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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 10-K
 
x
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934—For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2002
 
¨
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934—For the Transition Period From ____________________ to ____________________.
 
 
Commission file number 1-6311
 
TIDEWATER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
Delaware

 
72-0487776

(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
     
601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

 
70130

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code (504) 568-1010
 

 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
Title of each class

 
Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.10
 
New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
 
New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes    x    No    ¨
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x


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As of April 15, 2002, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $2,239,177,461. Excluded from the calculation of market value are 4,349,454 shares held by the Registrant’s grantor stock ownership trust.
 
56,231,217 shares of Tidewater Inc. common stock $0.10 par value per share were outstanding on April 15, 2002. Excluded from the calculation of shares outstanding at April 15, 2002 are 4,349,454 shares held by the Registrant’s grantor stock ownership trust. Registrant has no other class of common stock outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Proxy Statement for Registrant’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated into Part III of this report.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
    
Part I
    
Item

       
Page
Number

1 & 2.
     
  3
3.
     
10
4.
     
10
4A.
     
10
    
Part II
    
5.
     
11
6.
     
11
7.
     
12
7A.
     
26
8.
     
27
9.
     
27
    
Part III
    
10.
     
27
11.
     
27
12.
     
27
13.
     
28
    
Part IV
    
14.
     
28

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Forward Looking Information and Cautionary Statement
 
In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the company notes that certain statements set forth in Items 1 and 7 and elsewhere in this report, which provide other than historical information and which are forward looking, involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the company’s actual results of operations. The company faces many risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company, including: fluctuations in oil and gas prices; level of fleet additions by competitors; changes in capital spending by customers in the energy industry for exploration, development and production; unsettled political conditions, civil unrest and governmental actions, especially in higher risk countries of operations; foreign currency fluctuations; and environmental and labor laws. Other risk factors are discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
Forward-looking statements, which can generally be identified by the use of such terminology as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “believe,” “think,” “could,” “will,” “continue,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions contained in this report, are predictions and not guarantees of future performance or events. The forward-looking statements are based on current industry, financial and economic information, which the company has assessed but which by its nature is dynamic and subject to rapid and possibly abrupt changes. The company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business. The forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk factors listed above and discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Management disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, future events or developments.
 
PART I
 
ITEMS 1 and 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
General
 
Tidewater Inc. (the “company”), a Delaware corporation, provides offshore supply vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of the world’s largest fleet of offshore marine service vessels. The company’s worldwide headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, and its telephone number is (504) 568-1010. The company was incorporated in 1956. Unless otherwise required by the context, the term “company” as used herein refers to Tidewater Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
With a fleet of over 550 vessels, the company operates (either through its consolidated entities or joint-ventures in which it participates), and has a leading market share, in most of the world’s significant oil and gas exploration and production markets and provides services supporting all phases of offshore exploration, development and production, including: towing of and anchor handling of mobile drilling rigs and equipment; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover and production activities; assisting in offshore construction activities; and a variety of specialized services including pipe laying, cable laying and 3-D seismic work.
 
Recent Developments
 
For the past two fiscal years the company has been engaged in an aggressive deepwater new-build vessel construction and deepwater vessel acquisition program to facilitate the company’s entrance into the deepwater markets of the world. The company has committed $711 million for the purchase and construction of 32 large deepwater vessels of which 19 vessels have been delivered, crewed and signed into contracts of varied terms. The company initiated a fleet replacement program concurrent with its deepwater vessel program and has committed through March 31, 2002, $71 million for the construction of six supply vessels, which are expected to be delivered to the market beginning in October 2002. In order

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to avoid potential overcapacity in our markets that could be created through the addition of these vessels, the company has sold and/or scrapped 180 vessels between April 1999 and March 2002.
 
The company also entered into a crewboat expansion program during fiscal 2002 by acquiring 11 existing crewboats and committing to the construction of 11 additional crewboats of which three were delivered during fiscal 2002. Eighteen of the vessels are large traditional crewboats, with the balance of the program committed to the construction of four, state-of-the-art, fast, crew/supply vessels. The acquisition of these crewboats has allowed the company to meet its customers’ demand for crewboats—a fast-growing segment of the offshore marine service market, and expand the company’s market share in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Crewboats typically maintain higher utilization rates and have lower maintenance costs compared to supply vessels. In addition, the crewboat market has fewer competitors as compared to the supply vessel market.
 
