424B3

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Statement No. 333-228029

Prospectus Supplement No. 1

to Prospectus dated November 15, 2018

Tidewater Inc.

3,434,934 Shares of Common Stock

Issuable upon the Exercise of Outstanding GLF Warrants

 

 

This prospectus supplement updates, amends and supplements the prospectus dated November 15, 2018 (the “Prospectus”), which forms a part of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-228029) (the “Registration Statement”). Capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Prospectus.

At the time the Registration Statement became effective on November 15, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), we were a smaller reporting company under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As a smaller reporting company, we were permitted to incorporate by reference into the Prospectus any information that we filed after the Effective Date. However, as of January 1, 2019, we are no longer a smaller reporting company, and we are no longer permitted to incorporate by reference into the Prospectus any additional information that we file with the SEC. This prospectus supplement updates, amends and supplements the information included in the Prospectus with information contained in four Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed by Tidewater with the SEC on January 4, 2019, December 21, 2018, November 20, 2018 and November 16, 2018, each of which is set forth below. Although three of these Current Reports were filed during 2018 while we were a smaller reporting company, and therefore have already been incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, we are including them in this prospectus supplement for the purpose of clarity and completeness.

This prospectus supplement is not complete without the Prospectus. This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, which is to be delivered with this prospectus supplement, and is qualified by reference thereto, except to the extent that the information in this prospectus supplement updates or supersedes the information contained in the Prospectus. Please keep this prospectus supplement with your Prospectus for future reference.

Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TDW.” On January 3, 2018, the last reported closing sale price of our Common Stock on the NYSE was $20.74.

 

 

Holding shares of our Common Stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 5 of the Prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 supplement is January 4, 2019


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 28, 2018

 

 

TIDEWATER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-6311   72-0487776
(State of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600

Houston, Texas

  77072
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(713) 470-5300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b), (c), (e) As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 20, 2018 (the “Original Form 8-K”), Tidewater Inc. (“Tidewater” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) had a change in chief financial officer on November 15, 2018, shortly following the consummation of the previously-announced business combination between Tidewater and GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (“GulfMark” and such event, the “Business Combination”). Specifically, Quinn P. Fanning stepped down from his position as Chief Financial Officer of Tidewater and, at its first board meeting immediately following the Business Combination, the board of directors of Tidewater (the “Board”) appointed Quintin V. Kneen, who served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GulfMark immediately prior to the Business Combination, to succeed Mr. Fanning as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The Original Form 8-K also disclosed that Mr. Fanning would continue to serve Tidewater for a period of time in order to ensure an orderly transition, including serving as an officer of certain Tidewater subsidiaries, and that the compensation committee of the Board (the “Committee”) had not yet made any determinations regarding compensation arrangements with Mr. Kneen.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed for the purposes of (1) updating the disclosure provided in the Original Form 8-K regarding each of Messrs. Kneen and Fanning and (2) reporting a change in Tidewater’s chief accounting officer.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Kneen. As disclosed in the Original 8-K, because the Committee had not yet made any determinations regarding his compensation at the time of his appointment as an officer of Tidewater, Mr. Kneen continued to receive the same compensation and benefits, including base salary, that were due to him under his employment agreement with GulfMark, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to GulfMark’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018 (the “Former Kneen Agreement”).

On December 28, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), Tidewater and Mr. Kneen entered into an employment agreement that amends and restates the Former Kneen Agreement and includes a waiver by Mr. Kneen of any rights to terminate employment with “good reason” and receive severance benefits under the terms and conditions of the Former Kneen Agreement (the “Amended Kneen Agreement”). The material terms of the Amended Kneen Agreement are summarized below.

Duration of Agreement. The Amended Kneen Agreement has a fixed term of three years from the Effective Date. At the end of the three-year term, the Amended Kneen Agreement will no longer be in effect and Mr. Kneen’s employment may continue at will.

Compensation and Benefits during Term. As of the Effective Date, Mr. Kneen’s initial base salary will be $350,000. On the Effective Date, as contemplated in the Amended Kneen Agreement, the Committee granted Mr. Kneen an initial long-term incentive award in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a grant date target value of $1,060,000 (the “Kneen Grant”), which will vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date. Beginning January 1, 2019, Mr. Kneen will participate in the Company’s short-term incentive program for officers

 

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(the “STI Program”), with an annual target incentive opportunity of 95% of his base salary, and will be eligible to participate in any long-term incentive program in effect for executive officers. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Mr. Kneen will participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans, programs, and arrangements that are generally available to senior executives of the Company, subject to eligibility requirements.

Effect of Termination. In the event of Mr. Kneen’s death or termination due to disability during the term, any unvested portion of the Kneen Grant will automatically vest in full. If, during the term, the Company terminates Mr. Kneen’s employment without “cause” or if he terminates his employment with “good reason” (each as defined in the Amended Kneen Agreement), then, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the Company, Mr. Kneen will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance equal to 24 months’ of then-current base salary, a lump sum cash payment equal to the total premiums that Mr. Kneen would have been required to pay for 12 months’ of continuation coverage under the Company’s health plans, and will remain eligible to receive a pro rata bonus under the STI Program for the year of termination based on actual performance. In addition, any unvested portion of the Kneen Grant will automatically vest in full.

Restrictive Covenants. The Amended Kneen Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that apply during and after his employment, including an agreement to not disclose confidential information and, for a one-year period following his termination of employment for any reason, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.

Effect of Change of Control. Mr. Kneen is expected to enter into the Company’s standard change of control agreement for certain officers of the Company (the “Change of Control Agreement”). If, during the term of the Amended Kneen Agreement, a “change of control” (as defined in the Change of Control Agreement) occurs, then the Change of Control agreement will govern the terms of Mr. Kneen’s employment and the Amended Kneen Agreement will be of no further force and effect.

In addition, Mr. Kneen is expected to enter into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement with directors and certain officers of the Company (the “Indemnification Agreement”).

The foregoing description of each of the Amended Kneen Agreement, the Change of Control Agreement, and the Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the relevant agreement, a copy of each of which is attached to, and is incorporated by reference into, this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Separation Agreement with Mr. Fanning. On the Effective Date, Tidewater and Mr. Fanning entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Fanning (the “Separation Agreement”). Under the Separation Agreement, which was approved by the Committee, Mr. Fanning will continue to be employed by the Company through February 28, 2019 or such earlier date as determined by the Company (the actual date of his separation from service, “Separation Date”). Mr. Fanning will continue to receive his current base salary through February 28, 2019 and will be eligible to receive a bonus under the 2018 STI Program for the full 2018 calendar year, with his individual performance assessed at 100%. Following the Separation Date, in addition to any

 

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termination-related payments and benefits to which he is entitled under previously-disclosed compensation arrangements, the Company will pay Mr. Fanning a cash severance payment equal to 120 days of current base salary, to be paid within 30 days of his Separation Date. In addition, the Company will pay the full monthly premium for continued health insurance coverage for Mr. Fanning and his dependents until they are eligible for health insurance coverage under another employer’s plan, not to exceed a maximum of 18 months. The Company will also pay up to a maximum of $15,000 of Mr. Fanning’s legal fees incurred in connection with his review and negotiation of the Separation Agreement. Further, as provided in the incentive agreement that was entered into between Mr. Fanning and Tidewater on August 18, 2017 (the “RSU Agreement”), the vesting of all outstanding, unvested RSUs granted under the RSU Agreement will accelerate as of the Separation Date.

The Separation Agreement also provides for the waiver of certain claims and confirms the continued enforceability of certain restrictive covenants memorialized in the RSU Agreement, including an agreement not to disclose confidential information and a two-year agreement not to solicit any Company employees or service providers. The Separation Agreement provides for a conditional waiver of the RSU Agreement’s covenant not to compete, effective as of the Separation Date.

The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which is attached to, and is incorporated by reference into, this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Principal Accounting Officer Transition. On December 28, 2018, Tidewater appointed Samuel R. Rubio to succeed Craig J. Demarest as its principal accounting officer. Mr. Demarest, who had served as Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer, and Controller of Tidewater, continues to serve the Company as Vice President. Mr. Demarest, who has worked for Tidewater for more than 14 years, declined Tidewater’s offer to relocate from New Orleans, Louisiana to the principal executive offices in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Rubio, age 59, was appointed to serve as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Tidewater as of the Effective Date. Mr. Rubio served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GulfMark from February 2018 until the consummation of the Business Combination. Mr. Rubio first joined GulfMark in 2005. He was named Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of GulfMark in 2008 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in the same function in 2012, serving in this capacity until his February 2018 appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rubio holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Sul Ross State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Rubio has over 35 years of experience in accounting at both operating division and corporate levels as well as the management of accounting organizations.

Following the Business Combination, Mr. Rubio continued to receive the same compensation and benefits from the Company, including base salary, that were due to him under his employment agreement with GulfMark, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to GulfMark’s Current Report

 

4


on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018 (the “Former Rubio Agreement”). On the Effective Date, Tidewater and Mr. Rubio entered into an employment that amends and restates the Former Rubio Agreement and includes a waiver by Mr. Rubio of any rights to terminate employment with “good reason” and receive severance benefits under the terms and conditions of the Former Rubio Agreement (the “Amended Rubio Agreement”). The material terms of the Amended Rubio Agreement are summarized below.

Duration of Agreement. The Amended Rubio Agreement has a fixed term of three years from the Effective Date. At the end of the three-year term, the Amended Rubio Agreement will no longer be in effect and Mr. Rubio’s employment may continue at will.

Compensation and Benefits during Term. As of the Effective Date, Mr. Rubio’s initial base salary will be $230,000 and, beginning in fiscal 2019, he will participate in the STI Program with an annual target incentive opportunity of 70% of his base salary. The Committee also granted Mr. Rubio two long-term incentive awards: the first consisting of 10,000 of time-based RSUs (the “First Rubio Grant”) and the second with a grant date target value of $360,950 (the “Second Rubio Grant” and, together with the First Rubio Grant, the “Rubio Grants”), each of which will vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Mr. Rubio will participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans, programs, and arrangements that are generally available to Company officers, subject to eligibility requirements.

Effect of Termination. In the event of Mr. Rubio’s death or termination due to disability during the term of the Amended Rubio Agreement, any unvested portion of the Rubio Grants will automatically vest in full. If, during the term of the Agreement, the Company terminates Mr. Rubio’s employment without “cause” or if he terminates his employment with “good reason” (each as defined in the Amended Rubio Agreement), then, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the Company, any unvested portion of the Second Rubio Grant will automatically vest in full.

Restrictive Covenants. The Amended Rubio Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that apply during and after his employment, including an agreement to not disclose confidential information and, for a one-year period following his termination of employment for any reason, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.

In addition, as Tidewater’s principal accounting officer, Mr. Rubio is expected to enter into the Indemnification Agreement. The foregoing description of each of the Amended Rubio Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the relevant agreement, a copy of each of which is attached to, and is incorporated by reference into, this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d)

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

10.1*    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Quintin V. Kneen, dated and effective December 28, 2018.
10.2    Form of Change of Control Agreement (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to Tidewater’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 19, 2017, File No. 1-6311).
10.3    Form of Indemnification Agreement with Directors, Executive Officers, and Principal Accounting Officer (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10 to Tidewater’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 12, 2015, File No. 1-6311).
10.4*    Separation Agreement with Quinn P. Fanning, effective December 28, 2018.
10.5*    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Samuel R. Rubio, dated and effective December 28, 2018.

*Filed with this Current Report.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

  TIDEWATER INC.
By:   /s/ Bruce D. Lundstrom
  Bruce D. Lundstrom
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Date: January 4, 2019

 

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Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), effective as of December 28, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), is by and between Tidewater Inc. (“Tidewater” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) and Quintin Kneen (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, Executive served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (“GulfMark”) until November 15, 2018, when the corporate existence of GulfMark ceased as a result of the previously-announced business combination between Tidewater and GulfMark (the “Business Combination”), which was effected through a two-step reverse merger pursuant to which (i) Gorgon Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater merged in with and into GulfMark, with GulfMark continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater and then, immediately afterwards, (ii) GulfMark merged with and into Gorgon NewCo, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater (“Gorgon”), with Gorgon continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater;

WHEREAS, at its first meeting following the Business Combination, the board of directors of Tidewater (the “Board”) appointed the Executive as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tidewater, effective as of November 15, 2018; and

WHEREAS, GulfMark and Executive were parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated April 19, 2018 (the “GLF Agreement”), which governed the Executive’s employment with GulfMark and its successors immediately prior to the Effective Date, and Tidewater and the Executive desire to amend and restate the GLF Agreement in order to memorialize in writing the terms and conditions of their understandings and agreements regarding the Executive’s employment with the Company as of the Effective Date.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, Tidewater hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement:

1. Employment Period.

(a) Subject to Section 4, Tidewater hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by Tidewater, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date or such later date as mutually agreed by the parties in writing (such period, as it may be extended or truncated under the terms of this Agreement, the “Employment Period”). Following the termination of this Agreement, the Employee may remain employed-at-will with the Company and the termination restrictions and severance provisions of this Agreement shall no longer apply.

(b) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tidewater and, in so doing, shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of Tidewater (the “CEO”) and, as required by law or applicable stock exchange listing requirements, the Board. Executive shall have such powers and duties (including, but not limited to, holding officer positions with Tidewater and one or more of its subsidiaries) as may from time to time be prescribed by the CEO or the Board.

(c) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which Executive is entitled, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to Executive hereunder or by the CEO or the Board hereafter, to use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, provided that service on any corporate board or committee shall be subject to the prior approval of the Board, (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities hereunder.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

(d) The parties expressly acknowledge that any performance of Executive’s responsibilities hereunder shall necessitate, and the Company shall provide, access to or the disclosure of Confidential Information (as defined in Section 7(a) below) to Executive, and that Executive’s responsibilities shall include the development of the Company’s goodwill through Executive’s contacts with the Company’s customers and suppliers.

2. Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. Tidewater shall pay Executive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at the rate of $350,000 during the Employment Period. The Board may at its discretion elect to increase Executive’s Base Salary at any time if it deems an increase is warranted. Subject to Section 4(c)(ii) hereof, during the Employment Period, the Board may not decrease Executive’s annual Base Salary without his prior written approval. Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of the Company, but in no event shall the Base Salary be paid to Executive less frequently than monthly. The term “Base Salary” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Base Salary as it may be so adjusted from time to time.

(b) Annual Bonus. With respect to each calendar year during the Employment Period, beginning with 2019, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in an amount to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (“Committee”) based on performance goals established by the Committee, with Executive being eligible to earn a target bonus equal to no less than 95% of his Base Salary. Any Annual Bonus earned with regard to a particular calendar year shall be paid to Executive no later than March 15 of the following calendar year, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company on the actual date of payment.

(c) Long-Term Incentives.

(i) The parties agree and acknowledge that, as of the Effective Date, the Executive holds 48,362 unvested time-based restricted stock units (the “Converted RSUs”), each of which represents the right to receive one share of Tidewater common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). The Converted RSUs, which were originally granted to Executive by GulfMark and were converted and assumed by Tidewater in the Business Combination, are scheduled to vest in three equal installments on April 13 of 2019, 2020, and 2021, subject to the Executive’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date and all other terms and conditions of the Legacy GLF Management Incentive Plan (as adopted by Tidewater following the Business Combination, the “Legacy GLF Plan”), and the applicable award agreement (as amended by Section 4(f) of this Agreement, the “Converted RSU Agreement”). The parties affirm that the Converted RSUs shall remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Legacy GLF Plan and Converted RSU Agreement including, but not limited to, the stated vesting schedule.

(ii) In consideration of Executive entering into this Agreement and as an inducement to join the Company, the Committee shall grant to the Executive an initial grant of time-based restricted stock units with a grant date value of $1,060,000 (the “Initial LTI Grant”), with the number of restricted stock units determined by dividing the grant date value by the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the Effective Date, rounded up to the next whole share. The Initial LTI Grant, which shall be granted under the Legacy GLF Plan and the Company’s standard form of award agreement, shall vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date (except as provided in the award agreement or Section 4).

(iii) Effective January 1, 2019, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in any long-term incentive program for executive officers as approved by the Committee.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

3. Employee Benefits.

(a) During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with coverage under all employee pension and welfare benefit programs, plans and practices, which Tidewater makes available to its senior executives (including, but not limited to, participation in health, dental, group life, disability, retirement and all other plans and fringe benefits to the extent generally provided to such senior executives), commensurate with his position in the Company, to the extent permitted under the employee benefit plan or program, and in accordance with the terms of the program and/or plan.

(b) Executive shall be entitled to vacation time in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time.

(c) Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and promoting the business of the Company, including, but not limited to, reasonable expenses for travel, lodgings, entertainment and similar items related to such duties and responsibilities, in each case in accordance with applicable Company policies. The Company will promptly reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by Executive of appropriately itemized and approved accounts of such expenditures, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy; provided, however, that in no event shall the expense reimbursement be made after the last day of the taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred by Executive, although in the event that the reimbursement would constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements will be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred. No reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, nor may the right to receive a reimbursement of expenses be subject to liquidation or exchanged for another benefit.

4. Termination of Employment.

(a) Accrued Obligations. Unless otherwise specified in a separate provision of this Section 4, either party may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment for any reason during the Employment Period after providing thirty (30) days written notice to the non-terminating party. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason during the Employment Period, then, in addition to any amounts due to Executive pursuant to another subsection of this Section 4 and any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company, Tidewater shall pay Executive, within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination (as defined below), (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) a prorated amount of Executive’s Base Salary for accrued but unused vacation days, and (iii) yet unpaid reimbursements for any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive prior to the Date of Termination in connection with his duties hereunder (such amounts collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”).

(b) Termination by Company. During the Employment Period, Tidewater may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment with or without Cause (as defined below). Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the (1) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination and (2) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company. In addition to the foregoing, if such termination was without Cause, Tidewater shall pay or provided to the Executive the following (subject to Section 6): (A) within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations; (B) on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Date of Termination, a lump sum payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the amount of Executive’s Base Salary (at the rate in effect hereunder as of the Date of Termination) for twenty-four (24) months; (C) a pro rata Annual Bonus in respect of the number of days that Executive was employed by the Company during the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, based on actual performance and paid at the same time Annual Bonuses are paid to other Tidewater executives generally (but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs) (the “Pro Rata Bonus”); (D) a lump-sum amount, paid on the sixtieth (60th) day following the Date of Termination, equal to the total premiums Executive would be required to pay for twelve (12) months of continuation coverage under the Company’s health benefit plans (i.e., medical, dental, and vision coverage) pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), determined using the COBRA premium rate in effect for the level of coverage that Executive had in place immediately prior to the Date of Termination (the “COBRA Payment”); and (E) any outstanding but unvested portion of the Converted RSUs and the Initial LTI Grant shall vest immediately as of the Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means any of the following:

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

(i) Executive’s commission of theft, embezzlement, any other act of dishonesty relating to his employment or service, or any willful violation of any law, rules or regulation applicable to the Company, including, but not limited to, those laws, rules or regulations established by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or authority over Executive or the Company; or

(ii) Executive’s conviction of, or Executive’s plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or of any other crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; or

(iii) A determination by the Board that Executive has materially breached this Agreement (other than during any period of Disability, as defined below) where such breach is not remedied within ten (10) business days after written demand by the Board for substantial performance is received by Executive which identifies the manner in which the Board believes Executive has so breached this Agreement; or

(iv) Executive’s willful failure to perform the reasonable and customary duties of his position with the Company, which failure is not remedied within ten (10) business days after written demand by the Board for substantial performance is received by Executive which specifically identifies the nature of such failure.

