize, (2) accrue in advance, and
(3) expense as incurred. There are no authoritative
criteria for determining a preferable method of accounting for
drydock expenditures. However, we have determined that expensing
these costs as incurred is the method predominantly used in our
industry peer group and at this time would be a more rational
basis for recognizing major maintenance expenditures in our
financial statements. Therefore, we believe that the change is
to an acceptable alternative method, which is preferable based
on our particular circumstances under accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States, and we are
adopting the method of expensing drydock costs in the period
incurred effective in 2004.
As a result of this change, we recorded a non-cash cumulative
effect charge of $7.3 million, net of tax ($0.36 per basic
and diluted common share), in the consolidated statement of
operations for 2004. The effect of the change in accounting
principle in 2004 also decreased income before the cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle by approximately
$1.9 million by reversing the current drydock amortization
expense of $7.1 million and recognizing the expense for
current drydock expenditures of $9.0 million. The
38
following table illustrates the pro forma effects of retroactive
application of this change in accounting principle on net income
and earnings per share if we had expensed drydock costs in prior
years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net Income as reported
|
|
$ |
534 |
|
|
$ |
23,961 |
|
|
$ |
37,922 |
|
|
$ |
7,907 |
|
Net Income pro forma
|
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
24,023 |
|
|
|
36,089 |
|
|
|
7,722 |
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic as reported
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
Basic pro forma
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
Diluted as reported
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
Diluted pro forma
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
2.15 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
Our valuation allowances relate primarily to the allowance for
doubtful accounts receivable and the allowance against deferred
tax assets arising from foreign tax credit carryforwards. Our
customers are primarily major and independent oil and gas
companies and oil service companies. Given our experience where
our historical losses have been insignificant and our belief
that our related credit risks are minimal, our major and
independent oil and gas companies and oil service company
customers are granted credit on customary business terms. Our
exposure to foreign government-owned and controlled oil and gas
companies, as well as companies that provide logistics,
construction or other services to such oil and natural gas
companies, may result in longer payment terms; however, we
monitor our aged accounts receivable on an ongoing basis and
provide an allowance for doubtful accounts on a case-by-case
basis as conditions warrant. We make critical estimates for the
allowance for doubtful accounts based on the age of the
receivable, collection history from the particular customer and
managements judgment of the ability of the customer to
pay. Historically, we have collected appreciably all of our
accounts receivable balances with the exception of approximately
$0.2 million, which was deemed uncollectible and was
written off during the past six years. At December 31,
2004, we provided an additional allowance for doubtful accounts
of $0.9 million. Additional allowances for doubtful
accounts may be necessary as a result of our ongoing assessment
of our customers ability to pay. Because amounts due from
individual customers can be significant, future adjustments to
our allowance for doubtful accounts could be material if one or
more individual customer balances are deemed uncollectible. If
an account receivable were deemed uncollectible and all
reasonable collection efforts were exhausted, the balance would
be removed from accounts receivable and the allowance for
doubtful accounts.
In the fourth quarter of 2004, our Audit Committee adopted a
management recommendation regarding the allowance for doubtful
accounts receivable for significantly aged receivables. See
Business Internal Controls.
Due to the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act (Jobs
Act) on October 22, 2004, the foreign tax credit
carryforwards of $1.5 million that would have expired in
2004 will now begin to expire in 2009. A valuation allowance has
been established against the full amount of these credits less
the tax benefit of the deduction. We have considered estimated
future taxable income in the relevant tax jurisdictions to
utilize the credits and have considered what we believe to be
ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in
assessing the need for the valuation allowance. This information
is based on estimates and assumptions including projected
taxable income. If these estimates and related assumptions
change in the future or if we determine that we would not be
able to realize other deferred tax assets in the future, an
adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded in the
period such determination was made. Historically, we have not
made significant adjustments to our valuation allowance.
Since inception, we have capitalized the costs associated with
the periodic requirements of the various classification
societies, which requires the vessels to be placed in drydock
twice in a five-year period.
39
Generally, drydocking costs include refurbishment of structural
components as well as major overhaul of operating equipment,
subject to scrutiny by the relevant classification society.
Historically, these costs have been amortized over an estimated
30-month period. As discussed in the Change in
Accounting Principle section above, we have changed
our accounting for these costs. Effective January 1, 2004,
we began expensing these costs as incurred. A charge of
$7.3 million, net of tax ($0.36 per basic and diluted
common share), reflecting the cumulative effect of this
accounting change has been recorded at January 1, 2004.
In connection with new long-term contracts, incremental costs
incurred that directly relate to mobilization of a vessel from
one region to another are deferred and recognized over the
primary contract term. Should the contract be terminated by
either party prior to the end of the contract term, the deferred
amount would be immediately expensed. In contrast, costs of
relocating vessels from one region to another without a contract
are expensed as incurred.
Deferred financing costs are capitalized as incurred and are
amortized over the expected term of the related debt. Should the
specific debt terminate by means of payment in full, tender
offer or lender termination, the associated deferred financing
costs would be immediately expensed. In the third quarter of
2004, a charge of $6.5 million was recognized relating to
the retirement of our 8.75% senior notes. Those costs included
$4.4 million from the payment of tender offer premiums and
$2.1 million from the write-off of unamortized debt
issuance costs and unamortized debt discount.
|
|
|
Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill |
Our long-lived tangible assets consist primarily of vessels and
construction-in-progress. Our goodwill primarily relates to the
1998 acquisition of Brovig Supply ASA and the June 2001
acquisition of Sea Truck (UK) Ltd. The determination of
impairment of all long-lived assets, including goodwill, is
conducted when indicators of impairment are present and at least
annually on December 31 for goodwill. Impairment testing on
tangible long-lived assets is performed on an asset-by-asset
basis and impairment testing on goodwill is performed on a
reporting-unit basis for the reporting units where the goodwill
is recorded.
The implied fair value of any asset or reporting unit is
determined by discounting the projected future operating cash
flows or by using other fair value approaches based on a
multiple of earnings measurement. Management makes critical
estimates and judgments to determine projected future operating
cash flow, particularly in regard to projected revenues and
costs. An impairment indicator is deemed to exist if the implied
fair value of the asset or reporting unit is less than the book
value.
At December 31, 2004, we performed our impairment test and
determined there was no goodwill impairment. There are many
assumptions and estimates underlying the determination of the
implied fair value of the reporting unit, such as future
expected utilization and the average day rates for the vessels,
vessel additions and attrition, operating expenses and tax
rates. Although we believe our assumptions and estimates are
reasonable, deviations from our estimates by actual performance
could result in an adverse material impact on our results of
operations. Examples of events or circumstances that, could give
rise to an impairment of an asset (including goodwill) include:
prolonged adverse industry or economic change; significant
business interruption; unanticipated competition that has the
potential to dramatically reduce our earning potential; legal
issues; or the loss of key personnel.
A significant portion of our earnings originate in the North
Sea, a region in which certain jurisdictions such as the United
Kingdom and Norway provide for an alternative taxing structure
created specifically for qualified shipping companies, referred
to as the tonnage tax regime. The tonnage tax regime
provides for tax at rates significantly lower than would apply
if we were not a qualified shipping company. Substantially all
of our tax provision is for deferred taxes in regions outside of
the United Kingdom and Norway. The tonnage tax regime in the
North Sea reduces the cash required for taxes in that region. In
other regions, accelerated depreciation has minimized our cash
requirements for income taxes. Should our organizational
40
structure change or should the laws that created the tonnage tax
regime or that allow for accelerated depreciation change, we
would be required to provide for taxes at rates much higher than
currently reflected in our financial statements. Additionally,
if our pre-tax earnings in a higher tax jurisdiction increase,
there could be a significant increase in our average tax rate.
That increase could cause volatility in the comparison of our
tax rate from period to period.
Our United Kingdom tax return for the year 2001 was reviewed by
Inland Revenue, the U.K. tax authority. As a result of this
review, an amended year 2001 tax return has been filed and
accepted by Inland Revenue as of December 27, 2004. The
2002 and 2003 returns have been amended consistent with the
accepted methodology used in preparing the amended 2001 return.
Since the U.K. subsidiary is under the self assessment system,
and years 2002 and 2003 are within the prescribed period, the
revised returns for 2002 and 2003 should be accepted as filed in
December 2004 with respect to the issues reviewed by Inland
Revenue. Based on the above, the previously provided deferred
tax liability of $4.9 million, was reduced in the 2004
financial statements to the amount of tax payable of
$0.3 million for the period 2001 through 2003.
On October 22, 2004, President Bush signed the Jobs Act,
which among other items, provides reform related to foreign
shipping income. This new tax legislation should favorably
impact us beginning January 1, 2005, as the majority of our
foreign shipping income will not be subject to tax in the United
States. The full extent of the positive impact on earnings as it
relates to our organizational structure is not yet clear;
however, we and our outside tax consultants are evaluating the
ultimate impact of this new tax legislation.
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies |
We have contingent liabilities and future claims for which we
have made estimates of the amount of the eventual cost to
liquidate these liabilities or claims. These liabilities and
claims may involve threatened or actual litigation where damages
have not been specifically quantified but we have made an
assessment of our exposure and recorded a provision in our
accounts for the expected loss. Other claims or liabilities,
including those related to taxes in foreign jurisdictions, may
be estimated based on our experience in these matters and, where
appropriate, the advice of outside counsel or other outside
experts. Upon the ultimate resolution of the uncertainties
surrounding our estimates of contingent liabilities and future
claims, our future reported financial results would be impacted
by the difference between our estimates and the actual amounts
paid to settle the liabilities. In addition to estimates related
to litigation and tax liabilities, other examples of liabilities
requiring estimates of future exposure include contingencies
arising out of acquisitions and divestitures. Our contingent
liabilities are based on the most recent information available
to us regarding the nature of the exposure. Such exposures
change from period to period based upon updated relevant facts
and circumstances, which can cause the estimate to change. In
the recent past, our estimates for contingent liabilities have
been sufficient to cover the actual amount of our exposure.
Consolidated Results of Operations
|
|
|
Comparison of the Fiscal Years Ended December 31,
2004 and December 31, 2003 |
Our revenues increased from $129.9 million in 2003 to
$139.3 million in 2004, largely as a result of the increase
in North Sea activity late in the year, the full year effect of
2003 newbuild deliveries and the addition of two vessels during
the second half of 2004. For the year ended December 31,
2004, income was $2.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share
before the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
of $7.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. Including the
cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle, our net
loss for 2004 was $4.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted share.
For the year ended December 31, 2003, net income was
$0.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.
The weakness in exploration and development activities in the
North Sea that started in 2002 began showing signs of recovery
beginning late in the third quarter of 2004, with increasing day
rates and utilization evident. Additionally, we experienced an
increase in capacity resulting from the full year effect of the
four newly built vessels delivered in 2003 and the addition of
two additional vessels to our fleet in
41
2004, one in September and the other in December. Day rates
improved during the year with the increases in the foreign
currency exchange rate between the British pound and Norwegian
kroner against the U.S. dollar being part of the
improvement in rates.
Revenue increased in all our regions except Southeast Asia,
where the sale of three vessels during the year and slightly
lower utilization resulted in a decrease of $0.4 million in
revenue. In the Americas, revenue levels and average rate
increased because of the change in our equipment mix. Overall,
we experienced an increase in capacity of $4.2 million,
mainly due to the factors listed above as well as one additional
operating day in 2004. Day rates showed an increase of
$8.2 million mainly attributable to stronger British pound
and Norwegian kroner against the weak U.S. dollar, as day
rates are generally denominated in international currencies. The
decrease in revenues attributed to lower utilization was
$2.9 million, resulting mainly from the weakness in the
North Sea early in the year and the large number of vessels that
were working on the spot market as a result.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Increase | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
(Decrease) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Average Rates Per Day Worked(a)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet(c)
|
|
$ |
11,862 |
|
|
$ |
11,042 |
|
|
$ |
820 |
|
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
5,179 |
|
|
|
5,075 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
12,137 |
|
|
|
11,707 |
|
|
|
430 |
|
Overall Utilization(a)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet(c)
|
|
|
80.9 |
% |
|
|
78.3 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
82.2 |
% |
|
|
83.8 |
% |
|
|
(1.6 |
)% |
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
91.6 |
% |
|
|
92.8 |
% |
|
|
(1.2 |
)% |
Average Owned or Chartered Vessels(a)(d):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet
|
|
|
29.4 |
|
|
|
30.8 |
|
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
45.6 |
|
|
|
46.8 |
|
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Includes all owned or bareboat chartered vessels. Managed
vessels are not included. |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Average rates per day worked is defined as total charter
revenues divided by number of days worked. Overall utilization
rate is defined as the total number of days worked divided by
the total number of days of availability in the period. |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Revenues for vessels in our North Sea fleet are primarily earned
in British pounds (£) and have been converted to
U.S. dollars ($) at the average exchange
rate ($/£) for the periods indicated. The average
exchange rates for the years ended December 31, 2004, and
2003 were £ = $1.83 and £ = $1.63,
respectively. The North Sea-Based Fleet includes certain vessels
working in India. |
|
|
(d) |
|
Adjusted for vessel additions and dispositions occurring during
each period. |
Direct operating expenses increased $1.4 million in 2004
over 2003. This increase was due to higher costs resulting from
stronger currencies in the operating regions compared to the
reporting currency and change in our equipment mix. Bareboat
charter expense decreased $5.1 million to $1.4 million
as we returned the last bareboat chartered vessel to its owner
during 2004. We currently have no bareboat chartered vessels in
our fleet. General and administrative expenses increased
$4.9 million in 2004, as the implementation of
Sarbanes-Oxley resulted in higher professional fees and higher
salary-related expenses. Also, an increase in the allowance for
doubtful accounts of $0.9 million contributed to this
increase. Drydock expense of $9.0 million in 2004 relates
to the change in accounting principle described above and in
Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by
42
$1.9 million from 2004 to 2003 mainly due to the
reclassification of drydock expense resulting from the change in
accounting principle.
Interest expense increased $4.3 million due mainly to the
higher outstanding balance and a higher weighted average
interest rate on our line of credit, resulting from the
conversion of the line of credit from U.S. dollars to
British pounds at the end of 2003. During 2004, we also incurred
an expense of $6.5 million related to the redemption of our
$130 million 8.75% senior notes. The gain on sale of assets
of $2.3 million primarily reflects the sale of three of our
oldest Southeast Asia based vessels, the Seawhip, the
Seawitch and the Sea Conquest. Additionally, we
reported income in the other category of $1.5 million,
compared to $1.3 million expense in 2003, resulting from
favorable foreign currency movements on intercompany accounts
anticipated to be settled.
The income tax benefit of $6.5 million for 2004 reflects
the reversal of previously provided deferred tax liabilities for
our North Sea operations, as our United Kingdom subsidiary
underwent an Inland Revenue review relating to tonnage tax.
Substantially all of our tax provision is for deferred taxes,
and can fluctuate significantly based on the mix of vessels
working in the higher tax jurisdictions.
|
|
|
Comparison of the Fiscal Years Ended December 31,
2003 and December 31, 2002 |
Because of the weakness experienced in our major market of the
North Sea and despite the increase in the number of owned
vessels in the year, our revenues decreased from
$133.9 million in 2002 to $129.9 million in 2003. For
the year ended December 31, 2003, we reported net income of
$0.5 million, $0.03 per diluted share compared to
$24.0 million, or $1.22 per diluted share in the prior year.
The weakness in exploration and development activities in 2003,
and the increased number of vessels which we had in the spot
market where both day rates and utilization were well below
historical levels, caused us to continue the strategy we
implemented in 2002 whereby we did not generally elect to
charter our vessels on long-term contracts at the prevailing
rates. The result of this strategy was that our average
utilization for the North Sea decreased when compared to the
prior year and caused the overall utilization for the year to
decrease slightly from the prior year. Utilization and day rates
in the other two regions, namely the Americas and Southeast
Asia, remained fairly consistent in 2003 when compared to 2002.
The decrease in revenue therefore was entirely attributable to
lower day rates and utilization in the North Sea which resulted
in a $19.0 million decrease. Partially offsetting this
decrease was the full year impact of vessels added to the fleet
from the newbuild program in 2002 and the addition of the four
new vessels in 2003. These additions to capacity, reduced by the
return of three bareboat chartered vessels in 2003, contributed
an additional $15.3 million more in revenue than in the
prior year. During 2003, day rates, which are generally
denominated in international currencies, were significantly
lower in the North Sea, but due to the weakness of the
U.S. dollar, the currency effect partially offset the lower
day rates. In the table below, the North Sea day rate is a
reflection of all vessels which are categorized in the North Sea
and therefore the averages reflect all factors including day
rates, utilization, currency effects and the
43
increase in owned vessels. The following table summarizes
average day rates, overall utilization and average vessels owned
or chartered for the comparable periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Increase | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
(Decrease) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Average Rates Per Day Worked(a)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet(c)
|
|
$ |
11,042 |
|
|
$ |
10,839 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
5,075 |
|
|
|
4,744 |
|
|
|
331 |
|
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
11,707 |
|
|
|
10,229 |
|
|
|
1,478 |
|
Overall Utilization(a)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet(c)
|
|
|
78.3 |
% |
|
|
94.2 |
% |
|
|
(15.9 |
)% |
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
83.8 |
% |
|
|
82.4 |
% |
|
|
1.4 |
% |
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
92.8 |
% |
|
|
94.8 |
% |
|
|
(2.0 |
)% |
Average Owned or Chartered Vessels(a)(d):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Sea-Based Fleet
|
|
|
30.8 |
|
|
|
28.6 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
Southeast Asia-Based Fleet
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Americas-Based Fleet
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
46.8 |
|
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Includes all owned or bareboat chartered vessels. Managed
vessels are not included. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Average rates per day worked is defined as total charter
revenues divided by number of days worked. Overall utilization
rate is defined as the total number of days worked divided by
the total number of days of availability in the period. |
|
|
(c) |
|
Revenues for vessels in our North Sea fleet are primarily earned
in British pounds (£) and have been converted to
U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate ($/£) for
the periods indicated. The average exchange rates for the years
ended December 31, 2003, and 2002 were £ = $1.63 and
£ = $1.50, respectively. The North Sea-Based Fleet includes
certain vessels working in India. |
|
|
|
(e) |
|
Adjusted for vessel additions and dispositions occurring during
each period. |
|
Direct operating expenses increased $11.8 million in 2003.
This increase was due to the increased number of vessels in the
fleet as well as higher costs due to stronger currencies in the
operating regions compared to the reporting currency. Bareboat
charter expense decreased $2.8 million as a direct result
of the return of three bareboat chartered vessels during 2003.
General and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million
in 2003. Half of the increase was due to higher exchange rates
with the balance due to the expanded fleet size. Depreciation
expense also increased in 2003 by $6.6 million when
compared to 2002 as a result of the fleet increases and the
currency effect. Interest expense (net of interest income)
reflected an increase of $1.8 million due to a higher level
of borrowings required to support the newbuild vessel program
and lower interest income reflecting reduced cash balances
available for investment. Additionally, we reported an
unfavorable variance in the other category related to the
weakening of the Norwegian kroner versus the British pound the
denominated debt in our Norwegian subsidiary.
Segment Results
As discussed in Summary, we operate three operating
segments: the North Sea, Southeast Asia and the Americas, each
of which is considered a reportable segment under SFAS
No. 131. In prior years, we reported all operations in a
single segment. In 2004, our segment reporting was changed to
conform to the manner in which our chief operating decision
maker reviews, and we manage, our business.
Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on
operating income. Cash and cash equivalents and debt are managed
centrally. Because the regions do not manage those items, the
gains and
44
losses on foreign currency remeasurements associated with these
items are excluded from operating income. Management considers
segment operating income to be a good indicator of each
segments operating performance from its continuing
operations, as it represents the results of the ownership
interest in operations without regard to financing methods or
capital structures. Each operating segments operating
income is summarized in the following table, and detailed
discussions follow.
|
|
|
Operating Income by Operating Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
North Sea
|
|
$ |
10,591 |
|
|
$ |
5,547 |
|
|
$ |
28,392 |
|
Southeast Asia
|
|
|
6,230 |
|
|
|
8,657 |
|
|
|
8,074 |
|
Americas
|
|
|
5,942 |
|
|
|
4,652 |
|
|
|
3,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Reportable Segment Operating Income
|
|
|
22,763 |
|
|
|
18,856 |
|
|
|
39,512 |
|
Other
|
|
|
(6,869 |
) |
|
|
(4,129 |
) |
|
|
(4,328 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Reportable Segment and Other Operating Income
|
|
$ |
15,894 |
|
|
$ |
14,727 |
|
|
$ |
35,184 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
103,190 |
|
|
$ |
96,120 |
|
|
$ |
106,651 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
71,818 |
|
|
|
68,038 |
|
|
|
60,304 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
20,781 |
|
|
|
22,535 |
|
|
|
17,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
10,591 |
|
|
$ |
5,547 |
|
|
$ |
28,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003 |
Revenues for 2004 increased $7.1 million, compared to 2003.
The increase was primarily driven by increased capacity of
$3.2 million due to a full year effect of newly built
vessels delivered in 2003 partially offset by vessels mobilized
out of the region and increased day rates of $8.7 million
principally due to increases in foreign currency exchange rates
between the British pound and Norwegian kroner against the
U.S. dollar, offset by utilization decrease of
$4.8 million due to the weaknesses in the market. Operating
expenses and depreciation and amortization expense increased in
total by $2.0 million from 2003 to 2004 primarily due to
stronger currencies in the operating region compared to the
U.S. dollar. Depreciation and amortization expense also
decreased due to the reversal of drydock amortization and
recording drydock expenses as incurred in 2004, which are now
recorded in operating expenses.
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002 |
Revenues from 2002 to 2003 decreased by $10.5 million. The
decrease was primarily due to lower day rates of
$1.9 million and utilization of $18.1 million,
partially offset by the addition of new vessels in 2003 for a
$9.5 million increase in capacity. The day rates,
denominated in local currencies, were significantly lower in the
North Sea, but due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar, the
currency difference largely offset the lower day rate comparing
2002 to 2003. Operating expenses and depreciation and
amortization expense increased by $7.7 million and
$4.6 million, respectively, due primarily to the increased
numbers of vessels in 2003 resulting from the delivery of
vessels in the newbuild program.
45
Southeast Asia Region:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
17,505 |
|
|
$ |
17,907 |
|
|
$ |
16,197 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
8,810 |
|
|
|
6,438 |
|
|
|
5,893 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,465 |
|
|
|
2,812 |
|
|
|
2,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
6,230 |
|
|
$ |
8,657 |
|
|
$ |
8,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003 |
Revenues for 2004 decreased by $0.4 million compared to
2003 due primarily to lower day rates of $0.6 million.
Additionally, we experienced lower utilization of
$0.2 million due to the sale of three vessels in 2004,
partially offsetting this increase was higher capacity of
$0.4 million resulting from mobilization of a vessel from
another location. Operating expenses increased by
$2.4 million largely due to the mobilization of a vessel
from another region. Depreciation and amortization expense
decreased due to the reversal of drydock amortization and
recording drydock expense in 2004.
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002 |
Revenues from 2002 to 2003 increased by $1.7 million. The
increase is principally due to increased capacity with a full
year effect of Highland Legend in 2003. The full year
effect of the mobilization of this vessel into the region also
caused an aggregate increase in operating expenses and
depreciation and amortization expense of $1.1 million.
Americas Region:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
18,617 |
|
|
$ |
15,873 |
|
|
$ |
11,071 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
9,925 |
|
|
|
8,676 |
|
|
|
6,917 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,750 |
|
|
|
2,545 |
|
|
|
1,108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
5,942 |
|
|
$ |
4,652 |
|
|
$ |
3,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003 |
Revenues for 2004 increased by $2.7 million, compared to
2003 due to increased capacity, day rate and utilization with
the mobilization of the North Stream and the Highland
Warrior into the region, and the delivery of the Austral
Abrolhos to the Brazil market in 2004 offset by the
mobilization of the Highland Piper to the North Sea
during 2004 and the full year effect of the return of a bareboat
chartered vessel to its owner during 2003. Operating expenses
and depreciation and amortization expense increased in total by
$1.5 million due to the net addition of vessels.
|
|
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002 |
Revenues increased by $4.8 million from 2002 to 2003
primarily due to increased capacity resulting from the
mobilization of a vessel from the North Sea into the region and
by increased day rates. Operating expenses and depreciation and
amortization expense increased as well due to the increase in
the number of vessels in the market.
46
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our ongoing liquidity requirements are generally associated with
our need to service debt, fund working capital, acquire or
improve equipment and make other investments. Since inception,
we have been active in the acquisition of additional vessels
through both the resale market and new construction. Bank
financing, equity capital and internally generated funds have
historically provided funding for these activities.
We anticipate that the cash on hand and cash flow from
operations for the twelve months ending December 31, 2005,
will be adequate to repay our debts due during such period to
make normal recurring capital additions and improvements and to
meet working capital requirements. We believe that our current
cash and short-term investments and cash flows from operations
will provide sufficient resources to finance our operating
requirements. However, our ability to fund working capital,
capital expenditures and debt service in excess of cash on hand
will be dependent upon the success of our operations. To the
extent that existing sources are insufficient to meet those cash
requirements we would seek other debt or equity financing,
however, we can give no assurances that such debt or equity
financing would be available on acceptable terms.
Long-Term Debt
The Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility, which we entered into
with a syndicate of five banks, is presently secured by eight of
our vessels. The maximum commitment amount was originally
$100 million. During the third quarter of 2004, the
facility began its $4 million quarterly reduction phase,
which will continue until the fourth quarter of 2007. A final
payment of $44 million will be due in March 2008. At
December 31, 2004, the Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility
had a balance of $92 million, which was the maximum
available after the quarterly reductions for 2004. Interest on
outstanding balances accrues at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from
1.2% to 1.5% depending on our ratio of funded debt to total
capitalization, or Leverage Ratio. At December 31, 2004,
all outstanding borrowings under the Multi-currency Bank Credit
Facility were denominated in British pounds in order to match
the currency associated with the revenue stream for the
collateral vessels. As of December 31, 2004, the weighted
average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the
Credit Facility was 6.1%. The Multi-currency Bank Credit
Facility requires us not to exceed a maximum Leverage Ratio and
to maintain a specified interest coverage ratio and a minimum
net worth. We were in compliance with all Multi-currency Bank
Credit Facility covenants at December 31, 2004.