During fiscal 2001, the company sold four vessels to one of its 49%-owned unconsolidated marine joint ventures, Sonatide Marine, Ltd., and sold its 40% holding in another unconsolidated joint venture, National Marine Service. During fiscal 2000 the company acquired six new-build vessels from an industry competitor. The package of vessels included one supply vessel, two offshore tugs and three crewboats.
 
The company has been financing all of its vessel commitment programs from current cash balances, operating cash flow and its revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2002, the company had 27 vessels under construction with a total capital commitment of $468.3 million, of which the company has already expended $182.5 million. A full discussion of each event including capital commitments and scheduled delivery dates is disclosed in the “Vessel Acquisition and Construction Programs” and “Vessel Dispositions” section of Item 7 and Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Areas of Operation
 
The company’s fleet is deployed in the major offshore oil and gas areas of the world. The principal areas of the company’s operations include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, the Persian Gulf, and areas offshore Australia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Trinidad, Venezuela and West Africa. The company conducts its operations through wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures. Information concerning revenues and operating profit derived from domestic and international marine operations and domestic and international marine identifiable assets for each of the fiscal years ended March 31 are summarized below:
 
    
(in thousands)

 
    
2002

  
2001

  
2000

 
Revenues:
                  
Vessel operations:
                  
United States
  
$
203,648
  
197,660
  
140,090
 
International
  
 
511,713
  
386,271
  
398,427
 
Other marine operations
  
 
13,668
  
32,748
  
36,298
 
    

  
  

    
$
729,029
  
616,679
  
574,815
 
    

  
  

Operating profit:
                  
Vessel operations:
                  
United States
  
$
56,128
  
26,812
  
(4,694
)
International
  
 
145,412
  
65,241
  
78,888
 
Other marine operations
  
 
4,042
  
7,137
  
6,254
 
Gain on sales of assets
  
 
6,380
  
22,750
  
19,441
 
    

  
  

    
$
211,962
  
121,940
  
99,889
 
    

  
  

Identifiable assets:
                  
United States
  
$
370,836
  
293,070
  
267,411
 
International
  
 
1,229,802
  
1,063,709
  
881,803
 
    

  
  

Total marine assets
  
$
1,600,638
  
1,356,779
  
1,149,214
 
    

  
  

 
Please refer to Item 7 of this report and Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of revenues, operating profit and identifiable assets.

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Marine Vessel Fleet
 
The company’s vessels regularly and routinely move from one operating area to another, often to and from offshore operating areas of different continents. Tables comparing the average size of the company’s marine fleet by class and geographic distribution for the last three fiscal years are included in Item 7 of this report. The company discloses its vessel statistical information, such as utilization and average day rates, by vessel class. Listed below are the company’s five vessel classes along with a description of the type of vessels categorized in each class and the services the respective vessels perform.
 
Deepwater Vessels.    The company’s newest class of vessel is its deepwater vessel class, which is often categorized as North Sea-type vessels. Included in this class are large platform supply vessels and large, high-horsepower (averaging around 15,000 horsepower) anchor handling towing supply vessels. This vessel class is chartered to customers for use in transporting supplies and equipment from shore bases to deepwater and intermediate offshore drilling rigs, platforms and other installations. Platform supply vessels, characterized with large cargo handling capabilities, serve drilling and production facilities and support offshore construction and maintenance work. The anchor handling towing supply vessels are equipped for and are capable of towing drilling rigs and other marine equipment along with setting anchors for positioning and mooring drilling rigs.
 
Towing Supply and Supply Vessels.    This is the company’s fleet class that has the largest number of vessels. Included in this class are anchor handling towing supply vessels and supply vessels with average horsepower below 10,000 BHP, and platform supply vessels that are generally less than 220 feet. The respective vessels in this class perform the same functions and services their deepwater vessel class counterparts perform except this class of vessels is chartered to customers for use in the intermediate and shallow water offshore drilling rigs, platforms and other installations.
 
Crewboats and Utility Vessels.    Crewboats and utility vessels are chartered to customers for use in transporting personnel and small quantities of supplies from shore bases to offshore drilling rigs, platforms and other installations.
 