(c) Termination by Executive. During the Employment Period, the Executive may terminate this Agreement and his employment with or without Good Reason (as defined below). Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the (1) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination and (2) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company. In addition to the foregoing, if such termination was with Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the same payments and benefits to which he would be entitled under Section 4(b) if his employment was terminated by the Company without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following that occurs without Executive’s consent:

(i) A material reduction in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; or

(ii) Any reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, other than an across the board reduction of less than 10% of Executive’s Base Salary; or

(iii) Relocation of Executive’s principal place of business to a location fifty (50) or more miles from its location as of the Effective Date; or

(iv) A material breach by Tidewater of this Agreement, which materially and adversely affects Executive; or

(v) Tidewater’s failure to make any material payment to Executive required to be made under the terms of this Agreement;

provided, however, that Executive’s termination shall not be considered to be with Good Reason unless (y) Executive provides at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to Tidewater of the condition constituting Good Reason (which notice must be given within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such condition and describe condition in reasonable detail) and (z) such condition is not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after Tidewater receives such written notice.

(d) Termination due to Disability. Tidewater may terminate this Agreement at any time if Executive shall be deemed in the reasonable judgment of the Board to have sustained a Disability. Executive shall be deemed to have sustained a “Disability” if he shall have been unable to substantially perform his duties as an employee of Tidewater as a result of sickness or injury, and shall have remained unable to perform any such duties for a period of more than one-hundred eighty (180) consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period. Upon termination of this Agreement for Disability, Executive shall only be entitled to (i) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination, (ii) accelerated vesting, as of the Date of Termination, of any outstanding but unvested portion of the Converted RSUs and the Initial LTI Grant, and (iii) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company.

 

4


EXECUTION VERSION

 

(e) Termination by Death. This Agreement will terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. Upon termination of this Agreement due to Executive’s death, Tidewater shall pay or provide Executive’s estate with the following: (i) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination, (ii) accelerated vesting, as of the Date of Termination, of any outstanding but unvested portion of the Converted RSUs and the Initial LTI Grant, and (iii) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company.

(f) Converted RSU Agreement. This Section 4, to the extent it amends the terms of the Converted RSUs, shall be deemed to be an amendment to the award agreement memorializing the Converted RSUs and shall form part of such agreement.

(g) Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by Tidewater for Cause or without Cause, then the date specified in a notice delivered to Executive by Tidewater of such termination, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, then the date specified in the notice of such termination delivered to Tidewater by Executive, and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified therefore in the notice of such termination. The Employment Period will terminate upon any termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 4.

5. Change of Control Agreement.

The parties agree that, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the provisions of any change of control agreement between the Executive and Tidewater then in effect shall govern the terms of the Employee’s employment from and after the occurrence of the Change of Control and that the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the restrictive covenants set forth in Sections 7 and 8) shall have no further force or effect. However, if no change of control agreement is in effect between the parties or if the Executive agrees to waive the occurrence of a given Change of Control under such agreement, this Agreement shall continue in full force in accordance with its terms without interruption. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” has the meaning provided in the Change of Control Agreement entered into between Tidewater and the Executive or, if no such agreement exists, the meaning provided in the Tidewater Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan.

6. Release and Continued Compliance.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, as a condition precedent to receiving any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, the Severance Payment, COBRA Payment, Pro Rata Bonus, and any accelerated vesting of the Converted RSUs or the Initial LTI Grant in connection with any applicable termination scenario, Executive agrees to execute a separation and release agreement in a form specified by Tidewater, containing a waiver of all claims against the Company (the “Release”), within the forty-five (45) day period immediately following the Date of Termination, and subsequently not revoke the Release during any period for revocation contained therein. All revocation rights and timing restrictions shall be set forth in such Release. If Executive fails to execute and deliver the Release, or revokes the Release, Executive agrees that he shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, the Severance Payment, COBRA Payment, Pro Rata Bonus, and any accelerated vesting of the Converted RSUs or the Initial LTI Grant in connection with any applicable termination scenario. For purposes of this Agreement, the Release shall be considered to have been executed by Executive if it is signed by his legal representative in the case of legal incompetence or on behalf of Executive’s estate in the case of his death. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, the Severance Payment, COBRA Payment, Pro Rata Bonus, and any accelerated vesting of the Converted RSUs or the Initial LTI Grant in connection with any applicable termination scenario, will also be subject to Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 7, 8 and 13 hereof.

 

5


EXECUTION VERSION

 

7. Nondisclosure.

(a) It is understood that Executive during his tenure with the Company has received and will continue to receive access to some or all of the Company’s various trade secrets and confidential or proprietary information, including, but not limited to, information he has not received before, consisting of, but not limited to, information relating to (i) business operations and methods, (ii) existing and proposed investments and investment strategies, (iii) financial performance, (iv) compensation arrangements and amounts (whether relating to the Company or to any of its employees), (v) contractual relationships, (vi) business partners and relationships, and (vii) marketing strategies (all of the forgoing, “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not include information that (A) becomes generally available to the public by means other than Executive’s breach of this Section 7 (for example, not as a result of Executive’s unauthorized release of marketing materials), (B) is in Executive’s possession, or becomes available to Executive, on a non-confidential basis, from a source other than the Company or (C) Executive is required by law, regulation, court order or discovery demand to disclose; provided, however, that in the case of this clause (C), Executive gives the Company, to the extent permitted by law, reasonable notice prior to the disclosure of the Confidential Information and the reasons and circumstances surrounding such disclosure to provide the Company an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate request for confidential treatment of the applicable Confidential Information.

(b) Executive agrees that all Confidential Information, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into his possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company during and after Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive further agrees that Executive shall not, except for the benefit of the Company pursuant to the proper exercise of his duties in accordance with this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Board, use or disclose to any third party any of the Confidential Information described herein, directly or indirectly, either during Executive’s employment with the Company or at any time following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive agrees that all Confidential Information and other files, documents, materials, records, notebooks, customer lists, business proposals, contracts, agreements and other repositories containing information concerning the Company or the business of the Company (together with all copies thereof in any physical or electronic medium) in Executive’s possession, custody or control, whether prepared by Executive or others, shall remain with or be returned to the Company as soon as practicable after the Date of Termination. Executive agrees to provide the Company with access to Executive’s personally-owned computer, server, e-mail system, mobile phone, portable electronic and other electronic devices for the purpose of verifying that Executive has complied with this Section 7(c).

(d) Nothing in this Agreement will preclude, prohibit or restrict Executive from (i) communicating with, any federal, state or local administrative or regulatory agency or authority, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) participating or cooperating in any investigation conducted by any governmental agency or authority; or (iii) filing a charge of discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal state or local administrative agency or regulatory authority. Nothing in this Agreement, or any other agreement between the parties, prohibits or is intended in any manner to prohibit, Executive from (A) reporting a possible violation of federal or other applicable law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the SEC, the U.S. Congress, and any governmental agency Inspector General, or (B) making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award (including, without limitation, a monetary reward) for information provided to the SEC. Executive does not need the prior authorization of anyone at the Company to make any such reports or disclosures, and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company is intended to interfere with or restrain the immunity provided under 18 U.S.C. §1833(b). Executive cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) (A) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (B) for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if filed under seal; or (iii) in connection with a lawsuit alleging retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law, if filed under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to a court order. The foregoing provisions regarding protected disclosures are intended to comply with all applicable laws. If any laws are adopted, amended or repealed after the execution of this Agreement, this Section 7(d) shall be deemed to be amended to reflect the same.

 

6


EXECUTION VERSION

 

8. Non-Competition, Non-solicitation, Non-Disparagement.

(a) As part of the consideration for the compensation and benefits to be paid to Executive hereunder, to protect Confidential Information of the Company and its customers and clients that have been and will be entrusted to Executive, the business goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries that will be developed in and through Executive and the business opportunities that will be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by the Company and its subsidiaries, and as an additional incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement, from the date hereof through the first anniversary of the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not (other than for the benefit of the Company pursuant to the proper exercise of his duties in accordance with this Agreement), directly or indirectly:

(i) engage in, or carry on or assist, individually or as a principal, owner, officer, director, employee, shareholder, consultant, contractor, partner, member, joint venturer, agent, equity owner or in any other capacity whatsoever, any (A) business competitive with any business in which the Company is engaged from time to time (a “Competing Business”) or (B) Business Enterprise (as defined below) that is otherwise competitive with the Company within the states in which the Company conducts business;

(ii) perform for any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, joint venture or other business association or entity (a “Business Enterprise”) engaged in any Competing Business any duty Executive has performed for the Company that involved Executive’s access to, or knowledge or application of, Confidential Information;

(iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company; or

(iv) solicit with the purpose of hiring or retaining, or hire or retain, any person who is or, within one hundred eighty (180) days after such person ceased to be an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company, was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions of this Section 8, nothing in this Section 8 shall prohibit any investment by Executive, directly or indirectly, in publicly-traded securities which are issued by a Business Enterprise involved in or conducting a Competing Business, provided that Executive (i) in the aggregate directly and indirectly, does not own more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding equity or voting securities of such Business Enterprise and (ii) does not have the right through the ownership of a voting interest or otherwise, to direct the activities of or associated with the business of such Business Enterprise.

(c) Executive acknowledges that each of the covenants contained in Sections 7 and 8(a) are in addition to, and shall not be construed as a limitation upon, any other covenant provided in Section 8(a). Executive agrees that the geographic boundaries, scope of prohibited activities, and time duration of each of the covenants set forth in Sections 7 and 8(a) are reasonable in nature and are no broader than are necessary to maintain the confidentiality and the goodwill of the Company’s proprietary information and Confidential Information, and its plans and services, and to protect the other legitimate business interests of the Company, including without limitation the goodwill developed by Executive with the Company’s customers, suppliers, licensees and business relations.

(d) If, during any portion of the Restricted Period, Executive is not in compliance with the terms of Section 8(a), the Company shall be entitled to, among other remedies (and not in limitation of any other such remedies), compliance by Executive with the terms of Section 8(a) for an additional period of time (i.e., in addition to the Restricted Period) that shall equal the period(s) over which such noncompliance occurred.

 

7


EXECUTION VERSION

 

(e) The parties hereto intend that the covenants contained in Section 8(a) be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each defined province in each geographic area in which Executive on behalf of the Company conducts business. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the applicable covenant contained in Section 8(a). Furthermore, each of the covenants in Section 8 shall be deemed a separate and independent covenant, each being enforceable irrespective of the enforceability (with or without reformation) of the other covenants contained in Section 8(a).

(f) Further, at no time during or after the Employment Period will Executive utter, issue or circulate publicly any false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors about Tidewater, any of its subsidiaries, and/or any of Tidewater’s or any of its subsidiaries’ respective businesses, or any of their respective officers, employees or directors. Nothing in this Section 8(f) shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful and accurate facts where he is required to do so by law.

9. Notices.

All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, mailed by certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent by overnight delivery service to the parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, in order of preference of the recipient:

 

To Tidewater or the Company:

 

Board of Directors

Tidewater Inc.

6002 Rogerdale Road

Suite 600

Houston, TX 7702477072

  

To Executive:

 

At the most recent address on file with the Company

Notice so given shall, in the case of mail, be deemed to be given and received on the fifth calendar day after posting, and in the case overnight delivery service, on the date of actual delivery.

10. Severability and Reformation.

If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed severable. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be reformed by limiting and reducing it to the minimum extent necessary, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

11. Assignment.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of Executive and the permitted assigns and successors of Tidewater, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive without the express written consent of Tidewater (except in the case of death by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession) or by Tidewater, except that Tidewater may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock assets or businesses of Tidewater.

12. Amendment.

This Agreement may be amended only by writing signed by both Executive and by a duly authorized representative of Tidewater (other than Executive).

 

8


EXECUTION VERSION

 

13. Assistance in Litigation.

Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company and its agents in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or that may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company that relate to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company or with respect to which Executive has any knowledge. Executive’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being reasonably available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company. Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review by any Federal, state, or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates, to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company or with respect to which Executive has any knowledge.

14. Beneficiaries; References.

Executive shall be entitled to select (and change, to the extent permitted under any applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executive’s death, and may change such election, in either case by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative. Any reference to the masculine gender in this Agreement shall include, where appropriate, the feminine.

15. Use of Name, Likeness and Biography.

The Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to use, publish and broadcast, and to authorize others to do so, the name, likeness and biographical material of Executive to advertise, publicize and promote the business of the Company and its affiliates. This right shall terminate upon the termination of this Agreement. A “likeness” and “biographical material” shall be, respectively, any photograph or other depiction of Executive, or any biographical information or life story concerning the professional career of Executive.

16. Governing Law.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND GOVERNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW.

17. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement (including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreement) or understanding, written or oral, between the Executive and any of GulfMark, its successors, the Company or any affiliate of the foregoing with respect to such subject matter. Without limiting the foregoing, Executive (a) acknowledges and agrees that GulfMark and/or the Company have satisfied all obligations that they have owed, and that they ever could have owed, under the Prior Agreement and (b) represents and warrants that, except as specifically referenced in this Agreement, the Executive has no further rights or claims under the Prior Agreement or any other employment-related agreements with GulfMark, its successors, the Company, or any affiliate of the foregoing including, but not limited to, any claims of having been constructively terminated or having cause to terminate employment for “Good Reason” and receive additional compensation. Each subsidiary of Tidewater is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and may enforce its rights hereunder as though it were a party hereto.

18. Withholding.

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from payment to Executive of any amount of withholding required by law.

19. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

9


EXECUTION VERSION

 

20. Remedies.

The parties recognize and affirm that in the event of a breach of Sections 7 or 8, money damages would be inadequate and Tidewater would not have an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the parties agree that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach of Sections 7 or 8, Tidewater may, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, obtain from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, Executive agrees that in the event a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator finds that Executive violated Section 7 or 8, the time periods set forth in those Sections shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been cured. Executive further agrees that Tidewater shall have the right to offset the amount of any damages resulting from a breach by Executive of Section 7 or 8 against any payments due to Executive under this Agreement (or otherwise from the Company). The parties agree that if one of the parties is found to have breached this Agreement by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the breaching party will be required to pay the non-breaching party’s attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred in prosecuting the non-breaching party’s claim of breach.

21. Non-Waiver.

The failure by either party to insist upon the performance of any one or more terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of any future performance of any such term, covenant or condition, and the obligation of either party with respect hereto shall continue in full force and effect, unless such waiver shall be in writing signed by Tidewater (other than Executive) and Executive.

22. Announcement.

The Company shall have the right to make public announcements concerning the execution of this Agreement and the terms contained herein, and to publicly disclose this Agreement and its terms, at the Company’s discretion.

23. Construction.

The headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and are intended to have no effect in construing or interpreting this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed in accordance to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against the Company or Executive. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a “Section” shall be deemed to refer to a Section of this Agreement.

24. Right to Insure.

The Company shall have the right to secure, in its own name or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other insurance covering Executive, and Executive shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance. Executive shall assist the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which application is made for any such insurance.

25. No Inconsistent Obligations.

Executive represents and warrants that he has no obligations, legal, in contract, or otherwise, inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or with his undertaking or continuing employment with the Company to perform the duties described herein. Executive will not disclose to the Company, or use, or induce the Company to use, any confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information of others. Executive represents and warrants that he has returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior employers, if he is obligated to do so.

26. Binding Agreement.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, his heirs and personal representatives, and the Company, its successors and assigns.

 

10


EXECUTION VERSION

 

27. Voluntary Agreement.

Each party to this Agreement has read and fully understands the terms and provisions hereof, has had an opportunity to review this Agreement with legal counsel, has executed this Agreement based upon such party’s own judgment and advice of counsel (if any), and knowingly, voluntarily, and without duress, agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the parties nor their affiliates, advisors and/or their attorneys have made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity with respect of the subject matter contained herein. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, the Companies, their affiliates, advisors, and/or attorneys have made no representation or warranty to Executive concerning any tax consequences (including, but not limited to, state or Federal tax consequences) to Executive regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

28. Section 409A of the Code.

This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”), or to be treated as exempt therefrom, and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service, as a short-term deferral, or as any other compensation that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Executive’s employment that are deemed to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Executive’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Executive’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Date of Termination of Executive’s employment hereunder (such applicable date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date. Each payment under this Agreement is intended to be a “separate payment” and not one of a series of payments for purposes of Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee any particular tax effect, and Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes, penalties and interest that may be imposed on or for the account of Executive in connection with the Agreement (including, but not limited to, any taxes, penalties and interest under Section 409A), and neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold Executive (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all taxes, penalties or interest.

29. Excise Tax. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including, but not limited to, any payment or benefit received in connection with a change in control of Tidewater or the termination of Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, program, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, together, the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, program, arrangement or agreement, the Company will reduce the Total Payments to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (but in no event to less than zero); provided, however, that the Total Payments will only be reduced if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments), is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).

 

11


EXECUTION VERSION

 

(b) In the case of a reduction in the Total Payments, the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order: (i) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii) or (iv) will be next reduced pro-rata. Any reductions made pursuant to each of clauses (i)-(v) above will be made in the following manner: first, a pro-rata reduction of cash payment and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity not subject to Section 409A, and second, a pro-rata reduction of cash payments and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity subject to Section 409A as deferred compensation.

(c) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax: (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code will be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) reasonably acceptable to Executive and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the change in control, the Company’s independent auditor (the “Auditor”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including, but no limited to, by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount” (as set forth in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) that is allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments will be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. All determinations required by this Section 29 will be at the expense of the Company.

30. Indemnification.

Tidewater will defend and indemnify Executive as required by Tidewater’s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. During the Employment Period and thereafter (with respect to events occurring during the Employment Period), Tidewater will maintain and provide Executive with coverage under its directors’ and officers’ liability policy to the same extent that it provides such coverage to its other officers and directors generally.

31. Survival.

The provisions and obligations of this Agreement which, by their nature, require or contemplate full or partial performance after the termination or expiration of this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company (including, without limitation, Sections 4-8, 13, 20, 30 and 32) shall survive termination of Executive’s employment or this Agreement.

32. Clawback.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company, which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement). In no event will any such deduction or clawback be deemed to constitute or contribute to Good Reason.

(Signature Page to Follow)

 

12


EXECUTION VERSION

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the respective dates below, effective as of the Effective Date.

 

TIDEWATER INC.
By:  

/s/ John T. Rynd

John T. Rynd
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: December 28, 2018
EXECUTIVE

/s/ Quintin V. Kneen

Quintin V. Kneen

Date: December 28, 2018

 

13


Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”), by and between Tidewater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Quinn P. Fanning (the “Employee” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”) is being offered to the Employee on December 28, 2018 (the “Offer Date”), and may be accepted by the Employee by signing below and returning the signed copy of this Agreement to John T. Rynd, President and Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”), at any time prior to the date that is the end of the twenty-one (21) day period following receipt of this Agreement (such date, January 18, 2019, or as otherwise agreed by the Parties, the “Offer Expiration Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Employee served the Company as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until November 15, 2018 and has continued to serve the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and joint ventures (collectively, the “Company Group”) in a transitional role since such date;

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that the Employee will continue to serve in this transitional role until February 28, 2019 or such earlier date as may occur pursuant to Section 1(c) (the “Termination Date”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into a mutually satisfactory arrangement concerning, among other matters, the status of certain preexisting agreements between the Parties and certain payments, rights, and benefits that the Company has agreed to make or confer upon the Employee in exchange for certain post-employment covenants by the Employee and the Employee’s general release of claims against the Company Group and related parties.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment Period.