On December 23, 2004, we entered into a new senior secured
acquisition credit facility providing for a $50 million
revolving credit facility which is secured by eight vessels.
This credit facility has a final maturity date of the earlier of
January 31, 2008 or three calendar years from the first
drawdown date. At December 31, 2004, we had $8 million
outstanding under this credit facility. On January 24,
2005, we entered into a supplemental agreement to amend the new
acquisition credit facility to clarify the covenants relating to
the amounts of insurance on the eight vessels. On March 24,
2005, we entered into a supplemental agreement to amend the
definition of Material Adverse Effect and to clarify
the definition of Consolidated EBIT.
In order to allow us to enter into the new acquisition credit
facility, we requested an amendment to the negative pledge
covenant under Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility and an
amendment to one of the financial covenants to the
Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility, which reduced the EBITDA to
Interest coverage ratio for the period September 30, 2004,
through September 30, 2005. Both amendments to the
Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility were approved on
November 17, 2004, but became effective December 23,
2004. On March 22, 2005, we entered into a supplemental
agreement to clarify the covenants relating to the amounts of
insurance on the eight vessels. On March 24, 2005, we
entered into a supplemental agreement to amend the definition of
Material Adverse Effect and to clarify the
definitions of Consolidated EBIT, Consolidated
Interest Expense and Consolidated EBITDA and
the financial covenant ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to
Consolidated Interest Expense for the quarters ending
March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004.
47
On July 2, 2004, we commenced a tender offer to purchase
all of our outstanding $130 million aggregate principal
amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2008 for cash in an amount up
to 103.29% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest. In connection with the tender offer, we also
solicited and received the consent of the holders of our 8.75%
senior notes to amend the indenture governing the 8.75% senior
notes to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive
covenants contained in the indenture. We used the net proceeds
of the debt offering discussed below to purchase the 8.75%
senior notes, to repay a portion of indebtedness outstanding
under the Multi-currency Bank Credit Facility, and for general
corporate purposes.
On July 21, 2004, we issued $160 million aggregate
principal amount of 7.75% senior notes due 2014. The 7.75%
senior notes pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and
July 15, commencing January 15, 2005 and contain the
following redemption provisions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
At any time before July 15, 2007, we may redeem up
to 35% of the 7.75% senior notes with net cash proceeds of
certain equity offerings, as long as at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% senior notes issued
pursuant to the indenture remains outstanding after the
redemption. |
|
|
|
|
|
Prior to July 15, 2009, we may redeem all or part of the
7.75% senior notes by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued
and unpaid interest and, if any, liquidation damages. |
|
|
|
|
|
The 7.75% senior notes may be callable beginning on July 15
of 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and thereafter at
redemption prices of 103.875%, 102.583%, 101.292%
and 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. |
|
The 7.75% senior notes are general unsecured obligations and
ranked equally in right of payment with all existing and future
unsecured senior indebtedness and are senior to all future
subordinated indebtedness. The 7.75% senior notes are
effectively subordinated to all future secured obligations to
the extent of the assets securing such obligations and all
existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our
subsidiaries and trade payables incurred in the ordinary course
of business. Under certain circumstances, our payment
obligations under the 7.75% senior notes may jointly and
severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by one or more
of our subsidiaries.
The indenture under which the 7.75% senior notes are issued
imposed operating and financial restrictions on us. These
restrictions affect, and in many cases limited or prohibited,
among other things, our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, make capital expenditures, create liens, sell
assets and make dividends or other payments. We were in
compliance with all indenture covenants at December 31,
2004.
We also have a credit facility relating to a 2002 acquisition
consisting of three tranches, each secured by certain vessels.
We had $18.2 million outstanding on this debt as of
December 31, 2004. This debt amortizes in various quarterly
amounts until maturity in 2008.
Current Year Cash Flow
As of December 31, 2004, we had cash on hand of
$17.5 million. Cash provided by operating activities for
the year ended December 31, 2004, was $25.6 million
compared to $20.2 million in the previous year. The
increase was primarily attributable to higher operating income
reflecting a strengthening of the North Sea market at the end of
2004.
Cash used in investing activities for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $40.4 million and
$91.6 million, respectively. The decrease is attributable
to fewer purchases of vessels and other fixed assets in 2004
than in 2003.
Substantially all of our tax provision is for deferred taxes.
The tonnage tax regimes in both the U.K. and Norway
reduce the cash required for taxes in each of these regions. Our
tax provision can therefore fluctuate greatly depending on the
mix of income from low tax jurisdictions of the U.K.
and Norway versus income outside of these areas. We provide
for taxes at U.S. statutory rates on income from vessels
48
based on subpart F regulations of the Internal Revenue
Code. Accelerated depreciation has minimized the cash
requirements for income taxes.
Debt and Other Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at
December 31, 2004 and the effect these obligations are
expected to have on liquidity and cash flows in future periods
(in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Repayment of Long-Term Debt
|
|
$ |
19.5 |
|
|
$ |
21.0 |
|
|
$ |
26.4 |
|
|
$ |
51.3 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
160.0 |
|
Newbuild Program Commitments
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Cancelable operating leases
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
24.2 |
|
|
$ |
21.3 |
|
|
$ |
26.7 |
|
|
$ |
51.6 |
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
$ |
161.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Commitments
We execute letters of credit, performance bonds and other
guarantees in the normal course of business that ensure our
performance or payments to third parties. The aggregate notional
value of these instruments was $11.7 million at
December 31, 2004. All of these instruments have an
expiration date within one year. In the past, no significant
claims have been made against these financial instruments.
Management believes the likelihood of demand for payment under
these instruments is minimal and expects no material cash
outlays to occur from these instruments.
Currency Fluctuations and Inflation
In areas where currency risks are potentially high, we normally
accept only a small percentage of charter hire in local
currency. The remainder is paid in U.S. dollars.
Substantially all of our operations are international; therefore
we are exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks.
Charters for vessels in the North Sea fleet are primarily
denominated in British pounds with a portion denominated in
Norwegian kroner. Operating costs are substantially denominated
in the same currency as charter hire in order to reduce the risk
of currency fluctuations. The North Sea fleet generated 74% of
our total consolidated revenue for the year ended
December 31, 2004. In 2004, the British pound/
U.S. dollar exchange rate ranged from a high of
£ = U.S. $1.94 to a low of
£ = U.S. $1.76 with an average of
£ = U.S. $1.83 for the year. As of
March 1, 2005, the exchange rate was
£ = U.S. $1.92.
Our outstanding debt of $277.5 million includes
$168.0 million denominated in U.S. dollars with the
balance denominated in British pounds. A substantial portion of
our revenue is generated in British pounds. We have evaluated
these conditions and have determined that it is in our interest
not to use any financial instruments to hedge this exposure
under present conditions. Our strategy is in part based on a
number of factors including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
the cost of using hedging instruments in relation to the risks
of currency fluctuations; |
|
|
|
|
|
the propensity for adjustments in British pound-denominated
vessel day rates over time to compensate for changes in the
purchasing power of British pounds as measured in
U.S. dollars; |
|
|
|
|
|
the level of U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings available
to us; and |
|
|
|
|
|
the conditions in our U.S. dollar-generating regional
markets. |
|
One or more of these factors may change and, in response, we may
begin to use financial instruments to hedge risks of currency
fluctuations. We will from time to time hedge known liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies to reduce the effects of
exchange rate fluctuations on our financial results.
Reflected in the accompanying balance sheet at December 31,
2004, is an $79.2 million cumulative translation adjustment
primarily relating to the higher British pound and Norwegian
kroner exchange rate as of December 31, 2004 in comparison
to the exchange rate when we invested capital in these markets.
49
Changes in the cumulative translation adjustment are non-cash
items that are primarily attributable to investments in vessels
and U.S. dollar-based capitalization between the parent
company and its foreign subsidiaries. The current year change
reflects the significant weakness in the U.S. dollar
compared to the functional currencies of our major operating
subsidiaries, particularly in the U.K. and Norway.
To date, general inflationary trends have not had a material
effect on our operating revenues or expenses. One of the major
consumables for the fleet is diesel fuel, the price of which has
escalated significantly over the last year. Except for one
contract, which has a cost flow-through provision, fuel is
provided by our customers; therefore, escalating fuel prices
have not and will not adversely affect our operating cost
structure.
Transactions with Related Parties
For information regarding transactions with related parties, see
Certain Transactions and Related Parties.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The following new accounting standards were issued, but have not
yet been adopted by GulfMark as of December 31, 2004: SFAS
No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment
(SFAS No. 123R); FASB Staff Position FSP FAS
109-2, Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign
Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of
2004 (FSP FAS 109-2); and FASB Interpretation
No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
(FIN 46).
In December of 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued SFAS No. 123R, which replaces
SFAS No. 123 and supercedes Accounting Principles Board
Opinion (APB) No. 25. SFAS No. 123R
requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants
of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial
statements based on their fair values beginning with the first
interim or annual period after June 15, 2005. The pro forma
disclosures previously permitted under SFAS No. 123 no
longer will be an alternative to financial statement
recognition. Under SFAS No. 123R, we must determine the
appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based
payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the
transition method to be used at the date of adoption. The
transition methods include prospective and retroactive adoption
options. Under the retroactive option, prior periods may be
restated either as of the beginning of the year of adoption or
for all periods presented. The prospective method requires that
compensation expense be recorded for all unvested awards at the
beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS
No. 123R, while the retroactive methods would record
compensation expense for all unvested awards beginning in the
first period restated. The impact on earnings per share
(EPS) for 2004, 2003 and 2002 of SFAS
No. 123 is discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies. We continue to assess the transition provisions
and have not yet determined the transition method to be used or
if any changes will be made to the valuation method used for
share-based compensation awards issued to employees in future
periods. The impact in periods subsequent to adopting
SFAS 123R will be dependent upon the nature of any
equity-based compensation awards issued to employees, but we do
not anticipate our adoption of SFAS No. 123R on
July 1, 2005 to have any material impact on our
consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial
position.
In December 2004, the FASB Staff issued FSP FAS 109-2.
Management is currently evaluating the impact of the
Jobs Act and has not yet determined what impact, if any,
implementation of FSP FAS 109-2 will have on our
consolidated financial statements.
In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46. FIN 46
clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin
No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, for
certain entities in which equity investors do not have the
characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not
have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its
activities without additional subordinated financial support
from other parties. FIN 46 requires that variable interest
entities (VIEs), as defined, should be consolidated
by the primary beneficiary, which is defined as the entity that
is expected to absorb the majority of the expected losses,
50
receive the majority of the gains, or both. FIN 46 requires that
companies disclose certain information about a VIE created prior
to February 1, 2003 if it is reasonably possible that the
enterprise will be required to consolidate that entity. The
application of FIN 46 is required in the first interim
period ending after December 15, 2003 for entities created
prior to February 1, 2003, and immediately for any VIEs
created subsequent to January 31, 2003.
In November 2004, we further evaluated the application of
FIN 46 and have determined that our Rabbi trust is a VIE.
The Rabbi trust is a deferred compensation arrangement allowing
amounts earned by certain employees to be invested in the stock
of the Company or other assets. Our determination that our Rabbi
trust was a VIE had no impact on our financial position or
results of operations because we already reflect the Rabbi trust
in our consolidated financial statements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
|
|
Interest Rate Sensitivity |
At December 31, 2004, we had financial instruments that are
potentially sensitive to changes in interest rates, including
the notes, which are due July 15, 2014. They have a stated
interest rate of 7.75% and an effective interest rate
of 7.75% and an effective interest rate of 7.8%. As of
December 31, 2004, the fair value of these notes, based on
quoted market prices, was approximately $169.6 million
compared to a carrying amount of $159.4 million.
|
|
|
Exchange Rate Sensitivity |
We operate in a number of international areas and are involved
in transactions denominated in currencies other than
U.S. Dollars, which exposes us to foreign currency exchange
risk. At various times we may utilize forward exchange
contracts, local currency borrowings and the payment structure
of customer contracts to selectively hedge exposure to exchange
rate fluctuations in connection with monetary assets,
liabilities and cash flows denominated in certain foreign
currency. We do not hold or issue forward exchange contracts or
other derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
See Currency Fluctuation and Inflation.
Other than trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable,
we do not currently have financial instruments that are
sensitive to foreign currency exchange rates.
51
BUSINESS
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. is a Delaware corporation that provides
offshore marine services primarily to companies involved in the
offshore exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Our
vessels transport materials, supplies and personnel to offshore
facilities, and position drilling structures. The majority of
our operations are conducted in the North Sea, with the balance
in offshore Southeast Asia and Brazil. Periodically, we will
contract vessels into other regions to meet our customers
requirements.
Offshore Marine Services Industry Overview
Our customers employ our vessels to provide services supporting
the construction, positioning and ongoing operation of offshore
oil and natural gas drilling rigs and platforms. This industry
employs various types of vessels, referred to broadly as OSVs,
that are used to transport materials, supplies and personnel and
position drilling structures. Offshore marine service providers
are employed by oil companies that are engaged in the offshore
exploration and production of oil and natural gas and related
services. Services provided by companies in this industry are
performed in numerous locations worldwide. The North Sea,
offshore Southeast Asia, offshore West Africa, offshore
Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico, are each major markets that
employ a large number of vessels. Vessel usage is also
significant in other international markets, including India,
Australia, Trinidad, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea.
The industry is relatively fragmented, with more than 20
major participants and numerous small regional competitors.
Our business is directly impacted by the level of activity in
worldwide offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development
and production, which in turn is influenced by trends in oil and
natural gas prices. Additionally, oil and natural gas prices are
affected by a host of geopolitical and economic forces,
including the fundamental principles of supply and demand.
Although commodity prices have remained high by historical
standards over the last several years, upstream expenditures by
oil and gas exploration and development companies have not
followed previous patterns of greater expenditures when
commodity prices are high and lower expenditures during lower
pricing periods. Each of the major geographic offshore oil and
natural gas production regions has unique characteristics that
influence the economics of exploration and production and
consequently the market for vessels in support of these
activities. While there is some vessel interchangeability
between geographic regions, barriers such as mobilization costs
and vessel suitability restrict migration of some vessels
between regions. This is most notably the case in the North Sea,
where vessel design requirements dictated by the harsh operating
environment restrict relocation of vessels into that market.
These same design characteristics make the North Sea capable
vessels unsuitable for certain underdeveloped areas where draft
restrictions and, to a lesser degree, higher operating costs
restrict migration out of the market. The effect of these
restrictions on vessel movement is to segment various regions
into separate markets.
Size of Vessel Fleet
The size of our fleet has changed from 56 vessels on
December 31, 2003 to 54 vessels on March 31, 2005. One
newbuild vessel, the Austral Abrolhos, was delivered in
September 2004, as a part of our new construction program.
Additionally, in December 2004 we acquired the Highland
Citadel, a 2003 built 755L platform supply vessel, which we
previously managed. The new vessel construction program was
concluded in March 2005 with the delivery of two vessels that
are mobilizing to Mexico under long-term charters. During 2004,
we sold three of our older Southeast Asia-based vessels and one
vessel in the North Sea, and we returned the last of our
bareboat chartered vessels to its owner. Also, during 2004, our
52
managed vessel fleet was reduced by one vessel bringing the
total managed vessels to seven as of March 31, 2005. The
following table summarizes the fleet changes since
December 31, 2003:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bareboat | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned | |
|
Chartered | |
|
Managed | |
|
Total | |
|
|
Vessels | |
|
Vessels | |
|
Vessels | |
|
Fleet | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
January 1, 2004
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Newbuild Program
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Vessel Purchase
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Vessel Sales
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
Vessel Additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Vessel Returns
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Newbuild Program
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel Classifications
Offshore support vessels generally fall into seven functional
classifications derived from their primary or predominant
operating characteristics or capabilities. However, these
classifications are neither precise nor rigid, and it is not
unusual for a vessel to fit into more than one of the
categories. These functional classifications are:
|
|
|
|
|
Platform Supply Vessels, or PSVs, serve drilling and
production facilities and support offshore construction and
maintenance work. They are differentiated from other offshore
support vessels by their cargo handling capabilities,
particularly their large capacity and versatility. PSVs utilize
space on deck and below deck and are used to transport supplies
such as fuel, water, drilling fluids, equipment and provisions.
PSVs range in size from 150 to 200. Large PSVs, or
LgPSVs, range up to 300 in length, with a few vessels
somewhat larger, and are particularly suited for supporting
large concentrations of offshore production locations because of
their large, clear after deck and below deck capacities. The
majority of the LgPSVs we operate function primarily in this
classification but are also capable of service in construction
support. |
|
|
|
Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessels, or AHTS, are
used to set anchors for drilling rigs and tow mobile drilling
rigs and equipment from one location to another. In addition,
these vessels typically can be used in limited supply roles when
they are not performing anchor handling and towing services.
They are characterized by shorter after decks and special
equipment such as towing winches. Vessels of this type with less
than 10,000 brake horsepower, or BHP, are referred to as small
AHTS vessels, or SmAHTS, while AHTS vessels in excess of 10,000
BHP are referred to as large AHTS vessels, or LgAHTS. The most
powerful North Sea Class AHTS vessels have up to 25,000
BHP. All our AHTS vessels can also function as PSVs. |
|
|
|
Construction Support Vessels are vessels such as
pipe-laying barges or specially designed vessels, such as pipe
carriers, used to transport the large cargos of material and
supplies required to support the construction and installation
of offshore platforms and pipelines. A large number of our
LgPSVs also function as pipe carriers. Our North Sea fleet has
the distinction of being one of the only significant
concentration of pipe carrier capable vessels outside of
Scandinavian control. |
|
|
|
Standby Rescue Vessels, or Stby, perform a safety patrol
function for an area and are required for all manned locations
in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. These vessels
typically remain on station to provide a safety backup to
offshore rigs and production facilities and carry special
equipment to rescue personnel. They are equipped to provide
first aid and shelter and, in some cases, also function as
supply vessels. |
53
|
|
|
|
|
Crewboats, or Crew, transport personnel and cargo to and
from production platforms and rigs. Older crewboats (early 1980s
build) are typically 100 to 120 in length and are
designed for speed and to transport personnel. Newer crewboat
designs are generally larger, 130 to 185 in length
and can be longer with greater cargo carrying capacities. They
are used primarily to transport cargo on a time-sensitive basis.
Vessels in this category are often called fast supply vessels,
or FSV. We do not currently operate any vessels in this category. |
|
|
|
Specialty Vessels, or SpV, generally have special
features to meet the requirements of specific jobs. The special
features can include large deck spaces, high electrical
generating capacities, slow controlled speed and varied
propulsion thruster configurations, extra berthing facilities
and long-range capabilities. These vessels are primarily used to
support FPSOs, diving operations, ROVs, survey operations and
seismic data gathering, as well as oil recovery, oil spill
response and well stimulation. Some of our owned vessels
frequently provide specialty functions, and two managed vessels
are currently chartered for specialty functions. |
|
|
|
Utility Vessels are typically 90 to 150 in
length and are used to provide limited crew transportation, some
transportation of oilfield support equipment and, in some
locations, standby functions. We do not currently operate any
vessels in this category. |
Markets
We define the North Sea market as offshore Norway, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and Ireland, the Norwegian
Sea and the area West of Shetlands. Historically, this has been
the most demanding of all exploration frontiers due to harsh
weather, erratic sea conditions, significant water depth and
long sailing distances. Exploration and production operators in
the North Sea market have typically been large and
well-capitalized entities (such as major oil companies and
state-owned oil companies), in large part because of the
significant financial commitment required in this market.
Recently, however, there have been a number of independent
operators who have begun to develop fields in the North Sea or
who have made significant acquisitions from the major oil
companies with plans to further develop these properties.
Projects in the North Sea tend to be fewer in number but larger
in scope, with longer planning horizons than projects in regions
with less demanding environments such as the Gulf of Mexico. Due
to these factors, vessel demand in the North Sea has generally
been stable and less susceptible to abrupt swings than vessel
demand in other regions.
This market can be broadly divided into three areas:
exploration, production platform support and field development
or construction. Support of the more volatile exploration
segment of the market represents the primary demand for AHTS
vessels. While supply vessels support the exploration segment,
they also support the production and field construction
segments, which generally are not affected by frequent
short-term swings in demand. However, since AHTS vessels are
capable of performing in a supply role, with the reduction in
exploration and production activities starting in 2002 in the
North Sea, many AHTS vessels have been available to compete in
the supply vessel market and thus contributed to lower day rates
in 2003 and through the third quarter of 2004.
Our North Sea based fleet is oriented toward supply vessels
which work in the more stable segments of production platform
support and field development or construction, and includes 30
owned vessels (21 PSVs, four AHTS vessels, and five SpVs) and
seven managed PSV vessels. Onshore bases in Aberdeen, Scotland,
Liverpool, England and Sandnes, Norway support these vessels.
Vessels that are based in the North Sea but operate temporarily
out of the region, such as the two vessels currently operating
in India and the one vessel operating in the Congo, are included
in the North Sea vessel count and related statistics, unless
deployed to one of our other regions under long-term contracts.
The North Sea market was generally a very stable market from the
early-1990s through late in 2001 with minor periods of
disruption caused by fluctuating expenditures for oil and
natural gas exploration and development, primarily by the major
oil companies that dominated this market. In late 2000, commodity
54
prices and increased drilling activity resulted in improved
vessel utilization and day rates through 2001 and into the first
part of 2002. Subsequent to the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001, both oil and natural gas prices
remained significantly higher; however, despite these higher
commodity price levels, exploration and development activity in
the region did not increase accordingly. At the same time, there
was an increase in the number of newbuild vessels delivered into
the market in 2002-2004 which resulted in the lowest utilization
in the region in the last decade during the period 2003-2004.
While the number of high capacity vessels in this market has
remained fairly constant over the last ten years at
approximately two hundred, there have been over three hundred
vessels of the same design capacity delivered which have gone
into service in other international markets or displaced older
equipment in the North Sea. These displaced vessels have
subsequently mobilized to other international markets, either
permanently or for temporary assignments.
There was also a transformation in the customer base in the
region that began in 2003 and continued throughout 2004 as the
major oil and natural gas companies disposed of prospects and
mature producing properties in the North Sea to independent oil
and natural gas companies. This was in part caused by
legislative initiatives in the U.K., which made these properties
attractive to the independents. The independent companies
typically had shorter horizons with regard to exploration and
development activities than the major oil and natural gas
companies, which in turn resulted in a decline in the
availability of long-term contracts for vessel services at
economically attractive day rates. The consequence of this
transformation and curtailment of activities by the major
companies was an increase in the number of vessels available in
the spot market which in turn depressed both utilization of
vessels and day rates. In the second quarter of 2004, an
increase in long-term drilling rig contracts was evidenced in
the North Sea, particularly in the Norwegian sector, which
specifically related to the opening of the Barent Sea to
exploration activities by the Norwegian government. In addition,
several large projects including the Orman Lange, Snovhit and
Alvheim Field developments resulted in the oil and gas companies
that contracted the drilling rigs to tender for vessel services
in support for these rigs. Late in the third quarter of 2004,
utilization and day rates for vessels in the region began to
improve with some consistency throughout the balance of 2004.
This region typically has weaker periods in the winter months of
December-February; however, with a few exceptions, utilization
and day rates have remained strong throughout these months.
Visibility with regard to vessel demand over the balance of 2005
and into 2006 is directly related to drilling and development
activities in the region as well as construction work required
in support of these activities and demands outside of the region
which will draw vessels to other international markets.
Geopolitical events, the demand for oil and gas in both mature
and emerging countries and a host of other factors will
influence the expenditures of both independent and major oil and
gas companies in the near term; however, based on current
conditions and the available information regarding future
drilling plans for the region, we anticipate a consistent market
throughout the balance of 2005 and into the first half of 2006.
The demand for existing vessels outside of the North Sea and the
expanded role for deepwater projects in worldwide locations has
continued to lead to migrations of vessels to other operating
areas. As 2002 was coming to a close, we mobilized three vessels
from the North Sea to other operating areas. The Highland
Legend went to Southeast Asia, the Highland Piper
went to Brazil and the newly delivered Highland Bugler
went to India. In 2003, the North Crusader mobilized to
Brazil as a front-runner for the Brazilian vessel under
construction and the Highland Drummer mobilized to India
along with a managed vessel. In 2004, we have mobilized the
Highland Warrior on a four year contract and North
Stream on a two year contract to Brazil. The Highland
Patriot went to Southeast Asia where we gained higher
utilization. We also brought the Highland Bugler and the
Highland Piper back to the North Sea after completion of
contracts in India and Brazil respectively. Late in 2004 and
after the delivery of the Austral Abrolhos in Brazil the
North Crusader left the region and initially went to West
Africa where it is working on a short term exploration
project. All of these vessel movements have been
undertaken to take advantage of contract opportunities or to
place the vessels where there were improved opportunities for
contracts. It is our intent to continue to seek opportunities
for term work at attractive rates outside of the North Sea while
preserving our capability to take advantage of market potential
in the North Sea region.
55
|
|
|
The Southeast Asia Market |
We define the Southeast Asia market as offshore Asia bounded
roughly on the west by the Indian subcontinent and on the north
by China. This market includes offshore Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam. The design requirements for vessels in
this market are generally similar to the requirements of the
shallow water Gulf of Mexico. However, advanced exploration
technology and rapid growth in energy demand among many Pacific
Rim countries have led to more remote drilling locations, which
has increased both the overall demand in this market and the
technical requirements for vessels. We believe that a number of
exploration and production projects planned or underway could
increase the future demand for offshore marine services in the
Southeast Asia market.
The Southeast Asia market differs country by country, but the
competitive environment is broadly characterized by a large
number of small companies, in contrast to many of the other
major offshore exploration and production areas of the world,
where a few large operators dominate the market. Affiliations
with local companies are generally necessary to maintain a
viable marketing presence. Our management has been involved in
the region since the mid-1970s, and we currently maintain
long-standing business relationships with a number of local
companies. We currently have ten vessels deployed in this market.