Offshore Tugs.    Offshore tugs tow floating drilling rigs; dock tankers; tow barges; assist pipe laying, cable laying and construction barges; and are used in a variety of other commercial towing operations, including towing barges carrying a variety of bulk cargoes and containerized cargo.
 
Other Vessels.    The company’s vessels also include inshore tugs; inshore barges; offshore barges; and production, line-handling and various other special purpose vessels. Inshore tugs, which are operated principally within inland waters, tow drilling rigs to and from their locations, and tow barges carrying equipment and materials for use principally in inland waters for drilling and production operations. Barges are either used in conjunction with company tugs or are chartered to others.
 
Revenue Contribution of Main Classes of Vessels
 
Revenues from vessel operations were derived from the main classes of vessels. The table below includes the new vessel class category for the deepwater vessel fleet. The deepwater vessel revenues for the prior periods were included in the towing-supply/supply vessel class revenues. Accordingly, the prior fiscal years’ revenue contribution percentages for the towing-supply/supply vessel class have been restated to exclude the revenues of the deepwater vessels for those periods.
 
      
Year Ended March 31,

      
2002

    
2001

    
        2000        

Deepwater vessels
    
13.3%
    
  6.9%
    
  4.0%
Towing-supply/supply
    
65.0%
    
70.6%
    
68.8%
Offshore tugs
    
  9.5%
    
  9.6%
    
14.1%
Crew/utility
    
11.0%
    
11.5%
    
  9.2%
Other
    
  1.2%
    
  1.4%
    
  3.9%

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Shipyard Operations
 
Quality Shipyards, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, operates two shipyards in Houma, Louisiana, which construct, modify and repair vessels. While the shipyard performs some work for outside customers, the majority of its business relates to the construction, repair and modification of the company’s vessels. On January 10, 2001, the company awarded Quality Shipyards, LLC four contracts for the construction of four large platform supply vessels, the first of which was delivered to the market during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Also, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, Quality Shipyards was awarded two replacement fleet construction contracts, which call for the construction of two 220-foot next generation supply vessels for a total cost of approximately $22.2 million. Scheduled delivery for the two vessels is expected between April and July 2003.
 
Insurance
 
The operation of any marine vessel involves an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disaster, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failure, collisions, and property losses to the vessel and business interruption due to political action in countries other than the United States. Any such event may result in a reduction in revenues or increased costs. The company’s vessels are insured for their estimated market value against damage or loss, including war and pollution risks. The company also carries workers’ compensation, maritime employer’s liability, general liability (including third party pollution) and other insurance customary in the industry.
 
The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and the United States-led military response to counter terrorism and the continued threat of terrorist activity and other acts of war or hostility have created uncertainty in the insurance markets and have significantly increased the political, economic and social instability in some of the geographic areas in which the company operates. It is possible that further acts of terrorism may be directed against the United States domestically or abroad and such acts of terrorism could be directed against properties and personnel of U.S.-owned companies such as ours. The attacks and the resulting economic and political uncertainties, including the potential for further terrorist acts, have caused the premiums charged for our insurance coverage to increase, some dramatically. After the events of September 11, 2001 occurred, the company’s insurance underwriters imposed higher premiums for war risk coverage on the company’s vessels. The company currently maintains war risk coverage on its entire fleet. To date, the company has not experienced any property losses as a result of the political, economic and social instability resulting from the terrorist attacks.
 
Management believes that the company’s insurance coverage is adequate. The company has not experienced a loss in excess of insurance policy limits; however, there is no assurance that the company’s liability coverage will be adequate to cover all potential claims that may arise nor can the company claim that it will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates considered reasonable especially with the current level of uncertainty in the market resulting from the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
 
Risks of Operating Internationally
 
The company’s international marine vessel operations are subject to the usual risks inherent in doing business in countries other than the United States. Such risks include changing political conditions, possible vessel seizure, company nationalization or other governmental actions, currency restrictions and revaluations, import/export restrictions and terrorist attacks, all of which are beyond the control of the company. Recently, there has been a higher than usual level of anti-Western hostility and protests in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where the company has substantial operations. Also, Venezuela recently experienced a military coup and then a counter-revolt, and the political outlook and stability in that country remains uncertain. Although it is impossible to predict the effect of any of these developments on the company, the company believes these risks to be within acceptable limits and, in view of the mobile nature of the company’s principal revenue producing assets, does not consider them to constitute a factor materially adverse to the conduct of its international marine vessel operations as a whole.