(a) Employment and Duties. During the period between the Effective Date (as defined in Section 6) and the Termination Date (the “Employment Period”), the Employee agrees to continue to serve as an employee of the Company, to advise and assist in connection with such matters as the Company may request and as are within his area of expertise and prior experience, including, without limitation, financial reporting, accounting, tax, treasury, strategic planning, evaluation of transactions and finance. The Employee agrees that, during the Employment Period, he will devote such time as is reasonably necessary to effectively assist Company with regard to these matters. Further, the Parties agree and acknowledge that (i) the level of services to be provided by the Employee during the Employment Period is anticipated to equal or exceed 50% of the average level of services that he provided to the Company during the previous three years, and (ii) the Termination Date shall be the date of his separation from service for purposes of participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through the Company Group, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or under the terms of such plans or as required by applicable law. Following the Termination Date, the Employee shall not represent himself as continuing to be an employee, officer, director, agent, or representative of the Company or any other member of the Company Group for any purpose.

 

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(b) Compensation. During the period between the Effective Date and February 28, 2019, the Employee’s salary and benefits shall remain unchanged, except that the Employee agrees and acknowledges that he will not be eligible to participate in any annual incentive program for fiscal 2019. In particular, during such period, the Employee shall continue to receive the same base salary that was in effect for him on the Offer Date (the “Base Salary”).

(c) Company’s Right to Terminate. The Company shall have the right at any time before the Termination Date to notify the Employee that his continued services are no longer required, subject to the Company’s obligation to make the payments and provide the benefits set forth in this Agreement. If the Company exercises its right under this Section 1(c) to terminate Employee’s services prior to February 28, 2019, then the “Termination Date” shall mean the actual date on which the Company terminates Employee’s services.

(d) Continued Compliance with Company Policies. The Employee agrees that, during the Employment Period, he will continue to comply with all company policies to the extent relevant to his activities, including but not limited to: (i) the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and (ii) the Policy Statement on Insider Trading, which prohibits, among other things, trading in the Company’s securities while in possession of material nonpublic information.

2. Compensation and Benefits following the Employment Period.

(a) Accrued Obligations. As soon as practicable following the Termination Date (but in no event later than such date required by applicable law or the terms of the applicable Company benefit plan), regardless of whether this Agreement becomes effective, the Employee will be paid or provided (i) all accrued but unpaid base salary and any reimbursable-but-unreimbursed business expenses through and including the Termination Date; (ii) all unused vacation time earned and accrued by the Employee through and including the Termination Date pursuant to the Company’s vacation policy, with an estimated value of $14,150 as of the Offer Date; (iii) all accrued benefits and amounts owed to Employee under the Tidewater Employees Supplemental Savings Plan, as amended (“SSP”); (iv) all accrued benefits due to the Employee under the Tidewater Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended (the “SERP”), paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SERP based on the Employee’s prior elections; and (v) all other benefits payable to the Employee upon a separation from service under the Company’s benefit plans (other than severance benefits), in accordance with the terms of such plans, or as required by applicable law.

(b) Acceleration of Outstanding RSUs. The Parties agree and acknowledge that (i) as of the Offer Date, the Employee holds 129,577 unvested time-based restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) that were granted to him under an Incentive Agreement for the Grant of Restricted Stock Units under the Tidewater Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan by and between the Parties, entered into effective August 18, 2017 (the “RSU Agreement”), and (ii) pursuant to Section 1.4(a) of the RSU Agreement, all such RSUs shall vest automatically as of the Termination Date and shall settle in shares of Tidewater common stock as soon as practicable after such date, as provided in Section 2.2 of the RSU Agreement.

 

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(c) Severance Benefits. Provided that the Employee remains employed with the Company through the Termination Date and in consideration for, and subject to, his (1) timely execution and non-revocation of this Agreement (including its release of claims through the Effective Date) and (2) continued compliance with the terms of this Agreement following the Effective Date, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Employee shall be eligible for the following payments and benefits:

(i) The Company shall pay to the Employee a cash severance payment equal to 120 days of Base Salary, which will be paid to him in one lump sum within thirty (30) days of the Termination Date.

(ii) The Employee shall remain eligible to receive an annual cash incentive for all of fiscal 2018 under the Tidewater Inc. Short-Term Incentive Plan (the “STI Plan”), which shall be calculated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the STI Plan but with payout on the Employee’s individual performance component assessed at 100%. Any amounts due to the Employee under the STI Plan shall be paid to him at the same time any such incentives are paid to officers of the Company under the STI Plan.

(iii) If the Employee timely and properly elects COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, the Company shall pay the full premium for health insurance coverage for the Employee and his dependents at the same level of benefits as in effect on the Offer Date, for the period beginning on the Termination Date through the earlier to occur of (1) the last day of the first month in which the Employee and his dependents become eligible for health insurance coverage under another employer’s group health plan or (2) August 31, 2020. The Employee shall notify the Company in writing within 15 days of becoming eligible for health insurance coverage under another employer’s plan. The payment of COBRA premiums shall not be treated as taxable compensation to the Executive, unless the Company determines such treatment is necessary to prevent a violation of any non-discrimination rules applicable to the Company’s group health plan.

(d) Legal Fees. The Company will pay the Employee’s legal counsel directly, upon presentation of customary invoices, for the fees and expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with the review and negotiation of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000).

(e) No Further Benefits. The Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that, as of the Termination Date, the payments and benefits described in this Section 2, and the other provisions of this Agreement including those set forth in Sections 3(c), 3(f), and 8, will be in full discharge of any and all liabilities and obligations of the Company Group to him, monetarily or with respect to employee benefits or otherwise, including but not limited to any and all obligations arising under any written or oral employment agreement, policy, plan, or procedure of the Company Group or any understanding or arrangement between the Employee and the Company Group.

(f) Taxes. The payments referenced in Section 2 shall be subject to reduction for applicable tax and other withholding obligations.

 

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3. Release and Waiver of Claims.

(a) Definition. As used in this Agreement, the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise.

(b) Employee Release. For and in consideration of the severance benefits described in Section 2(c) above (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”), the Company’s agreement to release certain claims against the Employee pursuant to Section 3(c) below, the Company’s agreement to release the Employee from the Non-Compete to the extent provided in Section 8, and other good and valuable consideration, including the other terms of this Agreement, the Employee, for and on behalf of himself and his executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby releases and forever discharges the Company and each member of the Company Group, and each of their respective direct and indirect predecessors, successors, and each of their respective past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, each solely in their respective capacities as such, and the employee benefit plans in which he is or has been a participant (or eligible for participation) by virtue of his employment with or service to the Company Group (collectively, the “Company Releasees”), from any and all claims that he has or may have had against any of the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date on which the Employee executes this Agreement, including any events or circumstances directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever his employment by or service to the Company Group or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws (including common law) relating to employment, wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000 et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ADEA”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. (“ERISA”); the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law; the Louisiana Whistleblower Protection Act; the Louisiana Environmental Whistleblower Protection Act; the Texas Labor Code; and any other similar state or local law. The Employee agrees further that the release of claims herein may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by the Employee or his descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Agreement, the Employee acknowledges that he intends to waive and release all rights known or unknown that he may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws to the extent provided herein.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

(c) Company Release. For and in consideration of the Employee’s compliance with the post-employment restrictive covenants described in Section 8 below, the Employee’s agreement to release certain claims against the Company pursuant to Section 3(b) above, and other good and valuable consideration, including the other terms of this Agreement, the Company Releasees, which include the Company and the Company’s successors and assigns, hereby release and forever discharge the Employee and his heirs, successors, and assigns, each solely in their respective capacities as such (collectively, the “Employee Releasees”) from any and all claims that it has or may have had against any of the Employee Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date on which the Company executes this Agreement, including any events or circumstances directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever the Employee’s employment by or service to the Company Group or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws (including common law). The Company agrees further that the release of claims herein may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by the Company or any member of the Company Group. The Company acknowledges that it intends to waive and release all rights known or unknown that it may have against the Employee Releasees under these and any other laws, as permitted by applicable laws, to the extent provided herein.

(d) No Claims. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that, as of the date such Party executed this Agreement, neither Party has any knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws listed in the preceding Sections 3(b) and 3(c), and that he or it has not filed any claim against any of the Company Releasees or Employee Releasees, as applicable, before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “Proceeding”). Each of the Parties (i) acknowledges that he or it will not initiate or cause to be initiated on his or its behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except with respect to Unreleased Claims (as defined in Section 3(f) below) or as required by law; and (ii) waives any right that he or it may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), except with respect to Unreleased Claims. Further, each of the Parties understands that, by executing this Agreement, he or it will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that he or it may have against the Company Releasees or Employee Releasees, as applicable, and limiting also his or its ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees or Employee Releasees, as applicable.

(e) ADEA. By executing this Agreement, the Employee specifically releases all claims relating to his employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

(f) Unreleased Claims. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, the Employee does not release any claims under or otherwise to enforce the terms of this Agreement or that cannot be waived by law, including claims under ERISA for vested benefits or any rights to indemnification and D&O insurance that are otherwise available to him pursuant to the organizational documents, policies, or insurance policies of any member of the Company Group by virtue of his having served as an officer or director

 

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thereof (“Unreleased Claims”). The Employee shall be entitled to continued coverage under the Company’s D&O insurance policies as in effect from time to time for the Company’s directors and officers, including without limitation any tail coverage for former directors and officers. Further, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Employee from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on his behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of his claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) subject to Section 3(c) above, initiating, cooperating with or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC or a state fair employment practices agency.

4. Knowing and Voluntary Waiver. The Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that he –

(a) Is able to read the language, and understand the meaning and effect, of this Agreement;

(b) Has no physical or mental impairment of any kind that has interfered with his ability to read and understand the meaning of this Agreement or its terms, and that he is not acting under the influence of any medication, drug, or chemical of any type in entering into this Agreement;

(c) Is specifically agreeing to the terms of the release contained in this Agreement because the Company has agreed to provide him with the severance payments and benefits provided by this Agreement;

(d) Acknowledges that, but for his execution of this Agreement, he would not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits provided by this Agreement;

(e) Had or could have had until the Offer Expiration Date to review and consider this Agreement, and that if he executes this Agreement prior to the Offer Expiration Date, he has voluntarily and knowingly waived the remainder of the review period;

(f) Have or had the entire Revocation Period (as defined in Section 6 below) in which to revoke his execution of this Agreement, and that if he does not revoke such execution prior to the Effective Date, he has knowingly and voluntarily agreed to this Agreement’s becoming effective;

(g) Was advised to consult with his attorney regarding the terms and effect of this Agreement; and

(h) Has signed this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily.

5. No Suit. Each of the Parties represents and warrants that he or it has not previously filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law agrees that he or it will not file, a complaint, charge, or lawsuit against any of the Company Releasees or Employee Releasees, as applicable, regarding any of the claims released herein. If, notwithstanding this representation and warranty, the Employee or the Company has filed or files such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit, such Party agrees that he or it shall cause such complaint, charge, or lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice and shall pay any and all costs required in obtaining dismissal of such complaint, charge, or lawsuit, including without limitation the attorneys’ fees of any of the Company Releasees or Employee Releasees, as applicable, against whom the Party has filed such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit.

 

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6. Opportunity for Review; Acceptance. The Employee has until the Offer Expiration Date (which is twenty-one (21) days following the Employee’s receipt of this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the Parties) to review and consider this Agreement, and the Employee may accept the terms of this Agreement by executing this Agreement and delivering it to the Company at any time during such twenty-one (21) day review period. Following its acceptance and execution by the Employee, this Agreement will not become effective or enforceable for a period of seven (7) calendar days following the date of its execution (such period, the “Revocation Period”), during which time the Employee may revoke his acceptance of this Agreement by notifying the CEO in writing. To be effective, such revocation must be received by the CEO no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing Central Time, on the seventh (7th) calendar day following its execution. Provided that the Agreement is executed on or prior to the Offer Expiration Date and the Employee does not timely revoke it, the eighth (8th) day following the date on which this Agreement is executed will be its effective date (the “Effective Date”). In the event of the Employee’s failure to execute and deliver this Agreement on or prior to the Offer Expiration Date, or his revocation of this Agreement during the Revocation Period, this Agreement will be null and void and of no effect, and the Company will have no obligations hereunder.

7. Return of Company Property. On or prior to the Termination Date, other than the Employee’s personal files on a Company computer drive, the Employee shall return to the Company all originals and copies of papers, notes, and documents (in any medium, including computer disks, flash drives, and other electronic storage devices), whether property of any member of the Company Group or not, prepared, received, or obtained by the Employee during the course of, and in connection with, his employment with the Company or any member of the Company Group, and all equipment and property of any member of the Company Group that may be in the Employee’s possession or under his control, whether at the Company’s offices, the Employee’s home, or elsewhere, including all such papers, work papers, notes, documents, and equipment in the possession of the Employee. The Employee agrees that he and his family shall not retain copies of any such papers, work papers, notes, and documents.

8. Restrictive Covenants. The Parties agree and acknowledge that the Employee is currently subject to certain restrictive covenants that apply during and after his employment with the Company, including a covenant not to compete, which are memorialized in Article V of the RSU Agreement. As part of its consideration to the Employee and subject to the Employee’s continued compliance with Section 5.2 of the RSU Agreement (the “Non-Compete”) through the Termination Date, the Company hereby agrees that the Non-Compete shall have no further force or effect after the Termination Date. However, the Employee acknowledges that the Company Group has a legitimate business interest and right in protecting its Confidential Information (as defined in Section 5.6 of the RSU Agreement), business strategies, employee and customer relationships, and goodwill, and that the Company Group would be seriously damaged by the disclosure of Confidential Information and the loss or deterioration of its business strategies, employee and customer relationships, and goodwill. Accordingly, for and in consideration of the Severance Benefits and the waiver of the Non-Compete, the Employee agrees as follows:

 

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(a) Status of Remaining Restrictive Covenants. The Employee agrees and acknowledges that (i) as of the Offer Date, the restrictive covenants of Article V of the RSU Agreement remain in full force and effect and (ii) following the Termination Date, the Employee shall continue to be subject to Article V of the RSU Agreement as provided therein, except for the Non-Compete as provided above (as in effect from time to time, the “Restrictive Covenants”). The Employee agrees and acknowledges that these Restrictive Covenants are fully enforceable in accordance with their terms as if set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Nondisparagement and Response to Inquiries. In addition to the Restrictive Covenants, the Employee hereby agrees not to defame, disparage, or criticize any of the Company Releasees or any of their products, services, finances, financial condition, capabilities, or other aspect of any of their businesses in any medium to any person or entity, without limitation in time. Notwithstanding this provision, the Employee may confer in confidence with his legal representative and make truthful statements as required by law. Following the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Company agrees to direct its directors to not disparage the Employee or the Employee’s performance or otherwise make any statement that is critical of the Employee’s personal or professional reputation. Each director on the Board agrees not to defame, disparage or criticize the Employee in any medium to any person or entity, without limitation in time. Notwithstanding this provision, any such director may confer in confidence with his legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law. The Company shall respond to inquiries from third parties concerning Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company by stating only his title and dates of employment.

(c) Injunctive Relief; Other Remedies. The Employee acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach by the Employee of this Section 8 would cause immediate and irreparable harm to the Company not fully compensable by money damages or the exact amount of which would be difficult to ascertain, and therefore the Company will not have an adequate monetary remedy at law. Accordingly, the Employee agrees that, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Employee of the provisions of this Section 8, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent or curtail any such breach of threatened breach without the necessity of posting any bond or security or showing proof of actual damage or irreparable injury. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedy at law or in equity to which the Company may be entitled under applicable law in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by the Employee, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages, costs, and expenses, such as reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Company as a result of any such breach or threatened breach.

9. Successors and Assigns. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns.

10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

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11. Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been given upon receipt of delivery by: (a) hand (against a receipt for such delivery), (b) certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) a nationally recognized overnight courier service (against a receipt for such service), or (d) facsimile transmission with confirmation of receipt. All notices to the Company related to this Agreement should be sent to the Company’s principal executive offices as disclosed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, addressed to the Office of General Counsel. All notices to the Employee should be delivered to the most recent address as provided by the Employee to the human resources department of the Company. Either Party may update its address for receipt of notices by providing written notice to the other Party as provided under this Section 11.

12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the SERP, the SSP, the STI Plan, and the RSU Agreement (including its Restrictive Covenants), constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the Employee and the Company regarding the Employee’s separation from service. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the Employee and any member of the Company Group and all benefit plans of the Company Group relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, excepting the SERP, the SSP, the STI Plan, and the RSU Agreement (including its Restrictive Covenants). Any changes or amendments of this Agreement can be made only in a writing signed by the Parties.

13. Governing Law Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to any choice of law principles which might otherwise require the application of the law of another jurisdiction). The parties hereby agree that any action brought with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder, including, but not limited, to any action for injunctive relief for the breach or threatened breach of any covenant under Section 8 of this Agreement (including the Restrictive Covenants), shall be brought in state or federal court in Harris County, Texas, and further that such venue shall be the exclusive venue for resolving any such disputes. The parties consent to personal jurisdiction in state or federal court in Harris County, Texas, and further waive any objection they may have as to such venue. By execution of this Agreement, the parties are waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below.

 

TIDEWATER INC.

 

/s/ John T. Rynd

By: John T. Rynd
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

/s/ Quinn P. Fanning

EMPLOYEE

Quinn P. Fanning

 

DATE December 28, 2018

[Signature Page to Fanning Separation Agreement]

 


Exhibit 10.5

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), effective as of December 28, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), is by and between Tidewater Inc. (“Tidewater” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) and Samuel Rubio (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, Executive served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (“GulfMark”) until November 15, 2018, when the corporate existence of GulfMark ceased as a result of the previously-announced business combination between Tidewater and GulfMark (the “Business Combination”), which was effected through a two-step reverse merger pursuant to which (i) Gorgon Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater merged in with and into GulfMark, with GulfMark continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater and then, immediately afterwards, (ii) GulfMark merged with and into Gorgon NewCo, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater (“Gorgon”), with Gorgon continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater;

WHEREAS, the Tidewater and the Executive have agreed that, effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive will become Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Tidewater; and

WHEREAS, GulfMark and Executive were parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated April 19, 2018 (the “GLF Agreement”), which governed the Executive’s employment with GulfMark and its successors immediately prior to the Effective Date, and Tidewater and the Executive desire to amend and restate the GLF Agreement in order to memorialize in writing the terms and conditions of their understandings and agreements regarding the Executive’s employment with the Company as of the Effective Date.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, Tidewater hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement:

1. Employment Period.

(a) Subject to Section 4, Tidewater hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by Tidewater, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date or such later date as mutually agreed by the parties in writing (such period, as it may be extended or truncated under the terms of this Agreement, the “Employment Period”). Following the termination of this Agreement, the Employee may remain employed-at-will with the Company.

(b) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Tidewater and, in so doing, shall report to the Chief Financial Officer of Tidewater (the “CFO”). Executive shall have such powers and duties (including, but not limited to, holding officer positions with Tidewater and one or more of its subsidiaries) as may from time to time be prescribed by the CFO.

(c) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which Executive is entitled, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to Executive hereunder or by the CFO hereafter, to use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, provided that service on any corporate board or committee shall be subject to the prior approval of the board of directors of Tidewater (the “Board”), (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities hereunder.

 

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(d) The parties expressly acknowledge that any performance of Executive’s responsibilities hereunder shall necessitate, and the Company shall provide, access to or the disclosure of Confidential Information (as defined in Section 6(a) below) to Executive, and that Executive’s responsibilities shall include the development of the Company’s goodwill through Executive’s contacts with the Company’s customers and suppliers.

2. Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. Tidewater shall pay Executive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at the rate of $230,000 during the Employment Period. The Board may at its discretion elect to increase Executive’s Base Salary at any time if it deems an increase is warranted. Subject to Section 4(c)(ii) hereof, during the Employment Period, the Board may not decrease Executive’s annual Base Salary without his prior written approval. Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of the Company, but in no event shall the Base Salary be paid to Executive less frequently than monthly. The term “Base Salary” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Base Salary as it may be so adjusted from time to time.