Vessels in this market are typically smaller than those
operating in areas such as the North Sea. Yet, the varying
weather conditions, annual monsoons and long distances between
supply centers in Southeast Asia have allowed for a variety of
vessel designs to compete in this market, each suited for a
particular set of operating parameters. Vessels designed for the
Gulf of Mexico and other areas where moderate weather conditions
prevail have historically made up the bulk of the Southeast
Asian fleet. In the middle part of the 1990s, there was pressure
(most notably from Malaysia) to upgrade offshore vessel
capabilities by establishing limits on the age of vessels
working in certain countries territorial waters and
encouraging construction of new vessels designed to operate in
this region. Demand for larger, newer and higher specification
vessels is developing in the region where deepwater projects
occur or where oil and gas companies employ larger fleets of
vessels. This development led us to mobilize the Highland
Legend from the North Sea to this market in late 2002 and
the Highland Patriot in early 2004 to meet the changing
market in the region, as both of these vessels are larger than
the typical vessels of the region. We sold three vessels serving
in our Southeast Asia fleet, the Seawitch and the
Seawhip in July 2004 and the Sea Conquest in
September 2004.
Changes in supply and demand dynamics have led at times to an
excess number of vessels in markets such as the Gulf of Mexico.
It is possible that vessels currently located in the Arabian/
Persian Gulf area, West Africa or the Gulf of Mexico could
relocate to Southeast Asia. Not all vessels currently located in
those regions would be able to operate in Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, transferring a vessel from the Gulf of Mexico to
this region would involve a significant cash and opportunity
cost. During 2003, and the first half of 2004 when this market
was stronger than other markets, movement of vessels into
Southeast Asia became more of a factor in the supply/ demand
equation. However, in the latter stages of 2004 the continued
strength in West Africa and the Middle East resulted in vessels
leaving the area for these locations.
Indonesia is the only member of OPEC in the region. Oil and
natural gas exploration activity in Indonesia has historically
focused on oil exploration. Several large projects have now been
identified that would exploit gas reserves as well as convert
gas into liquefied natural gas for shipment to other areas of
the world where gas demand is anticipated to continue to grow.
Indonesian-based operations utilize the largest number of
service vessels in the region. Demand in Indonesia has seen a
number of peaks and valleys during the past decade, but over the
last several years has remained relatively constant with
utilization levels remaining relatively high and day rates
steady. We currently have one vessel operating in Indonesia for
a major oil and natural gas company.
56
We define the Americas market as offshore North, Central and
South America. Historically, our activity in the Americas has
been in Brazil; however, we currently have two vessels in
transit to Mexico to fulfill a contact with Pemex.
Similar to the North Sea, the Brazilian market requires highly
sophisticated vessels due to the harsh operating environment. We
have experienced success in meeting the market requirements
through owned, managed and bareboat chartered vessels and will
look to our existing and newbuild fleet to meet the expanding
demand for vessels in this important market.
Over the last several years, the Brazilian government has opened
up the petroleum industry to private investment. The early bid
rounds resulted in extensive commitments by major international
oil companies and consortiums of independents, many of whom have
explored and to some extent will continue to explore the
offshore blocks awarded in the lease sales. This has created a
demand for deepwater AHTS vessels to some extent and PSV vessels
in support of the drilling and exploration activities that has
been met primarily from mobilization of vessels from other
regions. In addition, Petrobras, the Brazilian national oil
company, continues to expand operations which has created, and
could continue to create, additional demand for offshore support
vessels. We have been active in bidding on additional work with
both Petrobras and the consortiums with the recent success
resulting in the contract awards for the North Stream,
the Highland Warrior and the Austral Abrolhos.
Currently, we operate five vessels in this region, including the
Brazilian newbuild Austral Abrolhos, which was delivered
in September 2004 and is contracted through October 2009 to
Enterprise Oil do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of the Royal Dutch/
Shell Group, in support of its Brazilian program in the Campos
Basin. The Seapower has been operating in Brazil since
1995 under a contract with Petrobras, which runs into October
2005. The Highland Scout has been contracted to Petrobras
since January 2000 and is contracted into April 2007. The
Highland Warrior and the North Stream were
mobilized to the region during 2004 and are contracted through
August 2008 and June 2006, respectively. The North
Crusader, which had been used as a front-runner for the
Austral Abrolhos, mobilized to West Africa, and the
Highland Piper completed its contract with Petrobras and
mobilized back to the North Sea.
We have contracted the two new build vessels, Coloso and
Titan, under five-year primary-term contracts to Pemex in
the Gulf of Mexico. This represents our first entry into the
Gulf of Mexico market with Pemex and is anticipated to create
additional opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico in the future as
Pemex increases the size and capability of the vessel fleet
required to support their drilling operations. The vessels are
scheduled to arrive in Mexico from the shipyard in Singapore and
begin their contracts late in the second quarter of 2005.
We have contracted our vessels outside of our operating segment
regions principally on short-term charters in places such as
West Africa and the Mediterranean region. We currently have a
managed vessel in addition to one of our owned vessels working
in support of drilling operations in India and one of our owned
vessels operating in the Congo. We look to our core markets for
the bulk of our term contracts; however, when the economics of a
contract are attractive, or we believe it is strategically
advantageous, we will operate our vessels in markets outside of
our core regions.
New Vessel Construction Program
During 2000, we committed to the construction of nine new North
Sea class vessels with a Norwegian shipbuilder. This shipyard
previously constructed several of our other newbuilds including
the UT 755 design PSVs. The newbuild program included six
PSVs and three AHTSs, with all vessels designed to be
multi-functional in that they are capable of supporting
underwater ROV operations as well as traditional offshore
support operations. All of the vessels were built to Rolls
Royce/ Ulstein specifications and included
57
two UT 745 PSVs, four UT 755 PSVs and three
UT 722L AHTS vessels. All of these vessels have been
delivered on time and within budget.
Additionally, we contracted with the Norwegian shipyards
Brazilian affiliate for the construction of an SpV for an
estimated cost of $24.0 million. This vessel, the
Austral Abrolhos, was delivered in September 2004. In
December of 2003, we entered into a contract with a shipyard in
Singapore to build two 6,000 horsepower AHTS vessels pursuant to
a contract with our joint venture partner in Mexico for Pemex.
These two vessels, that cost approximately $22.0 million,
were delivered in March 2005. As of the end of 2004, we have
spent $226.0 million on these programs, including
$88.2 million in 2003 and $23.5 million in 2004. The
following table outlines the cost and contracted delivery
schedule of the program:
Delivered Vessels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel | |
|
|
|
Cost | |
Vessel |
|
Type | |
|
Delivery Date | |
|
(millions) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
UT 755L (Highland Fortress)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
July 12, 2001 |
|
|
$ |
14.0 |
|
UT 745 (Highland Navigator)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
February 27, 2002 |
|
|
|
18.8 |
|
UT 745 (North Mariner)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
February 28, 2002 |
|
|
|
19.7 |
|
UT 755 (Highland Bugler)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
October 15, 2002 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
UT 722L (Highland Courage)
|
|
|
AHTS |
|
|
|
December 12, 2002 |
|
|
|
30.8 |
|
UT 755L (Highland Eagle)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
March 20, 2003 |
|
|
|
14.9 |
|
UT 755 (Highland Monarch)
|
|
|
PSV |
|
|
|
July 2, 2003 |
|
|
|
12.9 |
|
UT 722L (Highland Valour)
|
|
|
AHTS |
|
|
|
July 2, 2003 |
|
|
|
30.3 |
|
UT 722L (Highland Endurance)
|
|
|
AHTS |
|
|
|
December 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
30.2 |
|
UT 719-2 (Austral Abrolhos)
|
|
|
SpV |
|
|
|
September 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
24.0 |
|
Coloso
|
|
|
AHTS |
|
|
|
March 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
Titan
|
|
|
AHTS |
|
|
|
March 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Delivered Vessel Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
230.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58
Our Fleet
Our existing fleet as of March 31, 2005 is 54 vessels,
including the two vessels transitioning to Mexico. Of these
vessels, 47 are owned by us (see table below) and seven are
under management for other owners.
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|
Type |
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|
Length | |
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BHP |
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DWT |
Fleet |
|
Vessel |
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(a) |
|
Flag |
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Delivery | |
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(feet) | |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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| |
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NORTH SEA BASED
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
Highland Bugler |
|
LgPSV |
|
UK |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
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221 |
|
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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Highland Champion |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
|
|
1979 |
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|
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265 |
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4,800 |
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3,910 |
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Highland Citadel |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
|
|
2003 |
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|
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236 |
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5,450 |
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3,200 |
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Highland Drummer |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1997 |
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|
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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Highland Eagle |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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2003 |
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|
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236 |
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5,450 |
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3,200 |
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Highland Fortress |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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2001 |
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236 |
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5,450 |
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3,200 |
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Highland Monarch |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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2003 |
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|
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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Highland Navigator |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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|
2002 |
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|
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275 |
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9,600 |
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4,250 |
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Highland Pioneer |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1983 |
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224 |
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5,400 |
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2,500 |
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Highland Piper |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1996 |
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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Highland Pride |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1992 |
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265 |
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6,600 |
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3,080 |
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Highland Rover |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1998 |
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236 |
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5,450 |
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3,200 |
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Highland Star |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1991 |
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265 |
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6,600 |
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3,075 |
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North Challenger |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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1997 |
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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North Fortune |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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1983 |
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264 |
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6,120 |
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3,366 |
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North Mariner |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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2002 |
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275 |
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9,600 |
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4,400 |
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North Prince |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1978 |
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259 |
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6,000 |
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2,717 |
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North Traveller |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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1998 |
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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North Truck |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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1983 |
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265 |
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6,120 |
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3,370 |
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North Vanguard |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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1990 |
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265 |
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6,600 |
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4,000 |
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Safe Truck |
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LgPSV |
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UK |
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1996 |
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221 |
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5,450 |
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3,115 |
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Highland Courage |
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AHTS |
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UK |
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2002 |
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260 |
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16,320 |
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2,750 |
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Highland Endurance |
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AHTS |
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UK |
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2003 |
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260 |
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16,320 |
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2,750 |
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Highland Valour |
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AHTS |
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UK |
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2003 |
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260 |
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16,320 |
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2,750 |
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North Crusader |
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AHTS |
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Panama |
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1984 |
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236 |
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12,000 |
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2,064 |
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Clwyd Supporter |
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SpV |
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UK |
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1984 |
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266 |
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10,700 |
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1,350 |
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Highland Spirit |
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SpV |
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UK |
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1998 |
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202 |
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6,000 |
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1,800 |
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Highland Sprite |
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SpV |
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UK |
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1986 |
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194 |
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3,590 |
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1,442 |
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Sefton Supporter |
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SpV |
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UK |
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1971 |
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250 |
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1,620 |
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1,219 |
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Sentinel |
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SpV |
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Norway |
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1979 |
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266 |
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4,600 |
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4,141 |
SOUTHEAST ASIA BASED
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Highland Guide |
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LgPSV |
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Panama |
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1999 |
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218 |
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4,640 |
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2,800 |
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Highland Legend |
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PSV |
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Panama |
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1986 |
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194 |
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3,600 |
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1,442 |
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Highland Patriot |
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LgPSV |
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Panama |
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1982 |
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233 |
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4,800 |
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2,649 |
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Sea Diligent |
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SmAHTS |
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Panama |
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1981 |
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192 |
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4,610 |
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1,219 |
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Sea Eagle |
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SmAHTS |
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Panama |
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1976 |
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185 |
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3,850 |
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1,215 |
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Sea Endeavor |
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SmAHTS |
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Panama |
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1981 |
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191 |
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3,900 |
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1,000 |
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Sea Explorer |
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SmAHTS |
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Panama |
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1981 |
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192 |
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5,750 |
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1,500 |
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Sea Searcher |
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SmAHTS |
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Panama |
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1976 |
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185 |
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3,850 |
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1,215 |
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Sem Courageous |
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SmAHTS |
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Malaysia |
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1981 |
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191 |
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3,900 |
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1,220 |
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Sem Valiant |
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SmAHTS |
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Malaysia |
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1981 |
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191 |
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3,900 |
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1,220 |
AMERICAS BASED
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Austral Abrolhos(d) |
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AHTS |
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Brazil |
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2004 |
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215 |
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7,100 |
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2,000 |
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Highland Scout |
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LgPSV |
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Panama |
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|
1999 |
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218 |
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4,640 |
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2,800 |
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Highland Warrior |
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LgPSV |
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Panama |
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1981 |
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265 |
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5,300 |
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4,049 |
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North Stream |
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LgPSV |
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Norway |
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|
1998 |
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276 |
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9,600 |
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4,585 |
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Seapower |
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SpV |
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Panama |
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1974 |
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222 |
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7,040 |
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1,205 |
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Coloso(e) |
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SmAHTS |
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Mexico |
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2005 |
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196 |
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5,916 |
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1,674 |
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|
Titan(e) |
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SmAHTS |
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Mexico |
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2005 |
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196 |
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5,916 |
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1,674 |
59
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(a)
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Legend: |
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LgPSV Large platform supply vessel |
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AHTS Anchor handling, towing and supply vessel |
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PSV Platform supply vessel |
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SmAHTS Small anchor handling, towing and supply
vessel |
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SpV Specialty vessel, including towing and oil spill
response |
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(b) |
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Brake horsepower. |
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(c) |
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Deadweight tons. |
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(d) |
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The Austral Abrolhos is subject to an annual right of its
charterer to purchase the vessel during the term of the charter
at a purchase price in the first year of $26.75 million
declining to an adjusted purchase price of $12.9 million in
the thirteenth year. The charter commenced May 2, 2003 when
a front runner vessel began the charter and, subject to the
charterers right to extend, terminates May 2, 2016. |
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(e) |
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Mobilizing to Mexico. |
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The table above does not include seven managed vessels. |
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Customers, Contract Terms and Competition
Our principal customers are major integrated oil companies and
large independent oil and natural gas exploration and production
companies working in international markets, and foreign
government owned or controlled oil companies, as well as
companies that provide logistic, construction and other services
to such oil companies and foreign government organizations. The
contracts are industry standard time charters involving several
of our vessels for periods ranging from a few days or months to
more than a year. While certain contracts do contain
cancellation provisions, the contracts are generally not
cancelable except for unsatisfactory performance by the vessel.
During 2004, under multiple contracts in the ordinary course of
business, one customer, Petrobras, accounted for 10.3% of total
consolidated revenues. No other single customer accounted for
10% or more of our total consolidated revenues for 2004.
Contract or charter durations vary from single-day to multi-year
in length, based upon many different factors that vary by
market. Additionally, there are evergreen charters
(also known as life of field or forever
charters), and at the other end of the spectrum, there are
spot charters and short duration
charters, which can vary from single voyage to charters of less
than six months. Longer duration charters are more common where
equipment is not as readily available or specific equipment is
required. In the North Sea, multi-year charters have been more
common, and we believe that term charters constitute a
significant portion of the market. Term charters in Southeast
Asia are currently somewhat less common than in the North Sea
and generally are two years or shorter in length. In addition,
charters for vessels in support of floating production are
typically life of field or full production
horizon charters. Because of options and frequent
renewals, the stated duration of charters may have little
correlation with the length of time the vessel is actually
contracted to a particular customer.
In the past we have bareboat chartered vessels. Bareboat
charters are contracts for vessels, generally for a term in
excess of one year, whereby the owner transfers all market
exposure for the vessel to the charterer in exchange for an
arranged fee. The charterer has the right to market the vessel
without direction from the owner. Currently, however, we have no
bareboat chartered vessels in our fleet.
Managed vessels add to the market presence of the manager but
provide limited direct financial contribution. Management fees
are typically based on a per diem rate and are not subject to
fluctuations in the charter hire rates. The manager is typically
responsible for disbursement of funds for operating the vessel
on behalf of the owner. Depending on the level of service
provided by the manager, fees for services are generally less
than $10,000 per month per vessel. Currently, we have seven
vessels under management.
Substantially all of our charters are fixed in British Pounds,
Norwegian Kroner and U.S. Dollars. We attempt to reduce
currency risk by matching each vessels contract revenue to
the currency in which its operating expenses are incurred. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Currency
Fluctuations and Inflation.
We compete with approximately 10-15 companies in the North Sea
market and numerous small and large competitors in the Southeast
Asia market principally on the basis of suitability of
equipment, price
60
and service. Also, in certain foreign countries, preferences are
given to vessels owned by local companies. We have attempted to
mitigate some of the impact of such preferences through
affiliations with local companies. Some of our competitors have
significantly greater financial resources than we do.
Fleet Availability
A portion of our available fleet is committed under contracts of
various terms. The following table outlines the percentage of
our forward days under contract as of March 1, 2004, and
March 1, 2005:
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As of March 1, 2005 | |
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As of March 1, 2004 | |
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2005 Vessel | |
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2006 Vessel | |
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2004 Vessel | |
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2005 Vessel | |
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Days | |
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Days | |
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Days | |
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Days | |
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North Sea Based Fleet
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61.3 |
% |
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40.6 |
% |
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39.3 |
% |
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37.9 |
% |
Southeast Asia Based Fleet
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|
59.9 |
% |
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12.7 |
% |
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34.1 |
% |
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13.4 |
% |
Americas Based Fleet
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|
96.6 |
% |
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|
78.5 |
% |
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|
89.9 |
% |
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|
55.7 |
% |
Overall Fleet
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|
65.8 |
% |
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|
40.3 |
% |
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|
43.2 |
% |
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|
32.9 |
% |
These commitments provide us with a forward view of vessel
income in the respective periods based on the contract rates
that are in effect on each of the contracts comprising the
forward days less the estimated costs of operating the vessels
in each geographical area. The increase in the percentage of
contracted days at March 1, 2005, as compared to
March 1, 2004, for the current year and one year forward,
is primarily a reflection of increased drilling and exploration
activity in late 2004 and continuing into 2005, which resulted
in higher demand for support vessels. This increase in demand
resulted in more long-term (greater than one year) contracts at
day rates we deem to be acceptable.
Environmental and Government Regulation
We must comply with extensive government regulation in the form
of international conventions, federal and state laws and
regulations in jurisdictions where our vessels operate and/or
are registered. These conventions, laws and regulations govern
matters of environmental protection, worker health and safety,
vessel and port security and the manning, construction and
operation of vessels. We believe that we are in material
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The
International Maritime Organization, or IMO, recently made the
regulations of the International Safety Management Code, or ISM
Code, mandatory. The ISM Code provides an international standard
for the safe management and operation of ships, pollution
prevention and certain crew and vessel certifications which
became effective on July 1, 2002. IMO has recently adopted
the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code, or
ISPS Code, which became effective on July 1, 2004. The ISPS
Code provides that owners or operators of certain vessels and
facilities must provide security and security plans for their
vessels and facilities and obtain appropriate certification of
compliance. We believe all of our vessels presently are
certificated in accordance with ISPS Code. The risks of
incurring substantial compliance costs, liabilities and
penalties for non-compliance are inherent in offshore marine
operations. Compliance with environmental, health and safety
laws and regulations increases our cost of doing business.
Additionally, environmental, health and safety laws change
frequently. Therefore, we are unable to predict the future costs
or other future impact of these laws on our operations. There is
no assurance that we can avoid significant costs, liabilities
and penalties imposed as a result of governmental regulation in
the future. See Risk Factors Government
regulation and environmental risks reduce our business
opportunities and increase our costs.
Operational Risks and Insurance
Our operations are subject to various operating hazards and
risks, including:
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catastrophic marine disaster; |
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adverse sea and weather conditions; |
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mechanical failure; |
61
|
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navigation errors; |
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collision; |
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|
oil and hazardous substance spills, containment and clean up; |
|
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|
labor shortages and strikes; |
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|
|
damage to and loss of drilling rigs and production facilities;
and |
|
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|
war, sabotage and terrorism risks. |
These risks present a threat to the safety of personnel and to
our vessels, cargo, equipment under tow and other property, as
well as the environment. We could be required to suspend our
operations or request that others suspend their operations as a
result of these hazards. Third parties may have significant
claims against us for damages due to personal injury, death,
property damage, pollution and loss of business.
We maintain customary insurance coverage for casualty and
liability risks. We have renewed our primary insurance program
for the insurance year 2005-2006. We believe our insurance is
adequate, and we have never experienced a loss in excess of
policy limits. There is no assurance that our insurance coverage
will be available, or affordable in the future, and if available
whether it will be adequate to cover future claims that may
arise. See Risk Factors We are subject to
hazards customary for the operation of vessels that could
adversely affect our financial performance if we are not
adequately insured or indemnified and Risk
Factors Substantially all our revenues are derived
from our international operations and those operations are
subject to government regulation and operating risks.
Foreign Operations
During the past five years, we derived substantially all of our
revenues from foreign sources. We therefore face risks inherent
in conducting business internationally, such as:
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foreign currency exchange fluctuations or imposition of currency
exchange controls; |
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|
legal and governmental regulatory requirements; |
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|
potential vessel seizure or nationalization of assets; |
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|
import-export quotas or other trade barriers; |
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|
|
difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer
collection periods; |
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|
political and economic instability; |
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|
potentially adverse tax consequences; |
|
|
|
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international
operations; and |
|
|
|
language and cultural differences. |
In the past, these conditions or events have not materially
affected our operations. However, we cannot predict whether any
such conditions or events might develop in the future. Also, we
organized our subsidiary structure and our operations in part
based on certain assumptions about various foreign and domestic
tax laws, currency exchange requirements and capital
repatriation laws. While we believe our assumptions are correct,
there can be no assurance that taxing or other authorities will
reach the same conclusion. If our assumptions are incorrect, or
if the relevant countries change or modify such laws or the
current interpretation of such laws, we may suffer adverse tax
and financial consequences, including the reduction of cash flow
available to meet required debt service and other obligations.
Any of these factors could materially adversely affect our
international operations and, consequently, our business,
operating results and financial condition.
62
Seasonality of Business
The operations of our fleet are subject to seasonal factors.
Operations in the North Sea are generally at their highest level
during the months from April to August and at their lowest
levels during November to February. During the last quarter of
2004 and the first several months of 2005, this typical pattern
has not been evident as the demand for vessels in the region has
been higher than in previous years during this period. Vessels
operating in Southeast Asia are generally at their lowest
utilization rates during the monsoon season, which moves across
the Asian continent between September and early March. The
actual monsoon season for a specific Southeast Asian location is
about two months. In addition, operations in any market may be
affected by unusually long or short construction seasons due to,
among other things, abnormal weather conditions.
Internal Controls
|
|
|
Period Ended as of December 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SECs rules and forms, and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of
the end of December 31, 2004. As described below, we have
identified material weaknesses in our internal control over
financial reporting. As a result of these material weaknesses,
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that, as of December 31, 2004, our disclosure
controls and procedures were not effective.
In light of these material weaknesses, in preparing its
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, we performed additional analyses and
other post-closing procedures in an effort to ensure that our
consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004 were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLPs report,
dated March 31, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on
our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, during the
first quarter of 2005, we began to implement additional controls
and procedures, as discussed below, that are intended to
remediate the material weaknesses that existed as of
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting |
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004,
and in making this assessment, used the criteria set forth by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Based on this assessment,
management identified three material weaknesses as of
December 31, 2004. A material weakness is a control
deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results
in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of
the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented
or detected.
A material weakness was identified related to the financial
statement close process, including insufficient controls over
properly analyzing and reconciling intercompany accounts,
maintaining appropriate support and analyses of certain
non-routine accruals, properly analyzing certain deferred cost
accounts, and properly assessing the accounting and reporting
implications related to new contractual agreements. Management
identified a second material weakness related to the accounting
for the effects of foreign currencies, including insufficient
controls over the analysis of the foreign currency translation
and transaction impact of intercompany amounts, as well as
amounts owed to third parties denominated in
63
non-functional currencies. A third material weakness was
identified by management related to accounting for income taxes
associated with new international operations, including
insufficient controls over the proper identification and
application of the relevant Brazilian tax rules to the
calculation of the tax provision of our new Brazilian
operations. Our lack of adequate accounting and tax resources,
in terms of size, technical expertise and institutional
knowledge (due to unusually high levels of personnel turnover in
the finance and accounting organization) to address certain of
the financial and tax reporting aspects of our multi-national
operations, was the underlying cause of these material
weaknesses.
As a result of these material weaknesses, we recorded
adjustments prior to the issuance of our 2004 consolidated
financial statements. The adjustments primarily affected
non-routine accruals, deferred cost accounts, the measurement of
the foreign currency translation and transaction impact of
intercompany accounts, deferred taxes and the tax provision
related to our new Brazilian operations, including, as
applicable, the corresponding income statement accounts.
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Remediation of the Material Weaknesses in Internal Control
over Financial Reporting |
To remediate these material weaknesses, in the first quarter of
2005, our management began to implement a remediation program,
including the establishment of additional controls, that is
intended to strengthen our internal controls over financial
reporting generally and to specifically address the identified
material weaknesses. This program and the enhanced controls
currently include:
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Financial statement close process. We have enhanced our
corporate accounting function by creating and filling several
new positions, including those of Accounting Manager and
Assistant Controller-Financial Reporting, to provide greater
review and analysis of financial results at both the corporate
and subsidiary levels. In addition, the newly hired staff also
bring experience in international financial statement
preparation, as well as skills related to the review and
analysis of complex accounting transactions in large
multi-national companies. We also hired an outside consultant
to, among other things, evaluate and assist us in establishing
improved controls over the process associated with intercompany
transactions. The consultant will assist in the training of the
new and existing personnel in the execution of the controls and
processes so established. |
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Translation and transaction effects of foreign currency
exchange. We have engaged an outside consultant to analyze
the foreign currency impact of our intercompany and third party
transactions. In addition, the consultant will also train our
staff to identify, segregate, analyze and measure the foreign
currency impact on these transactions in the future. We are also
in the process of reviewing the capability of our system to
automate the calculation and recording of foreign currency
effects at the transaction level. These steps will enable the
appropriate measurement of the foreign currency translation and
transaction impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
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Taxes related to new Brazilian operations. We have hired
a Corporate Tax Manager, an individual that has over ten years
experience with an accounting firm, separate from our
independent registered public accounting firm, in international
tax matters with a variety of multi-national clients. This
individual will analyze and monitor the related taxes in all the
taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. We have in the past
used, and we intend to continue to use, third-party tax service
providers for the more complex areas of our income tax
accounting. The addition to the staff will enable an appropriate
level of research, analysis and review of complex international
tax issues related to our existing and future tax jurisdictions. |
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We will continue to assess the adequacy of our finance and
accounting organization, both in terms of size and US GAAP and
tax expertise, in the future.
Management believes that these actions and resulting improvement
in controls will generally strengthen our disclosure controls
and procedures, as well as our internal control over financial
reporting, and will, over time, address the material weaknesses
that we identified in our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2004. However, because many of
the remedial actions we have undertaken are very recent and
because they relate, in large part, to the hiring of additional
personnel and many of the
64
controls in our system of internal controls rely extensively on
manual review and approval, the successful operation of these
controls for, at least, several fiscal quarters will likely be
required prior to management being able to conclude that the
material weaknesses have been eliminated.