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Industry Conditions, Competition and Customers
 
The company’s operations are materially dependent upon the levels of activity in offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and production throughout the world. Such activity levels are affected by the trends in worldwide crude oil and natural gas prices that are ultimately influenced by the supply and demand relationship for the natural resources. A discussion of current market conditions appears under “General Market Conditions and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of this report.
 
The principal competitive factors for the offshore vessel service industry are suitability and availability of equipment, price and quality of service. The company has numerous competitors in virtually all areas in which it operates. Certain customers of the company own and operate vessels to service certain of their offshore activities.
 
The company’s diverse, mobile asset base and geographic distribution allow it to respond to changes in market conditions and provide a broad range of vessel services to its customers throughout the world. Management believes that the company has a significant competitive advantage because of the size, diversity and geographic distribution of its vessel fleet, the company’s financial condition and economies of scale.
 
The company’s principal customers are major oil and natural gas exploration, development and production companies, foreign government-owned or controlled organizations and companies that explore and produce oil and natural gas, and companies that provide other services to the offshore energy industry. Although one customer accounted for 10% and the five largest customers accounted for approximately 27% of its revenues during the year ended March 31, 2002, the company does not consider its operations dependent on any single customer.
 
Government Regulations
 
The company’s vessels are subject to various statutes and regulations governing their operation and maintenance. Under the citizenship provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and the Shipping Act, 1916, the company would lose the privilege of engaging in U.S. coastwise trade if more than 25% of the company’s outstanding stock was owned by non-U.S. citizens. The company has a dual stock certificate system to prevent non-U.S. citizens from owning more than 25% of its common stock. In addition, the company’s charter permits the company certain remedies with respect to any transfer or purported transfer of shares of the company’s common stock that would result in the ownership by non-U.S. citizens of more than 24% of its common stock. Based on information supplied to the company by its transfer agent, approximately 3.6% of the company’s outstanding common stock was owned by non-U.S. citizens as of March 31, 2002.
 
The company’s vessels are subject to various statutes and regulations governing their operation. The laws of the United States provide that once a vessel is registered under a flag other than the United States, it cannot thereafter engage in U.S. coastwise trade. Therefore, the company’s non-U.S. flag vessels must continue to be operated abroad, and if the company was not able to secure charters abroad for them, and work would otherwise have been available for them in the United States, its operations would be adversely affected. Of the total 555 vessels owned or operated by the company at March 31, 2002, 298 were registered under flags other than the United States and 257 were registered under the U.S. flag.
 
All of the company’s offshore vessels are subject to international safety and classification standards. U.S. flag towing supply and supply vessels are required to undergo periodic inspections and to be recertified under drydock examination at least twice every five years. Vessels registered under flags other than the United States are subject to similar regulations as governed by the laws of the applicable jurisdictions.
 
Seasonality
 
The company’s vessel fleet generally has its highest utilization rates in the warmer temperature months when the weather is more favorable for offshore exploration, development and construction work. However,

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business volume for the company is more dependent on oil and natural gas prices and the global supply and demand conditions for the company’s services than any seasonal variation.
 
Environmental Compliance
 
During the ordinary course of business the company’s operations are subject to a wide variety of environmental laws and regulations. The company attempts to comply in all material respects with these laws and regulations in order to avoid costly accidents and related environmental damage. Compliance with existing governmental regulations that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, nor is expected to have, a material effect on the company. The company is proactive in establishing policies and operating procedures for safeguarding the environment against any environmentally hazardous material aboard its vessels and at shore base locations. Whenever possible, hazardous materials are maintained or transferred in confined areas to ensure containment if accidents occur. In addition the company has established operating policies that are intended to increase awareness of actions that may harm the environment.
 
Employees
 
As of March 31, 2002, the company had approximately 6,800 employees worldwide. The company considers relations with its employees to be satisfactory. The company is not a party to any union contract in the United States but through several subsidiaries is a party to union agreements covering local nationals in several countries other than the United States. For the past few years, the company has been the target of a union organizing campaign for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico employees by maritime labor unions. These union efforts are still ongoing; however, activity has recently abated. If the Gulf employees were to unionize, the company’s flexibility in managing industry changes in the domestic market could be adversely affected.
 