(b) Annual Bonus. With respect to each calendar year during the Employment Period, beginning with 2019, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in an amount to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (“Committee”) based on performance goals established by the Committee, with Executive being eligible to earn a target bonus equal to no less than 70% of his Base Salary. Any Annual Bonus earned with regard to a particular calendar year shall be paid to Executive no later than March 15 of the following calendar year, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company on the actual date of payment.

(c) Additional Consideration. In consideration of Executive entering into this Agreement and as an inducement to join the Company, Tidewater agrees to provide the following additional compensation and benefits (together, the “Additional Consideration”):

(i) The parties agree and acknowledge that, as of the Effective Date, the Executive holds 10,431 unvested time-based restricted stock units (the “Converted RSUs”), each of which represents the right to receive one share of Tidewater common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). The Converted RSUs, originally granted to Executive by GulfMark, were converted and assumed by Tidewater in the Business Combination and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Legacy GLF Management Incentive Plan (as adopted by Tidewater following the Business Combination, the “Legacy GLF Plan”) and the applicable award agreement. In consideration of Executive entering into this Agreement, all Converted RSUs shall accelerate and vest in full automatically on the Effective Date.

(ii) On the Effective Date, the Committee shall grant to the Executive two equity grants: (1) a grant of 10,000 time-based restricted stock units (the “First Grant”) and (2) a grant of time-based restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $360,950, with the number of restricted stock units granted determined by dividing by the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the Effective Date, rounded up to the next whole share (the “Second Grant” and, together with the First Grant, the “LTI Grants”). Both LTI Grants shall be granted under the Legacy GLF Plan and the Company’s standard form of award agreement, and each LTI Grant shall vest in three equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date (except as provided in the award agreement or Section 4).

(iii) The Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum cash signing bonus of $68,750 (the “Signing Bonus”) within ten (10) days following the Effective Date.

3. Employee Benefits.

(a) During the Employment Period, the Company shall provide Executive with coverage under all employee pension and welfare benefit programs, plans and practices, which Tidewater makes available to its officers (including, but not limited to, participation in health, dental, group life, disability, retirement and all other plans and fringe benefits to the extent generally provided to such officers), commensurate with his position in the Company, to the extent permitted under the employee benefit plan or program, and in accordance with the terms of the program and/or plan.

 

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(b) Executive shall be entitled to vacation time in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time.

(c) Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and promoting the business of the Company, including, but not limited to, reasonable expenses for travel, lodgings, entertainment and similar items related to such duties and responsibilities, in each case in accordance with applicable Company policies. The Company will promptly reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by Executive of appropriately itemized and approved accounts of such expenditures, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy; provided, however, that in no event shall the expense reimbursement be made after the last day of the taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred by Executive, although in the event that the reimbursement would constitute taxable income to Executive, such reimbursements will be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred. No reimbursement or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year, nor may the right to receive a reimbursement of expenses be subject to liquidation or exchanged for another benefit.

4. Termination of Employment.

(a) Accrued Obligations. Unless otherwise specified in a separate provision of this Section 4, either party may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment for any reason during the Employment Period after providing thirty (30) days written notice to the non-terminating party. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason during the Employment Period, then, in addition to any amounts due to Executive pursuant to another subsection of this Section 4 and any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company, Tidewater shall pay Executive, within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination (as defined below), (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) a prorated amount of Executive’s Base Salary for accrued but unused vacation days, and (iii) yet unpaid reimbursements for any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive prior to the Date of Termination in connection with his duties hereunder (such amounts collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”).

(b) Termination by Company. During the Employment Period, Tidewater may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment with or without Cause (as defined below). Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the (1) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination and (2) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company. In addition to the foregoing, if such termination was without Cause, any outstanding but unvested portion of the Second Grant shall vest immediately as of the Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means any of the following:

(i) Executive’s commission of theft, embezzlement, any other act of dishonesty relating to his employment or service, or any willful violation of any law, rules or regulation applicable to the Company, including, but not limited to, those laws, rules or regulations established by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or authority over Executive or the Company; or

(ii) Executive’s conviction of, or Executive’s plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or of any other crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; or

(iii) A determination by the Board that Executive has materially breached this Agreement (other than during any period of Disability, as defined below) where such breach is not remedied within ten (10) business days after written demand by the Board for substantial performance is received by Executive which identifies the manner in which the Board believes Executive has so breached this Agreement; or

(iv) Executive’s willful failure to perform the reasonable and customary duties of his position with the Company, which failure is not remedied within ten (10) business days after written demand by the Board for substantial performance is received by Executive which specifically identifies the nature of such failure.

 

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(c) Termination by Executive. During the Employment Period, the Executive may terminate this Agreement and his employment with or without Good Reason (as defined below). Upon such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the (1) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination and (2) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company. In addition to the foregoing, if such termination was with Good Reason, any outstanding but unvested portion of the Second Grant shall vest immediately as of the Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means any of the following that occurs without Executive’s consent:

(i) Any reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, other than an across the board reduction of less than 10% of Executive’s Base Salary; or

(ii) Relocation of Executive’s principal place of business to a location fifty (50) or more miles from its location as of the Effective Date; or

(iii) A material breach by Tidewater of this Agreement, which materially and adversely affects Executive; or

(iv) Tidewater’s failure to make any material payment to Executive required to be made under the terms of this Agreement;

provided, however, that Executive’s termination shall not be considered to be with Good Reason unless (y) Executive provides at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to Tidewater of the condition constituting Good Reason (which notice must be given within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such condition and describe condition in reasonable detail) and (z) such condition is not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after Tidewater receives such written notice.

(d) Termination due to Disability. Tidewater may terminate this Agreement at any time if Executive shall be deemed in the reasonable judgment of the Board to have sustained a Disability. Executive shall be deemed to have sustained a “Disability” if he shall have been unable to substantially perform his duties as an employee of Tidewater as a result of sickness or injury, and shall have remained unable to perform any such duties for a period of more than one-hundred eighty (180) consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period. Upon termination of this Agreement for Disability, Executive shall only be entitled to (i) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination, (ii) accelerated vesting, as of the Date of Termination, of any outstanding but unvested portion of the LTI Grants, and (iii) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company.

(e) Termination by Death. This Agreement will terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. Upon termination of this Agreement due to Executive’s death, Tidewater shall pay or provide Executive’s estate with the following: (i) Accrued Obligations, which amount shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Date of Termination, (ii) accelerated vesting, as of the Date of Termination, of any outstanding but unvested portion of the LTI Grants, and (iii) any other amounts or benefits to which Executive may be entitled under a separate plan, policy or program maintained by the Company.

(f) Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of a Disability or by Tidewater for Cause or without Cause, then the date specified in a notice delivered to Executive by Tidewater of such termination, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, then the date specified in the notice of such termination delivered to Tidewater by Executive, and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified therefore in the notice of such termination. The Employment Period will terminate upon any termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 4.

 

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5. Release and Continued Compliance.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, as a condition precedent to receiving any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, any accelerated vesting of the LTI Grants in connection with any applicable termination scenario, Executive agrees to execute a separation and release agreement in a form specified by Tidewater, containing a waiver of all claims against the Company (the “Release”), within the forty-five (45) day period immediately following the Date of Termination, and subsequently not revoke the Release during any period for revocation contained therein. All revocation rights and timing restrictions shall be set forth in such Release. If Executive fails to execute and deliver the Release, or revokes the Release, Executive agrees that he shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, any accelerated vesting of the LTI Grants in connection with any applicable termination scenario. For purposes of this Agreement, the Release shall be considered to have been executed by Executive if it is signed by his legal representative in the case of legal incompetence or on behalf of Executive’s estate in the case of his death. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations), including, without limitation, any accelerated vesting of the LTI Grants in connection with any applicable termination scenario, will also be subject to Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6, 7 and 12 hereof.

6. Nondisclosure.

(a) It is understood that Executive during his tenure with the Company has received and will continue to receive access to some or all of the Company’s various trade secrets and confidential or proprietary information, including, but not limited to, information he has not received before, consisting of, but not limited to, information relating to (i) business operations and methods, (ii) existing and proposed investments and investment strategies, (iii) financial performance, (iv) compensation arrangements and amounts (whether relating to the Company or to any of its employees), (v) contractual relationships, (vi) business partners and relationships, and (vii) marketing strategies (all of the forgoing, “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not include information that (A) becomes generally available to the public by means other than Executive’s breach of this Section 6 (for example, not as a result of Executive’s unauthorized release of marketing materials), (B) is in Executive’s possession, or becomes available to Executive, on a non-confidential basis, from a source other than the Company or (C) Executive is required by law, regulation, court order or discovery demand to disclose; provided, however, that in the case of this clause (C), Executive gives the Company, to the extent permitted by law, reasonable notice prior to the disclosure of the Confidential Information and the reasons and circumstances surrounding such disclosure to provide the Company an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate request for confidential treatment of the applicable Confidential Information.

(b) Executive agrees that all Confidential Information, whether prepared by Executive or otherwise coming into his possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company during and after Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive further agrees that Executive shall not, except for the benefit of the Company pursuant to the proper exercise of his duties in accordance with this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Board, use or disclose to any third party any of the Confidential Information described herein, directly or indirectly, either during Executive’s employment with the Company or at any time following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Upon termination of this Agreement, Executive agrees that all Confidential Information and other files, documents, materials, records, notebooks, customer lists, business proposals, contracts, agreements and other repositories containing information concerning the Company or the business of the Company (together with all copies thereof in any physical or electronic medium) in Executive’s possession, custody or control, whether prepared by Executive or others, shall remain with or be returned to the Company as soon as practicable after the Date of Termination. Executive agrees to provide the Company with access to Executive’s personally-owned computer, server, e-mail system, mobile phone, portable electronic and other electronic devices for the purpose of verifying that Executive has complied with this Section 6(c).

 

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(d) Nothing in this Agreement will preclude, prohibit or restrict Executive from (i) communicating with, any federal, state or local administrative or regulatory agency or authority, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (ii) participating or cooperating in any investigation conducted by any governmental agency or authority; or (iii) filing a charge of discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal state or local administrative agency or regulatory authority. Nothing in this Agreement, or any other agreement between the parties, prohibits or is intended in any manner to prohibit, Executive from (A) reporting a possible violation of federal or other applicable law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the SEC, the U.S. Congress, and any governmental agency Inspector General, or (B) making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award (including, without limitation, a monetary reward) for information provided to the SEC. Executive does not need the prior authorization of anyone at the Company to make any such reports or disclosures, and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company is intended to interfere with or restrain the immunity provided under 18 U.S.C. §1833(b). Executive cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) (A) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (B) for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if filed under seal; or (iii) in connection with a lawsuit alleging retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law, if filed under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to a court order. The foregoing provisions regarding protected disclosures are intended to comply with all applicable laws. If any laws are adopted, amended or repealed after the execution of this Agreement, this Section 6(d) shall be deemed to be amended to reflect the same.

7. Non-Competition, Non-solicitation, Non-Disparagement.

(a) As part of the consideration for the compensation and benefits to be paid to Executive hereunder, to protect Confidential Information of the Company and its customers and clients that have been and will be entrusted to Executive, the business goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries that will be developed in and through Executive and the business opportunities that will be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by the Company and its subsidiaries, and as an additional incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement, from the date hereof through the first anniversary of the Date of Termination (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not (other than for the benefit of the Company pursuant to the proper exercise of his duties in accordance with this Agreement), directly or indirectly:

(i) engage in, or carry on or assist, individually or as a principal, owner, officer, director, employee, shareholder, consultant, contractor, partner, member, joint venturer, agent, equity owner or in any other capacity whatsoever, any (A) business competitive with any business in which the Company is engaged from time to time (a “Competing Business”) or (B) Business Enterprise (as defined below) that is otherwise competitive with the Company within the states in which the Company conducts business;

(ii) perform for any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, joint venture or other business association or entity (a “Business Enterprise”) engaged in any Competing Business any duty Executive has performed for the Company that involved Executive’s access to, or knowledge or application of, Confidential Information;

(iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company; or

(iv) solicit with the purpose of hiring or retaining, or hire or retain, any person who is or, within one hundred eighty (180) days after such person ceased to be an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company, was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions of this Section 7, nothing in this Section 7 shall prohibit any investment by Executive, directly or indirectly, in publicly-traded securities which are issued by a Business Enterprise involved in or conducting a Competing Business, provided that Executive (i) in the aggregate directly and indirectly, does not own more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding equity or voting securities of such Business Enterprise and (ii) does not have the right through the ownership of a voting interest or otherwise, to direct the activities of or associated with the business of such Business Enterprise.

(c) Executive acknowledges that each of the covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7(a) are in addition to, and shall not be construed as a limitation upon, any other covenant provided in Section 7(a). Executive agrees that the geographic boundaries, scope of prohibited activities, and time duration of each of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 and 7(a) are reasonable in nature and are no broader than are necessary to maintain the confidentiality and the goodwill of the Company’s proprietary information and Confidential Information, and its plans and services, and to protect the other legitimate business interests of the Company, including without limitation the goodwill developed by Executive with the Company’s customers, suppliers, licensees and business relations.

(d) If, during any portion of the Restricted Period, Executive is not in compliance with the terms of Section 7(a), the Company shall be entitled to, among other remedies (and not in limitation of any other such remedies), compliance by Executive with the terms of Section 7(a) for an additional period of time (i.e., in addition to the Restricted Period) that shall equal the period(s) over which such noncompliance occurred.

(e) The parties hereto intend that the covenants contained in Section 7(a) be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each defined province in each geographic area in which Executive on behalf of the Company conducts business. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the applicable covenant contained in Section 7(a). Furthermore, each of the covenants in Section 7 shall be deemed a separate and independent covenant, each being enforceable irrespective of the enforceability (with or without reformation) of the other covenants contained in Section 7(a).

(f) Further, at no time during or after the Employment Period will Executive utter, issue or circulate publicly any false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors about Tidewater, any of its subsidiaries, and/or any of Tidewater’s or any of its subsidiaries’ respective businesses, or any of their respective officers, employees or directors. Nothing in this Section 7(f) shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful and accurate facts where he is required to do so by law.

8. Notices.

All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, mailed by certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent by overnight delivery service to the parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, in order of preference of the recipient:

 

To Tidewater or the Company:

 

Board of Directors

Tidewater Inc.

6002 Rogerdale Road

Suite 600

Houston, TX 7702477072

  

To Executive:

 

At the most recent address on file with the Company

Notice so given shall, in the case of mail, be deemed to be given and received on the fifth calendar day after posting, and in the case overnight delivery service, on the date of actual delivery.

9. Severability and Reformation.

If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed severable. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be reformed by limiting and reducing it to the minimum extent necessary, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

 

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10. Assignment.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of Executive and the permitted assigns and successors of Tidewater, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive without the express written consent of Tidewater (except in the case of death by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession) or by Tidewater, except that Tidewater may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock assets or businesses of Tidewater.

11. Amendment.

This Agreement may be amended only by writing signed by both Executive and by a duly authorized representative of Tidewater (other than Executive).

12. Assistance in Litigation.

Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company and its agents in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or that may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company that relate to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company or with respect to which Executive has any knowledge. Executive’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being reasonably available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company. Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review by any Federal, state, or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates, to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company or with respect to which Executive has any knowledge.

13. Beneficiaries; References.

Executive shall be entitled to select (and change, to the extent permitted under any applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executive’s death, and may change such election, in either case by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative. Any reference to the masculine gender in this Agreement shall include, where appropriate, the feminine.

14. Use of Name, Likeness and Biography.

The Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to use, publish and broadcast, and to authorize others to do so, the name, likeness and biographical material of Executive to advertise, publicize and promote the business of the Company and its affiliates. This right shall terminate upon the termination of this Agreement. A “likeness” and “biographical material” shall be, respectively, any photograph or other depiction of Executive, or any biographical information or life story concerning the professional career of Executive.

15. Governing Law.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND GOVERNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW.

16. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement (including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreement) or understanding, written or oral, between the Executive and any of GulfMark, its successors, the Company or any affiliate of the foregoing with respect to such subject matter. Without limiting the foregoing, Executive (a) acknowledges and agrees that

 

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GulfMark and/or the Company have satisfied all obligations that they have owed, and that they ever could have owed, under the Prior Agreement and (b) represents and warrants that, except as specifically referenced in this Agreement, the Executive has no further rights or claims under the Prior Agreement or any other employment-related agreements with GulfMark, its successors, the Company, or any affiliate of the foregoing including, but not limited to, any claims of having been constructively terminated or having cause to terminate employment for “Good Reason” and receive additional compensation. Each subsidiary of Tidewater is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and may enforce its rights hereunder as though it were a party hereto.

17. Withholding.

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from payment to Executive of any amount of withholding required by law.

18. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

19. Remedies.

The parties recognize and affirm that in the event of a breach of Sections 6 or 7, money damages would be inadequate and Tidewater would not have an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the parties agree that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach of Sections 6 or 7, Tidewater may, in addition and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, obtain from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In addition, Executive agrees that in the event a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator finds that Executive violated Section 6 or 7, the time periods set forth in those Sections shall be tolled until such breach or violation has been cured. Executive further agrees that Tidewater shall have the right to offset the amount of any damages resulting from a breach by Executive of Section 6 or 7 against any payments due to Executive under this Agreement (or otherwise from the Company). The parties agree that if one of the parties is found to have breached this Agreement by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, the breaching party will be required to pay the non-breaching party’s attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred in prosecuting the non-breaching party’s claim of breach.

20. Non-Waiver.

The failure by either party to insist upon the performance of any one or more terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of any future performance of any such term, covenant or condition, and the obligation of either party with respect hereto shall continue in full force and effect, unless such waiver shall be in writing signed by Tidewater (other than Executive) and Executive.

21. Announcement.

The Company shall have the right to make public announcements concerning the execution of this Agreement and the terms contained herein, and to publicly disclose this Agreement and its terms, at the Company’s discretion.

22. Construction.

The headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and are intended to have no effect in construing or interpreting this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed in accordance to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against the Company or Executive. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a “Section” shall be deemed to refer to a Section of this Agreement.

 

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23. Right to Insure.

The Company shall have the right to secure, in its own name or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other insurance covering Executive, and Executive shall have no right, title or interest in and to such insurance. Executive shall assist the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such applications and other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which application is made for any such insurance.

24. No Inconsistent Obligations.

Executive represents and warrants that he has no obligations, legal, in contract, or otherwise, inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or with his undertaking or continuing employment with the Company to perform the duties described herein. Executive will not disclose to the Company, or use, or induce the Company to use, any confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information of others. Executive represents and warrants that he has returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior employers, if he is obligated to do so.

25. Binding Agreement.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Executive, his heirs and personal representatives, and the Company, its successors and assigns.

26. Voluntary Agreement.

Each party to this Agreement has read and fully understands the terms and provisions hereof, has had an opportunity to review this Agreement with legal counsel, has executed this Agreement based upon such party’s own judgment and advice of counsel (if any), and knowingly, voluntarily, and without duress, agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the parties nor their affiliates, advisors and/or their attorneys have made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity with respect of the subject matter contained herein. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, the Companies, their affiliates, advisors, and/or attorneys have made no representation or warranty to Executive concerning any tax consequences (including, but not limited to, state or Federal tax consequences) to Executive regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

27. Section 409A of the Code.

This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”), or to be treated as exempt therefrom, and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service, as a short-term deferral, or as any other compensation that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of Executive’s employment that are deemed to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit provided for herein would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Section 409A if Executive’s receipt of such payment or benefit is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of Executive’s death or (ii) the date that is six (6) months after the Date of Termination of Executive’s employment hereunder (such applicable date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to Executive (or Executive’s estate, if applicable) until the Section 409A Payment Date. Each payment under this Agreement is intended to be a “separate payment” and not one of a series of payments for purposes of Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee any particular tax effect, and Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes, penalties and interest that may be imposed on or for the account of Executive in connection with the Agreement (including, but not limited to, any taxes, penalties and interest under Section 409A), and neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold Executive (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all taxes, penalties or interest.