To date, we estimate that these remedial steps relating to the
material weaknesses identified for the period ended
December 31, 2004 have cost us approximately $300,000 in
out-of-pocket costs, excluding the reallocation of internal
resources. We expect that we will spend approximately $150,000
more to remediate these issues, excluding the reallocation of
internal resources.
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Report of our Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm |
Our independent registered public accounting firm audited
managements assessment that we did not maintain effective
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004, because of the effect of the three
material weaknesses identified in managements assessment.
Our independent registered public accounting firm considered
that these material weaknesses could result in a material
misstatement to our annual or interim consolidated financial
statements that would not be prevented or detected. These
material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature,
timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our independent
registered public accounting firms audit of our 2004
financial statements, but their report on our managements
assessment of internal controls did not affect our independent
registered public accounting firms report dated
March 31, 2005 on our financial statements.
In the opinion of our independent registered public accounting
firm, our assessment that we did not maintain effective internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004,
was fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO
control criteria. Also, in our independent registered public
accounting firms opinion, because of the effect of the
material weaknesses described above on the achievement of the
objectives of the control criteria, we did not maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004, based on the COSO control criteria.
Period Ended as of September 30, 2004
During the review of our third quarter results, our independent
registered public accounting firm identified internal control
deficiencies related to the complexity of our multinational
operations. These deficiencies were considered by our
independent registered public accounting firm to be material
weaknesses, which, if not corrected, could result in a material
misstatement of our annual or interim financial results. Our
independent registered public accounting firm concluded that we
needed to evaluate our resources, processes and controls to
implement improvements in our internal controls surrounding our
financial statement close process. That conclusion was based on
several adjustments that were made in the course of their
quarterly review that, in their view, should have been
identified and resolved by us as part of the financial statement
close process.
The adjustments made in the third quarter 2004 involved:
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our foreign tax provision in Norway, |
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our allowance for bad debts, and |
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our accrued liabilities related to indirect labor costs in the
North Sea. |
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Our independent registered public accounting firm notified us
that in connection with these material weaknesses, we needed to
implement certain improvements to our financial statement close
process, specifically the evaluation of the related resources,
processes and controls.
In response to this notification, we have taken steps to improve
our financial statement close process, and have evaluated the
related resources, processes and controls as follows:
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Foreign Tax Provision. We have engaged an outside tax
advisor separate from our independent registered public
accounting firm to assist us with the tax considerations
resulting from our multinational operations. We have subscribed
to an online accounting research tool, which will be |
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utilized to research complex accounting issues. A part-time
Assistant Controller has been replaced with a full-time
employee. With these steps we took steps to remediate the
deficiencies in our foreign tax provision close process. We
continue to remediate this deficiency in light of the new
material weakness identified for the period ending
December 31, 2004 relating to our new Brazilian operations. |
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Allowance for Bad Debts. We have developed a written
corporate policy regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts
receivables for significantly aged receivables that the Audit
Committee has approved and that we have implemented as of
December 31, 2004. This more formalized policy ensures
there is a critical review of our aged accounts receivable to
evaluate the collectibility of our receivables and to establish
appropriate allowances for bad debt. The newly adopted policy
formalizes a previous practice of reviewing each account
receivable that is six months old or more to determine whether,
under the facts and circumstances, an allowance for bad debt
should be established. In addition, the new policy, unlike
previous practice, mandates that a reserve for bad debt must be
established if an account receivable is outstanding a year or
more. The amount of such reserve to be established by management
is based on the facts and circumstances relating to the
particular customer. Our previous practice did not require that
a reserve for bad debt be established if an account receivable
was outstanding one year or more unless management believed it
was appropriate under the facts and circumstances. Since our
exposure to foreign government-owned and controlled oil
companies, as well as companies that provide logistics,
construction or other services to oil and gas companies, may
result in longer payment terms, management intends to continue
to meet with customers that have significant aged receivables to
assess the recovery of all receivables. We have implemented this
policy and believe the allowance for bad debt control deficiency
has been resolved. |
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Indirect Labor Costs. The material weakness occurred as a
result of a lack of processes in place to reconcile accruals
against our actual indirect labor costs. We have revised our
processes to include a reconciliation of our accruals to actual
indirect labor costs incurred at the end of each reporting
period. These accruals will be reviewed and reconciled on an
on-going basis. We now believe the indirect labor cost control
deficiency has been resolved. |
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We estimate that these remedial steps outlined above cost us
approximately $100,000 in out-of-pocket costs, excluding the
reallocation of internal resources.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting to future periods are subject
to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate. See also Risk
Factors Risks Relating to Our Business
We have identified material weaknesses under the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act relating to the effectiveness of our internal controls over
financial reporting and we may identify additional material
weaknesses in the future.
Employees
At March 31, 2005, we had approximately 1,085 employees
located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway,
Southeast Asia, India and Brazil. Through our contract with a
crewing agency, we participate in the negotiation of collective
bargaining agreements for approximately 871 contract crew
members who are members of two United Kingdom unions under
evergreen employment agreements with wages renegotiated annually
in June. We have no other collective bargaining agreements;
however, we do employ crew members who are members of national
unions, but we do not participate in the negotiation of these
collective bargaining agreements. Relations with our employees
are considered satisfactory. To date, our operations have not
been interrupted by strikes or work stoppages.
66
Properties
Our principal executive offices are located in Houston, Texas.
For local support, we have offices and warehouse facilities in:
Singapore; Aberdeen, Scotland; Liverpool, England; Sandnes,
Norway; and Macae, Brazil. All facilities, except one owned
facility in Aberdeen, Scotland, are leased. Our operations
generally do not require highly specialized facilities, and
suitable facilities are generally available on a lease basis as
required.
Legal Proceedings
Various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary
course of business may be instituted or asserted against us.
Although the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with
certainty, we believe, based on discussions with legal counsel
and in consideration of reserves recorded, that the outcome of
these legal actions, if any, would not have a material adverse
effect upon our consolidated financial position and results of
our operations. We cannot predict whether any such claims may be
made in the future.
67
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to our executive officers and directors. Unless otherwise
indicated, the business address for each person listed below is
GulfMark Offshore, Inc., 10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340,
Houston, TX 77042, and each individual listed below is a citizen
of the United States. All of the directors are elected annually.
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Age | |
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Current Position |
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Peter I. Bijur
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62 |
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Director |
David J. Butters
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Chairman of the Board |
Bruce A. Streeter
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56 |
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President and Chief Operating Officer, Director |
Marshall A. Crowe
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84 |
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Director |
Louis S. Gimbel, 3rd
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76 |
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Director |
Sheldon S. Gordon
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69 |
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Director |
Robert B. Millard
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54 |
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Director |
Edward A. Guthrie
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60 |
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Executive Vice President Finance, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
John E. Leech
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52 |
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Executive Vice President Operations |
Carla S. Mashinski
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Controller and Assistant Secretary |
Peter I. Bijur serves as a member of the Audit,
Compensation Committees and Governance and Nominating
Committees. Mr. Bijur is a former Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Texaco Inc. He currently serves on
the Strategic Advisory Council for the Gas Technology Institute
and is a member of the Advisory Board of Proudfoot Consulting
Company. He formerly served as a member of the Board of Trustees
of Middlebury College and Mount Sinai-New York University Health
Center.
David J. Butters is Chairman of the Board and is a member
of the Compensation Committee. He is a Managing Director of
Lehman Brothers Inc., which is a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc., which may be deemed our affiliate, where he has
been employed for more than the past five years.
Mr. Butters is currently a director of the Board of
Weatherford International, Inc. and Grant Prideco Inc.
Mr. Butters has served as a director since our formation in
1996 and served as a director of GulfMark International, Inc.,
our predecessor from 1989 until May 1, 1997 when GulfMark
International, Inc. was merged into Weatherford International,
Inc.
Marshall A. Crowe serves as a member of the Audit
Committee. Since January 1978, Mr. Crowe has served as
President of M. A. Crowe Consultants, Inc., providing consulting
services in the energy and financial fields. For four years
prior thereto, he was Chairman of the National Energy Board of
Canada and was previously Chairman of the Board of Canada
Development Corporation, which was engaged in the business of
making equity investments in Canadian enterprises.
Mr. Crowe is also of counsel at Johnston & Buchan,
barristers and solicitors, Ottawa, Canada. From 1995 to 2003,
Mr. Crowe was also a member of the Governing Board of Law
Society of Ontario. Mr. Crowe has served as a director of
the Company since its formation in 1996 and served as a director
of our predecessor from 1978. Mr. Crowe is a Canadian
citizen.
Louis S. Gimbel, 3rd is a member of the Governance and
Nominating Committee. He is Chief Executive Officer of S. S.
Steiner, Inc., Chairman of the Board of Hops Extract Corporation
of American and Manager of Stadelman Fruit LLC. Mr. Gimbel
is also a director of the Board of Golden Gate Hop Ranches Inc.
and Simon H. Steiner, Hopfen, GbmH. He has been employed by S.S.
Steiner, Inc. for more than the past five years. S.S. Steiner,
Inc. is engaged in the farming, trading, processing, importing
and exporting of hops and other specialty crops. Mr. Gimbel
has served as a director since our formation in 1996 and served
as a director of our predecessor from 1970.
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Sheldon S. Gordon is a member of the Audit, Compensation
Committees and Governance and Nominating Committees. He is
Chairman of Union Bancaire Prive International Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Gordon is currently a director of Ametek, Inc., Union
Bancaire Prive, Holland Balanced Fund, and New York Eye &
Ear Infirmary. Mr. Gordon has served as a director since
February 2001.
Robert B. Millard is a Managing Director of Lehman
Brothers Inc., which is a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings
Inc., which may be deemed our affiliate, where he has been
employed for more than the past five years. Mr. Millard
also serves as a Director of Weatherford International, Inc. and
L-3 Communications Corporation. Mr. Millard has served
as a director since our formation in 1996 and served as a
director of our predecessor from 1989.
Bruce A. Streeter has served as President and Chief
Operating Officer since January 1997. He was elected as director
in April 1997. He served as President of our predecessors
Marine Division from November 1990. Prior to November 1990,
Mr. Streeter was with Offshore Logistics, Inc. for a period
of twelve years serving in a number of capacities including
General Manager Marine Division.
Edward A. Guthrie was elected Executive Vice
President Finance, Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer in July 1999. Prior to that date,
Mr. Guthrie served in a number of capacities with Cliffs
Drilling Company (Cliffs) and its former parent
company for a period of 25 years, most recently serving as
Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer prior to
Cliffs merger with R&B Falcon Corporation.
John E. (Gene) Leech was named Executive Vice
President Operations in February 2001 after having
served as Vice President Operations from January
1997. He served as Vice President of our predecessors
Marine Division from its formation in November 1990 until the
Merger. Prior to November 1990, Mr. Leech was with Offshore
Logistics, Inc. for a period of fifteen years serving in a
number of capacities, including Manager Domestic Operations and
International Operations Manager.
Carla S. Mashinski was elected Controller and Assistant
Secretary in May 2004. Previously, Ms. Mashinski served in
various capacities during her five years with Duke Energy
including Vice President and Controller of Duke Energy North
America and Controller of Duke Energy International. Prior to
1999, her background also includes 14 years with Shell Oil
Company.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED PARTIES
Purchase of Notes by Our Executive Officers
Edward A. Guthrie, our Executive Vice President
Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, and
John G. Leech, our Executive Vice President
Operations, each purchased $100,000 in aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes at the same price as all other purchasers in
the offering of the Old Notes. After deducting initial
purchasers discounts and commissions, we received $97,575
in net proceeds from each of these officers as a result of their
purchase of Old Notes.
Transactions with Lehman Brothers Inc.
As of April 20, 2005, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., an
affiliate of Lehman Brothers Inc., owned an aggregate of
3,394,590 shares of our common stock, representing approximately
16.78% of the total common stock outstanding. David J. Butters,
Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Robert B. Millard, one
of our Directors, are Managing Directors of Lehman Brothers Inc.
Mr. Butters is also a member of our Executive, Compensation
and Audit Committees and Mr. Millard is a member of our
Executive and Compensation Committees. Messrs. Butters and
Millard respectively beneficially own 758,012 and 781,512, or
3.73% and 3.86% of our common stock. Although
Messrs. Butters and Millard disclaim beneficial ownership
of the shares held by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., through a
partnership Messrs. Butters and Millard each have a 5.625%
interest in the profits of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in its
investment in the Company and may have additional indirect
interests by virtue of their employment by Lehman Brothers Inc.
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Lehman Brothers Inc. and certain of their affiliates from time
to time during the past three years have provided certain
investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory
services to us and our affiliates, for which they have received
customary fees and commissions, and they may provide these
services to us in the future, for which they expect to receive
customary fees and commissions. The address of Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New York,
New York 10019.
Lehman Brothers Inc. received approximately $1.3 million in
connection with its underwriting agreement for our public
offering of common stock in 2002.
Lehman Brothers Inc. acted as sole dealer-manager in connection
with the tender offer for our 8.75% senior notes and was an
initial purchaser in the offering of the Old Notes. Lehman
Brothers Inc. received customary fees in the amount of $.3 and
$1.9 million, respectively, plus reimbursement of certain
expenses for those services. See Plan of
Distribution for additional information regarding material
relationships between us and Lehman Brothers Inc.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
The following is a description of the principal terms of certain
indebtedness of the Company:
Credit Facility
Our Credit Facility is a senior secured reducing revolving
multi-currency credit facility, which we entered into with a
syndicate of five banks, and provides for a maximum of
$100 million, which reduces by $4 million quarterly
beginning September 30, 2004. The Credit Facility is
presently secured by eight vessels and has a final maturity of
March 31, 2008. At December 31, 2004, the total amount
outstanding under our Credit Facility was $92 million,
which was the maximum available after the quarterly reductions
for 2004.
The Credit Facility is generally denominated in
U.S. Dollars but can be drawn and outstanding in up to a
maximum of four currencies. At December 31, 2004, all
amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility were denominated
in GBP in order to match the GBP denominated revenue stream for
the mortgaged vessels.
The Credit Facility provides up to a maximum total amount of
$100 million, which reduces by $4 million quarterly
beginning in the third quarter of 2004, which is available based
on the semi-annual valuations of the vessels securing the
facility. At December 31, 2004, the maximum total amount
available under the Credit Facility was $92 million after
the two quarterly reductions of $4 million in 2004.
Interest on outstanding balances accrues at LIBOR, plus an
amount for certain bank compliance costs, plus a margin ranging
from 1.2% to 1.5% depending on our Leverage Ratio. The margin as
of December 31, 2004 was 1.2%. The weighted average
interest rate on the outstanding amount under the Credit
Facility was 6.1% at December 31, 2004. We pay a commitment
fee calculated at a rate equal to 50% of the applicable margin
on the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
Subject to certain exceptions, we will be required to make
certain mandatory prepayments if a mortgaged vessel becomes a
total loss, or is sold, in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the vessel, and the amount available under the Credit
Facility could also be reduced by such amount. Optional
prepayments will be permitted without premium or penalty.
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Voluntary prepayments of loans under our Credit Facility and
voluntary reductions in the unused commitments under the Credit
Facility will be permitted in whole or in part, in minimum
amounts and subject to certain other limitations as set forth in
the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility began quarterly reductions in availability
in the amount of $4 million on September 30, 2004,
with a balance of $92 million as of December 31, 2004
after the two reductions. A final reduction in the Credit
Facility of $44.0 million is due on March 31, 2008.
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Covenants and Other Matters |
The Credit Facility requires us to comply with certain financial
covenants, including a maximum Leverage Ratio, a specified
interest coverage ratio and a minimum net worth. At
December 31, 2004 we were in compliance with all financial
covenants. In addition, the covenants require us to maintain the
vessels securing the facility and restrict or limit our ability
to, among other things:
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engage in mergers or consolidations outside of the corporate
group structure; |
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sell or dispose of assets in excess of 15% of the consolidated
book value of assets; and |
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undertake any business other than the business we currently
conduct. |
Due to reduced levels of profitability in the previous four
quarters, we sought and obtained approval to amend the covenants
on and effective as of November 1, 2004, and formally
documented those amendments on November 17, 2004. Although
we were in compliance with the covenants before the amendment,
the amended covenants will provide for additional flexibility
under our existing Credit Facility agreement should our results
of operations not improve. In addition, in March 2005, we sought
and obtained approval to amend the covenants for the quarters
ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 in connection
with the change in accounting for drydock costs which we adopted
effective January 1, 2004.
Subsidiary Facility
One of our subsidiaries has a credit facility which is
associated with the acquisition by one of our Norwegian
subsidiaries of Sea Truck Holding in 2001 pursuant to which it
assumed the debt on three vessels that were mortgaged under
existing loan agreements with a commercial bank at the time of
the acquisition, or the Sea Truck Facility. The Sea Truck
Facility is denominated in GBP and consists of three tranches
totaling $18.2 million at December 31, 2004. Interest
on the outstanding balance of each tranche accrues at LIBOR plus
a margin. Our subsidiary will be required to make mandatory
repayments in each of the years 2004 through 2008 that aggregate
$3.5 million in 2005, $5.0 million in 2006,
$2.4 million in 2007 and $7.3 million in 2008. At
December 31, 2004 we were in compliance with all the
financial covenants under this credit facility. The loan
covenants under this credit facility require our Norwegian
subsidiary to maintain the vessels securing the credit facility
and restrict or limit its ability to, among other things:
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sell or dispose of the assets securing the loan agreements. |
Acquisition Credit Facility
On December 23, 2004, we entered into a senior secured
credit facility providing for a $50.0 million revolving
credit facility. This credit facility is presently secured by
eight vessels and has a final maturity of the earlier of
January 31, 2008 or three calendar years from the first
drawdown date. At December 31, 2004, the total amount
outstanding under this credit facility was $8.0 million,
with a remaining availability of $42.0 million. Interest on
each outstanding advance accrues at LIBOR plus the applicable
margin. On January 24, 2005, we entered into a supplemental
agreement to amend the new acquisition credit facility to
clarify the covenants relating to the insured amounts on the
eight vessels and on March 24, 2005, we
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entered into another amendment to include a commitment fee of
one-half of the margin on any undrawn portion of the available
facility.
The loan covenants under this credit facility require us to
maintain the vessels securing the facility and restrict or limit
our ability to among other things:
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engage in mergers or consolidations outside of our current
corporate group structure; |
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sell or dispose of assets in excess of 15% of the consolidated
book value of asset; and |
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undertake any business other than the business we currently
conduct. |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
General
We are offering in this prospectus to exchange the Exchange
Notes for the Old Notes we issued in our private offering that
we completed on July 21, 2004. All of the terms of the
Exchange Notes will be exactly the same as the terms of the Old
Notes, except that:
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The Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act.
Therefore, the Exchanges Notes will be free from transfer
restrictions that apply to the Old Notes; and |
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The Old Notes require us to file SEC registrations and to pay
specified penalties for delay. The Exchange Notes do not have
these provisions. |
The rest of this section describes the terms of the Exchange
Notes and the Old Notes that are identical. Because the terms
are identical, the description of notes in this section applies
equally to the Exchange Notes and the Old Notes.
The Old Notes were and the Exchange Notes are to be issued
pursuant to an Indenture (the Indenture) between the
Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the
Trustee). The terms of the notes include those
stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the Trust
Indenture Act). The notes are subject to all such terms,
and Holders of notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act for a statement thereof. The following summary of
the provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture,
including the definitions therein of certain terms used below.
Copies of the proposed form of Indenture are available as set
forth below under Additional
Information. The definitions of certain terms used in the
following summary are set forth below under
Certain Definitions. For purposes of
this summary, the term Company refers only to
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and not to any of its Subsidiaries.
The Company is a holding company that conducts substantially all
of its operations through its direct and indirect U.S. and
foreign subsidiaries, and substantially all of the
Companys assets consist of equity in its direct
subsidiaries. The notes will not be guaranteed as of the Issue
Date by any Subsidiaries of the Company.
The notes:
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will be general unsecured obligations of the Company; |
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will rank pari passu in right of payment with all current
or future Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including
borrowings under the Credit Agreement; |
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will be senior in the right of payment to all Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company issued in the future, if any; |
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will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
Indebtedness and liabilities, including trade payables, of
non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; and |
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will be effectively subordinated to all of the Companys
and its Subsidiaries secured Indebtedness to the extent of the
value of the assets securing such obligations. |
The Indenture will provide that the notes will be guaranteed by
any existing or future Subsidiary of the Company that guarantees
any Indebtedness of the Company. After giving effect to the
offering of the Old Notes and the application of the estimated
net proceeds therefrom, as of December 31, 2004:
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the Company (including its Subsidiaries) had total Indebtedness
outstanding of $277.5 million, excluding trade payables,
accrued liabilities and intercompany indebtedness; |
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excluding trade payables, accrued liabilities and intercompany
indebtedness, the Companys Subsidiaries had indebtedness
of $118.2 million outstanding, all of which was secured; and |
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the Company had an additional $42.0 million available for
borrowing on a secured basis under the Acquisition Facility and
none under the Credit Facility. |
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The Indenture will limit, subject to certain financial tests and
exceptions, the amount of additional Indebtedness that the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur. See
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
As of the Issue Date, all of the Companys Subsidiaries
were Restricted Subsidiaries. Under certain circumstances, the
Company will be able to designate current or future Subsidiaries
as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not
be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in the
Indenture.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Company issued $160.0 million aggregate principal
amount of Old Notes in the offering. The Indenture governing the
notes provides for the issuance of additional notes without
limitation as to aggregate principal amount in one or more
series from time to time having identical terms and conditions
to the notes offered in this offering, subject to the
limitations set forth under the caption
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock. Any
additional notes will be part of the same issue as the notes
offered hereby and will vote on all matters with the notes
offered in this offering.
The notes will mature on July 15, 2014. Interest on the
notes will accrue at the rate of
73/4%
per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each
January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15,
2005, to Holders of record on the immediately preceding
January 1 and July 1. Interest on the notes will
accrue from the most recent date to which interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, has been paid or, if no interest has
been paid, from the date of original issuance. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve
30-day months.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, on the notes will be payable at the office or agency of
the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and
State of New York or, at the option of the Company, payment of
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check
mailed to the Holders of the notes at their respective addresses
set forth in the register of Holders of notes; provided
that all payments with respect to notes the Holders of which
have given wire transfer instructions to the Company will be
required to be made by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until
otherwise designated by the Company, the Companys office
or agency in New York will be the office of the Trustee
maintained for such purpose. The notes will be issued in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;
providedthat notes held by accredited investors will be
issued in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000 in excess thereof.
Subsidiary Guarantees
As of the Issue Date, the Companys payment obligations
under the notes will not be guaranteed by any of the
Companys Subsidiaries. The Indenture will provide that if
any Restricted Subsidiary of the
73
Company, after the Issue Date, guarantees any Indebtedness of
the Company, including Indebtedness under any Credit Facility,
then such Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) execute a
supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the
Trustee providing that such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a
Guarantor under the Indenture and (ii) deliver an opinion
of counsel to the effect that such supplemental indenture has
been duly authorized and executed by such Restricted Subsidiary.
In the event a Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor in the
future, the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary
Guarantee will be a general unsecured obligation of the
Guarantor ranking pari passu in right of payment with all
other current or future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor,
and senior in the right of payment to any Subordinated
Indebtedness of such Guarantor. The obligations of each
Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to the
maximum amount the Guarantors are permitted to guarantee under
applicable law without creating a fraudulent
conveyance. See Risk Factors Our subsidiaries
are not guaranteeing the notes. The notes will be effectively
subordinated to all future liabilities and claims of creditors
of our subsidiaries which do not become guarantors.
The Indenture will provide that no Guarantor may consolidate
with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with
such Guarantor unless (i) subject to the provisions of the
following paragraph, the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) assumes
all the obligations of such Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental
indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, under the notes and the Indenture and
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction,
no Default or Event of Default exists.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, (i) any Guarantor
may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or a part of
its properties and assets to the Company or any other Guarantor
and (ii) any Guarantor may merge with a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company that has no significant assets or
liabilities and was incorporated solely for purpose of
re-incorporating or re-domesticating such Guarantor in another
State of the United States or, if such Guarantor was organized
under the laws of a jurisdiction other than a State of the
United States, in any foreign country that is a member of the
OECD; provided that, in each case, such merged entity
continues to be a Guarantor.
The Indenture will provide that upon (i) the release by the
lenders under all Indebtedness of the Company of all guarantees
of a Guarantor and all Liens on the property and assets of such
Guarantor relating to such Indebtedness, or (ii) a sale or
other disposition of all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way
of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor in
compliance with the Indenture to any entity that is not the
Company or a Subsidiary, then such Guarantor (in the event of a
sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such
Guarantor), or the Person acquiring the property (in the event
of such a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of such
Guarantor), will be released and relieved of any obligations
under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that
any such termination shall occur only to the extent that all
obligations of such Guarantor under such Indebtedness and all of
its guarantees of, and under all of its pledges of assets or
other security interests which secure, Indebtedness of the
Company shall also terminate upon such release, sale or transfer
and, in the event of any sale or other disposition, that the Net
Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. See
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales.
Optional Redemption
Except as set forth below, the notes will not be redeemable at
the Companys option prior to July 15, 2009.
Thereafter, the notes will be subject to redemption at any time
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount)
set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
74
Damages, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on
July 15 of the years indicated below:
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Year |
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Percentage | |
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2009
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103.875% |
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2010
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102.583% |
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2011
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101.292% |
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2012 and thereafter
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100.000% |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to
July 15, 2009, the Company may also redeem all or a part of
the notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior notice mailed by first class mail to each Holders
registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium
as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, to the date of redemption (the Redemption
Date).
In addition, at any time before July 15, 2007, the Company
may on any one or more occasions redeem up to an aggregate of
35% of the principal amount of notes (including any additional
notes) outstanding at a redemption price of 107.75% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, to the redemption
date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity
Offerings; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate
principal amount of notes outstanding on the Issue Date remain
outstanding immediately after each occurrence of such
redemption; and provided, further, that each such
redemption shall occur within 120 days of the date of the
closing of such Equity Offering.
Notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given
prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any
such redemption or notice may, at the Companys discretion,
be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but
not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time,
selection of notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national
securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed, or,
if the notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or
by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate;
provided that no notes of $1,000 or less shall be
redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first
class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its
registered address. If any note is to be redeemed in part only,
the notice of redemption that relates to such note shall state
the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A
new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption
become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the
redemption date, interest cease to accrue on notes or portions
of them called for redemption. Any redemption and notice thereof
pursuant to the Indenture may, in the Companys discretion,
be subject to one or more conditions.
Mandatory Redemption
Except as set forth below under Repurchase at
the Option of Holders, the Company is not required to make
mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to
the notes.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of notes
will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or
any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof or
$100,000 and
75
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, as applicable)
of such Holders notes pursuant to the offer described
below (the Change of Control Offer) at an offer
price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, thereon, to the date of purchase (the Change of
Control Payment). Within 30 days following any Change
of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder
describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the
Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the date
specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than
30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed (the Change of Control Payment
Date), pursuant to the procedures required by the
Indenture and described in such notice. The Company will comply
with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act
and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection
with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of
Control.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the
extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all notes or portions
thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control
Offer, (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal
to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or
portions thereof so tendered and (iii) deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Trustee the notes so accepted together with
an Officers Certificate stating the aggregate principal
amount of notes or portions thereof being purchased by the
Company. The paying agent will promptly mail to each Holder of
notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes,
and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to
be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes
surrendered, if any; provided that each such new note
will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof. The Indenture will provide that, prior to complying
with the provisions of this covenant, but in any event within
90 days following a Change of Control, the Company will
either repay all outstanding Indebtedness or obtain the
requisite consents, if any, under all agreements governing
outstanding Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of notes
required by this covenant. The Company will publicly announce
the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as
practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
The Change of Control provisions described above will be
applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture
are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a
Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions
that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Company
repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction. The definition of
Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company. There is
limited case law interpreting the phrase all or
substantially all in the context of an indenture. Because
there is no precise established definition of this phrase, the
ability of a holder of notes to require the Company to
repurchase such notes as a result of a sale, lease, exchange or
other transfer of all or substantially all of the Companys
assets to a Person or a Group may be uncertain.
The Credit Agreement limits the ability of the Company to
purchase any notes and provides that certain change of control
events with respect to the Company would constitute a default
thereunder. Any future Credit Facilities or other agreements
relating to Indebtedness to which the Company becomes a party
may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a
Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is
prohibited from purchasing notes, the Company could seek the
consent of its lenders to the purchase of notes or could attempt
to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If
the Company does not obtain such consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing
notes. In such case, the Companys failure to purchase
tendered notes would constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under the
Credit Agreement.
The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change
of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in
compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and
purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under
such Change of Control Offer. A Change of Control Offer may be
made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the
76
occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement
is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the
Change of Control Offer.
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in an
Asset Sale unless:
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(i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at
least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and |
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(ii) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash
or Cash Equivalents; provided that, for purposes of this
provision, the amount of each of the following shall be deemed
to be cash: |
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(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Companys or such
Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet), of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than
contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are
assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a
customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from further liability; |
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(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such
transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within
270 days of the consummation of such Asset Sale; |
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(c) any Capital Stock or assets of the kind referred to in
clauses (b), (c) or (d) of the last paragraph of the
covenant described under this caption; and |
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(d) accounts receivables of a business retained by the
Company of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the sale
of such business; provided that (i) such accounts
receivables are not more than 60 days past due and
(ii) do not have a payment date greater than 90 days
from the date of the invoice creating such accounts receivable. |
Any Asset Sale pursuant to a condemnation, appropriation or
other similar taking, including by deed in lieu of condemnation,
or pursuant to the foreclosure or other enforcement of a
Permitted Lien or exercise by the related lienholder of rights
with respect thereto, including by deed or assignment in lieu of
foreclosure shall not be required to satisfy the conditions set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the first paragraph
of the covenant described under this caption.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from
an Asset Sale, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, may apply such Net Proceeds, at its option,
(a) to repay Indebtedness for borrowed money other than
Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) to acquire a controlling
interest in another business or all or substantially all of the
assets of a business, engaged in a Permitted Business,
(c) to make capital expenditures in a Permitted Business or
(d) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or
useful in a Permitted Business, provided that the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary will have complied with
clause (b), (c) or (d) if, within 365 days of
such Asset Sale, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall
have commenced and not completed or abandoned an investment in
compliance with clause (b), (c) or (d) and such
Investment is substantially completed within 120 days after
the first anniversary of such Asset Sale. Pending the final
application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may
temporarily reduce Indebtedness under any Credit Facility or
otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not
prohibited by the Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales
that are not applied or invested as provided in the first
sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute
Excess Proceeds. When the aggregate amount of Excess
Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Company shall be
required to make an offer to all Holders of notes and other
77
Indebtedness that ranks by its terms pari passu in right
of payment with the notes and the terms of which contain
substantially similar requirements with respect to the
application of Net Proceeds from Asset Sales as are contained in
the Indenture (an Asset Sale Offer) to purchase on a
pro rata basis the maximum principal amount of the notes, that
is an integral multiple of $1,000, that may be purchased out of
the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the
date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes
and other such Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale
Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, may use any
remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the
aggregate principal amount of notes surrendered by Holders
thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall
select the notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon
completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess
Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
Certain Covenants
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
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(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment
or distribution on account of the Companys or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including,
without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company) or to the direct or
indirect holders of the Companys or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries Equity Interests in their capacity as such
(other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity
Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company); |
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(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value (including without limitation, in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity
Interests of the Company; |
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(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase,
redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Subordinated Indebtedness or the Subsidiary Guarantees, except
(x) a payment of interest or principal at Stated Maturity
and (y) intercompany Indebtedness between the Company and
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or |
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(iv) make any Restricted Investment |
(all such payments and other actions set forth in
clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively
referred to as Restricted Payments), unless, at the
time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
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(a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; |
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(b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted
Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of
the covenant described below under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock; and |
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(c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate
amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date
(excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii),
(iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii) or (ix) of the next
succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of: |
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(i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
the period (taken as one accounting period) from July 1,
1998 to the end of the Companys most recently ended |
78
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fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are
available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such
Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100%
of such deficit), plus |
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(ii) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds received by the
Company (including the Fair Market Value of non-cash proceeds
less issuance costs) from the issue or sale, in either case,
since July 1, 1998 of (A) Equity Interests of the
Company (other than Disqualified Stock), or
(B) Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company
that have been converted into such Equity Interests (other than
Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or convertible or
exchangeable debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or debt securities
that have been converted or exchanged into Disqualified Stock),
plus |
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(iii) in case any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been
redesignated a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated
with or into, or transfers or conveys assets to or is liquidated
into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and provided
that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof, the lesser
of (A) the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP)
at the date of such redesignation, combination or transfer of
the aggregate Investments made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or of the assets
transferred or conveyed, as applicable) and (B) the Fair
Market Value of such Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary
at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or
of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), in each
case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive and
evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors and, in
each case, after deducting any Indebtedness associated with the
Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or combined or with the
assets so transferred or conveyed, plus |
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(iv) to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net
Income for such period, without duplication, any Restricted
Investment that was made after the Issue Date is sold for cash
or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of
(A) the cash return of capital with respect to such
Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and
(B) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment. |
The foregoing provisions shall not prohibit:
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(i) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any
irrevocable redemption of debt within 60 days after the
date of declaration of the dividend or giving of any such
redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of
declaration or notice, such payment would have complied with the
provisions of the Indenture; |
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(ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or
other acquisition of any Subordinated Indebtedness or Equity
Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company
(other than any Disqualified Stock); provided that the
amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the
preceding paragraph; |
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(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other
acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash
proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness; |
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(iv) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its
common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis; |
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(v) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any employee or |
79
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director of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries), or any
former employee or director of the Company (or any of its
Subsidiaries) issued pursuant to any management equity plan or
stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit
plan, agreement or trust; provided, however, that the
aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests pursuant to this
clause (v) shall not exceed $2.0 million in any
twelve-month period; |
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(vi) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of
any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company issued
in accordance with the terms of the indenture to the extent such
dividends are included in the definition of Fixed
Charges; |
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(vii) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon
the cashless exercise of stock options; |
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(viii) reasonable and customary directors fees to the
members of the Companys Board of Directors,
provided that such fees are consistent with past
practice; and |
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(ix) other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million;
provided, that, with respect to clauses (ii), (iii),
(v), (vi), (vii) and (ix) above, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after
such transaction. |
In determining whether any Restricted Payment is permitted by
the foregoing covenant, the Company may allocate or reallocate
all or any portion of such Restricted Payment among the
clauses (i) through (ix) of the preceding paragraph or
among such clauses and the first paragraph of this covenant
including clauses (a), (b) and (c), provided
that at the time of such allocation or reallocation, all such
Restricted Payments, or allocated portions thereof, would be
permitted under the various provisions of the foregoing covenant.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be
the Fair Market Value (as evidenced by a resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers
Certificate delivered to the Trustee) on the date of the
Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be
transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted
Payment, such determination to be based upon an opinion or
appraisal by an Independent Financial Advisor if the Fair Market
Value of any Restricted Payment is greater than
$10.0 million. Not later than (i) the end of any
calendar quarter in which any Restricted Payment is made or
(ii) the making of a Restricted Payment which, when added
to the sum of all previous Restricted Payments made in a
calendar quarter, would cause the aggregate of all Restricted
Payments made in such quarter to exceed $10.0 million, the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers
Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted
and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required
by this covenant were computed, which calculations may be based
upon the Companys latest available financial statements.
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to be a Restricted Subsidiary only if (i) immediately after
giving effect to such designation, the Company is able to incur
at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test under the first paragraph of the
covenant described below under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock, (ii) immediately before and
immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and
(iii) the Company certifies that such designation complies
with this covenant. Any such designation by the Board of
Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing
with the Trustee a copy of the resolution giving effect to such
designation and an Officers Certificate certifying that
such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, at any time, any Unrestricted
Subsidiary would fail to meet the requirements under the
definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease
to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture
and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be
incurred as of such date.
For purposes of making the determination as to whether such
designation would cause a Default or Event of Default, all
outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (except to
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the extent repaid in cash) in the Subsidiary so designated will
be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the time of such
designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted
Payments under the first paragraph of this covenant. All such
outstanding Investments will be deemed to constitute Investments
in an amount equal to the greatest of (i) the net book
value (determined in accordance with GAAP) of such Investments
at the time of such designation, (ii) the fair market value
of such Investments at the time of such designation and
(iii) the original fair market value of such Investments at
the time they were made. Such designation will only be permitted
if such Restricted Payment would be permitted at such time and
if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock |
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise,
with respect to (collectively, incur) any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and that the Company
shall not issue any Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred
stock; provided, however, that (a) the Company and
any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt),
(b) the Company may issue shares of Disqualified Stock or
(c) a Restricted Subsidiary may incur Acquired Debt, if, in
each case, the Companys Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for
the Companys most recently ended four full fiscal quarters
for which internal financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such additional
Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued
would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma
basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred,
or the Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be,
at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The provisions of the first paragraph of this covenant shall not
apply to the incurrence of any of the following items of
Indebtedness (collectively, Permitted Debt):
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(i) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit
pursuant to one or more Credit Facilities (with letters of
credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the
maximum potential liability of the Company thereunder) in an
aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under
this clause (i) not to exceed the greater of
$100.0 million or 15% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; |
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(ii) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of
Indebtedness represented by the notes (but not additional notes)
and the Subsidiary Guarantees; |
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(iii) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date; |
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(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange
for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance,
renew, replace, defease or refund, Indebtedness that was
permitted by the Indenture to be incurred; |
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(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the
Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that (i) if the Company or any Guarantor is
the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly
subordinate to the payment in full of all Obligations with
respect to the notes and (ii) (A) any subsequent issuance
or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such
Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of
any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; |
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(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Purchase Money Indebtedness (or Capital Lease
Obligations), including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
incurred to refund, refinance or replace Purchase Money
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (vi); |
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(vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations in the ordinary course of
business under (A) trade letters of credit which are to be
repaid in full not more than one year after the date on which
such Indebtedness is originally incurred to finance the purchase
of goods by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; (B) standby letters of credit issued for the
purpose of supporting (1) workers compensation
liabilities of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or (2) performance, payment, deposit or
surety obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (C) bid, advance payment and performance
bonds and surety bonds of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, and refinancings thereof; |
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(viii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of (x) Financial Hedging
Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or
hedging interest rate risk (including with respect to any
floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of the
Indenture to be outstanding), and (y) Currency Hedging
Obligations in connection with the conduct of the Permitted
Business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and, in
the case of each of clauses (x) and (y) not for
speculative purposes and incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with prudent business practices; |
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(ix) the guarantee by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be
incurred by another provision of this covenant; provided
that the guarantee of any Indebtedness under this
clause (ix) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed a
Restricted Investment at the time such Restricted
Subsidiarys status terminates in an amount equal to the
maximum principal amount so guaranteed, for so long as, and to
the extent that, such guarantee remains outstanding; |
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(x) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
of preferred stock to the Company or to any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any subsequent
event or issuance or transfer of any Equity Interests that
results in the owner of such preferred stock ceasing to be the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any subsequent
transfer of such preferred stock to a Person, other than the
Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be deemed
to be an issuance of preferred stock by such Subsidiary that was
not permitted by this clause (x); |
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(xi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank
or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar
instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so
long as such Indebtedness is covered within five business days; |
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(xii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of
guarantees, indemnities, holdbacks or obligations in respect of
purchase price adjustments in connection with the acquisition or
disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such
Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(xiii) the accrual of interest, the accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest
on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with
the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified
Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of
Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of
Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes
of this covenant; provided, in each case, that the amount
thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued;
and |
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(xiv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (in addition to
Indebtedness permitted by any other clause of this paragraph) in
an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable)
at any time outstanding not to exceed $30.0 million. |
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in
the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of
more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in
clauses (i) through (xiv) above or is entitled to be
incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the
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Company may, in its sole discretion, divide and classify such
item of Indebtedness at the time of incurrence or later
classify, reclassify or divide such item of Indebtedness in any
manner that complies with this covenant and such item of
Indebtedness shall be treated as having been incurred pursuant
to only one of such clauses or pursuant to the first paragraph
hereof. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and
the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness
will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for
purposes of this covenant. In addition, the maximum amount of
Indebtedness that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
may incur pursuant to this covenant will not be deemed to be
exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, due
solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of
currencies.
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on
any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or
profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive
income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, to secure (a) any
Indebtedness of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the notes are
equally and ratably secured, or (b) any Indebtedness of any
Guarantor, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the
Subsidiary Guarantees are equally and ratably secured;
provided, however, that if such Indebtedness is expressly
subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantees, the Lien
securing such Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to
the Lien securing the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantees, as the
case may be, with the same relative priority as such
Indebtedness has with respect to the notes or any Subsidiary
Guarantees.
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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries |
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability
of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the Company to:
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(i) (x) pay dividends or make any other distributions to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on
its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest
or participation in, or measured by, its profits;
provided that the priority of any preferred stock in
receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to
dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on Capital
Stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make
distributions on Capital Stock, or (y) pay any Indebtedness
owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or |
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(iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or
by reason of:
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(a) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date; |
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(b) the Indenture and the notes; |
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(c) the Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date
and any future Liens that may be permitted to be granted under
any other provisions of the Indenture; |
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(d) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or
order of any court or governmental authority; |
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(e) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock
of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition
(except with respect to Indebtedness incurred in connection with
or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or
restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties
or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property
or assets of the Person or such |
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Persons subsidiaries, so acquired, provided that in
the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the
terms of the Indenture to be incurred; |
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(f) restrictions of the nature described in
clause (iii) above by reason of customary non-assignment
provisions in contracts, agreements, and leases entered into in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices; |
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(g) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the
nature described in clause (iii) above on the property so
acquired; |
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(h) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or
assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such
sale or disposition; |
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(i) agreements relating to secured Indebtedness otherwise
permitted to be incurred pursuant to the covenants described
under the Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred
pursuant to the covenants described under the captions
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock and Liens that
limit the right of the debtor to dispose of assets securing such
Indebtedness; |
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(j) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
Indebtedness referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (e) and
(g) of this paragraph, provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive than
those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness
being refinanced; |
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(k) any encumbrance or restriction contained in contracts
for sales of assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
permitted under Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales with respect to the assets
or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to be sold pursuant
to such contract; |
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(l) encumbrances or restrictions contained in agreements
entered into in connection with Hedging Obligations permitted
from time to time under the Indenture; |
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(m) any encumbrance or restriction existing under any
agreement that extends, renews, refinances or replaces the
agreements containing the encumbrances or restrictions in the
foregoing clauses (a) and (e), provided that the terms
and conditions of any such encumbrances or restrictions are not
materially more restrictive than those contained in such
agreement; and |
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(n) provisions with respect to the disposition or
distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements,
asset sale agreements, sale leaseback agreements, stock sale
agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business. |
Nothing contained in this Dividend and Other
Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
covenant shall prevent the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries from creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to
exist any Liens permitted by the Indenture or entering into
agreements in connection therewith that impose restrictions on
the transfer or disposition of the property or assets subject to
such Liens.
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Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets |
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not consolidate
or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the
surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to
another corporation, Person or entity unless:
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(i) the Company is the surviving corporation or the entity
or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition
shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; |
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(ii) the entity or Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the
entity or Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer,
lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made
assumes all the obligations of the Company under the notes and
the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; |
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(iii) immediately before and after such transaction no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred; and |
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(iv) except in the case of a merger of the Company with or
into a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company or the entity or
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made will, at the time of such transaction and after giving pro
forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the
beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, (x) be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in
the first paragraph of covenant described above under the
caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock or (y) have a Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio that is no less than the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction. |
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Transactions with Affiliates |
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any properties or assets to, or purchase
any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any
transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance
or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of any
such Person (each of the foregoing, an Affiliate
Transaction), unless:
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(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less
favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary
than those that would have been obtained in a comparable
transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an
unrelated Person; and |
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(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee: |
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(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $10.0 million, a resolution of its Board of
Directors set forth in an Officers Certificate certifying
that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i)
above; and |
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(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $20.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness
to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial
point of view issued by an Independent Financial Advisor. |
None of the following shall be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions:
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(1) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with the past practice of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; |
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(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the
Company solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in,
or controls, such Person; |
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(5) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the covenant
described above under the caption Restricted
Payments; |
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(6) advances to employees for moving, entertainment and
travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices; |
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(7) maintenance in the ordinary course of business of
customary benefit programs or arrangements for employees,
officers or directors, including vacation plans, health and life
insurance plans, deferred compensation plans and retirement or
savings plans and similar plans; |
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(8) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards
or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment agreements or stock option or stock
ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors; |
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(9) fees and compensation paid to, and indemnity provided
on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company or of any such Restricted
Subsidiary, to the extent such fees and compensation are
reasonable and customary as determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(10) transactions between the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Permitted Holders, on the
other, for the purposes of providing investment banking,
financial advisory, banking and other financial services, to the
extent such fees and compensation to such Permitted Holders in
such transactions are reasonable and customary as determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary; and |
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(11) the performance of obligations of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any written
agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is a party as in effect on the Issue Date. |
The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and the
Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, engage in any line of business other
than a Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be
material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as
a whole.
The Indenture will provide that whether or not required by the
rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any notes
are outstanding, the Company will furnish to each of the Holders
of notes all quarterly and annual financial information that
would be required to be contained in a filing with the
Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were
required to file such financial information, including a
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and, with respect to
the annual information only, reports thereon by the
Companys independent public accountants (which shall be
firm(s) of established national reputation. In addition, whether
or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission,
the Company will file a copy of all such information and reports
with the Commission for public availability and make such
information available to securities and analysts and prospective
investors upon request.
The Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports to the
Trustee and Holders of the notes in accordance with the
immediately preceding paragraph if it has filed such reports
with the Commission via the EDGAR filing system and such reports
are publicly available.
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Termination of Certain Covenants |
If at any time the notes have a rating equal to or greater than
BBB by S&P and Baa3 by Moodys (each such rating,
an Investment Grade Rating) and no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is
86
continuing, the Company and its Subsidiaries will no longer be
subject to the provisions of the Indenture described under the
following captions:
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(a) Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock; |
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(b) Restricted Payments; |
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(c) Transactions with Affiliates; |
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(d) Dividend and Other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(e) Business Activities; and |
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(f) Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales, |
provided, however, that the provisions of the Indenture
described under the following captions will not be so terminated:
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(a) Liens; |
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(b) Reports; |
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(c) Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of
Assets; provided, however, that the Company will no
longer be subject to clause (iv) of such provision; |
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(d) Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control; and |
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(e) Subsidiary Guarantees. |
Events of Default and Remedies
The Indenture will provide that each of the following
constitutes an Event of Default:
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(i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of
interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the notes; |
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(ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or
premium, if any, on the notes; |
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(iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice from the Trustee or
Holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of notes to
comply with the provisions described under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of Holders; |
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(iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than the provisions expressly set forth in
clause (iii) above) for 60 days after notice from the
Trustee or the Holders of 25% of the outstanding principal
amount of notes to comply with any of its other agreements in
the Indenture, the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees; |
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(v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which
is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists,
or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default
(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium,
if any, or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration
of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of
such default (a Payment Default) or (b) results
in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express
maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
without duplication $5.0 million or more and such default
shall not have been cured or acceleration rescinded within five
business days after such occurrences; |
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(vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of
$15.0 million (excluding amounts covered by insurance),
which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period
of 60 days; |
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(vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with
respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
that constitute Significant Subsidiaries or any group of
Restricted Subsidiaries, that taken together, would constitute a
Significant Subsidiary; and |
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(viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary
Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes a
Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries, that
taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary shall
be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and
effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any
Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its
Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of the termination of
the Indenture or the release of any such Subsidiary Guarantee in
accordance with the Indenture). |
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and
payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case
of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy
or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together,
would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding notes
will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders of the notes may not enforce the Indenture or the notes
except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain
limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of
any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the
notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default
(except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest or Liquidated Damages) if it determines
that withholding notice is in their interest.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of
the Holders of all of the notes waive any existing Default or
Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except
a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, or the principal
of, the notes.
The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a
statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the
Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event
of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying
such Default or Event of Default.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of
the Company or the Guarantors, as such, shall have any liability
for any obligations of the Company under the notes, the
Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based
on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their
creation. Each Holder of notes by accepting a note waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for issuance of the notes. Such waiver may not
be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities
laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is
against public policy.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have
all of its obligations discharged with respect to the
outstanding notes (Legal Defeasance) except for
(i) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such notes when such
payments are due from the trust referred to below, (ii) the
Companys obligations with respect to the notes concerning
issuing temporary notes, registration of notes, mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office
or agency for payment and money for security payments held in
trust, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the
88
Trustee, and the Companys obligations in connection
therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the
Indenture. In addition, the Company may, at its option and at
any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company released
with respect to certain covenants that are described in the
Indenture (Covenant Defeasance) and thereafter any
omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a
Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the
event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including
non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and
insolvency events) described under Events of Default
will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to
the notes.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance, (i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with
the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the
notes, cash in U.S. Dollars, non-callable Government
Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, to pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on
the outstanding notes on the Stated Maturity or on the
applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company
must specify whether the notes are being defeased to maturity or
to a particular redemption date; (ii) in the case of Legal
Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture,
there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax
law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such
opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the
outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in
the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United
States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the
Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not
occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other
than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing
of funds to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of
Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at
any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of
deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under any material agreement or instrument (other than
the Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company must
have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the
effect that after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust
funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally; (vii) the Company must
deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating
that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of
preferring the Holders of notes over the other creditors of the
Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(viii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an
Officers Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to
the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when (a) either
(i) all such notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
(except lost, stolen or destroyed notes which have been replaced
or paid and notes for whose payment money has heretofore been
deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) all
such notes not theretofore delivered to such Trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making
of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and
payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited with such
89
Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the
Holders, cash in U.S. Dollars, non-callable Government
Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be
sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of
interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date
of maturity or redemption; (b) no Default or Event of
Default with respect to the Indenture or the notes shall have
occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall
occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
under, any other instrument to which the Company is a party or
by which the Company is bound; (c) the Company has paid or
caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the Indenture;
and (d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions
to the Trustee under the Indenture to apply the deposited money
toward the payment of such notes at maturity or the redemption
date, as the case may be. In addition, the Company must deliver
an Officers Certificate and an opinion of counsel to the
Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction
and discharge have been satisfied.
Transfer and Exchange
A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay
any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange
any note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not
required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of
15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
The registered Holder of a note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the
Indenture, the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended
or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection
with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for,
notes), and any existing default or compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or the notes may be waived with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding notes (including consents obtained in
connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for notes).
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or
waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a
non-consenting Holder):
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(i) reduce the principal amount of notes whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
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(ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity
of any note or alter the provisions with respect to the
redemption of the notes (other than provisions relating to the
covenants described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of Holders); |
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(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest or Liquidated Damages on any note; |
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(iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the notes (except a rescission of
acceleration of the notes by the Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the
payment default that resulted from such acceleration); |
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(v) make any note payable in money other than that stated
in the notes; |
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(vi) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture
relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of
notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes; |
90
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(vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note
(other than a payment required by one of the covenants described
above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders); or |
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(viii) make any change in the foregoing amendment and
waiver provisions. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder
of notes, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement
the Indenture, the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for
uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated
notes, to provide for the assumption of the Companys
obligations to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or
consolidation, to make any change that would provide any
additional rights or benefits to the Holders of notes or that
does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture
of any such Holder, or to comply with requirements of the
Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or to allow any
Guarantor to guarantee the notes.
Concerning the Trustee
The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the
Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain
payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain
property received in respect of any such claim as security or
otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other
transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days,
apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The
Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur
(which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent
man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such
provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request
of any Holder of notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to
the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against
any loss, liability or expense.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the
Indenture without charge by writing to GulfMark Offshore, Inc.,
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340, Houston, TX 77042,
Attention: Edward A. Guthrie, Executive Vice President-Finance,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
The Old Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional
buyers in reliance on Rule 144A (Rule 144A
Notes) and to a limited number of accredited
investors as defined under Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3),
(5), (6), or (7) under the Securities Act (AI
Notes). The Old Notes were also offered and sold in
offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S
(Regulation S Notes). Except as set forth
below, the Old Notes were issued in registered, global form in
minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000
in excess of $1,000. The AI Notes were issued in certificated
form in minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples
of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Old Rule 144A Notes were represented by one or more
notes in registered, global form without interest coupons
(collectively, the Rule 144A Global Notes).