Business Risk Factors
 
The company operates in a business environment that has many risks. Listed below are some of the most critical risk factors that affect the company and the offshore marine service industry and should be considered when evaluating any forward-looking statement. The effect of any one risk factor or a combination of several risk factors could materially affect the company’s results of operations and financial condition and the accuracy of any forward looking statement made in this Form 10-K.
 
Oil and Gas Prices Are Highly Volatile.    Commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas are highly volatile. Prices are extremely sensitive to the supply/demand relationship for the respective natural resources. High demand for crude oil and natural gas and/or low inventory levels for the resources as well as any perceptions about future supply interruptions can cause commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas to rise, while generally, low demand for natural resources and/or increases in crude oil and natural gas supplies cause commodity prices for the respective natural resources to decrease.
 
Factors that affect the supply of crude oil and natural gas include but are not limited to the following: the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) ability to control crude oil production levels and pricing, as well as, the level of production by non-OPEC countries; political and economic uncertainties; advances in exploration and development technology; worldwide demand for natural resources; and governmental restrictions placed on exploration and production of natural resources.
 
Changes in the Level of Capital Spending by Our Customers.    The company’s principal customers are major oil and natural gas exploration, development and production companies. The company’s results of operations are highly dependent on the level of capital spending by the energy industry. The energy industry’s level of capital spending is substantially related to the prevailing commodity price of natural gas and crude oil. Low commodity prices have the potential to reduce the amount of crude oil and natural gas that the company’s customers can produce economically. When this market dynamic occurs the company’s customers generally reduce their capital spending budgets for offshore drilling, exploration and development until commodity prices for natural resources increase to levels that can support increases in production and development and sustain growth.

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The Offshore Marine Service Industry is Highly Competitive.    The company operates in a highly competitive environment. Competitive factors include price and quality of service by vessel operators and the quality and availability of vessels. Decreases in the level of offshore drilling and development activity by the energy industry can negatively affect the demand for the company’s vessels subsequently applying downward pressure on day rates. Extended periods of low vessel demand and/or low day rates will reduce the company’s revenues. Day rates for marine support vessels also depend on the supply of vessels. Generally, excess marine service capacity puts downward pressure on day rates. Excess capacity can occur when newly constructed vessels enter the market and when vessels are mobilized between market areas. While the company has committed to the construction of several vessels, it has also sold and/or scrapped a significant number of vessels over the last few years. A discussion about the company’s new build and new vessel construction programs appears in Item 7 of this report.
 
Failure to Attract and Retain Key Management and Technical Personnel.    The company’s success depends upon the continued service of its executive officers and other key management and technical personnel, particularly the company’s area managers and fleet personnel, and our ability to attract, retain, and motivate highly qualified personnel. The loss of the services of a number of the company’s executive officers, area managers, fleet personnel or other key employees, or our ability to recruit replacements for such personnel or to otherwise attract, retain and motivate highly qualified personnel could harm the company. The company currently does not carry key employee life insurance payable to the company with respect to any of its management employees.
 
Risks Associated with Operating Internationally.    For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, 70.2%, 62.6% and 69.3%, respectively, of the company’s total revenues were generated by international operations. The company is vulnerable to the risks associated with operating in foreign countries including political and economic instability, currency fluctuations and revaluations, the ability to recruit and retain management of overseas operations, company nationalization and other government actions, and vessel seizures—all or many of which are beyond the control of the company.
 
The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and the United States-led military response to counter terrorism and the continued threat of terrorist activity and other acts of war or hostility have created uncertainty in the financial and insurance markets and may have significantly increased the political, economic and social instability in some of the geographic areas in which the company operates. It is possible that further acts of terrorism may be directed against the United States domestically or abroad and such acts of terrorism could be directed against properties and personnel of U.S.-owned companies such as ours. The attacks and the resulting economic and political uncertainties, including the potential for further terrorist acts, have caused the premiums charged for our insurance coverage to increase, some dramatically. To date, the company has not experienced any property losses or material adverse effects on its results of operations and financial condition as a result of the political, economic and social instability resulting from the terrorist attacks.
 