 

10


EXECUTION VERSION

 

28. Excise Tax. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including, but not limited to, any payment or benefit received in connection with a change in control of Tidewater or the termination of Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, program, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, together, the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, program, arrangement or agreement, the Company will reduce the Total Payments to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (but in no event to less than zero); provided, however, that the Total Payments will only be reduced if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments), is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).

(b) In the case of a reduction in the Total Payments, the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order: (i) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii) or (iv) will be next reduced pro-rata. Any reductions made pursuant to each of clauses (i)-(v) above will be made in the following manner: first, a pro-rata reduction of cash payment and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity not subject to Section 409A, and second, a pro-rata reduction of cash payments and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity subject to Section 409A as deferred compensation.

(c) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax: (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code will be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) reasonably acceptable to Executive and selected by the accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the change in control, the Company’s independent auditor (the “Auditor”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including, but no limited to, by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount” (as set forth in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) that is allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments will be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. All determinations required by this Section 28 will be at the expense of the Company.

29. Indemnification.

Tidewater will defend and indemnify Executive as required by Tidewater’s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. During the Employment Period and thereafter (with respect to events occurring during the Employment Period), Tidewater will maintain and provide Executive with coverage under its directors’ and officers’ liability policy to the same extent that it provides such coverage to its other officers and directors generally.

 

11


EXECUTION VERSION

 

30. Survival.

The provisions and obligations of this Agreement which, by their nature, require or contemplate full or partial performance after the termination or expiration of this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company (including, without limitation, Sections 4-7, 12, 19, 29 and 31) shall survive termination of Executive’s employment or this Agreement.

31. Clawback.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company, which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement). In no event will any such deduction or clawback be deemed to constitute or contribute to Good Reason.

(Signature Page to Follow)

 

12


EXECUTION VERSION

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the respective dates below, effective as of the Effective Date.

 

TIDEWATER INC.
By:  

/s/ John T. Rynd

John T. Rynd
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: December 28, 2018
EXECUTIVE

/s/ Samuel Rubio

Samuel Rubio
Date: December 28, 2018

 

13


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K/A

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 15, 2018

 

 

TIDEWATER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-6311   72-0487776
(State of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600

Houston, Texas

  77072
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(713) 470-5300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Explanatory Note

Tidewater Inc. (“Tidewater”) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 16, 2018 (the “Original Report”) to report, among other things, under Item 2.01 thereof the completion of Tidewater’s previously-announced business combination with GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (“GulfMark”), effective as of November 15, 2018. This Form 8-K/A amends and supplements Item 9.01 of the Original Report to include the historical financial statements and pro forma financial information required by Item 9.01(a) and (b) of Form 8-K, respectively. Such financial information was excluded from the Original Report in reliance on Items 9.01(a)(4) and 9.01(b)(2) of Form 8-K. This Form 8-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Original Report and makes no other amendments to the Original Report.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)

Financial statements of businesses acquired.

The audited consolidated financial statements of GulfMark for the year ended December 31, 2017 and accompanying notes are included in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of GulfMark for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 and accompanying notes are included in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)

Pro forma financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial statements of Tidewater, as adjusted for the business combination with GulfMark, for the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, including the notes related thereto, are included in Exhibit 99.4 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d)

Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

Exhibit
No.
  

Description

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 15, 2018, by and between Tidewater Inc. and GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 2.1 to Tidewater’s Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
3.1    Second Amended and Restated By-laws of Tidewater Inc., effective November 15, 2018 (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 3.2 to Tidewater’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 15, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
4.1    Noteholder Warrant Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2017, between GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Tidewater’s Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
4.2    Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement – Jones Act Warrants, dated as of and effective November 15, 2018, by and among GulfMark Offshore, Inc., Tidewater Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.2 to Tidewater’s Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*

 

2


  4.3    Equity Warrant Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2017, between GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Tidewater’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 15, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
  4.4    Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement – Equity Warrants, dated as of and effective November 15, 2018, by and among GulfMark Offshore, Inc., Tidewater Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.2 to Tidewater’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 15, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
10.1    Legacy GLF Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to Tidewater’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 15, 2018, File No. 333-228401).*
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP
99.1    Press Release dated November 15, 2018, announcing completion of the Business Combination (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 99.1 to Tidewater’s Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2018, File No. 1-6311).*
99.2    Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Notes of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. for the Year Ended December 31, 2017.
99.3    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Notes of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.
99.4    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Notes of Tidewater Inc., as adjusted for the business combination with GulfMark Offshore, Inc., for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018.

 

*

Previously filed.

 

3


SIGNATURES

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

 

  TIDEWATER INC.
By:  

/s/ Bruce D. Lundstrom

  Bruce D. Lundstrom
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Date: December 21, 2018

 

4


Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Tidewater Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference, in the registration statement (No. 333-228029) on Form S-1 and the registration statements (No. 333-219793, No. 333-228401, and No. 333-227111) on Form S-8 of Tidewater Inc., of our report dated April 2, 2018, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods of November 15, 2017 to December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 1, 2017 to November 14, 2017 (Predecessor), and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (Predecessor), and the related notes (the “consolidated financial statements”) which report appears in the Form 8-K of Tidewater Inc. dated December 21, 2018.

Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the basis of presentation for GulfMark Offshore, Inc.’s emergence from bankruptcy.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

December 21, 2018


Exhibit 99.2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

GulfMark Offshore, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods of November 15, 2017 to December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 1, 2017 to November 14, 2017 (Predecessor), and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (Predecessor), and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the periods of November 15, 2017 to December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 1, 2017 to November 14, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (Predecessor), in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

New Basis of Presentation

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on October 4, 2017, the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware entered an order confirming the Company’s plan for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, which became effective on November 14, 2017. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification 852-10, Reorganizations, for the Successor as a new entity with assets, liabilities and a capital structure having carrying amounts not comparable with prior periods as described in Note 2.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

April 2, 2018


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

     Successor      Predecessor  
     December 31,  
     2017      2016  
ASSETS        

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 64,613      $ 8,822  

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,470 and $2,482, respectively

     20,378        22,043  

Other accounts receivable

     7,471        7,650  

Inventory

     1,323        7,465  

Prepaid expenses

     4,319        3,799  

Other current assets

     5,416        1,813  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     103,520        51,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Vessels, equipment, and other fixed assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $4,392 and $468,817, respectively

     363,845        970,522  

Construction in progress

     283        24,698  

Deferred costs and other assets

     4,307        5,713  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 471,955      $ 1,052,525  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY              

Current liabilities:

       

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ —        $ 483,326  

Accounts payable

     12,770        11,666  

Income and other taxes payable

     1,540        3,678  

Accrued personnel costs

     5,040        9,109  

Accrued interest expense

     451        8,163  

Accrued restructuring charges

     7,458        —    

Accrued professional fees

     1,825        5,791  

Other accrued liabilities

     3,406        3,514  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     32,490        525,247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     92,365        —    

Long-term income taxes:

       

Deferred income tax liabilities

     2,992        56,716  

Other income taxes payable

     18,374        17,768  

Other liabilities

     1,244        3,173  

Stockholders’ equity:

       

Successor:

       

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares issued

     —          —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 7,043 shares issued and 7,042 outstanding

     70        —    

Additional paid-in capital

     317,932        —    

Retained earnings

     3,511        —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     2,977        —    

Treasury stock

     (70      —    

Deferred compensation

     70        —    

Predecessor:

       

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; no shares issued

     —          —    

Class A Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000 shares authorized; 29,104 shares issued and 27,122 outstanding; Class B Common Stock $.01 par value; 60,000 shares authorized; no shares issued

     —          278  

Additional paid-in capital

     —          411,983  

Retained earnings

     —          241,207  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     —          (148,402

Treasury stock, at cost

     —          (64,580

Deferred compensation

     —          9,135  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     324,490        449,621  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 471,955      $ 1,052,525  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
    

Period

from

November 15,
2017

   

Period

from

January 1,
2017

             
     Through
December 31,
2017
    Through
November 14,
2017
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015  

Revenue

   $ 13,593     $ 88,229     $ 123,719     $ 274,806  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     9,859       69,821       83,165       169,837  

Drydock expenses

     —         5,432       4,662       15,387  

General and administrative expenses

     3,407       32,369       37,663       47,280  

Pre-petition restructuring charges

     1       17,861       —         —    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,425       47,721       58,182       72,591  

Impairment charges

     —         —         162,808       152,103  

Loss on sale of assets and other

     —         5,207       8,564       1,160  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     17,692       178,411       355,044       458,358  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (4,099     (90,182     (231,325     (183,552
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

          

Interest expense

     (1,343     (28,815     (33,486     (36,946

Interest income

     57       26       133       260  

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         —         35,912       458  

Reorganization items

     (969     (319,922     —         —    

Other financing costs

     —         —         (11,287     —    

Foreign currency loss and other

     (439     (270     (2,384     (1,088
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (2,694     (348,981     (11,112     (37,316
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (6,793     (439,163     (242,437     (220,868

Income tax benefit

     10,304       38,244       39,458       5,633  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,511     $ (400,919   $ (202,979   $ (215,235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.35     $ (15.47   $ (8.09   $ (8.70

Diluted

   $ 0.35     $ (15.47   $ (8.09   $ (8.70

Weighted average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     9,998       25,917       25,094       24,729  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     9,998       25,917       25,094       24,729  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

     Successor      Predecessor  
    

Period from

November 15

    

Period from

January 1

             
     Through
December 31,
2017
     Through
November 14,
2017
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015  
            (In thousands)        

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,511      $ (400,919   $ (202,979   $ (215,235

Comprehensive income:

           

Foreign currency and other gain (loss)

     2,977        29,301       (52,168     (65,569
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 6,488      $ (371,618   $ (255,147   $ (280,804
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

    Common
Stock at
$0.01
Par
Value
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
    Treasury Stock     Deferred
Compensation
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
    Shares     Share
Value
 

Predecessor

               

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 271     $ 410,641     $ 659,403     $ (30,665 )      (2,484   $ (78,441 )    $ 7,544     $ 968,753  

Net loss

    —         —         (215,235     —         —         —         —         (215,235

Issuance of common stock

    3       9,890       —         —         —         —         —         9,893  

Deferred compensation plan

    —         (3,242     —         —         (104     (1,176     1,176       (3,242

Treasury stock activity (net)

    —         —         —         —         45       3,695       —         3,695  

Forfeiture of dividends

    —         —         13       —         —         —         —         13  

Translation adjustment

    —         —         —         (65,569     —         —         —         (65,569
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

    274       417,289       444,181       (96,234     (2,543     (75,922     8,720       698,308  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    —         —         (202,979     —         —         —         —         (202,979

Issuance of common stock

    4       6,265       —         —         —         —         —         6,269  

Deferred compensation plan

    —         (11,571     —         —         (263     (415     415       (11,571

Treasury stock activity (net)

    —         —         —         —         220       11,757       —         11,757  

Dividends paid

    —         —         5       —         —         —         —         5  

Translation adjustment

    —         —         —         (52,168     —         —         —         (52,168
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

    278       411,983       241,207       (148,402     (2,586     (64,580     9,135       449,621  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    —         —         (400,919     —         —         —         —         (400,919

Issuance of common stock

    18       3,718       —         —         —         —         —         3,736  

Deferred compensation plan

    —         (29,685     —         —         (945     (193     193       (29,685

Treasury stock activity (net)

    —         —         —         —         842       29,892       —         29,892  

Stock compensation tax adjustment

    —         —         5,931       —         —         —         —         5,931  

Translation adjustment

    —         —         —         29,301       —         —         —         29,301  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at November 14, 2017
(Predecessor)

    296       386,016       (153,781     (119,101     (2,689     (34,881     9,328       87,877  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cancellation of Predecessor equity

    (296     (386,016     153,781       119,101       2,689       34,881       (9,328     (87,877
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at November 14, 2017
(Predecessor)

  $ —       $        $        $ —         —       $ —       $        $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Successor

               

Issuance of Successor common stock-

               

Rights offering

  $ 43     $ 124,936     $        $ —         —       $ —       $        $ 124,979  

Backstop commitment premium

    4       7,496       —         —         —         —         —         7,500  

Exchange of claims

    23       185,500       —         —         —         —         —         185,523  

Net income

    —         —         3,511       —         —         —         —         3,511  

Deferred compensation plan

    —         —         —         —         (2     (70     70       —    

Translation adjustment

    —         —         —         2,977       —         —         —         2,977  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

  $ 70     $ 317,932     $ 3,511     $ 2,977       (2   $ (70   $ 70     $ 324,490  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
    

Period from

November 15

   

Period from

January 1, 2017

             
     to
December 31,
2017
    to
November 14,
2017
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015  
           (In thousands)        

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,511     $ (400,919   $ (202,979   $ (215,235

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

          

Depreciation and amortization

     4,425       47,721       58,182       72,591  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     275       10,314       3,254       2,394  

Amortization of stock-based compensation

     —         2,805       5,209       6,735  

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable, net of write offs

     —         879       1,801       (862

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

     (9,658     66,004       (38,456     (3,784

Loss on sale of assets

     —         5,207       8,564       1,160  

Impairment charges

     —         —         162,808       152,103  

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         —         (35,912     (458

Other financing costs

     —         —         5,988       —    

Foreign currency (gain) loss

     392       (428     1,025       (160

Reorganization items, net

     —         188,286       —         —    

Change in operating assets and liabilities —

          

Accounts receivable

     (1,275     3,205       15,144       47,317  

Prepaids and other

     714       (3,229     1,677       214  

Accounts payable

     424       238       (593     (8,602

Other accrued liabilities and other

     (8,064     16,099       (9,051     (10,056
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (9,256     (63,818     (23,339     43,357  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Purchases of vessels, equipment and other fixed assets

     (141     (24,983     (16,188     (35,428

Release of deposits held in escrow

     —         —         —         3,683  

Proceeds from disposition of vessels, equipment and other fixed assets

     —         3,065       6,529       8,910  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (141     (21,918     (9,659     (22,835
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Proceeds from debt, net of direct financing cost

     —         227,443       —         —    

Repayments of debt

     —         (187,637     —         —    

Rights offering proceeds

     —         124,979       —         —    

Repuchase of 6.375% senior notes

     —         —         (33,448     (542

Repayment of revolving loan facility

     —         —         (5,000     (91,000

Borrowings under revolving loan facility, net

     —         —         65,194       47,000  

Debt issuance costs

     (862     (9,398     (971     (3,566

Other financing costs

     —         (4,299     (5,988     —    

Proceeds from issuance of stock

     —         —         380       827  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (862     151,088       20,167       (47,281
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (67     765       (286     (2,087
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (10,326     66,117       (13,117     (28,846

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     74,939       8,822       21,939       50,785  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 64,613     $ 74,939     $ 8,822     $ 21,939  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

          

Interest paid, net of interest capitalized

   $ 1     $ 7,514     $ 30,820     $ 29,834  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes paid, net

   $ —       $ 1,456     $ 2,124     $ 2,048  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


GULFMARK OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) own and operate offshore supply vessels, principally in the North Sea, offshore Southeast Asia and offshore the Americas. The vessels provide transportation of materials, supplies and personnel to and from offshore platforms and drilling rigs. Some of these vessels also perform anchor handling and towing services.

On May 17, 2017, GulfMark Offshore, Inc. filed a voluntary petition, or the Chapter 11 Case, under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code, or the Bankruptcy Code, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, or the Bankruptcy Court. On October 4, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order, or the Confirmation Order, approving the Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, as confirmed, or the Plan. On November 14, 2017, or the Effective Date, the Plan became effective pursuant to its terms and we emerged from the Chapter 11 Case. For a more detailed discussion of our bankruptcy proceedings and our emergence from bankruptcy, see Note 2.

On the Effective Date, we adopted and applied the relevant guidance with respect to the accounting and financial reporting for entities that have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings, or Fresh Start Accounting. Under Fresh Start Accounting, our balance sheet on the Effective Date reflects all of our assets and liabilities at their fair values. Our emergence and the adoption of Fresh Start Accounting resulted in a new reporting entity, or the Successor, for financial reporting purposes. To facilitate our discussion and analysis of our vessels, financial condition and results of operations herein, we refer to the reorganized company as the Successor for periods subsequent to November 14, 2017 and the Predecessor for periods prior to November 15, 2017. For a more detailed discussion, including the disclosure of our final Predecessor balance sheet as of November 14, 2017 and our beginning Successor balance sheet as of November 15, 2017, see Note 2.

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include significant estimates for allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, depreciable lives of vessels and equipment, income taxes and commitments and contingencies. While we believe current estimates are reasonable and appropriate, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our investments, consisting of U.S. Government securities and commercial paper with original maturities of up to three months, are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Vessels and Equipment

Vessels and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, which is provided by the straight-line method over their estimated useful life. At the date of emergence from bankruptcy, we adopted new accounting policies to reflect our change in estimates related to useful lives of our vessels and estimated salvage value of our vessels. The Successor is depreciating the cost of our vessels over 20 years to an estimated salvage value of five percent of original cost. The Predecessor depreciated the cost of our vessels over 25 years to an estimated salvage value of 15 percent of original cost. Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of vessels. The capitalized interest is included as part of the asset to which it relates and is depreciated over the asset’s estimated useful life. In the Successor 2017 period we did not capitalize any interest. In the Predecessor 2017 period we capitalized $0.1 million and in the Predecessor years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 we capitalized $2.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and vehicles are depreciated over two to five years.


We incur significant costs for each vessel every 30 months for scheduled drydocks which are required to maintain our vessels in class. At the date of emergence from bankruptcy, the Successor adopted an accounting policy whereby we capitalize drydock costs and amortize the expense over 30 months. The Predecessor expensed drydock costs as they were incurred.

Major renovation costs and modifications that extend the life or usefulness of the related assets are capitalized and depreciated over the assets’ estimated remaining useful lives. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Included in the consolidated statements of operations for the Successor 2017 period is $1.5 million of maintenance and repairs. In the Predecessor 2017 period and the Predecessor years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we recorded $9.0 million, $9.3 million and $19.3 million, respectively, of costs for maintenance and repairs.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever there is evidence that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. This review consists of comparing the carrying amount of the asset with its expected future undiscounted cash flows before tax and interest costs. If the asset’s carrying amount is less than such cash flow estimate, it is written down to its fair value on a discounted cash flow basis. Estimates of expected future cash flows represent management’s best estimate based on currently available information and reasonable and supportable assumptions. Any impairment recognized is permanent and may not be restored. See Note 3 for the results of our impairment analyses.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist primarily of accounts receivable and payable (which are stated at carrying value which approximates fair value) and long-term debt. Periodically, we enter into forward derivative contracts to hedge our exposure to interest rate or foreign currency fluctuations. In the past, we have had open positions in such derivative contracts that are considered financial instruments for which we would disclose certain fair value information. As of December 31, 2017 for the Successor and December 31, 2016 for the Predecessor, there were no forward derivative open contracts.

Deferred Costs and Other Assets

Deferred costs and other assets consist primarily of deferred financing costs for revolving credit arrangements, deferred vessel mobilization costs and deferred drydock costs. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the expected term of the related debt. Should the debt for which a deferred financing cost has been recorded terminate by means of payment in full, tender offer or lender termination, the associated deferred financing costs would be immediately expensed.