Regulation S Notes initially were represented by one or
more notes in registered, global form without interest coupons
(the Regulation S Global Notes). The Exchange
Notes (other than those relating to the AI Notes) will also be
issued in one or more global notes (collectively, and together
with the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S
Global Notes, the Global Notes).
The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the
trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company
(DTC), in New York, New York, and registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee,
91
in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect
participant in DTC as described below. In addition, beneficial
interests in the Rule 144A Global Note may be exchanged for
beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note and
vice versa only in accordance with the Indenture and the
applicable rules and system procedures of DTC and its direct or
indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of
Euroclear System (Euroclear) and Clearstream
Banking, (Clearstream)), which may change from time
to time.
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form
except in the limited circumstances described below. See
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global
Notes. Except in the limited circumstances described
below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will
not be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in
certificated form.
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its
direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those
of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to
time.
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter
of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely
within the control of the respective settlement systems and are
subject to changes by them. The Company takes no responsibility
for these operations and procedures and urge investors to
contact the system or their participants directly to discuss
these matters.
DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company created to hold securities for its participating
organizations (collectively, the Participants) and
to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in
those securities between Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in the accounts of its Participants. The
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including
the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to
DTCs system is also available to other entities such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly (collectively, the Indirect
Participants). Persons who are not Participants may
beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only
through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The
ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in,
each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the
records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established
by it:
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(1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the
accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers
with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and |
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(2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will
be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with
respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes). |
Investors in the Rule 144A Global Notes who are
Participants in DTCs system may hold their interests
therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Rule 144A
Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests
therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear
and Clearstream) which are Participants in such system.
Investors in the Regulation S Global Notes must initially
hold their interests therein through Euroclear or Clearstream,
if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through
organizations that are participants in such systems. Euroclear
and Clearstream will hold interests in the Regulation S
Global Notes on behalf of their participants through
customers securities accounts in their respective names on
the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear
Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as
operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note,
92
including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be
subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those
interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be
subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.
The laws of some states require that certain Persons take
physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they
own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests
in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent.
Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in
turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a
Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge
such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC
system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests,
may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing
such interests.
Except as described below, owners of an interest in the
Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will
not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and
will not be considered the registered owners or
Holders thereof under the Indenture for any
purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and
premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on a Global Note
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to
DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the
Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the
trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes,
including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the
notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other
purposes. Consequently, neither the Company, the trustee nor any
agent of the Company or the trustee has or will have any
responsibility or liability for:
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(1) any aspect of DTCs records or any
Participants or Indirect Participants records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTCs records or any Participants or
Indirect Participants records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Notes; or |
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(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices
of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. |
DTC has advised the Company that its current practice, upon
receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the
notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the
accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the
payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not
receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant
is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial
ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant
security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial
owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Company. Neither the
Company nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or
any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of
the notes, and the Company and the trustee may conclusively rely
on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or
its nominee for all purposes.
Subject to the transfer restrictions with respect to the
Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global
Notes, transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTCs procedures, and will be settled in
same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear
and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their
respective rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable
to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers between
the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or
Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected
through DTC in accordance with DTCs rules on behalf of
Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective
depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require
delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the
case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance
with the rules and procedures and within the established
deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or
Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets
its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its
respective depositary to take action
93
to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or
receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and
making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures
for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear
participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver
instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or
Clearstream.
DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a Holder only at the direction of one
or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the
interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the
notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for
legended notes in certificated form, and to distribute such
notes to its Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the
foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the
Rule l44A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global
Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they
are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform
such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any
time. None of the Company, the trustee or any of their
respective agents will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective
participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive notes in registered
certificated form (Certificated Notes) if:
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(1) DTC (a) notifies the Company that it is unwilling
or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and the
Company fails to appoint a successor depositary or (b) has
ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; |
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(2) the Company, at its option, notifies the trustee in
writing that it elects to cause the issuance of the Certificated
Notes; or |
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(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event
of Default with respect to the notes. |
In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
exchanged for Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given
to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the
Indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in
exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global
Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any
approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the
depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) and
will bear the applicable restrictive legend referred to in
Notice to Investors, unless that legend is not
required by applicable law.
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests
in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the
trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the
Indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the
appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes.
Same Day Settlement and Payment
The Company will make payments in respect of the notes
represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium,
if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any) by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by the Global Note Holder. The Company will make all
payments of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by the Holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no
such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such
Holders registered address. The notes represented by the
Global Notes are expected to be eligible to trade in the
PORTALsm
Market and to trade in DTCs Same-Day Funds Settlement
System, and any permitted secondary market
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trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by
DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The Company
expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will
also be settled in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a
Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a
Global Note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any
such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement
processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and
Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC.
DTC has advised the Company that cash received in Euroclear or
Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note
by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a
Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement
date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for
Euroclear or Clearstream following DTCs settlement date.
Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we agreed to file
with the SEC an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on the
appropriate form under the Securities Act to allow the holders
of Transfer Restricted Securities who are able to make certain
representations the opportunity to exchange their Transfer
Restricted Securities for Exchange Notes and thereafter, to
allow Lehman Brothers Inc. to engage in market-making
transactions with respect to sales of the Exchange Notes.
Accordingly, we have prepared and included within the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement a prospectus relating to the
Exchange Offer and a prospectus relating solely to sales of
notes by Lehman Brothers Inc. in market-making transactions
(including Exchange Notes received in exchange for Old Notes
acquired by Lehman Brothers Inc. in market-making transactions).
Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, we will offer to the holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities who are able to make certain representations the
opportunity to exchange their Transfer Restricted Securities for
Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
If:
(i) the Company is not:
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(a) required to file the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement; or |
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(b) permitted to consummate the Exchange Offer because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission
policy; or |
(ii) any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities notifies
the Company within 20 business days following consummation of
the Exchange Offer that:
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(a) it is prohibited by law or Commission policy from
participating in the Exchange Offer; or |
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(b) it may not resell the notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and
the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales; or |
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(c) it is a broker-dealer and owns notes acquired directly
from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, |
the Company will file with the Commission a Shelf Registration
Statement to cover resales of the notes by the holders of
Transferred Restricted Securities who satisfy certain conditions
relating to the provision of information in connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement.
The Company will use all commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the applicable registration statement to be declared
effective at the earliest possible time by the Commission.
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For purposes of the preceding, Transfer Restricted
Securities means (i) each note until the earliest to
occur of:
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(a) the date on which such note has been exchanged by a
Person other than a broker-dealer for an Exchange Note in the
Exchange Offer and entitled to be resold to the public by such
Person without complying with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act; |
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(b) the date on which such note has been effectively
registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in
accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement; or |
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(c) the date on which such note is eligible to be
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act, |
and (ii) each Exchange Note acquired by a broker-dealer in
the Exchange Offer of a note for such Exchange Note, until the
date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who
receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such
sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement.
The registration rights agreement provides that:
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(i) the Company will file an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement with the Commission on or prior to 120 days after
the Issue Date; |
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(ii) the Company will use all commercially reasonable
efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to
270 days after the Issue Date; |
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(iii) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy, the Company will: |
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(a) commence the Exchange Offer; and |
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(b) use all commercially reasonable efforts to issue on or
prior to 30 business days, or longer, if required by the federal
securities laws, after the date on which the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission,
notes in exchange for all notes tendered prior thereto in the
Exchange Offer; and |
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(iv) if obligated to file the Shelf Registration Statement,
the Company will use all commercially reasonable efforts to file
the Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission on or prior
to 30 days after such filing obligation arises and to cause
the Shelf Registration to be declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the later of (a) 270 days
after such obligation arises and (b) 270 days after
the Issue Date. |
If:
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(i) the Company fails to file any of the registration
statements required by the registration rights agreement on or
before the date specified for such filing; |
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(ii) any of such registration statements is not declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified
for such effectiveness (the Effectiveness Deadline); |
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(iii) the Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer
within 30 business days after the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective by the Commission; or |
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(iv) the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is declared effective but thereafter
ceases to be effective or fails to be usable for its intended
purposes during the periods specified in the registration rights
agreement, (each such event referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) above, a Registration Default) |
then the Company will pay Liquidated Damages to each holder of
notes, with respect to the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of the first Registration Default in an
amount equal to
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0.50% per annum per $1,000 principal amount of notes held by
such holder of notes. The amount of the Liquidated Damages will
increase by an additional 0.50% per annum per $1,000 principal
amount of notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day period
until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum
amount of Liquidated Damages for all Registration Defaults equal
to 1.0% per annum.
As a result of the Company failing to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline, liquidated damages will accrue from April 18,
2005 until the Registration Default has been cured.
All accrued Liquidated Damages will be paid by the Company on
each day that interest is payable under the notes or the notes
to the Global Note holder by wire transfer of immediately
available funds or by federal funds check and to holders of
Certificated Notes by wire transfer to the accounts specified by
them or by mailing checks to their registered addresses if no
such accounts have been specified.
Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of
Liquidated Damages will cease.
Holders will be required to make certain representations to the
Company (as described in the registration rights agreement) in
order to participate in the Exchange Offer and will be required
to deliver certain information to be used in connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement and to provide comments on the
Shelf Registration Statement within the time periods set forth
in the registration rights agreement in order to have their
notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit
from the provisions regarding Liquidated Damages set forth
above. By acquiring Transfer Restricted Securities, a holder
will be deemed to have agreed to indemnify the Company against
certain losses arising out of information furnished by such
Holder in writing for inclusion in any Shelf Registration
Statement. Holders will also be required to suspend their use of
the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement
under certain circumstances upon receipt of written notice to
that effect from the Company.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture.
Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all
such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein
for which no definition is provided.
Acquired Debt means, with respect to any
specified Person:
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(i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time
such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted
Subsidiary of such specified Person; or |
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(ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person; provided that, in each
case, such Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or
in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or
becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, or
such encumbered asset being acquired by such Person. |
Affiliate of any specified Person means any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms
controlling, controlled by and
under common control with), as used with respect to
any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
Voting Securities, by agreement or otherwise.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to any
note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:
(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the note; and
(2) the excess of:
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(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of
(i) the redemption price of the note at July 15, 2009
(such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing
above under the caption Optional
Redemption) plus (ii) all required interest payments
due on the note through July 15, |
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2009 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest) computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption
Date plus 50 basis points; over |
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(b) the principal amount of the note. |
Asset Sale means:
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(i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
assets or rights (including, without limitation, by way of a
sale and leaseback) other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices (provided that
the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by
the covenants described above under the captions
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control and
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation, or Sale of Assets and not by the provisions
of the covenant described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales); and |
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(ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the
Companys Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of either
clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single transaction or a
series of related transactions: |
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(a) that have a Fair Market Value in excess of
$5.0 million; or |
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(b) for Net Proceeds in excess of $5.0 million;
provided that the following will not be deemed to be
Asset Sales: |
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(A) a transfer of assets by the Company to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company; |
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(B) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(C) (x) a Permitted Investment or (y) a Restricted
Payment that is permitted by the covenant described above under
the caption Certain Covenants
Restricted Payments; |
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(D) any disposition of assets resulting from the
enforcement or foreclosure of Liens permitted to be incurred
under the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Liens; |
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(E) any disposition of assets in trade or exchange for
assets of comparable Fair Market Value related to the Permitted
Business of the Company, provided that (x) in any
such trade or exchange with a Fair Market Value in excess of
$20.0 million, the Company shall obtain an opinion or
report from a nationally recognized investment banking firm,
appraisal firm or other valuation expert confirming that the
assets received by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries
in such trade or exchange have a fair market value of at least
the fair market value of the assets so traded or exchanged and
(y) any cash or Cash Equivalent received by the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such trade or
exchange (net of direct costs relating to such transaction)
shall be treated as Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale and shall be
applied in the manner set forth in the covenant described under
the caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales; |
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(F) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts
receivable, services or other assets in the ordinary course of
business or the sale of inventory to any joint venture, in which
the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the
Equity Interest, for resale by such joint venture to its
customers in the ordinary course of business; |
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(G) the sale or disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; |
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(H) the sale of assets by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of sale to a customer
where the sale proceeds are recorded in the Companys |
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consolidated financial statements as operating income in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States; and |
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(I) sales of damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or
assets that, in the Companys reasonable judgment, are
either (x) no longer used or (y) no longer useful in
the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Board of Directors means the board of
directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly
authorized to act on behalf of such board of directors.
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time
any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the
liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time
be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance
with GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
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(i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; |
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(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participation, rights or other
equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; |
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(iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or
limited); and |
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(iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses
of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. |
Cash Equivalents means:
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(i) United States dollars; |
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(ii) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one
year from the date of acquisition; |
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(iii) certificates of deposit and Eurodollar time deposits
with maturities of not more than one year from the date of
acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities of not
more than one year from the date of acquisition and overnight
bank deposits, in each case with any domestic commercial bank
having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and
a Thompson Bank Watch Rating of B or better or any
commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country
that is a member of the OECD and has total assets in excess of
$500.0 million; |
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(iv) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
seven days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (iii) above; |
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(v) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable
from Moodys or S&P with maturities of not more than
one year from the date of acquisition; |
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(vi) deposits available for withdrawal on demand with any
commercial bank not meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (iii) above, but which is organized under the laws
of (a) any country that is a member if the OECD and has
total assets of $50.0 million or (b) any other country
in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains an
office or is engaged in any Permitted Business, provided
that, in either case, (A) all such deposits are required to
be made in such accounts in the ordinary course of business,
(B) such deposits do not exceed at any one time
$2.0 million in the aggregate and (C) no funds so
deposited remain on deposit in such bank for more than
30 days; and |
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(vii) investments in money market funds substantially all
of whose assets comprise securities or deposits of the types
described in clauses (i) through (v) above. |
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Change of Control means the occurrence of one
or more of the following events:
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(i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one
transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person or
group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of
the Exchange Act (a Group) together with any
Affiliates thereof (whether or not otherwise in compliance with
the provisions of the Indenture), other than Permitted Holders,
unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other
transfer in compliance with the Indenture such assets are owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(ii) the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the
Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company (whether or not otherwise in
compliance with the provisions of the Indenture); |
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(iii) the acquisition in one or more transactions, of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act) of Voting Securities of the Company by
any Person or Group, other than Permitted Holders, that either
(A) beneficially owns (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,
at least 50% of the Companys then outstanding Voting
Securities entitled to vote on a regular basis for the Board of
Directors of the Company, or (B) otherwise has the ability
to elect, directly or indirectly, a majority of the members of
the Companys Board of Directors, including, without
limitation, by the acquisition of revocable proxies for the
election of directors; or |
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(iv) the first day on which a majority of the members of
the Companys Board of Directors are not Continuing
Directors. |
Commission means the U.S. Securities
Exchange Commission.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to
any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such
Person for such period, plus
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(i) an amount equal to any extraordinary, unusual or
non-recurring expenses or losses (including, whether or not
otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of
Consolidated Net Income for such period, losses on sales of
assets outside of the ordinary course of business) plus any net
loss realized in connection with an Asset Sale (to the extent
such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income), plus |
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(ii) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the
extent that such provision for taxes was included in computing
such Consolidated Net Income, plus |
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(iii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation,
amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount,
non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any
deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all
payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of
letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net
payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the
extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income, plus |
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(iv) depreciation and amortization (including amortization
of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of
prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the
extent that such depreciation and amortization were deducted in
computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus |
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(v) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of
loss or expense, minus |
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(vi) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of
gain or revenue; minus |
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(vii) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net
Income for such period, |
100
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the
depreciation and amortization and other non-cash charges of, a
Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person shall be added to
Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only
to the extent (and in same proportion) that the Net Income of
such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the
Consolidated Net Income of such Person and only if a
corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of
determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted
Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not
been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction
pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements,
instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and
governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted
Subsidiary or its stockholders.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect
to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (for such period, on
a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP);
provided that:
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(i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not
a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the
amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the
referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(ii) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Restricted
Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration
or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that
Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of
determination permitted without any prior governmental approval
(that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by
operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary
or its stockholders; |
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(iii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles shall be excluded; and |
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(iv) each of the following shall be excluded: (a) any
increased amortization, depreciation or cost of sales resulting
from the write-up of assets pursuant to Accounting Principles
Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17; (b) the amortization of
any Intangible Assets (including amortization attributable to
goodwill and financing costs and including amortization of
finance costs relating to the issuance of the notes);
(c) any non-recurring charges relating to any premium or
penalty paid, write off of deferred financing costs or other
financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming
or retiring any Indebtedness prior to or at its Stated Maturity;
and (d) any non-cash non-recurring charge arising out of
the restructuring or consolidation of the operations of any
Persons or businesses either alone or together with such Person
or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person. |
Consolidated Tangible Assets means, with
respect to any Person as of any date, the amount which, in
accordance with GAAP, would be set forth under the caption
Total Assets (or any like caption) on a consolidated
balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
less all Intangible Assets, including, without limitation,
goodwill, organization costs, patents, trademarks, copyrights,
franchises and research and development costs.
Continuing Director means, as of any date of
determination, any member of the Companys Board of
Directors who (i) was a member of the Companys Board
of Directors on the Issue Date or (ii) was nominated for
election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval
of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of
such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or
election.
Credit Agreement means that certain Senior
Secured Reducing Revolving Multi-Currency Credit Facility, dated
as of June 26, 2002, as amended through the Issue Date, by
and among the Company, Nordea Bank Norge ASA and The Royal Bank
of Scotland plc as lead arrangers, Nordea Bank Norge ASA as
facility agent and security trustee, certain financial
institutions as lenders and other agents and arrangers party
thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral
documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith and in each case, as amended, restated, modified,
renewed,
101
refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or
otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of Debt Issuances)
from time to time.
Credit Facilities means one or more debt
facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit
Agreement), commercial paper facilities or Debt Issuances, in
each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies,
mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders or institutional
investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans,
receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables
to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow
from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such
receivables), letters of credit or Debt Issuances, in each case,
as amended, extended, renewed, restated, refinanced (including,
refinancing with Debt Issuances), supplemented or otherwise
modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to
amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from
time to time.
Currency Hedging Obligations means, with
respect to any Person, the net payment Obligations of such
Person under agreements or arrangements designed to protect such
Person against fluctuations in the currency exchange rates
incurred or entered into in the ordinary course of its business
and not for speculative purposes.
Debt Issuances means, with respect to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more issuances
after the Issue Date of Indebtedness evidenced by notes,
debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments.
Default means any event that is or with the
passage of time or the giving of notice (or both) would be an
Event of Default.
Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock
that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which
it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option
of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event,
matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the
Holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date
that is 91 days after the date on which the notes mature,
except to the extent that such Capital Stock is solely
redeemable with, or solely exchangeable for, any Capital Stock
of such Person that is not Disqualified Stock.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering means any public or private
sale or issuance by the Company of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company made for cash on a primary
basis after the Issue Date or any contribution of cash to the
Company after the Issue Date in respect of Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock).
Exchange Notes means notes registered under
the Securities Act that are issued under the Indenture in
exchange for the notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Fair Market Value means, with respect to
consideration received or to be received pursuant to any
transaction by any Person, the fair market value of such
consideration as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company.
Financial Hedging Obligations means, with
respect to any Person, the net payment Obligations of such
Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest
rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and
(ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency
exchange rates incurred or entered into in the ordinary course
of its business and not for speculative purposes.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any
Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
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(i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or
accrued (including, without limitation or duplication,
amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount,
non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any |
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deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all
payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of
letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net
payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations); |
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(ii) the consolidated interest of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; |
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(iii) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another
Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such
Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not
such guarantee or Lien is called upon); and |
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(iv) all dividend payments, whether or not in cash, on any
series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividend payments on Equity
Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company
(other than Disqualified Stock), in each case, on a consolidated
basis and in accordance with GAAP. |
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with
respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of the
Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the
Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs,
assumes, guarantees or redeems any Indebtedness (other than
revolving credit borrowings under any Credit Facility) or issues
or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the
period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being
calculated but on or prior to the date on which the event for
which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made
(the Calculation Date), then the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to
such incurrence, assumption, guarantee or redemption of
Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of preferred stock,
as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of
making the computation referred to above,
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(i) acquisitions that have been made by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or
consolidations and including any related financing transactions,
during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such
reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date shall
be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter
reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference
period shall be calculated without giving effect to
clause (iii) of the proviso set forth in the definition of
Consolidated Net Income, |
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(ii) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to
discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP,
and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, shall be excluded, |
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(iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and
operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation
Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the
obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be
obligations of the referent Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date and |
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(iv) whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an
acquisition or disposition, the amount of income or earnings
related thereto (including the incurrence of any Indebtedness
and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred
or are reasonably expected to occur, regardless of whether those
expense and cost reductions could then be reflected in pro forma
financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X as
promulgated by the Commission or any regulation or policy of the
Commission related thereto) shall be reasonably determined in
good faith by one of the Companys financial or accounting
officers. |
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the
Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, the statements and pronouncements
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and such other
statements by such other entities as have been approved by a
significant segment of the accounting profession, which are
applicable on the Issue Date.
103
Government Securities means direct
obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States
of America for the payment of which is guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States.
guarantee means a guarantee (other than by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner
(including, without limitation, letters of credit and
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof or pledging assets
to secure), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
Guarantors means (i) each of the
Companys Restricted Subsidiaries that becomes a guarantor
of the notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture
described above under the caption Subsidiary
Guarantees and (ii) each of the Companys
Restricted Subsidiaries executing a supplemental indenture in
which such Restricted Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms
of the Indenture; provided that any Person constituting a
Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a
Guarantor when its respective Subsidiary Guarantee is released
in accordance with the terms thereof.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to
any Person, collectively, the Currency Hedging Obligations of
such Person and the Financial Hedging Obligations of such Person.
Holder means a Person in whose name a note is
registered in the security register.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any
Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not
contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds,
notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit
(or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or
bankers acceptances or representing Capital Lease
Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property or representing any Hedging Obligations,
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or
trade payable, if and to the extent any of the foregoing
indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging
Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of
such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such
Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such
Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee
by such Person of any Indebtedness or any other liability,
whether or not contingent, of any other Person, and whether or
not it appears on the balance sheet of such other Person. The
amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be
(i) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any
Indebtedness that does not require current payments of interest,
and (ii) the principal amount thereof, together with any
interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the
case of any other Indebtedness.
Independent Financial Advisor means a
nationally recognized accounting, appraisal or investment
banking firm that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
Directors, qualified to perform the task for which such firm has
been engaged hereunder and disinterested and independent with
respect to the Company and its Affiliates; provided that
providing accounting, appraisal or investment banking services
to the Company or any of its Affiliates or having an employee,
officer or other representative serving as a member of the Board
of Directors of the Company or any of its Affiliates will not
disqualify any firm from being an Independent Financial Advisor.
Intangible Assets means goodwill, patents,
tradenames, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, experimental
expense, organization expenses and any other amounts classified
as intangible assets in accordance with GAAP.
Investments means, with respect to any
Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons
(including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans
(including guarantees of Indebtedness or other Obligations),
advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel
and entertainment, moving, and similar advances to officers and
employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or
other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity
Interests or other securities, together with all items that are
or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries sells or otherwise disposes of any
Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale
or disposition, such Person is no longer a direct or indirect
Subsidiary of the
104
Company, the Company, or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date
of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value
of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold
or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the fourth
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments.
Issue Date means July 21, 2004.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any
mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed,
recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to
sell or give a security interest in any asset and any filing of
or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).
Liquidated Damages means amounts payable
under the registration rights agreement as described under the
caption Registration Rights; Liquidated
Damages.
Moodys means Moodys Investor
Services, Inc. or any successor rating agency.
Net Income means, with respect to any Person,
the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance
with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock
dividends, excluding, however, (i) any gain (but not loss),
together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but
not loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale
and leaseback transactions), or (b) the disposition of any
securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any extraordinary
or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any related
provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain
(but not loss).
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash
proceeds or Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale
or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in
any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset
Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting,
investment banking and brokers fees, and sales and underwriting
commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result
thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking
into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax
sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the
repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or
assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve
for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or
assets established in accordance with GAAP.
Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness
(i) as to which neither the Company nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, (a) provides any guarantee or
credit support of any kind (including any undertaking,
guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would
constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), (ii) the incurrence
of which will not result in any recourse against any of the
assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and
(iii) no default with respect to which (including any
rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement
action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to declare pursuant to the express terms governing
such Indebtedness a default on such other Indebtedness or cause
the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its
Stated Maturity.
Obligations means any principal, premium (if
any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization
relating to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries whether
or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such
proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses,
indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages (including
Liquidated Damages), guarantees (including the Subsidiary
Guarantees) and other liabilities or amounts payable under the
documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereof.
105
OECD means Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development.
Officers Certificate means a
certificate signed by two officers, at least one of whom shall
be the principal executive officer, principal accounting officer
or principal financial officer of the Company, and delivered to
the trustee.
Permitted Business means the lines of
business conducted by the Company on the Issue Date and
businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto or which is
a reasonable extension thereof.
Permitted Holders means Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc., any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Lehman
Brothers Holdings Inc., or any other Person directly or
indirectly controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. or any of its direct
or indirect Subsidiaries. For purposes of this definition,
control (including, with correlative meanings, the
terms controlled by and under common control
with), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Securities, by
agreement or otherwise.