In addition to the foregoing general risks associated with its international operations, the company currently bears specific risks associated with its substantial offshore operations in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Venezuela. Political and social unrest continues to be present throughout many regions of the Middle East and in Indonesia. Much of this turmoil can be traced to regional reaction to the United States military and political response to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Although, this reaction has not been as destabilizing as was initially feared, there continues to be a higher than normal level of unrest throughout the region. More recently, the potential for political instability has been exacerbated in the Middle East, including in countries with extensive oil and gas operations, with the escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. At this time, it is not possible to assess at what time in the future political and social conditions in this region will return to normal. Although the escalated tensions have not adversely affected the company’s operations in this region, the company, like other American companies engaged in business in the region, could be subject to the interruption of its operations, or other adverse developments, if the situation continues to deteriorate. Also, in early April 2002, Venezuela experienced a military coup of its elected President, which was followed almost immediately by a counter-revolt restoring the elected President to power. The political situation in Venezuela continues to be unstable. To date, the

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company’s operations in Venezuela have not been affected by this political unrest, although the company believes that the risk of doing business in Venezuela has marginally increased.            
 
ITEM 3.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The company is not a party to any litigation that, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
ITEM 4.     SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.
 
ITEM 4A.     EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
Name

 
Age

  
Position

Dean E. Taylor
 
53
  
Chief Executive Officer since March 2002. President and member of the Board of Directors since October 2001. Executive Vice President from 2000 to 2001. Senior Vice President from 1998 to 2000.
Cliffe F. Laborde
 
50
  
Executive Vice President since 2000. Senior Vice President from 1992 to 2000. General Counsel since 1992.
Stephen W. Dick
 
52
  
Executive Vice President since December 2001. Senior Vice President from 1999 to 2001. Vice President from 1990 to 1999.
J. Keith Lousteau
 
54
  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2000. Vice President from 1987 to 2000. Treasurer since 1987.
Joseph M. Bennett
 
46
  
Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer since 2000. Corporate Controller since 1990.
 
There are no family relationships between the directors or executive officers of the company. The company’s officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve for one-year terms or until their successors are elected.

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PART II
 
ITEM 5.     MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol TDW. At March 31, 2002, there were approximately 1,779 record holders of the company’s common stock, based upon the record holder list maintained by the company’s stock transfer agent. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of the company’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and the amount of cash dividends per share declared on Tidewater common stock for the periods indicated.
 
Fiscal Year

    
Quarter

    
High

    
Low

    
Dividend

2002
    
First
    
$51.230  
    
$37.200  
    
$.15  
      
Second
    
39.550
    
24.130
    
.15
      
Third
    
35.100
    
25.010
    
.15
      
Fourth
    
43.400
    
30.100
    
.15
2001
    
First
    
$40.125  
    
$26.500  
    
$.15  
      
Second
    
48.500
    
30.125
    
.15
      
Third
    
49.686
    
38.063
    
.15
      
Fourth
    
52.950
    
39.875
    
.15
 
ITEM 6.     SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table sets forth a summary of selected financial data for each of the last five fiscal years. This information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company included in this report.
 
Years Ended March 31
(in thousands, except ratio and per share amounts)
 
    
2002

  
2001

  
2000

  
1999

  
1998(2)

Revenues:
                          
Vessel revenues
  
$
715,361
  
583,931
  
538,517
  
911,048
  
1,001,651
Other marine revenues
  
 
13,668
  
32,748
  
36,298
  
57,944
  
58,510
    

  
  
  
  
    
$
729,029
  
616,679
  
574,815
  
968,992
  
1,060,161
    

  
  
  
  
Earnings from continuing operations
  
$
136,159
  
86,143
  
76,590
  
210,719
  
243,038
Earnings from discontinued operations
  
 
—  
  
  
  
  
10,723
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
  
 
—  
  
  
  
  
61,738
    

  
  
  
  
Net earnings
  
$
136,159
  
86,143
  
76,590
  
210,719
  
315,499
    

  
  
  
  
Per common share(1):
                          
Earnings from continuing operations
  
$
2.41
  
1.53
  
1.37
  
3.68
  
3.99
Earnings from discontinued operations
  
 
  
  
  
  
.18
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
  
 
  
  
  
  
1.01
    

  
  
  
  
Net earnings
  
$
2.41
  
1.53
  
1.37
  
3.68
  
5.18
    

  
  
  
  
Total assets
  
$
1,669,370
  
1,505,492
  
1,432,336
  
1,394,458
  
1,492,839