In connection with new long-term contracts, 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 either party terminate the contract prior to the end of the original contract term, the deferred amount would be immediately expensed. Costs of relocating vessels from one region to another without a contract are expensed as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from charters for offshore marine services is recognized as performed based on contractual charter rates and when collectability is reasonably assured. Currently, charter terms range from as short as several days to as long as 5 years in duration. Management services revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are performed.


Income Taxes

We recognize the amount of current year income taxes payable or refundable and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns previously filed. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates and laws in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The likelihood and amount of future taxable income and tax planning strategies are included in the criteria used to determine the timing and amount of net deferred tax assets recognized for net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards in our consolidated financial statements. These deferred tax assets are, when appropriate, reduced by a valuation allowance resulting in net deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized.

A significant amount of judgment in our use of assumptions and estimates is required in our methodology for determining and recording income taxes. In some instances we use forecasts of expected operations and related tax implications and we consider the possibility of implementing tax planning strategies. Such variables can result in uncertainty and measurable variation between anticipated and actual results can occur. Changes to these variables as a result of unforeseen events may have a material impact on our income tax accounts.

In recent years we have had operations in over 40 countries and are or have been subject to a significant number of taxing jurisdictions. Our income earned in these jurisdictions is taxed on various bases, including actual income earned, deemed profits, and revenue based withholding taxes. Our income tax determinations involve the interpretation of applicable tax laws, tax treaties, and related tax rules and regulations of those jurisdictions. Changes in tax law, currency/repatriation controls and interpretation of local tax laws by the relevant tax authority could impact our income tax liabilities or assets in those jurisdictions.

On December 22, 2017, the statute originally named the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the 2017 Tax Act, was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 as well as a one-time transition tax related to the U.S. taxation of foreign earnings and profits that had not been previously taxed in the U.S. We have estimated our provision for income taxes in accordance with the 2017 Tax Act guidance available as of the date of this report and as a result have recorded $15.2 million as additional income tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period in which the legislation was enacted.

On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, or SAB 118, was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act. In accordance with SAB 118, we have determined that the $15.2 million of the deferred tax benefit recorded in connection with the one-time transition tax on foreign earnings and profits and the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities are provisional amounts and represent a reasonable estimate at December 31, 2017. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to income tax expense in the quarter of 2018 when the analysis is complete.

In addition, we also account for uncertainty in income taxes by utilizing a more likely than not, or greater than 50% probability, minimum recognition threshold for measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that would be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. We recognize penalties and/or interest related to uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Numerous factors contribute to our evaluation and estimation of our tax positions and related tax liabilities and /or benefits, which may be adjusted periodically and may be resolved differently than we anticipate. See Note 7.

Foreign Currency Translation

The local currencies of the majority of our foreign operations have been determined to be their functional currencies, except for certain foreign operations whose functional currency has been determined to be the U.S. Dollar, based on an assessment of the economic circumstances of the foreign operations. Assets and liabilities of our foreign affiliates are translated at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. As a result, amounts related to changes in assets and liabilities reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree to changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheets. We consider most intercompany loans to be long-term


investments; accordingly, the related translation gains and losses are reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are reported directly in the consolidated statements of operations. In the Successor 2017 period, the Predecessor 2017 period and during the Predecessor years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 we reported net foreign currency losses in the amounts of $0.1 million, $0.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We extend credit to various companies in the energy industry that may be affected by changes in economic or other external conditions. Our policy is to manage our exposure to credit risk through credit approvals and limits. Our trade accounts receivable are aged based on contractual payment terms and an allowance for doubtful accounts is established in accordance with our written corporate policy. The age of the trade accounts receivable, customer collection history and management’s judgment as to the customer’s ability to pay are considered in determining whether an allowance is necessary. For the Successor period ended December 31, 2017, there were no significant write-offs or increases in our allowance for doubtful accounts and no customer accounted for 10% or more of the Successor’s total consolidated revenue. For the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017, the Predecessor reserved $1.0 million related to Southeast Asia and Americas customers and had revenue from one customer in the Americas which accounted for 10% or more of total consolidated revenue, totaling $9.0 million or 10.2% of total consolidated revenue. In 2016, the Predecessor reserved $1.8 million related to three Southeast Asia customers. For the year ended December 31, 2016, no customer accounted for 10% or more of the Predecessor’s total consolidated revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Predecessor had revenue from one customer in the North Sea and one customer in the Americas which each accounted for 10% or more of total consolidated revenue, totaling $32.4 million and $31.9 million, respectively, or 23.5% of total consolidated revenue.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Predecessor had share-based compensation plans covering officers and other employees as well as the Predecessor Board of Directors. Stock-based grants made under the Predecessor’s stock plans were recorded at fair value on the date of the grant and the cost was recognized ratably over the vesting period for the restricted stock and the stock options. The fair value of stock option awards was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Restricted stock awards were valued using the market price of the Predecessor’s Class A common stock on the grant date. Our stock-based compensation plans are more fully described in Note 9.

Our employee stock purchase plan would be considered compensatory whereby it allowed all of our U.S. employees and employees of participating subsidiaries to acquire shares of the Predecessor’s Class A common stock at 85% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock under a qualified plan as defined by Section 423 of the Code. The employee stock purchase plan was terminated in the first quarter of 2017.

Warrants

We account for common stock warrants as either equity instruments or derivative liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. The warrants to acquire shares of Successor common stock at an exercise price of $.01 per share, or the Noteholder Warrants, and the warrants to acquire shares of Successor common stock at an exercise price of $100.00 per share, or the Equity Warrants, both qualify for the scope exception in Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, No. 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” for derivative accounting and therefore qualify for classification as equity. The equity scope exception is subject to review in each subsequent reporting period.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share, or EPS, is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed using the treasury stock method for common stock equivalents. The Successor issued Noteholder Warrants to purchase common stock to certain of holders of the Predecessor’s long-term debt in the emergence from bankruptcy. The Noteholder


Warrants have an exercise price of $.01 per share and are immediately exercisable. As a result, the Noteholder Warrants are considered to be outstanding shares of common stock and are included in the denominator of both basic and diluted EPS. The Equity Warrants issued to the Predecessor’s stockholders are not participating securities and do not impact basic EPS prior to exercise.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of previously reported information have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the new standard is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for these goods or services. We have determined that the adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. We are adopting this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the retrospective option with practical expedients.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all leases on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The main difference between current accounting standards and ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of assets and liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current accounting standards. While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of these standards, we expect the measurement and recording of our revenues related to the offshore marine support and transportation services to remain substantially unchanged. However, the actual revenue recognition treatment required under the new standard may be dependent on contract-specific terms and may vary in some instances. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We intend to adopt the new lease standard on January 1, 2019.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The objective of the new standard is to eliminate diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments by adding or clarifying guidance on eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We are adopting this standard effective January 1, 2018.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This standard requires recognition of tax consequences in the period in which a transfer takes place, with the exception of inventory transfers. There will be an immediate effect on earnings if the tax rates in the tax jurisdictions of the selling entity and buying entity are different. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We are adopting this standard effective January 1, 2018.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash”. The ASU is intended to reduce diversity in the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows and requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included as components of total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We are adopting this standard January 1, 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business” to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. ASU 2017-01 is effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We are adopting this standard effective January 1, 2018.


(2) EMERGENCE FROM BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS AND FRESH START ACCOUNTING

On May 17, 2017, GulfMark Offshore, Inc. filed the Chapter 11 Case under the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court, and on October 4, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Confirmation Order approving the Plan. On the Effective Date, November 14, 2017, the Plan became effective pursuant to its terms and we emerged from the Chapter 11 Case.

Restructuring Support Agreement

On May 15, 2017, the Predecessor entered into a restructuring support agreement, or the RSA, with holders, or the Noteholders, of approximately 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Predecessor’s senior notes, to support a restructuring on the terms of the Plan. The RSA provided for, among other things, the Predecessor’s $125 million cash rights offering, or the Rights Offering. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, we implemented the provisions of the RSA in accordance with the Plan on the Effective Date as follows:

 

   

Pursuant to the Rights Offering (subject to Jones Act limitations described below), eligible Noteholders purchased their pro rata share of 60% of the common stock of the Successor, or as applicable, Noteholder Warrants, or the Successor Equity. The Rights Offering was backstopped by certain Noteholders for a 6.0% commitment premium that was paid with an additional 3.6% of the Successor Equity. The participants in the Rights Offering received 4,340,733 shares of common stock and 1,659,269 Noteholder Warrants. In addition, the Noteholders that agreed to backstop the Rights Offering received 360,000 shares of common stock.

 

   

Each holder of the Predecessor’s senior notes received (subject to Jones Act limitations described below) its pro rata share of 35.65% of the Successor Equity, or 2,267,408 shares of common stock and 1,297,590 Noteholder Warrants.

 

   

The Jones Act, which applies to companies that engage in coastwise trade, requires that, among other things, with respect to a publicly traded company, the aggregate ownership of common stock by non-U.S. citizens be not more than 25% of its outstanding common stock. On the Effective Date, certain Noteholders who were eligible to receive common stock of the Successor pursuant to the Plan or the Rights Offering but who were non-U.S. holders received Noteholder Warrants to acquire common stock of the Successor at an exercise price of $.01 per share.

 

   

Outstanding Class A common stock of the Predecessor was cancelled and each holder of such Class A common stock received its pro rata share of (a) common stock representing in the aggregate 0.75% of the Successor Equity, or 75,000 shares, and (b) Equity Warrants with an exercise price of $100 per share for 7.5% of the equity of the Successor, or 810,811 Equity Warrants.

 

   

The Successor Equity purchased in the Rights Offering, issued to pay the backstop premium, issued in exchange for the Predecessor’s senior notes or in exchange for Predecessor’s Class A common stock is subject to dilution by the Successor Equity issued or issuable under the proposed management incentive plan and upon exercise of the Equity Warrants.

 

   

The Predecessor repaid in full its debtor-in-possession financing. Holders of allowed claims arising under administrative expense claims, priority claims and other secured claims of the Predecessor have received or will receive payment in full in cash. The Successor will continue to pay any general unsecured claims in the ordinary course of business.

Fresh Start Accounting

We adopted Fresh Start Accounting on the Effective Date in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy. Upon emergence from the Chapter 11 Case, we qualified for and adopted Fresh Start Accounting in accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC No. 852, “Reorganizations” as (i) holders of existing shares of the Predecessor immediately before the Effective Date received less than 50 percent of the voting shares of the Successor entity and (ii) the reorganization value of the Successor was less than its post-petition liabilities and estimated allowed claims immediately before the Effective Date. Under Fresh Start Accounting, our balance sheet on the date of emergence reflects all of our assets and liabilities at their fair


values. Our emergence and the adoption of Fresh Start Accounting resulted in a new reporting entity, or the Successor, for financial reporting purposes. To facilitate our discussion and analysis of our vessels, financial condition and results of operations herein, we refer to the reorganized company as the Successor for periods subsequent to November 14, 2017 and the Predecessor for periods prior to November 15, 2017. In addition, we adopted new accounting policies related to drydock expenditures and depreciation of our long-lived assets. See Note 1. As a result, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto after November 14, 2017 are not comparable to our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto prior to November 15, 2017. Our presentations herein include a “black line” division to delineate and reinforce this lack of comparability. The effects of the Plan and the application of Fresh Start Accounting were reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of November 14, 2017, and the related adjustments thereto were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017.

Reorganization Value

As part of Fresh Start Accounting, we were required to determine the Reorganization Value of the Successor upon emergence from the Chapter 11 Case. Reorganization value represents the fair value of the Successor’s total assets prior to the consideration of liabilities and is intended to approximate the amount a willing buyer would pay for our assets immediately after a restructuring. The reorganization value, which was derived from the Successor’s enterprise value, was allocated to our individual assets based on their estimated fair values (except for deferred income taxes) in accordance with FASB ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations.” The amount of deferred income taxes recorded was determined in accordance with FASB ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes.”

Enterprise value represents the estimated fair value of our long-term debt and shareholders’ equity. The Successor’s enterprise value, as approved by the Bankruptcy Court in support of the Plan, was estimated to be within a range of $300 million to $400 million. Based on the estimates and assumptions utilized in our Fresh Start Accounting process, we estimated the Successor’s enterprise value to be approximately $336 million. Fair values are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, valuations, appraisals and financial projections will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.

The following table reconciles the enterprise value to the estimated fair value of our Successor common stock as of the Effective Date (in thousands, except shares outstanding):

 

Enterprise value

   $ 335,862  

Plus: Cash and cash equivalents

     74,939  

Less: Fair value of debt

     (92,799

Less: Fair value of warrants

     (88,228
  

 

 

 

Fair value of Successor common stock

   $ 229,774  

Shares outstanding as of November 14, 2017

     7,041,521  

The following table reconciles the enterprise value to the reorganization value of the Successor’s assets as of the Effective Date (in thousands):

 

Enterprise value

   $     335,862  

Plus: Cash and cash equivalents

     74,939  

Plus: Current liabilities

     36,138  

Plus: Non-current liabilities excluding long-term debt

     35,075  
  

 

 

 

Reorganization value

   $ 482,014  

Reorganization Items

Our consolidated statements of operations for the Successor period ended December 31, 2017 and the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017 include reorganization items which reflect gains recognized on the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise and costs and other expenses associated with the bankruptcy proceedings, principally professional fees as well as the Fresh Start Accounting adjustments. Similar costs that were incurred during the pre-petition periods have been reported as pre-petition restructuring charges in our consolidated statements of operations.


The following table summarizes the components included in reorganization items, in our consolidation statements of operations for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     November 15
Through
December 31,
2017
                   January 1
Through
November 14,
2017
 

Gains on the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise

   $ —                $ (342,969

Fresh start accounting adjustments

     —                  633,970  

Legal and professional fees and expenses

     969                28,921  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Total reduction in value of assets

   $ 969              $ 319,922  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Valuation Process

The fair values of the Successor’s assets were determined with the assistance of a third-party valuation expert. The reorganization value was allocated to our individual assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values. Our principal assets are our platform supply vessels. For purposes of estimating the fair value of our vessels we used a combination of the discounted cash flow method (income approach) that we discounted at rates ranging between 18% to 29%, the guideline public company method (market approach) and the cost approach. The income approach was utilized to estimate the fair value of vessels that generated positive returns on projected cash flows over the remaining economic useful life of the vessels. The market approach was used to estimate the fair value of vessels with projected cash flow losses. The fair value of our other personal property was determined utilizing cost approach adjusted, as needed, for asset type, age, physical deterioration and obsolescence.

The spare parts inventory were valued primarily using a combination of either (i) a cost approach that incorporated depreciation and obsolescence to the extent applicable on an asset-by-asset basis or (ii) market data for comparable assets to the extent that such information was available.

The remaining reorganization value is attributable to cash and cash equivalents and working capital assets including accounts receivable and prepaids. Accounts receivable were subjected to analysis on an individual basis and reserved to the extent appropriate. The remaining assets approximate their fair values on the Effective Date.

Liabilities on the Effective Date include borrowings under our Term Loan Facility, working capital liabilities, long-term deferred income tax, other long-term income taxes payable and other liabilities which are primarily multi-employer pension obligations. The fair value of borrowings under our Term Loan Facility was determined by reviewing the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility, analyzing the terms and comparing the interest rate to market rates. It was determined that the face value of the borrowings under our Term Loan Facility approximates fair value. See Note 5. Our working capital liabilities are obligations in the ordinary course of business and their carrying amounts approximate their fair values. The multi-employer pension obligations were valued at the present value of amounts expected to be paid. Other income taxes payable reflects amounts expected to be paid for income tax related penalties and interest as well as liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

The fair value of the Noteholder Warrants was determined utilizing the closing trading price of our common stock, subsequent to the Effective Date, less the $0.01 strike price. The fair value of the Equity Warrants was determined utilizing the Black Scholes Valuation model.

Although we believe the assumptions and estimates used to develop enterprise value and reorganization value are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the analysis and resulting conclusions. The assumptions used in estimating these values are inherently uncertain and require judgment.


Successor Balance Sheet

The following table reflects the reorganization and application of Fresh Start Accounting adjustments the Predecessor’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 14, 2017:

 

    Predecessor     Reorganization
Adjustments
  Fresh Start
Adjustments
    Successor  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 14,900     $ 60,039     (1)        $ 74,939  

Trade accounts receivable, net

    18,722               18,722  

Other accounts receivable

    7,638               7,638  

Inventory

    7,489           (6,189     (15)        1,300  

Prepaid expenses

    4,948       150     (2)          5,098  

Restricted cash

    3,460               3,460  

Other current assets

    1,880               1,880  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

    59,037       60,189         (6,189       113,037  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Vessels, equipment, and other fixed assets, net

    992,085           (626,429     (15)        365,656  

Construction in progress

    1,166           (1,026     (15)        140  

Deferred costs and other assets

    2,837       755     (3)      (411     (15)        3,181  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 1,055,125     $ 60,944       $ (634,055     $ 482,014  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            

Current liabilities:

           

Current maturities of long-term debt

  $ 118,066     $ (118,066   (4)        $ —    

Debtor in possession financing

    29,000       (29,000   (5)          —    

Accounts payable

    12,447       (196   (6)          12,251  

Income and other taxes payable

    2,155               2,155  

Accrued personnel costs

    12,015       (5,126   (7)          6,889  

Accrued interest expense

    1,503       (1,503   (8)          —    

Other accrued liabilities

    4,255       10,588     (9)          14,843  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    179,441       (143,303           36,138  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Long-term debt

      92,799     (10)          92,799  

Long-term income taxes:

           

Deferred income tax liabilities

    115,917           (102,239     (15)        13,678  

Other income taxes payable

    18,489               18,489  

Other liabilities

    3,469           (561     (15)        2,908  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities not subject to compromise

    317,316       (50,504       (102,800       164,012  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities subject to compromise

    448,124       (448,124   (11)          —    

Stockholders’ equity:

           

Common stock (Predecessor)

    296       (296   (12)          —    

Additional paid-in capital (Predecessor)

    386,016       (386,016   (12)          —    

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Predecessor)

    (119,101     119,101     (12)          —    

Treasury stock, at cost (Predecessor)

    (34,881     34,881     (12)          —    

Deferred compensation expense (Predecessor)

    9,328       (9,328   (12)          —    

Common stock (Successor)

    —         70     (13)          70  

Additional paid-in capital (Successor)

    —         317,932     (13)          317,932  

Retained earnings

    48,027       483,228     (14)      (531,255     (16)        —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

    289,685       559,572         (531,255       318,002  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 1,055,125     $ 60,944       $ (634,055     $ 482,014  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 


Reorganization adjustments

 

(1)

Represents the net cash payments that occurred on the Effective Date

 

Sources:

     

Proceeds from the Term Loan

   $ 100,000     

Proceeds from the Rights Offering

     124,979     
  

 

 

    

Total sources

      $ 224,979  

Uses:

     

Repayment of Multi Currency Facility Agreeement

   $ 72,000     

Accrued interest payable on Multi Currency Facility Agreement

     958     

Repayment of Norwegian Facility Agreement

     45,817     

Accrued interest payable on Norwegian Facility Agreement

     502     

Repayment of Debtor in Possession financing

     29,000     

Accrued interest payable on Debtor in Possession financing

     187     

Debt issuance costs on the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility

     6,706     

Professional and success fees paid on the Effective Date

     4,394     

Payment of certain allowed claims

     5,376     
  

 

 

    

Total uses

        164,940  
     

 

 

 
            $ 60,039  
     

 

 

 

 

(2)

Represents the capitalization of annual administration fee attributable to the $25 million Revolving Credit Facility and the $100 million Term Loan

(3)

Represents capitalization of debt issuance costs attributable to the $25 million Revolving Credit Facility

(4)

Represents repayment of Multi Currency Facility Agreement and Norwegian Facility Agreement

(5)

Represents repayment of Debtor in Possession financing

(6)

Represents payment of allowed claims

(7)

Represents payments of cash obligations under deferred compensation arrangements

(8)

Represents payments of interest payable on the Multi Currency Facility Agreement, the Norwegian Facility Agreement and the Debtor in Possession financing

(9)

Represents accrual for the remaining unpaid administrative expense claims

(10)

Represents initial borrowings under the Term Loan of $100 million, less debt issuance costs of $7.2 million

(11)

Liabilities subject to compromise and gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise are as follows:

 

Senior Notes

   $ 429,640  

Accrued interest on the Senior Notes

     18,484  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities subject to compromise

   $ 448,124  

Fair value of equity and warrants issued to Predecessor Noteholders

     (105,155
  

 

 

 

Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise

   $ 342,969  
  

 

 

 


(12)

Represents the cancellation of the Predecessor common stock and related components of the Predecessor equity

(13)

Represents the issuance of Successor equity. The Successor issued approximately 7 million shares of new common stock including approximately 6.9 million shares to the Predecessor Noteholders and 0.1 million shares to the holders of the Predecessor Stock. Also approximately 3 million Noteholder Warrants were issued upon emergence to the Predecessor Noteholders with an exercise price of $0.01 per share which were valued a $29.49 per share. Additionally, approximately 811,000 Equity Warrants were issued to the holders of Predecessor Stock with an exercise price of $100 per share. The value of each Equity Warrant was estimated at $1.27 per share

(14)

Represents the cumulative impact of the reorganization adjustments described above

Fresh Start Adjustments

 

(15)

Represents the Fresh Start Accounting valuation adjustments applied to our vessels and spare parts inventory of the Company, combined with the related tax effects resulting from reduction in the book basis of these assets

(16)

Represents the cumulative impact of the Fresh Start Accounting adjustments discussed above

(3) IMPAIRMENT CHARGES

Reduction in Value of Long-lived Assets and Goodwill

Our tangible long-lived assets consist primarily of vessels and construction-in-progress. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We assess potential impairment by comparing the carrying values of the long-lived assets to the undiscounted cash flows expected to be received from those assets. If impairment is indicated, we determine the amount of impairment expense by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets with their fair market value. We base our undiscounted cash flow estimates on, among other things, historical results adjusted to reflect the best estimate of future operating performance. We obtain estimates of fair value of our vessels from independent appraisal firms. Management’s assumptions are an inherent part of our asset impairment evaluation, and the use of different assumptions could produce results that differ from those reported.