Permitted Investments means:
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(i) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(ii) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or deposit accounts
maintained in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices; |
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(iii) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such
Investment (i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated
or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys
substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(iv) any Restricted Investment made as a result of the
receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was
made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described
above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders Asset Sales; |
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(v) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the
issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company; |
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(vi) any Investment received in settlement of debts, claims
or disputes owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company that arose out of transactions in the ordinary
course of business; |
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(vii) any Investment received in connection with or as a
result of a bankruptcy, workout or reorganization of any Person; |
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(viii) advances and extensions of credit in the nature of
accounts receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or
services or the licensing of property in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(ix) other Investments by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in any Person having an aggregate Fair
Market Value (measured as of the date each such Investment is
made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),
when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to
this clause (i) (net of returns of capital, dividends and
interest paid on Investments and sales, liquidations and
redemptions of Investments), not to exceed 5% of Consolidated
Tangible Assets; |
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(x) Investments in the form of intercompany Indebtedness or
guarantees of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company permitted under clauses (v) and (ix) of the
covenant described under the caption Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock; |
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(xi) Investments arising in connection with Financial
Hedging Obligations or Currency Hedging Obligations that are
incurred in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of
fixing or hedging currency or interest rate risk (including with
respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by
the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding) in connection with
the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
and not for speculative purposes; |
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(xii) guarantees (including Subsidiary Guarantees) of
Indebtedness permitted under the covenant described above under
the caption Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock; |
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(xiii) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover
matters that are expected at the time of such advances
ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and
that are made in the ordinary course of business; |
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(xiv) loans or advances made to employees made in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary not to exceed
$2.0 million at any one time outstanding; and |
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(xv) Investments in any Permitted Joint Venture having an
aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such
Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value), when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (o) that are at
the time outstanding, not to exceed $15.0 million. |
Permitted Joint Venture means any joint
venture that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party
to that is engaged in a Permitted Business.
Permitted Liens means:
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(i) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; |
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(ii) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time
such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that
such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such
merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other
than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the
Company; |
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(iii) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition
thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior
to the contemplation of such acquisition; |
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(iv) Liens existing on the Issue Date of the Indenture and
any extensions or renewals thereof, provided that such
extension or renewal of such Liens does not extend to or cover
any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; |
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(v) statutory Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA)
or landlords and carriers, warehousemans,
mechanics, suppliers, materialmens,
repairmens or other like Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business; |
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(vi) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or
claims not yet due and payable or which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted and if a reserve or other appropriate
provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made therefor; |
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(vii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
security; |
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(viii) Liens created or deposits made to secure the
performance of tenders, bids, leases, statutory obligations,
surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and
return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a like nature
incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of
obligations for the payment of borrowed money); |
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(ix) easements, rights-of-way, licenses, covenants
reservations, restrictions and other similar charges or
encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the
business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in
the ordinary course of business; |
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(x) any attachment or judgment Lien, unless the judgment it
secures shall not, within 60 days after the entry thereof,
have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal,
or shall not have been discharged within 60 days after the
expiration of any such stay; |
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(xi) any other Liens imposed by operation of law which do
not materially affect the Companys or any Guarantors
ability to perform its obligations under the notes, the
Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture; |
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(xii) rights of banks to set off deposits against debts
owed to said bank; |
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(xiii) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other
goods and proceeds of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
securing the Companys or any Restricted Subsidiarys
obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or
created for the account of any such Person to facilitate the
purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods; |
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(xiv) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect
to letters of credit which encumber documents and other property
relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds
thereof entered into in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices; |
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(xv) Liens to secure Purchase Money Indebtedness or other
purchase money obligations incurred for the purpose of financing
all or a part of the purchase price or cost of construction or
improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the
Permitted Business and acquired, constructed or improved after
the Issue Date, provided that (1) the principal
amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens shall not exceed
100% of the lesser of cost or Fair Market Value of the property
or assets so acquired, constructed or improved plus transaction
costs related thereto, (2) such Liens shall not encumber
any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than the charters or other contracts relating
solely to such property or assets, and the proceeds therefrom
and accessions and upgrades thereto) and (3) such Liens
shall attach to such property or assets within 270 days of
the date of the completion of the construction or acquisition of
such property or assets; |
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(xvi) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness incurred to refinance any Indebtedness secured by
any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii),
(iv) and (xv), provided, however, that such new Lien
shall be limited to all or part of the same property that
secured the original Lien (provided that such Liens may
extend to after-acquired property, including any assets or
Capital Stock of any subsequently formed or acquired Subsidiary,
if such original Lien included such property or assets as
collateral); |
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(xvii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities to
secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and
other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business; |
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(xviii) leases or subleases granted to third Persons in
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices not
interfering with the ordinary course of business of the Company
or its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(xix) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to
secure liability to insurance carriers, and Liens on the
proceeds of insurance granted to insurance carriers solely to
secure the payment of financed premiums; |
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(xx) Liens in favor of a trustee under any indenture
securing amounts due to the trustee in connection with its
services under such indenture; |
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(xxi) Liens under licensing agreements for use of
intellectual property entered into in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(xxii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with
respect to obligations that do not exceed $15.0 million at
any one time outstanding and that (a) are not incurred in
connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of
advances or credit (other than trade credit in the ordinary
course of business) and (b) do not in the aggregate
materially detract from the value of the property or materially
impair the use thereof in the operation of business by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(xxiii) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an
Event of Default under clause (vi) of the first paragraph
of the section described under the caption
Events of Default and Remedies; |
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(xxiv) Liens securing Hedging Obligations related to
Indebtedness permitted under the Indenture; and |
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(xxv) Liens of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary
securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities that are permitted
by the terms of the Indenture. |
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness);
provided that: (i) the principal amount (or accreted
value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if
applicable), plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the
Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded (plus the amount of all expenses and
premiums incurred in connection therewith); (ii) such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date
later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted
Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted
Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(iii) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right
of payment to the notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of,
and is subordinated in right of payment to, the notes on terms
at least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained
in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indebtedness
incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to covenant described
under the caption Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock shall be subject to the refinancing
provisions of the definition of Credit Facilities and not
pursuant to the requirements set forth in this definition of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company,
trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization,
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity.
Purchase Money Indebtedness of a Person means
any Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations,
mortgage or construction financings, purchase money obligations
or Acquired Debt, in each case incurred for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the purchase price, acquisition
cost or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant
or equipment used in the Permitted Business of such Person and
acquired, constructed or improved after the Issue Date.
Regulation S means Regulation S
promulgated under the Securities Act.
Restricted Investment means an Investment
other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of the referenced Person that is not an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; provided that, on the Issue Date, all Subsidiaries
of the Company shall be Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A
promulgated under the Securities Act.
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S&P means Standard & Poors
Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
or any successor rating agency.
Senior Indebtedness means Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, at the time any
determination is to be made, in an amount equal to the sum of:
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(i) all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and Hedging
Obligations related thereto at such time; and |
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(ii) all other outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, unless the instrument under
which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that such
Indebtedness is subordinated to the notes or Subsidiary
Guarantees, if applicable. |
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in
Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
installment of interest or principal on any series of
Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or
principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any
contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such
interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for
the payment thereof.
Subordinated Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinated in right of
payment to the notes.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person,
(i) any corporation, association or other business entity
of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person and (ii) any partnership
(a) the sole general partner or the managing general
partner of which is such Person or an entity described in
clause (i) and related to such Person or (b) the only
general partners of which are such Person or of one or more
entities described in clause (i) and related to such Person
(or any combination thereof).
Subsidiary Guarantee means the guarantee of
the notes by any Guarantors pursuant to the Indenture and a
supplemental indenture entered into in accordance with the
covenant described above under the caption
Subsidiary Guarantees.
Total Assets of the Company means the
Companys and its Restricted Subsidiaries total
consolidated assets, as shown on the Companys and its
Restricted Subsidiaries most recent consolidated balance
sheet.
Treasury Rate means, as of any Redemption
Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United
States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled
and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical
Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at
least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if
such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly
available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to
the period from the Redemption Date to July 15, 2009;
provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date
to July 15, 2009 is less than one year, the weekly average
yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary of the Company) that is designated by the Board of
Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution
of the Board of Directors as certified in an Officers
Certificate delivered to the Trustee, but only to the extent
that such Subsidiary at the time of designation and thereafter:
(a) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse
Indebtedness; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the
110
Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be
obtained, in light of all the circumstances, at the time from
Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a
Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation
(x) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or
(y) to maintain or preserve such Persons financial
condition or to cause such Persons to achieve any specified
levels of operating results; (d) has not guaranteed or
otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (e) do not own any Capital Stock of or
own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Voting Securities of any Person as of any
date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of
such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years
obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained
by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in
respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to
the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and
the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
General
This section summarizes certain material U.S. federal
income tax consequences to holders of notes. The discussion is
limited in the following ways:
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The discussion applies to you only if you bought Old Notes in
the initial offering and you exchange them for the Exchange
Notes in the exchange offer. |
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The discussion applies to you only if you hold your notes as
capital assets (that is, for investment purposes), and you are
not a person in a special tax situation, such as a financial
institution, a partnership or other pass-through entity, an
insurance company, a regulated investment company, an
expatriate, a dealer in securities or currencies, a person
holding the notes as a hedge against currency risks, as a
position in a straddle or integrated
transaction or as part of a hedging or
conversion transaction for tax purposes, or a person
whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar. |
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The discussion is included for general information only and does
not address tax consequences that depend upon your particular
tax situation. |
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The discussion is based on the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code),
U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and
published rulings and judicial decisions now in effect. Those
authorities may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect, in
which case the U.S. federal income tax consequences may be
different from those discussed below. |
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The discussion does not address state, local or foreign law or
any federal tax consequences other than income tax consequences
(except for the limited discussion of certain federal estate tax
consequences to non-U.S. holders). |
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We have not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) on the tax consequences of owning the notes.
As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of this
discussion. |
A U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a
note that is for federal income tax purposes: (i) a citizen
or resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation (including an
entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes)
created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate whose
income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
its
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source or (iv) a trust if a court within the U.S. is
able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of
the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or a trust
that was in existence on August 20, 1996 and that has
elected to be treated as a U.S. person. A
non-U.S. holder refers to any beneficial owner
of a note who or which is a non-resident alien, corporation,
estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.
If you are considering exchanging your Old Notes for the
Exchange Notes, we urge you to consult your tax advisor about
the particular U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of
the notes and the application of the U.S. federal income
tax laws to your particular situation.
U.S. Holders
If you are a U.S. holder, you will be required to recognize
as ordinary income any interest paid or accrued on the notes, in
accordance with your regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, if the terms
of a debt instrument entitle you to receive payments other than
fixed periodic interest that exceed the issue price of the
instrument, you might be required to recognize additional
interest as original issue discount over the term of
the instrument. We believe, and this disclosure assumes, that
the notes will not be issued with original issue discount.
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Sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of
notes |
On the sale, exchange, redemption, or other taxable disposition
of your Exchange Note:
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You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount received by you (to the extent such amount
does not represent accrued but unpaid interest not previously
includible in income, which will be taxable as ordinary income)
and your adjusted tax basis in the Exchange Note. |
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Your adjusted tax basis in an Exchange Note generally will equal
the cost to you of the Old Note. |
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Your gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and
will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Exchange
Note for more than one year. For purposes of determining whether
the Exchange Note has been held for more than one year, the time
period in which the Old Notes exchanged therefor will be
included in the determination. For an individual, the maximum
tax rate on long-term capital gains is 15%. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations. |
Non-U.S. holders
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Withholding tax on payments of principal and interest on
notes |
Generally, if you are a non-U.S. holder, payments of
principal and interest on an Exchange Note that are not
effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business
in the U.S. will not be subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax (at a rate of 30% or a lower rate under an
applicable treaty), provided that in the case of an interest
payment:
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you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all our voting stock; |
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is directly or
indirectly related to us through stock ownership; |
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you are not a bank receiving interest pursuant to a loan
agreement entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or
business; and |
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either |
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you are the beneficial owner of the Exchange Note and you
certify to the applicable payor or its agent, under penalties of
perjury, that you are not a United States person and provide
your name and address on a signed IRS Form W-8BEN (or a
suitable substitute form), or |
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a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial
institution that holds customers securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business (a financial
institution) and certifies under penalties of perjury that
such an IRS Form W-8BEN (or suitable substitute form) has
been received from you by it or by a financial institution
between it and you and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof. |
You will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on
payments of interest on an Exchange Note if such interest is
effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business
in the U.S. (and if a tax treaty applies, is attributable
to a U.S. permanent establishment) and you provide us or
our paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI
(or a suitable substitute form). In such case, except to the
extent otherwise provided under an applicable tax treaty, you
generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder
with respect to such interest payments on an Exchange Note. In
addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may also be
subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower
applicable tax treaty rate).
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Gain on taxable disposition of the notes |
You will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on
gain realized on the disposition of an Exchange Note.
Additionally, you generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the disposition
of an Exchange Note (except with respect to accrued and unpaid
interest not previously includible in income, which would be
taxable as described above), unless:
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you are an individual present in the U.S. for 183 days
or more in the year of such disposition and certain other
requirements are met, in which case you will be subject to a 30%
U.S. federal income tax (or lower applicable tax treaty
rate) on the excess of such gains plus all other
U.S. source capital gains for the same taxable year over
your U.S. source capital losses for such taxable year; or |
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the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business in the U.S. (and, if a tax treaty applies, is
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), in which
case, except to the extent otherwise provided under an
applicable tax treaty, such gain generally will be taxed on a
net income basis in the same manner as a U.S. holder with
respect to such gain on disposition of an Exchange Note. In
addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may also be
subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower
applicable tax treaty rate). |
If you are an individual non-U.S. holder, your notes will
not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax when you die,
provided that, at your death, payments on the notes were not
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
that you were conducting in the United States and you did not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote.
The U.S. federal estate tax was repealed in June 2001;
however, the repeal does not take effect until 2010. In
addition, the legislation repealing the estate tax expires in
2011, and thus the estate tax will be reinstated at that time
unless future legislation extends the repeal.
Exchange Offer and Liquidated Damages
The exchange of Old Notes for the Exchange Notes registered
under the Securities Act should not constitute a taxable
exchange. As a result:
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you should not recognize a taxable gain or loss as a result of
exchanging your notes for the exchange notes; |
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the holding period of the exchange notes you receive should
include the holding period of the notes you exchange; and |
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the adjusted tax basis of the exchange notes you receive should
be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the notes you exchanged
determined immediately before the exchange. |
We believe that the likelihood that additional amounts will
become payable due to a failure to register the exchange notes
is remote. Accordingly, we intend to take the position that if
such additional amounts become payable, such amounts will be
taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary income in accordance
with such holders method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the IRS may take
a different position, which could affect the timing of a
U.S. holders recognition of income.
We believe that a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to
U.S. federal withholding on such additional amounts if the
non-U.S. holder is not subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax on interest under the rules described above. The
IRS may also take a different position, which could affect the
amount of the payment you receive.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information reporting will apply to payments of interest or
principal made by us on, or the proceeds of the sale or other
disposition of, the notes with respect to certain non-corporate
U.S. holders, and backup withholding, currently at a rate
of 28%, may apply if such U.S. holder is not otherwise
exempt and such U.S. holder: (1) fails to furnish its
taxpayer identification number (TIN) (which, for an
individual, is ordinarily his or her social security number);
(2) furnishes an incorrect TIN; (3) is notified by the
IRS that it has failed to properly report payments of interest
or dividends; or (4) fails to certify, under penalties of
perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and that the IRS
has not notified the U.S. holder that it is subject to
backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against
that holders U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
payments of principal and interest on the notes by us or our
agent to a non-U.S. holder provided the
non-U.S. holder provides the certification described above
under Non-U.S. holders
Withholding tax on payments of principal and interest on
notes or otherwise establishes an exemption (provided that
neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge that the
holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other
exemptions are not in fact satisfied). Interest payments made to
a non-U.S. holder may, however, be reported to the IRS and
to such non-U.S. holder.
Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not
apply to a payment of the proceeds of a sale of notes effected
outside the U.S. by a foreign office of a foreign broker
that does not have certain enumerated relationships with the
United States. However, information reporting requirements (but
not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of the proceeds
of a sale of notes effected outside the U.S. by a foreign
office of a broker if the broker
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is a U.S. person, |
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derives 50 percent or more of its gross income for certain
periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., |
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is a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, or |
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is a foreign partnership that at any time during its taxable
year is 50 percent or more (by income or capital interest)
owned by U.S. persons or is engaged in the conduct of a
U.S. trade or business, |
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unless in any such case the broker has documentary evidence in
its records that the holder is a non-U.S. holder and
certain conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes
an exemption.
Payment of the proceeds of a sale of notes by a U.S. office
of a broker will be subject to both backup withholding and
information reporting unless the holder certifies its
non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury by providing an
exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding
rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against that
holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided
the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
A broker-dealer that holds Old Notes for its own account as a
result of market-making or other trading activities (other than
Old Notes acquired directly from us or our affiliates) may
exchange them for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer, but must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
of the Exchange Notes. The SEC has taken the position that a
broker-dealer may use this prospectus, as it may be changed from
time to time, for these resales. A broker-dealer may not use
this prospectus for a resale of original sale Old Notes
purchased from us in the original sale of Old Notes.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes
by broker-dealers. Broker-dealers may sell Exchange Notes
received for their own account in the exchange offer from time
to time in one or more transactions in the over- the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of these methods
of resale. It may sell them at market prices prevailing at the
time of resale, at prices related to those prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. A broker-dealer may resell these
Exchange Notes directly to a purchaser or to or through brokers
or dealers. That broker or dealer may receive a payment from the
reselling broker-dealer or the purchaser for helping with the
sale.
Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received
by it for its own account in the exchange offer, and any broker
or dealer that participates in a distribution of the Exchange
Notes, may be an underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act. If so, any profit on any resale of Exchange
Notes, and any payments received by any person, may be
considered underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.
The letter of transmittal states that a broker-dealer that
acknowledges that it will deliver, and delivers a prospectus
will not be deemed to have admitted that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act. We have agreed that for a period of up to 270 days, we
will make this prospectus, as amended and supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resales.
We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others who
ask you to participate in the exchange offer. We have agreed,
however, to pay all costs to comply with the registration rights
agreement, including:
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all registration and filing fees and expenses, |
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all costs to comply with securities laws, |
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all printing expenses, and |
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all costs of our lawyers and accountants. |
In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the initial purchasers
of the Old Notes and holders who are tendering Old Notes in the
exchange offer or following this Plan of
Distribution, as a group, for the reasonable costs of not
more than one lawyer. We have agreed to pay the holders of the
Old Notes for losses specified in the registration rights
agreement. This includes some losses that may arise under the
Securities Act.
We can make no assurance about the liquidity of, or the trading
market for, the Exchange Notes. We do not intend to list the
Exchange Notes on any national exchange or to seek the admission
of the Exchange Notes to trading in the Nasdaq Stock
Markets National Market System. We have been advised by
the initial purchasers that they currently intend to make a
market in the Exchange Notes. The initial purchasers are not
obligated to do so, however, and any market-making activities
will be subject to the limits imposed by the Exchange Act and
may be limited during the exchange offer and the pendency of any
shelf registration statement. See Risk Factors
Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer If you do not
exchange your Old Notes, they may be difficult to resell.
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NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
Resale Restrictions
The distribution of the notes in Canada is being made only on a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we
prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory
authorities in each province where trades of the notes are made.
Any resale of the notes in Canada must be made under applicable
securities laws which will vary depending on the relevant
jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under
available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary
exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities
regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal
advice prior to any resale of the notes.
Representations of Purchasers
By purchasing the notes in Canada and accepting a purchase
confirmation a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer
from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:
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1. the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial
securities laws to purchase the notes without the benefit of a
prospectus qualified under those securities laws; |
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2. where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as
principal and not as agent; and |
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3. the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale
Restrictions. |
Rights of Action Ontario Purchasers Only
Under Ontario securities legislation, a purchaser who purchases
a note offered by this prospectus during the period of
distribution will have a statutory right of action for damages,
or while still the owner of the notes, for rescission against us
in the event that this prospectus contains a misrepresentation.
A purchaser will be deemed to have relied on the
misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is
exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the
date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise
to the cause of action and three years from the date on which
payment is made for the notes. The right of action for
rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the
date on which payment is made for the notes. If a purchaser
elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the
purchaser will have no right of action for damages against us.
In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the
price at which the notes were offered to the purchaser and if
the purchaser is shown to have purchased the notes with
knowledge of the misrepresentation, we will have no liability.
In the case of an action for damages, we will not be liable for
all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not
represent the depreciation in value of the notes as a result of
the misrepresentation relied upon. These rights are in addition
to, and without derogation from, any other rights or remedies
available at law to an Ontario purchaser. The foregoing is a
summary of the rights available to an Ontario purchaser. Ontario
purchasers should refer to the complete text of the relevant
statutory provisions.
Enforcement of Legal Rights
All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named
herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result,
it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service
of process within Canada upon us or such persons. All or a
substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those
persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result,
it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those
persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian
courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Canadian purchasers of notes should consult their own legal and
tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an
investment in the notes in their particular circumstances and
about the eligibility of the notes for investment by the
purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Exchange Notes offered hereby will be passed
upon for us by Strasburger & Price, L.L.P.,
Houston, Texas.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
and subsidiaries appearing in GulfMark Offshore, Inc.s
Annual Report (Form 10-K/ A) for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and
subsidiaries managements assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 included therein have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included
therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements and managements assessment are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports
given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
We are incorporating by reference into this
prospectus certain information that we have filed or may file
with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which means that we are disclosing important information
to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this
prospectus, except to the extent modified or superceded, as
described below. This prospectus incorporates by reference the
documents set forth below that have been previously filed with
the SEC. Those documents contain important information
about us and our finances.
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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K/ A for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 filed on April 26, 2005. |
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Our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 21,
2005. |
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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 28,
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All documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and
prior to the termination of this offering. |
Information contained in this prospectus supplements, modifies
or supersedes, as applicable, the information contained in
earlier-dated documents incorporated by reference. Information
in documents that we file with the SEC on or after the date
of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede
information in this prospectus or in earlier-dated documents
incorporated by reference.
Upon your written or oral request, we will provide you with a
free copy of any of these filings (except for exhibits, unless
the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the
filing). You may request copies by writing or telephoning us at:
10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340, Houston, TX 77042,
Attention: Secretary, (713) 963-9522.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-4 under the Securities Act to register this exchange
offer. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement.
the SEC does not require the prospectus to have all of the
information included in the registration statement or the
exhibits to the registration statement, and you should read the
documents which are filed as exhibits or schedules to the
registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC and
incorporated by reference herein. You will find additional
information about us and the Exchange Notes in the registration
statement.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. Our filings are
available over the internet at the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we
file at the SECs public reference room located at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the
public
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reference room. Our website is www.gulfmark.com. We make
available free of charge on or through our website our annual
report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those
reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably
practicable after we electronically file such material with, or
furnish it to, the SEC. Information on our website is not
incorporated by reference into this prospectus or made a part
hereof for any purpose.
While any Old Notes remain outstanding, we will make available,
upon request, to any holder and any prospective purchaser
thereof the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Securities Act during any period in which we are not subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
Any such request should be directed to GulfMark
Offshore, Inc., 10111 Richmond Ave., Suite 340,
Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Secretary,
(713) 963-9522.
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GLOSSARY OF SELECTED INDUSTRY TERMS
AHTS. See Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessels.
Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply Vessels. These vessels
are typically 150 to 175 in length and are used to
set anchors for the rigs and to tow mobile drilling rigs and
equipment from one location to another. In addition, these
vessels typically can be used as supply vessels when they are
not performing anchor handling and towing services.
Bareboat Charter. A charter contract whereby the vessel
is chartered without crew, stores or maintenance support,
the bare hull, for a fixed time period. The contract
results in the charterer being treated as the disponet
owner for the full duration of the charter.
Below Deck Capacity. The capacity of the tanks located
below the deck of a vessel which are used to carry various
liquid and powdered products utilized in production and drilling
activities such as gas oil, potable water, drilling muds and
powdered cement.
BHP. See Brake Horsepower.
Brake Horsepower. The horsepower made available by an
engine for driving machinery other than itself. It is the
highest continuous horsepower output an engine develops.
Charter. A maritime contract for the hire of a vessel.
Classification Society. A member of the IACS
(International Association of Classification Societies)
generally accepted for providing classification services on
behalf of governments. The societies are generally recognized as
establishing that ships classified are built and maintained
within certain established standards. We have ships built under
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and
LR (Lloyds Register of Shipping) classification.
Construction Support Vessels. These vessels can be
vessels used in the actual construction effort, such as pipe
laying barges, or they can be specially designed vessels, such
as pipe carriers, used to transport the large cargos of material
and supplies required to support construction and installation
of offshore platforms and pipelines.
Crew. See Crewboats.
Crewboats. Crewboats transport personnel and cargo to and
from production platforms and rigs. Older crewboats, early 1980s
built, are typically 100 to 120 ft. in length
and are generally designed for speed to transport personnel.
Newer crewboat designs are generally larger, 130 to
185 ft. in length, and have greater cargo carrying
capacities. They are used primarily to transport cargo on a time
sensitive basis.
Day Rate. Total charter revenues divided by number of
days worked.
Deadweight Tons. A measurement of the carrying capacity
of a vessel, calculated as the difference between the amount of
water displaced by the unloaded vessel and that displaced by the
fully loaded vessel.
Drydocking. The process whereby a vessel is removed from
the water to accomplish repairs and complete classification
inspection requirements. With the exception of crewboats and
vessels more than 20 years of age that are generally
drydocked more frequently, drydocks are required twice during
the five-year classification cycle. The time period of a
drydocking differs based on type and age of vessel and extent of
survey and repairs needed.
DWT. See Deadweight Tons.
Dynamic Positioning. An enhanced maneuvering and control
system that will hold a vessel on station despite sea and
weather conditions.
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Vessels.
Vessels (typically converted crude oil tankers) configured
and equipped to permit hydrocarbon production to be processed,
stored and offloaded, usually to
G-1
ocean going tankers for export but in some instances to local
structures. These vessels are most often used in areas where no
pipelines or other infrastructure exists such as deep water
regions and offshore lesser-developed countries.
FPSO. See Floating Production, Storage and Offloading
Vessels.
Full Production Horizon Contract. See Life of Field
Contracts.
Large Platform Supply Vessels. These PSVs are well suited
for large areas with a concentration of offshore production
platforms because of their large, clear after deck and below
deck capacities.
LgPSVs. See Large Platform Supply Vessels.
Life of Field Contract. A charter, the term of which is
tied to a production facilitys lifespan.
Long-term Charter. A charter with an initial term
exceeding six months.
Moon Pool. A structural modification in the hull of a
vessel which provides an opening allowing direct access to the
sea. Moon pools are typically used to launch and deploy ROVs or
divers, or otherwise to allow entry and exit from the water with
some protection from wave action.