Beginning in late 2014, the oil and gas industry experienced a significant decline in the price of oil causing an industry-wide downturn that continues into 2018. Prices continued to decline throughout 2015 and into 2016, reaching a low of less than $30 per barrel in early 2016. Prices began to recover over the remainder of 2016, stabilizing at over $40 per barrel for much of the second and third quarters of 2016 and further increasing to over $50 per barrel by year end. Prices are subject to significant uncertainty and continue to be volatile, declining again in early 2017 before recovering to over $60 per barrel in January 2018. The downturn of the last few years has significantly impacted the operational plans for oil companies, resulting in reduced expenditures for exploration and production activities, and consequently has adversely affected the drilling and support service sector. The decrease in day rates and utilization for offshore vessels has been significant. In addition, the independent appraisal firms have lowered the fair value estimates related to our vessels in each quarter since the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result of these factors, we have performed a number of reviews for impairment since the fourth quarter of 2014.

See the discussions below detailing our impairment analyses and processes for each of goodwill, long-lived assets, intangible assets, vessel components and assets held for sale. The components of reduction in value of assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Successor      Predecessor  
     November 15
Through
December 31,
2017
     January 1
Through
November 14,
2017
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2016      2015  

Goodwill impairment

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 22,554  

Long-lived assets impairment

     —          —          160,222        115,489  

Intangible asset impairment

     —          —          —          13,695  

Vessel component impairment

     —          —          2,586        365  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reduction in value of assets

   $ —        $ —        $ 162,808      $ 152,103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


Goodwill Impairment

We completed a qualitative analysis of goodwill of the Predecessor in 2015 and determined that further testing was necessary. Our goodwill impairment evaluation indicated that the carrying value of the North Sea segment exceeded its fair value so that goodwill was potentially impaired. We then performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which involved calculating the implied fair value of our goodwill by allocating the fair value of the North Sea segment to all of the assets and liabilities (other than goodwill) and comparing it to the carrying amount of goodwill. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit we used a 50% weighting of the discounted cash flow method and a 50% weighting of the public company guideline method in determining fair value of the North Sea reporting unit.

We determined that the implied fair value of our goodwill for the North Sea segment was less than its carrying value and recorded a $22.6 million impairment of the North Sea segment’s goodwill. As a result of this impairment, we no longer have any goodwill.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

In the Predecessor 2015 period, we recorded $129.2 million of impairment expense related to our long-lived assets in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which is a part of our Americas segment. The impairment consisted of $115.5 million related to our vessels and $13.7 million related to our intangible asset. As a result of this impairment, we no longer have an intangible asset.

In the Predecessor 2016 period, we recorded an aggregate of $160.2 million of impairment expense related to our long-lived assets. Impairment charges totaled $94.5 million for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and $15.9 million for the non-U.S. Americas, both part of the Americas segment. We also recorded impairment in Southeast Asia totaling $49.8 million.

Vessel Component Impairment

We have vessel components in our North Sea and Southeast Asia segments that we intend to sell. We recorded impairment based on third party appraisals of the North Sea components totaling $0.4 million in the Predecessor 2015 period. Based on third party valuations, we recorded impairment expense related to these assets totaling $2.6 million, consisting of $2.0 million in the North Sea and $0.6 million in Southeast Asia, in the Predecessor 2016 period.

(4) VESSEL ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSITIONS AND NEW-BUILD PROGRAM

During 2016, the Predecessor sold one older vessel from our North Sea region fleet and three vessels from our Southeast Asia fleet for combined proceeds of $6.5 million. The sales of these vessels generated a combined loss on sales of assets of $8.6 million. In March 2017, the Predecessor sold two fast supply vessels and recorded combined losses on sales of assets of $5.3 million.


At December 31, 2015, we had two vessels under construction in the U.S. that were significantly delayed. In March 2016, we resolved certain matters under dispute with the shipbuilder and reset the contract schedules so that we would take delivery of the first vessel in mid-2016 and the second vessel in mid-2017, at which time a final payment of $26.0 million would be due. We took delivery of the first of these vessels during the second quarter of 2016. Under the settlement, we could elect not to take delivery of the second vessel and forego the final payment, in which case the shipbuilder would retain the vessel. In May 2017, we elected not to take the vessel. We have no further purchase obligations under such contract.

We had a vessel under construction in Norway that was scheduled to be completed and delivered during the first quarter of 2016; however, in the fourth quarter of 2015 we amended our contract with the shipbuilder to delay delivery of the vessel until January 2017. Concurrently, in order to delay the payment of a substantial portion of the construction costs, we agreed to pay monthly installments through May 2016 totaling 92.2 million NOK (or approximately $11.0 million) and to pay a final installment on delivery in January 2017 of 195.0 million NOK (or approximately $23.3 million at delivery). We paid such final installment and took delivery of this vessel in January 2017.

 

Vessel Additions Since December 31, 2016

 

Vessel

   Region      Type(1)      Year
Built
     Length
(feet)
     BHP(2)      DWT(3)      Month
Delivered
 

North Barents

     N. Sea        LgPSV        2017        304        11,935        4,700        Jan-17  

Vessels Disposed of Since December 31, 2016

 

Vessel

   Region      Type(1)      Year
Built
     Length
(feet)
     BHP(2)      DWT(3)      Month
Disposed
 

Mako

     Americas        FSV        2008        181        7,200        552        Mar-17  

Tiger

     Americas        FSV        2009        181        7,200        552        Mar-17  

 

(1)

LgPSV - Large Platform Supply Vessel, SpV - Special Purpose Vessel, SmAHTS - Small Anchor Handling Vessel

(2) 

BHP - Brake Horsepower

(3) 

DWT - Deadweight Tons

(5) LONG-TERM DEBT

Our long-term debt at December 31, 2017 for the Successor, and December 31, 2016 for the Predecessor, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Successor
December 31,
2017
                   Predecessor
December 31,
2016
 

Term Loan Facility

   $ 100,000              $ —    

Revolving Credit Facility

     —                  —    

Senior Notes Due 2022

     —                  429,640  

Multicurrency Facility Agreement

     —                  49,000  

Norwegian Facility Agreement

     —                  11,157  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 
     100,000                489,797  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Debt Premium

     —                  423  

Debt Issuance Costs

     (7,635              (6,894
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Total

   $ 92,365              $ 483,326  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

`


The following is a summary of scheduled debt maturities by year:

 

Year

   Debt Maturity  
     (In thousands)  

2018

     —    

2019

     —    

2020

     10,000  

2021

     20,000  

2022

     70,000  

Thereafter

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 100,000  
  

 

 

 

Credit Facility Agreement

On November 14, 2017, GulfMark Rederi AS, or Rederi, a subsidiary of GulfMark Offshore, Inc., entered into an agreement, or the Credit Facility Agreement, with DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch, as agent, DNB Capital LLC as revolving and swingline lender, and certain funds managed by Hayfin Capital Management LLP as term lenders, providing for two credit facilities: a senior secured revolving credit facility, or the Revolving Credit Facility, and a senior secured term loan facility, or the Term Loan Facility (or, together, the Facilities). The Revolving Credit Facility provides $25.0 million of borrowing capacity, including $12.5 million for swingline loans and $5.0 million for letter of credit. The Term Loan Facility provides a $100.0 million term loan, which was funded in full on the November 14, 2017. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be denominated in U.S. Dollars, NOK, GBP and Euros. Both Facilities mature on November 14, 2022. At December 31, 2017, we had $23.3 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Our costs incurred to negotiate and close the Credit Facility Agreement totaled $9.6 million. These costs are deferred and amortized into interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations. We attributed $7.8 million, or 80%, of the debt issuance costs to the Term Loan Facility. These costs are amortized into interest expense using the effective interest method. The unamortized cost totaling $7.6 million at December 31, 2017, is presented in our consolidated balance sheets as an offset to our Term Loan Facility borrowing. We attributed $1.8 million, or 20%, of the debt issuance costs to the Revolving Credit Facility. These costs are amortized into interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the agreement. The unamortized cost totaling $1.7 million at December 31, 2017, is presented in our consolidated balance sheets in deferred costs and other assets.

Borrowings under the Facilities accrue interest on U.S. Dollar borrowings at our option using either (i) the adjusted U.S. prime rate, or ABR, plus 5.25%, or (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus 6.25%. NOK loans substitute LIBOR with an adjusted Norwegian offered quotation rate for deposits in NOK and Euro loans substitute LIBOR with an adjusted euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute.

At December 31, 2017, we had $100.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan Facility and no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2017, we had $25.0 million of borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2017, our weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Term Loan Facility was 7.8%.

Repayment of borrowings under the Facilities is guaranteed by GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and each of its significant subsidiaries (or, collectively, with Rederi, the Obligors), and are secured by a lien on 27 collateral vessels, or the Collateral Vessels, and substantially all other assets of the Obligors.

Commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility will be reduced beginning on November 14, 2020 in semiannual increments of approximately $3.1 million until maturity. The Term Loan Facility is payable in semiannual installments beginning on November 14, 2020 and based on a five-year level principal payment schedule, payable semiannually.

Term Loan Facility prepayments prior to November 14, 2019 are subject to a make-whole premium based on the present value of interest otherwise payable from the prepayment date forward. Prepayments on or after November 14, 2019 and prior to November 14, 2020 are subject to a 2% premium. Mandatory prepayments, other than those triggered by a casualty event, are subject to prepayment premiums. Mandatory prepayments are required upon the occurrence of certain events including, but not limited to, a change of control or the sale or total loss of a Collateral Vessel. Prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility are not materially restricted or penalized.


The Credit Facility Agreement was evaluated for embedded derivatives that must be bifurcated and separately accounted for as freestanding derivatives. The nature of any embedded features must be analyzed to determine whether each feature requires bifurcation by both (1) meeting the definition of a derivative and (2) not being considered clearly and closely related to the host contract. We have identified three features in the Credit Facility Agreement that are considered embedded derivatives. There is a contingent interest feature related to default interest, a breakage costs potential not related to prepayments, and certain potential contingent payments related to increased costs caused by changes in law. We determined that the value of these features are de minimis at the inception of the agreement and that we do not foresee events that would require a value adjustment in our consolidated financial statements. We will continue to assess the likelihood of triggering events and to the extent they are determined to be material, these features will be bifurcated from the debt instrument and subsequently marked to fair value through earnings.

The Credit Facility Agreement contains financial covenants that require that we maintain: (i) minimum liquidity of $30.0 million, including $15.0 million in cash, (ii) a leverage ratio (total debt to 12 months EBITDA) of not more than 5.0 to 1.0, tested quarterly beginning December 31, 2020, (iii) a total debt to capital ratio, tested quarterly, not to exceed 0.45 to 1.0, and (iv) a collateral to commitment coverage ratio of at least 2.50 to 1.0. The Credit Facility Agreement contains a number of restrictions that limit our ability to, among other things, sell Collateral Vessels, borrow money, make investments, incur additional liens on assets, buy or sell assets, merge, or pay dividends and contain a number of potential events of default related to our business, financial condition and vessel operations. Collateral Vessel operations are also subject to a variety of restrictive provisions. Proceeds from borrowings under the Credit Facility Agreement may not be used to acquire vessels or finance business acquisitions generally. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Credit Facility Agreement.

Predecessor’s Senior Notes Due 2022

In March and December 2012, the Predecessor issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2022, or the Senior Notes. In 2015 and 2016, the Predecessor repurchased in the open market $70.4 million face value of the Senior Notes, recording gains on extinguishment of debt totaling $35.9 million in 2016, leaving $429.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding at December 31, 2016.

In conjunction with the Senior Notes offering, the Predecessor incurred a total of $12.7 million in debt issuance costs, of which $6.9 million remained unamortized at December 31, 2016. The Predecessor also sold the Senior Notes at a premium, of which $0.4 million remained unamortized at December 31, 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, based on negotiations that were underway with holders of the Predecessor’s Senior Notes, it became evident that the restructuring of our capital structure would not include a restructuring of the Senior Notes, and that the Senior Notes, as demand obligations, would not be repaid under the terms of the Senior Note indentures in the ordinary course of business. As a result, the Predecessor accelerated the amortization of the debt premium and debt issuance costs, recording additional interest expense of $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2017.

In accordance with the Plan and the RSA (see Note 2 for detailed discussion of the bankruptcy and emergence), upon emergence from bankruptcy each holder of the Predecessor’s Senior Notes received (subject to Jones Act limitations described herein) in exchange for its Senior Notes and accrued interest, its pro rata share of 35.65% of the Successor Equity. The Jones Act, which applies to companies that engage in coastwise trade, requires that, among other things, with respect to a publicly traded company, the aggregate ownership of common stock by non-U.S. citizens be not more than 25% of its outstanding common stock. On the Effective Date, certain Noteholders who were eligible to receive common stock of the Successor pursuant to the Plan or the Rights Offering but who are non-U.S. holders received Noteholder Warrants to acquire common stock of the Successor at an exercise price of $.01 per share. In total, the Successor issued 2,267,408 shares of its common stock and 1,297,590 Noteholder Warrants to the Predecessor’s former Noteholders in exchange for 100% of the outstanding Senior Notes and accrued interest. The Predecessor recorded a $343.0 million gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise as a result of the exchange.

Predecessor’s Multicurrency Facility Agreement

The Predecessor was party to a senior secured, revolving multicurrency credit facility, or the Multicurrency Facility Agreement, among GulfMark Offshore, Inc., as guarantor, one of the Predecessor’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, GulfMark Americas, Inc., as the Borrower, a group of financial institutions as the lenders and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as agent for the lenders, and the other parties thereto. The Multicurrency Facility Agreement had a scheduled maturity date of September 26, 2019 and, as amended, committed the lenders to provide revolving loans of up to $100.0 million at any one time outstanding, subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Multicurrency Facility Agreement, and contained a sublimit of $25.0 million for swingline loans and a sublimit of $5.0 million for the issuance of letters of credit. The Multicurrency Facility Agreement was secured by 24 vessels owned by the Borrower.


The Predecessor had unamortized fees paid to the arrangers, the agent and the security trustee totaling $2.5 million at December 31, 2016, which fees were amortized into interest cost on a straight-line basis over the term of the Multicurrency Facility Agreement. In the first quarter of 2017, based on negotiations that were underway with the lenders, it became evident that the restructuring of our capital structure would not include a restructuring of the Multicurrency Facility Agreement, and that the Multicurrency Facility Agreement, as a demand obligation, would not be repaid under the terms of the Multicurrency Facility Agreement in the ordinary course of business. As a result, the Predecessor accelerated the amortization of debt issuance costs, recording additional interest expense of $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2017.

On November 14, 2017, in conjunction with the emergence from bankruptcy, the Predecessor repaid all amounts outstanding under the Multicurrency Facility Agreement, including accrued interest, and terminated the agreement.

Predecessor’s Norwegian Facility Agreement

The Predecessor was party to a senior secured revolving credit facility, or the Norwegian Facility Agreement, among GulfMark Offshore, Inc., as guarantor, one of the Predecessor’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rederi, as the borrower, which we refer to as the Norwegian Borrower, and DNB Bank ASA, a Norwegian bank, as lead arranger and lender, which we refer to as the Norwegian Lender. The Norwegian Facility Agreement had a scheduled maturity date of September 30, 2019 and committed the Norwegian Lender to provide loans of up to an aggregate principal amount of 600.0 million NOK (or approximately $73.1 million using the 2017 year end rate) at any one time outstanding, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Norwegian Facility Agreement was secured by seven vessels owned by our subsidiary GulfMark UK Ltd. and by five vessels of the Norwegian Borrower.

The Predecessor had unamortized fees paid to the arrangers, the agent and the security trustee totaling $1.2 million at December 31, 2016, which fees were amortized into interest cost on a straight-line basis over the term of the Norwegian Facility Agreement. In the first quarter of 2017, based on negotiations that were underway with the lenders, it became evident that the restructuring of our capital structure would not include a restructuring of the Norwegian Facility Agreement, and that the Norwegian Facility Agreement, as a demand obligation, would not be repaid under the terms of the Norwegian Facility Agreement in the ordinary course of business. As a result, the Predecessor accelerated the amortization of debt issuance costs, recording additional interest expense of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2017.

On May 18, 2017, Rederi, as borrower, the other loan parties party thereto, the lenders and DNB Bank ASA, as arranger and agent, entered into an agreement that amended and restated the Norwegian Facility Agreement in order to provide funds to Rederi for purposes of making loans to GulfMark Offshore, Inc., as debtor, under the intercompany debtor-in-possession credit agreement among the debtor, as borrower, Rederi, as lender, and DNB Bank ASA, as issuing bank. Pursuant to the Norwegian Facility Agreement as so amended and restated, the Norwegian Lender agreed to make an additional $35.0 million senior secured term loan facility available to Rederi. To secure such term loan facility, Rederi, a wholly owned subsidiary of GulfMark Norge AS, or the Norwegian Parent, and GulfMark UK Ltd., or the UK Guarantor, a wholly owned subsidiary of GulfMark North Sea Limited, or the UK Parent, agreed to place mortgages in favor of the Norwegian Lender on certain additional, previously unencumbered vessels owned by Rederi and certain of our other subsidiaries. In addition, the UK Parent and the Norwegian Parent pledged their shares in the UK Guarantor and Rederi, respectively, to the Norwegian Lender.