Oil Spill Response Vessels. Oil spill response vessels
are specially equipped to respond to oil spill emergencies.
On Deck Capacity. The amount of deck area on to which
cargo can be loaded on a vessel. The on deck capacity of a
vessel is restricted by the weight and dimensions of the total
amount of cargo carried.
Pemex. See Pemex Exploration and Production.
Pemex Exploration and Production. An affiliate of the
Mexican national oil company.
Petrobras. See Petróleo Brasiliero S.A.
Petróleo Brasiliero S.A. The Brazilian national oil
company.
Platform Supply Vessels. These vessels are used to
serve drilling and production facilities and support offshore
construction and maintenance work. They are utilized for their
cargo handling capabilities, particularly their large capacity
and versatility.
PSVs. See Platform Supply Vessels.
Rates Per Day. See Day Rate.
Remotely Operated Vehicle. An unmanned submersible craft
which is used for underwater construction, inspection and
searches. It is controlled from the launching vessel by
umbilical controls and is flown through the water by
a trained technician who utilizes thrusters and cameras.
ROV. See Remotely Operated Vehicle.
Short-term Charter. A charter with an initial term of six
months or less.
Specialty Vessels. These vessels generally have special
features to meet the requirements of specific jobs. The special
features include large deck spaces, high electrical generating
capacities, slow controlled speed and varied propulsion thruster
configurations, extra berthing facilities and long range
capabilities. These vessels are primarily used for support of
FPSOs, diving operations, ROVs, survey operations and seismic
data gathering, as well as well stimulation oil recovery and oil
pollution control.
SpV. See Specialty Vessels.
Stby. See Standby Rescue Vessels.
Standby Rescue Vessels. These vessels perform safety
patrol functions for an area and are equipped for all manned
locations in the UK sector of the North Sea. They typically
remain on station to provide a
G-2
safety backup to offshore rigs and production facilities and
carry special equipment to rescue personnel, are equipped to
provide first aid and shelter and, in some cases, also function
as supply vessels.
Time Charter. The hire of a fully operational ship for a
specified period of time; the shipowner provides the ship with
crew, stores and provisions, ready in all aspects to load cargo
and proceed on a voyage.
Utility Vessels. These vessels are typically 90 to
150 in length and are used to provide limited crew
transportation, some transportation of oilfield support
equipment and, in some locations, standby functions.
Utilization. Total days for which charter hire is earned
divided by calendar days in the periods adjusted for part-year
availability caused by vessel additions or dispositions.
UT 719-2. A SpV design developed by Norwegian design and
construction firm Ulstein (now Rolls Royce). The vessel is
constructed to provide specialty functions including tanker
assistance, oil spill response, and firefighting and anchor
handling capabilities. The vessel is equipped with dynamic
positioning and cargo carrying capabilities of a typical North
Sea supply vessel.
UT 722L. A high specification AHTS vessel design
developed by Norwegian design and construction firm Ulstein (now
Rolls Royce). The vessel is a large, high horsepower vessel with
a heavy-duty winch and cargo capacity to allow the vessel to be
used in standard supply functions, as well as anchor handling.
UT 745. A large supply vessel design developed by
Norwegian design and construction firm Ulstein (now Rolls
Royce). The vessel has a large clear deck for cargo carriage,
computer controlled pumping and delivery systems with extensive
potential for modification for use in a variety of supply and
construction support functions.
UT 755. A supply vessel design developed by Norwegian
design and construction firm Ulstein (now Rolls Royce). Defined
in the North Sea as a medium sized vessel, it fits the
definition of a large supply vessel. The vessel has high cargo
to size ratio, computer controlled pumping and delivery systems,
flexibility to add additional accommodation or specialty
equipment, circular product tanks for ease of cleaning, large
product capacities and improved maneuvering capability to
maximize effective working periods alongside installations.
UT 755L. A lengthened UT 755 equipped with a moon pool.
G-3
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
Offer to Exchange
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 (the Old Notes)
for all
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 (the Exchange Notes)
($160,000,000 principal amount outstanding)
PROSPECTUS
,
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own
account in the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus when reselling these Exchange Notes. A
broker-dealer that does so will not be deemed to admit that it
is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act. A broker-dealer may use this prospectus to
resell Exchange Notes that it received in exchange for Old Notes
acquired through market-making activities or other trading
activities. We have agreed to make this prospectus available to
these broker-dealers for up to 270 days.
[ALTERNATE COVER FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
APRIL 27, 2005
PROSPECTUS
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014
($160,000,000 principal amount outstanding)
We issued our
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014, or the Exchange Notes, in exchange for
our previously outstanding
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014, or the Old Notes.
Interest is payable on the
Exchange Notes on January 15 and July 15 of each year,
beginning July 15, 2005. The notes will mature on
July 15, 2014.
Prior to July 15, 2009, we
may redeem all or part of the Exchange Notes by paying a
make-whole premium. Thereafter, we may redeem all or part of the
Exchange Notes at the redemption prices set forth herein.
Additionally, prior to July 15, 2007, we may redeem up to
35% of the Exchange Notes from the proceeds of certain equity
offerings. Redemption prices and make-whole premiums are
specified under Description of the Exchange
Notes Optional Redemption.
The Exchange Notes will be our
senior unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu
with all of our existing and future unsecured senior
indebtedness and senior to all of our future subordinated
indebtedness. We conduct our operations solely through our
subsidiaries and none of our subsidiaries will initially
guarantee the Exchange Notes. Accordingly, the Exchange Notes
will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, and to
our and our subsidiaries existing and future secured
obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing
such obligations.
We do not intend to list the
Exchange Notes on any national securities exchange, and we
cannot assure you that there will be a public market for the
Exchange Notes. The Exchange Notes are eligible for trading in
the Private Offering, Resales and Trading Automated Linkages
(PORTALsm)
Market.
You should carefully
consider the risk factors beginning on
page .
Neither the SEC nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
This prospectus has been prepared
for and is to be used by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates
in connection with offers and sales in market-making
transactions of the Exchange Notes. We will not receive any of
the proceeds of such sales. Lehman Brothers Inc. and its
affiliates may act as a principal or agent in such transactions.
The Exchange Notes may be offered in negotiated transactions or
otherwise.
Lehman Brothers
The date of this prospectus
is , .
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only upon the information contained in this
prospectus, the exhibits to which we refer you, and documents we
incorporate herein by reference. We have not authorized any
other person to provide you with different information. If
anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information,
you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell
these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is
not permitted. You should assume the information appearing in
this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front
cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since that
date.
We are not making any representation to any purchaser of the
Exchange Notes regarding the legality of an investment in the
Exchange Notes under any legal investment or similar laws or
regulations. You should not consider any information in this
prospectus to be legal, business or tax advice. You should
consult your own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor for
legal, business and tax advice regarding an investment in the
Exchange Notes. We have summarized certain documents and other
information in a manner we believe to be accurate, but we refer
you to the actual document for a more complete understanding of
what we discuss in this prospectus.
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
Summary Summary Information About Our Exchange
Offer Use of Proceeds
This prospectus is delivered in connection with the sale of
Exchange Notes by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates in
market-making transactions. GulfMark will not receive any of the
proceeds from such transactions. See Use of Proceeds.
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
RISK FACTORS
Substitute the following for the lead in to the Risk
Factors:
RISK FACTORS
Prospective purchasers of the Exchange Notes should carefully
review the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus
and should particularly consider the following matters:
Risk Relating to the Notes and the Offering
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There may not be a liquid market for the notes, and you
may not be able to sell your notes at attractive prices or at
all. |
Prior to this offering, there was no public market for the notes
and, although the notes are expected to be eligible for trading
in the
PORTALsm
Market, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will
develop for the notes. Future trading prices of the notes will
depend on many factors, including, among other things, our
ability to effect the exchange offer, prevailing interest rates
and interest rate volatility, our operating results and the
market for similar securities. Although the initial purchasers
have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in
the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue
their market-making activities at any time without notice. We do
not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities
exchange or automated quotation system. If an active market for
the notes fails to develop or be sustained, the trading price of
the notes could fall. Even if an active trading market were to
develop, the notes could trade at prices that may be lower than
the initial offering price.
Lehman Brothers Inc. may be deemed to be our affiliate and, as
such, may be required to deliver a prospectus in connection with
its market-making activities in the Exchange Notes. We have
agreed to maintain an effective registration statement that
would allow Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates to engage in
market-making transactions in the Exchange Notes for a period of
two years or less under certain circumstances from the date of
effectiveness of the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. Thereafter, we may, but we are not
required to, maintain the effectiveness of such registration
statement to enable Lehman Brothers Inc. to deliver a prospectus
in connection with market-making transactions in the Exchange
Notes. If such registration statement ceases to remain effective
or ceases to contain the current information required therein,
Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates may be precluded from
continuing to engage in market-making transactions in the
Exchange Notes, which could adversely affect the market for the
Exchange Notes. We have agreed to bear substantially all the
costs and expenses related to such registration statement.
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
USE OF PROCEEDS
This prospectus is delivered in connection with the sale of the
Exchange Notes by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates in
market-making transactions. GulfMark will not receive any of the
proceeds from such transactions.
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME CONSEQUENCES
General
This section summarizes certain material U.S. federal
income tax consequences to holders of notes. The discussion is
limited in the following ways:
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The discussion applies to you only if you buy your notes in the
initial offering. |
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The discussion applies to you only if you hold your notes as
capital assets (that is, for investment purposes), and you are
not a person in a special tax situation, such as a financial
institution, a partnership or other pass-through entity, an
insurance company, a regulated investment company, an
expatriate, a dealer in securities or currencies, a person
holding the notes as a hedge against currency risks, as a
position in a straddle or integrated
transaction or as part of a hedging or
conversion transaction for tax purposes, or a person
whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar. |
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The discussion is included for general information only and does
not address tax consequences that depend upon your particular
tax situation. |
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The discussion is based on the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code), U.S. Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder, and published rulings and judicial
decisions now in effect. Those authorities may be changed,
possibly with retroactive effect, in which case the
U.S. federal income tax consequences may be different from
those discussed below. |
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The discussion does not address state, local or foreign law or
any federal tax consequences other than income tax consequences
(except for the limited discussion of certain federal estate tax
consequences to non-U.S. holders). |
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We have not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) on the tax consequences of owning
the notes. As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of
this discussion. |
A U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a
note that is for federal income tax purposes: (i) a citizen
or resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation (including an
entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes)
created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate whose
income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
its source or (iv) a trust if a court within the
U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust, or a trust that was in existence on August 20, 1996
and that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person. A
non-U.S. holder refers to any beneficial owner
of a note who or which is a non-resident alien, corporation,
estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.
If you are considering buying notes, we urge you to consult your
tax advisor about the particular U.S. federal, state, local
and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the notes and the application of the
U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation.
U.S. Holders
If you are a U.S. holder, you will be required to recognize
as ordinary income any interest paid or accrued on the notes, in
accordance with your regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, if the terms
of a debt instrument entitle you to receive payments other than
fixed periodic interest that exceed the issue price of the
instrument, you might be required to recognize additional
interest as original issue discount over the term of
the instrument. We believe, and this disclosure assumes, that
the notes will not be issued with original issue discount.
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Sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of
notes |
On the sale, exchange, redemption, or other taxable disposition
of your note:
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You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount received by you (to the extent such amount
does not represent accrued but unpaid interest not previously
includible in income, which will be taxable as ordinary income)
and your adjusted tax basis in the note. |
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Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the cost
to you of the note. |
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Your gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and
will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the note for
more than one year. For an individual, the maximum tax rate on
long-term capital gains is 15%. The deductibility of capital
losses is subject to limitations. |
Non-U.S. holders
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Withholding tax on payments of principal and interest on
notes |
Generally, if you are a non-U.S. holder, payments of
principal and interest on a note that are not effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the
U.S. will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding
tax (at a rate of 30% or a lower rate under an applicable
treaty), provided that in the case of an interest payment:
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you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all our voting stock; |
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is directly or
indirectly related to us through stock ownership; |
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you are not a bank receiving interest pursuant to a loan
agreement entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or
business; and |
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either |
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(A) you are the beneficial owner of the note and you
certify to the applicable payor or its agent, under penalties of
perjury, that you are not a United States person and provide
your name and address on a signed IRS Form W-8BEN (or a
suitable substitute form), or |
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(B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other
financial institution that holds customers securities in
the ordinary course of its trade or business (a financial
institution) and certifies under penalties of perjury that
such an IRS Form W-8BEN (or suitable substitute form) has
been received from you by it or by a financial institution
between it and you and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof. |
You will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on
payments of interest on a note if such interest is effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the
U.S. (and if a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a
U.S. permanent establishment) and you provide us or our
paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or a
suitable substitute form). In such case, except to the extent
otherwise provided under an applicable tax treaty, you generally
will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder with
respect to such interest payments on a note. In addition, if you
are a foreign corporation, you may also be subject to a branch
profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable tax
treaty rate).
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Gain on taxable disposition of the notes |
You will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on
gain realized on the disposition of a note. Additionally, you
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
gain realized on the disposition of a note (except with respect
to accrued and unpaid interest not previously includible in
income, which would be taxable as described above), unless:
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you are an individual present in the U.S. for 183 days
or more in the year of such disposition and certain other
requirements are met, in which case you will be subject to a 30%
U.S. federal income |
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tax (or lower applicable tax treaty rate) on the excess of such
gains plus all other U.S. source capital gains for the same
taxable year over your U.S. source capital losses for such
taxable year; or |
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the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business in the U.S. (and, if a tax treaty applies, is
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), in which
case, except to the extent otherwise provided under an
applicable tax treaty, such gain generally will be taxed on a
net income basis in the same manner as a U.S. holder with
respect to such gain on disposition of a note. In addition, if
you are a foreign corporation, you may also be subject to a
branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable tax
treaty rate). |
If you are an individual non-U.S. holder, your notes will
not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax when you die,
provided that, at your death, payments on the notes were not
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
that you were conducting in the United States and you did not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to
vote.
The U.S. federal estate tax was repealed in June 2001;
however, the repeal does not take effect until 2010. In
addition, the legislation repealing the estate tax expires
in 2011, and thus the estate tax will be reinstated at that
time unless future legislation extends the repeal.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information reporting will apply to payments of interest or
principal made by us on, or the proceeds of the sale or other
disposition of, the notes with respect to certain non-corporate
U.S. holders, and backup withholding, currently at a rate
of 28%, may apply if such U.S. holder is not otherwise
exempt and such U.S. holder: (1) fails to furnish its
taxpayer identification number (TIN) (which, for an
individual, is ordinarily his or her social security number);
(2) furnishes an incorrect TIN; (3) is notified by the
IRS that it has failed to properly report payments of interest
or dividends; or (4) fails to certify, under penalties of
perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and that the IRS
has not notified the U.S. holder that it is subject to
backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against
that holders U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
payments of principal and interest on the notes by us or our
agent to a non-U.S. holder provided the
non-U.S. holder provides the certification described above
under Non-U.S. holders
Withholding tax on payments of principal and interest on
notes or otherwise establishes an exemption (provided that
neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge that the
holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other
exemptions are not in fact satisfied). Interest payments made to
a non-U.S. holder may, however, be reported to the IRS and
to such non-U.S. holder.
Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not
apply to a payment of the proceeds of a sale of notes effected
outside the U.S. by a foreign office of a foreign broker
that does not have certain enumerated relationships with the
United States. However, information reporting requirements (but
not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of the proceeds
of a sale of notes effected outside the U.S. by a foreign
office of a broker if the broker
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(i) is a U.S. person, |
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(ii) derives 50 percent or more of its gross income
for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in
the U.S., |
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(iii) is a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, or |
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(iv) is a foreign partnership that at any time during its
taxable year is 50 percent or more (by income or capital
interest) owned by U.S. persons or is engaged in the
conduct of a U.S. trade or business, unless in any such
case the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the
holder is a non-U.S. holder and certain conditions are met,
or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. |
Payment of the proceeds of a sale of notes by a U.S. office
of a broker will be subject to both backup withholding and
information reporting unless the holder certifies its
non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury by providing an
appropriate IRS Form W-8 (or a suitable substitute form) or
otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under
the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a
credit against that holders U.S. federal income tax
liability provided the required information is timely furnished
to the IRS.
[ALTERNATE PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus may be used by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its
affiliates in connection with offers and sales of the Exchange
Notes in market-making transactions effected from time to time.
Lehman Brothers Inc. or its affiliates may act as a principal or
agent in such transactions, including as agent for the
counterparty when acting as principal or as agent for both
counterparties, and may receive compensation in the form of
discounts and commissions, including from both counterparties,
when it acts as agent for both. Such sales will be made at
prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related
thereto or at negotiated prices.
As of April 20, 2005, affiliates of Lehman Brothers Inc.
own approximately 16.78% of our outstanding common stock. David
J. Butters, our Chairman of the board of directors, and Robert
B. Millard, a director, are Managing Directors of Lehman
Brothers Inc. Because Lehman Brothers Inc. and its affiliates
may purchase and sell Exchange Notes, and because this
prospectus may be used by Lehman Brothers Inc. and its
affiliates in connection with future offers and sales of
Exchange Notes relating to market-making transactions, effected
from time to time, no estimate can be given as to the number and
percentage of Exchange Notes that will be held by Lehman
Brothers Inc. or its affiliates upon the termination of such
sales.
We have been advised by Lehman Brothers Inc. that, subject to
applicable laws and regulations, Lehman Brothers Inc. currently
intends to make a market in the Exchange Notes following
completion of the Exchange Offer. However, Lehman Brothers Inc.
is not obligated to do so and any such market-making may be
interrupted or discontinued at any time without notice. In
addition, such market-making activity will be subject to the
limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. There
can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop
or be sustained. See Risk Factors Risk
Relating to the Notes and the Offering There may not
be a liquid market for the notes, and you may not be able to
sell your notes at attractive prices or at all. Lehman
Brothers Inc. has informed us that it does not intend to confirm
sales of the Exchange Notes to any accounts over which it
exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific
written approval of such transactions by the customer.
Lehman Brothers Inc. has provided investment banking, financial
advisory and other services to us in the past three years and
may provide such services to us in the future. Lehman Brothers
Inc. acted as an initial purchaser in connection with the
original sale of the Old Notes and received customary fees and
was reimbursed expenses incurred in connection therewith. See
Certain Transactions and Related Parties for a
description of these services.
Lehman Brothers Inc. and we have entered into an agreement with
respect to the use by Lehman Brothers Inc. of this prospectus.
Pursuant to such agreement, we agreed to bear all registration
expenses incurred under such agreement, and we agreed to
indemnify Lehman Brothers Inc. against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The address of Lehman Brothers Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New
York, NY 10019.
[ALTERNATE BACK COVER PAGE FOR MARKET-MAKING PROSPECTUS]
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
73/4%
Senior Notes due 2014
($160,000,000 principal amount outstanding)
PROSPECTUS
,
LEHMAN BROTHERS
Part II. Information Not Required in Prospectus
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Item 20. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we must indemnify
our directors, officers and certain other individuals to the
full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law or
other applicable laws. We are permitted to enter into agreements
with any such person to provide indemnification greater or
different than that provided in our certificate of incorporation
or Delaware law.
Our certificate of incorporation limits the personal liability
of our directors to us or our shareholders to the full extent
permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law or other
applicable laws. The Delaware General Corporation Law currently
permits directors to be protected from monetary damages for
breach of their fiduciary duty of care. This limitation has no
effect on claims arising under the federal securities laws.
Any underwriting agreements to be filed or incorporated by
reference with this registration statement may contain
reciprocal agreements of indemnity between us and the
underwriters as to certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, and may provide for
indemnification of our directors and officers in certain
circumstances. The registration rights agreement filed as an
exhibit to this registration contains reciprocal agreements of
indemnity between us and the parties thereto as to certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, and may provide for indemnification of our directors and
officers in certain circumstances
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Indemnification and Insurance |
Delaware corporations may indemnify their directors and
officers, as well as other employees and individuals, against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions,
suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
corporation such as a derivative action) if the individuals
acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A
similar standard of care applies to actions by or in the right
of the corporation, except that indemnification extends only to
expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in connection
with defense or settlement of such an action, and Delaware law
requires court approval before any indemnification where the
person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the
corporation.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we shall
indemnify, to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law or any other applicable law, each of our current
and former directors, officers, employees and certain agents,
and each person who, at the request of the board of directors or
an officer, serves or served as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or
other enterprise. Significant payments by us in settlement of a
claim or in satisfaction of a judgment against any of our
officers, directors or other indemnified individuals, as
required by these provisions and if permitted by Delaware law,
could materially reduce our assets.
We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding
which may result in a claim for indemnification, and there is no
pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors
or officers in which indemnification would be required or
permitted by our certificate of incorporation or Delaware law.
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Elimination of Liability in Certain Circumstances |
Our certificate of incorporation protects our directors against
monetary damages for breach of the duty of care to the full
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law or
other applicable laws. These provisions do not eliminate the
directors duty of care. Under these provisions, neither we
nor our shareholders may assert a claim for money damages
against a director for certain breaches of fiduciary
II-1
duty, including claims in connection with possible takeover
proposals. In appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such
as an injunction or other forms of non-monetary relief are
available under Delaware law. The provisions of the Delaware
General Corporation Law do not affect the directors
responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal
securities laws and state and federal environmental laws. Those
provisions apply to our officers only if they are directors and
are acting in their capacity as directors, and do not apply to
officers who are not directors.
Directors will remain subject to liability for the following:
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breach of a directors duty of loyalty to us and our
stockholders; |
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acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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transactions from which a director derives improper personal
benefit; and |
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unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions. |
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Item 21. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. |
(c) Exhibits
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Exhibit No | |
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Description |
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Documents |
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3 |
.1 |
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Certificate of Incorporation and amendments thereto |
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Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of our Form 10-Q, filed
November 6, 2002 |
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.2 |
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Bylaws |
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Exhibit 3.4 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 6,
2002 |
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.1 |
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See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of our Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws defining the rights of the holders
of our common stock |
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See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 |
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.2 |
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Specimen certificate for our common stock, $0.01 par value |
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Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1
No. 33-31139 |
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4 |
.4 |
|
Indenture dated as of July 21, 2004, between the Company,
as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee,
including a Form of Senior Notes |
|
Exhibit 4.4 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 9,
2004 |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 21, 2004,
among the Company, as Issuer, and the initial purchasers |
|
Exhibit 4.5 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 9,
2004 |
|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. as to the legality of
the Exchange Notes |
|
Exhibit 5.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
12 |
.1 |
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
|
Attached hereto |
|
21 |
.1 |
|
Subsidiaries of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. |
|
Exhibit 21.1 to our Form 10-K filed March 31, 2005 |
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. |
|
Included in Exhibit 5.1 to our Form S-4 filed
November 15, 2004 |
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
|
Attached hereto |
|
24 |
.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney |
|
Contained on signature page of our Form S-4 filed
November 15, 2004 |
|
25 |
.1 |
|
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 |
|
Exhibit 25.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.1 |
|
Letter of Transmittal |
|
Exhibit 99.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
II-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No | |
|
Description |
|
Documents |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
99 |
.2 |
|
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
|
Exhibit 99.2 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.3 |
|
Letter to Registered Holders and Book-Entry Transfer Facility
Participants |
|
Exhibit 99.3 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.4 |
|
Letter to Clients |
|
Exhibit 99.4 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.5 |
|
Instruction Letter to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry
Transfer Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner |
|
Exhibit 99.5 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
(d) Financial Statement Schedules
The following financial statement schedules are included in
Part II of the Registration Statement:
None
All other schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable or
the requested information is shown in the financial statements
or noted therein.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to
requests for information that is incorporated by reference into
the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of
this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request,
and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained
in the documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the
request.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to the
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston,
State of Texas, on April 26, 2005.
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Edward A. Guthrie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward A. Guthrie |
|
Executive Vice President, Finance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bruce A. Streeter
Bruce
A. Streeter |
|
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer) |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
/s/ Edward A. Guthrie
Edward
A. Guthrie |
|
Executive Vice President Finance,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Principal
Financial Officer) |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
/s/ Carla Mashinski
Carla
Mashinski |
|
Controller and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
Peter
I. Bijur |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
David
J. Butters |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
Marshall
A. Crowe |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
Louis
S. Gimbel, 3rd |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
Sheldon
S. Gordon |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
*
Robert
B. Millard |
|
Director |
|
April 26, 2005 |
|
|
* |
Signed by Edward A. Guthrie pursuant to a power of attorney |
II-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No | |
|
Description |
|
Documents |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Certificate of Incorporation and amendments thereto |
|
Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of our Form 10-Q, filed
November 6, 2002 |
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Bylaws |
|
Exhibit 3.4 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 6,
2002 |
|
4 |
.1 |
|
See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of our Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws defining the rights of the holders
of our common stock |
|
See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 |
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Specimen certificate for our common stock, $0.01 par value |
|
Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1
No. 33-31139 |
|
4 |
.4 |
|
Indenture dated as of July 21, 2004, between the Company,
as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee,
including a Form of Senior Notes |
|
Exhibit 4.4 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 9,
2004 |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of July 21, 2004,
among the Company, as Issuer, and the initial purchasers |
|
Exhibit 4.5 of our Form 10-Q, filed November 9,
2004 |
|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. as to the legality of
the Exchange Notes |
|
Exhibit 5.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
12 |
.1 |
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
|
Attached hereto |
|
21 |
.1 |
|
Subsidiaries of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. |
|
Exhibit 21.1 to our Form 10-K filed March 31, 2005 |
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. |
|
Included in Exhibit 5.1 to our Form S-4 filed
November 15, 2004 |
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
|
Attached hereto |
|
24 |
.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney |
|
Contained on signature page of our Form S-4 filed
November 15, 2004 |
|
25 |
.1 |
|
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 |
|
Exhibit 25.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.1 |
|
Letter of Transmittal |
|
Exhibit 99.1 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.2 |
|
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
|
Exhibit 99.2 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.3 |
|
Letter to Registered Holders and Book-Entry Transfer Facility
Participants |
|
Exhibit 99.3 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.4 |
|
Letter to Clients |
|
Exhibit 99.4 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |
|
99 |
.5 |
|
Instruction Letter to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry
Transfer Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner |
|
Exhibit 99.5 to our Form S-4 filed November 15,
2004 |