On November 14, 2017, in conjunction with the emergence from bankruptcy, the Predecessor repaid all amounts outstanding under the Norwegian Facility Agreement, including amounts borrowed to support such intercompany debtor-in-possession credit agreement, including accrued interest, and terminated the agreement.

(7) INCOME TAXES

Emergence from Bankruptcy and Fresh Start Accounting

Under the Plan, the Predecessor’s pre-petition equity, bank related debt and certain other obligations were cancelled and extinguished. Absent an exception, a debtor recognizes cancellation of debt income, or CODI, upon discharge of its outstanding indebtedness for an amount of consideration that is less than its adjusted issue price. In accordance with Section 108 of the Code, the Predecessor excluded the amount of discharged indebtedness from


taxable income since the Code provides that a debtor in a bankruptcy case may exclude CODI from income but must reduce certain tax attributes by the amount of CODI realized as a result of the consummation of a plan of reorganization. The amount of CODI realized by a taxpayer is the adjusted issue price of any indebtedness discharged less than the sum of (i) the amount of cash paid, (ii) the issue price of any new indebtedness issued, and (iii) the fair market value the of any other consideration, including equity, issued.

CODI from the discharge of indebtedness was $297.3 million. As a result of the CODI and in accordance with rules under the Code, we reduced our gross federal net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards by $229.3 million. The Predecessor was able to retain $48.1 million of gross federal NOLs, $0.3 million of alternative minimum tax credit and $4.1 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards following the bankruptcy.

Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, the existing equity interests of the Predecessor were extinguished. New equity interests were issued to creditors in connection with the terms of the Plan, resulting in an ownership change as defined under Section 382 of the Code. Section 382 generally places a limit on the amount of NOLs and other tax attributes arising before the change that may be used to offset taxable income generated after the ownership change. The utilization of our remaining attributes will depend on several factors, including its future financial performance and certain tax elections. Specifically, utilization of NOLs will be governed by Section 382(l)(6), which will subject us to an overall annual limitation on its use of NOLs and foreign tax credits. This Section 382 limitation is not expected at this time to significantly impact our ability to realize these attributes.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities, projected future results of operations, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the scheduled reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities relating to the U.S. based Vessels, management has concluded that a partial valuation allowance was appropriate as of December 31, 2017.

The 2017 Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to recognize a one-time transition income inclusion related to all earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously deferred from U.S. tax and will also create a new tax regime on certain future foreign sourced earnings. As of December 31, 2017, we have not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the 2017 Tax Act; however, in certain cases, as described below, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition income inclusion. In other cases, we have not been able to make a reasonable estimate and continue to account for those items based on our existing accounting under FASB ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes,” and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment. For the items for which we were able to determine a reasonable estimate, we recognized a provisional income tax benefit of $15.2 million, which is included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. In all cases, we will continue to make and refine our calculations as additional analysis is completed. In addition, our estimates may also be affected as we gain a more thorough understanding of the tax law.

Provisional Amounts

Deferred tax assets and liabilities: We remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21%. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the 2017 Tax Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. The provisional tax benefit recorded related to the remeasurement of our deferred tax liabilities was $1.5 million.


Foreign Tax Effects

The one-time transition tax is based on our total post-1986 earnings and profits, or E&P, that we had previously recognized at 35%, net of future foreign tax credits. The one-time transition tax was fully offset by the tax effects of tax carryforwards and thus did not have a material impact to the income tax provision. We have not yet completed our calculation of the total post-1986 E&P for these foreign subsidiaries. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. This amount may change when we finalize the calculation of post-1986 foreign E&P previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation and finalize the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. No additional income taxes have been provided for any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax, or any additional outside basis difference inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining undistributed foreign earnings not subject to the transition tax and additional outside basis difference in these entities (i.e., basis difference in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable.

In addition, we had provided deferred tax liabilities in the past on foreign earnings that were not indefinitely reinvested. As a result of the 2017 Tax Act, we reversed an estimate of the deferred taxes that are no longer expected to be needed due to the change to the territorial tax system. The provisional tax benefit recorded related to the reversal of previously recognized deferred tax liabilities relating to existing undistributed earnings was $15.2 million.

The majority of our non-U.S. based operations are subject to foreign tax systems that provide significant incentives to qualified shipping activities. Our U.K. and Norway based vessels are taxed under “tonnage tax” regimes. Our qualified Singapore based vessels are exempt from Singapore taxation through December 2027 with extensions available in certain circumstances beyond 2027. The qualified Singapore vessels are also subject to specific qualification requirements which if not met could jeopardize our qualified status in Singapore. The tonnage tax regimes provide for a tax based on the net tonnage weight of a qualified vessel. These beneficial foreign tax structures continued to result in our earnings incurring significantly lower taxes than those that would apply under the U.S. statutory tax rates or if we were not a qualified shipping company in those foreign jurisdictions.

Should our operational structure change or should the laws that created these shipping tax regimes change, we could be required to provide for taxes at rates much higher than those currently reflected in our financial statements. Additionally, if our pre-tax earnings in higher tax jurisdictions increase, there could be a significant increase in our annual effective tax rate. Any such increase could cause volatility in the comparisons of our effective tax rate from period to period.

Tax Provision

Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to domestic and foreign operations was (in thousands):

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     Period from
November 15,
2017
Through

December 31,
2017
                   Period from
January 1,
2017

Through
November 14,
2017
     Year ended
December 31,
2016
     Year ended
December 31,
2015
 

U.S. (a)

   $ (3,688            $ 4,835      $ (133,572    $ (198,175

Foreign (b)

     (3,105              (443,998      (108,865      (22,693
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (6,793            $ (439,163    $ (242,437    $ (220,868
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) - Included in this amount is $228.9 million of adjustments to domestic assets and liabilities as a result of the application of the guidance in ASC 805

(b) - Included in this amount is $405.1 million of adjustments to foreign assets and liabilities as a result of the application of the guidance in ASC 805


The components of our tax provision (benefit) attributable to income before income taxes are as follows for the following periods (in thousands):

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from November 15, 2017 Through
December 31, 2017
    Period from January 1, 2017 Through
November 14, 2017
 
     Current      Deferred     Other     Total     Current      Deferred     Other (a)     Total  

U.S & State

   $ —        $ (10,381   $ —       $ (10,381   $ 3      $ 64,485     $ (101,784   $ (37,296

Foreign

     357        (75     (205     77       1,058        (998     (1,008     (948
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 357      $ (10,456   $ (205   $ (10,304   $ 1,061      $ 63,487     $ (102,792   $ (38,244
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Predecessor  
     Year Ended December 31, 2016     Year Ended December 31, 2015  
     Current      Deferred     Other     Total     Current     Deferred     Other     Total  

U.S & State

   $ —        $ (36,442   $ (6   $ (36,448   $ (69   $ (3,270   $ 39     $ (3,300

Foreign

     1,419        (2,014     (2,415     (3,010     1,130       (553     (2,910     (2,333
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,419      $ (38,456   $ (2,421   $ (39,458   $ 1,061     $ (3,823   $ (2,871   $ (5,633
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes income tax effects of Fresh Start Accounting adjustments.

The mix of our operations within various taxing jurisdictions affects our overall tax provision. The difference between the provision at the statutory U.S. federal tax rate and the tax provision attributable to income before income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations is as follows:

 

     Successor                   Predecessor  
     For the
Period

from
November 15,
2017

Through
December 31,
2017
                  For the
Period

from
January 1,
2017

Through
November 14,
2017
    For the
Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
    For the
Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
 

U.S. federal statutory income tax rate

     (35.0 %)              (35.0 %)      (35.0 %)      (35.0 %) 

Effect of foreign operations

     16.0               3.1       14.5       2.5  

US state income taxes net of Federal benefit

     14.5               (0.1     (1.1     (1.7

Foreign earnings repatriation

     —                 (3.1     6.7       34.4  

U.S. foreign tax credit

     —                 (1.0     (2.7     (7.8

Valuation allowance

     76.5               21.7       1.8       5.1  

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —                 (27.3     —         —    

Fresh-Start Reporting Adjustments

     —                 27.1       —         —    

Transaction Costs

     —                 2.8       —         —    

Effects of U.S. Tax Reform

     (224.1             —         —         —    

Other

     0.4               2.9       (0.5     (0.1
  

 

 

           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (151.7 %)              (8.7 %)      (16.3 %)      (2.6 %) 
  

 

 

           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


Deferred Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. The components of the net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     December 31,  
     2017                    2016  
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets

             

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 28,638              $ 60,772  

Items currently not deductible for tax purposes

     3,071                21,445  

Foreign and other tax credit carryforwards

     4,822                34,131  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 
     36,531                116,348  

Less valuation allowance

     (29,051              (33,037
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 7,480              $ 83,311  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 
             

Deferred tax liabilities

             

Depreciation

   $ (6,343            $ (91,105

Other

     (4,129              (48,922
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ (10,472            $ (140,027
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

   $ (2,992            $ (56,716
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

The change in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2017 from December 31, 2016 was a decrease of $4.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, we had NOL carryforwards for income tax purposes totaling $8.1 million in the federal U.S., $6.2 million in Louisiana, $2.6 million in Mexico, $3.0 million in Norway, $0.2 million in the U.K., $0.2 million in Singapore, and $8.3 million in Brazil that are, subject to certain limitations, available to offset future taxable income. We have deferred tax liability reversals for depreciation for which we expect to partially utilize the U.S. NOLs. The U.S. NOLs will begin to expire beginning in 2027. It is more likely than not that the Mexico NOLs, Norway NOLs and Brazilian NOLs will not be utilized and a full valuation allowance has been established for such NOLs. Under the 2017 Tax Act, many of the foreign tax credit utilization rules were changed that required us to reassess the realizability of our foreign tax credit deferred tax asset. After review, it was determined that under the new U.S. foreign tax credit rules we would not ultimately realize the full benefit associated with our foreign tax credits at December 31, 2017. Accordingly, we recognized a provisional estimate of a valuation allowance related to our foreign tax credits in the amount of $4.1 million. Based on future expected taxable losses in Mexico, we do not anticipate we will benefit from certain deferred tax assets and have recorded a valauation allowance of $1.6 million against them. The following table provides information about the activity of our deferred tax valuation allowance:

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     December 31,  
     2017                    2016  
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)  
             

Balance, beginning of period

   $ (33,037            $ (24,112

Additions (reductions) recorded in the provision for income taxes

     (89,399              (8,925

Fresh-Start Reporting (a)

     93,385                —    
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ (29,051            $ (33,037
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents release of the valuation allowance in fresh-start reporting due to the write-off of related deferred tax assets primarily as a result of cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income excluded from gross from gross income for US federal income tax purposes and applied to reduce net operating loss carryforwards.

Based on a more likely than not, or greater than 50% probability, recognition threshold and criteria for measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, we evaluate and record in certain circumstances an income tax liability for uncertain income tax positions.


Numerous factors contribute to our evaluation and estimation of our tax positions and related tax liabilities and/or benefits, which may be adjusted periodically and may ultimately be resolved differently than we anticipate. We also consider existing accounting guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Accordingly, we continue to recognize income tax related penalties and interest in our provision for income taxes and, to the extent applicable, in the corresponding balance sheet presentations for accrued income tax assets and liabilities, including any amounts for uncertain tax positions included in other income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets and which total $21.7 million at December 31, 2017, $21.1 million at December 31, 2016 and $24.7 million at December 31, 2015. In addition, the deferred tax asset was reduced by a $3.3 million unrecognized tax benefit for an uncertain tax position.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     As of
December 31,

2017
                   As of
December 31,

2016
 
     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)  

Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1,

   $ 9,174              $ 10,899  

Gross increases for tax positions taken in prior years

     135                240  

Gross decreases for tax positions taken in prior years

     (565              (152

Other

     469                (1,813
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31,

   $ 9,213              $ 9,174  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2017, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of $12.5 million. The amount of interest and penalties recognized in our tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $0.6 million. The unrecognized tax benefits if recognized would affect the effective tax rate. We do not expect a significant change to our unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

As of December 31, 2017, we may be subject to examination in the U.S. for years after 2002 and in seven major foreign tax jurisdictions with open years from 2002 to 2016.

(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At December 31, 2017, we had long-term operating leases for office space, automobiles, temporary residences, and office equipment. Aggregate operating lease expense for the Successor period ended December 31, 2017, the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017 and the Predecessor years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0.3 million, $2.0 million, $2.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under these leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

   Minimum
Rental

Commitments
 

2018

   $ 1,243  

2019

     1,122  

2020

     994  

2021

     984  

2022

     984  

Thereafter

     4,074  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 9,401  
  

 

 

 


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 as of December 31, 2017 attributable to the Successor was $3.2 million. The aggregate notional value of these instruments attributable to the Predecessor was $3.2 million at November 14, 2017, $1.2 million at December 31, 2016 and $1.8 million at December 31, 2015. In the past, no significant claims have been made against these financial instruments. We believe the likelihood of demand for payment under these instruments is remote and expect no material cash outlays to occur from these instruments.

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. We intend to defend these matters vigorously; however, litigation is inherently unpredictable, and the ultimate outcome or effect of such lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. As a result, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could cause us to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operations resources. 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 will be impacted by the difference, if any, 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. We determine our contingent liabilities based on the most recent information available to us at the time of such determination regarding the nature of the exposure. Such exposures may change from period to period based upon updated relevant facts and circumstances, which can cause the estimates to change. In the recent past, our estimates for contingent liabilities have been sufficient to cover the actual amount of our exposure. We do not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

(9) EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Stock Option Plans

On the Effective Date, and in accordance with the Plan, we reserved 876,553 shares of Successor common stock for issuance under a management incentive plan. The Board has not yet approved a management incentive plan and no shares had been granted as of December 31, 2017.

In the Predecessor periods of 2017, 2016 and 2015, we had outstanding equity-classified awards in the form of stock options and restricted stock under three former Equity Incentive Plans, or the Former Equity Plans. All awards under the Former Equity Plans that had not been forfeited were deemed to vest on a date prior to the Effective Date in connection with the Plan. Predecessor Class A common stock underlying such awards were cancelled on the Effective Date and the holders of such interests received their pro rata share of Successor common stock and Equity Warrants.

A summary of the unvested restricted stock awarded pursuant to our Predecessor incentive equity plans as of December 31, 2016 and changes during 2017 is presented below:

Predecessor stock options granted to purchase our shares had an exercise price equal to, or greater than, the fair market value of the Predecessor’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. These stock options vested over three years from the date of grant and terminated at the earlier of the date of exercise or seven years from the date of grant. The fair value of stock option awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The


expected life of an option is estimated based on historical exercise behavior. Volatility assumptions are estimated based on the average of historical volatility over the previous three years measured from the grant date. Risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. Government Zero Coupon Bonds with a maturity corresponding to the Safe Harbor term. The dividend yield is based on the previous four quarters to the date of grant divided by the average stock price for the previous 200 days. Expected forfeiture rates are estimated based on historical forfeiture experience. We used the following weighted-average assumptions to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during 2015. The Predecessor did not grant any options in 2017 or 2016.

 

     2015  

Expected option life - years

     4.5  

Volatility

     41.05

Risk-free interest rate

     1.30

Dividend yield

     0

The following table summarizes the stock option activity of our Predecessor stock incentive plans in the indicated periods:

 

     Predecessor  
     January 1, 2017
Through November 14,
2017
     2016      2015  
           Weighted            Weighted            Weighted  
           Average            Average            Average  
           Exercise            Exercise            Exercise  
     Shares     Price      Shares     Price      Shares     Price  

Outstanding at beginning of year

     212,019     $ 27.69        222,019     $ 27.01        140,293     $ 41.68  

Granted

     —         —          —         —          165,879       12.45  

Forfeitures

     (212,019     27.69        (10,000     12.55        (84,153     26.85  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding at end of year

     —       $ —          212,019     $ 27.69        222,019     $ 27.01  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Exercisable shares and weighted average exercise price

     —       $ —          128,532     $ 33.83        57,859     $ 42.05  

Shares available for future grants:

     876,553          414,975          1,061,130    

The restrictions related to restricted stock awards terminated at the end of three years from the date of grant and the value of the restricted shares is amortized to expense over that period. Total amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock was $2.6 million, $4.7 million and $5.9 million for the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Total stock-based compensation for stock options was $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.6 million at November 14, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

ESPP

We had an employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, that was available to all of our U.S. employees and certain subsidiaries, which we terminated in early 2017. During the term of the ESPP, the employee contributions were used to acquire shares of the Predecessor’s Class A common stock at 85% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock. Total compensation expense related to the ESPP was $0.2 million and $0.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


U.K. ESPP

Certain employees of our U.K. subsidiaries participated in a share incentive plan, which was similar to our ESPP but contained certain provisions designed to meet the requirements of the U.K. tax authorities. This plan was also terminated in early 2017.

Deferred Compensation Plan

We maintain a deferred compensation plan, or DC Plan, under which a portion of the compensation for certain of our key employees, including officers, and non-employee directors, can be deferred for payment after retirement or termination of employment. Under the DC Plan, deferred compensation could be used to purchase our common stock or could be retained by us and earn interest at prime plus 2%. The first 7.5% of compensation deferred is required to be used to purchase the common stock and is matched by us.

We have established a “Rabbi” trust to hold the stock portion of benefits under the DC Plan. The funds provided to the trust are invested by a trustee independent of us in our common stock, which is purchased by the trustee on the open market. The assets of the trust are available to satisfy the claims of all general creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. Dividend equivalents are paid on the stock units at the same rate as dividends on our common stock and are re-invested as additional stock units based upon the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of payment of the dividend. On the Effective Date, the DC Plan received Successor common stock and Equity Warrants that were issued pursuant to the Plan in exchange for the Predecessor Class A common stock previously held by the trust. Accordingly, the Successor common stock held by the trust and our liabilities under the DC Plan are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as treasury stock and deferred compensation expense.

 

(10)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Plan

We offer a 401(k) plan to all of our U.S. employees and provide matching contribution to those employees that participate. The matching contributions paid by us totaled $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. In August 2015, we suspended the matching contribution.

Multi-employer Pension Obligation

Certain of our current and former U.K. subsidiaries are participating in a multi-employer retirement fund known as the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund, or MNOPF. At December 31, 2017, the Successor had accrued $1.2 million related to this liability, which reflects the present value of all obligations assessed on us by the fund’s trustee as of such date. This figure is the same as was accrued by the Predecessor at November 14, 2017. We continue to have employees who participate in the MNOPF and will as a result continue to make routine payments to the fund as those employees accrue additional benefits over time. The status of the fund is calculated by an actuarial firm every three years. The last assessment was completed in March 2015 and resulted in a significantly improved funding position, mainly due to hedging the interest rate and inflation risk, to between 65% and 80%. The reported net deficit of the fund at March 31, 2015 was $7.5 million and, as a result, the MNOPF trustee did not propose to collect any additional deficit contributions related to the new deficit. The amount and timing of additional potential future obligations relating to underfunding depend on a number of factors, but principally on future fund performance and the underlying actuarial assumptions. Our share of the fund’s deficit is dependent on a number of factors including future actuarial valuations, asset performance, the number of participating employers, and the final method used in allocating the required contribution among participating employers. In addition, our obligation could increase if other employers no longer participated in the plan. In the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Predecessor made deficit contributions to the plan of $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. In the Successor period ended December 31, 2017 we made no additional contribution. Our contributions do not make up more than five percent of total contributions to the plan.


In addition, we participate in the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund, or MNRPF, in a capacity similar to our participation in the MNOPF. Prior to 2013, we were not required to contribute to any deficit in the MNRPF. Due to a change in the plan rules, however, we were advised that we would be required to make contributions beginning in 2013. As of November 14, 2017, the Predecessor had accrued $1.8 million for this fund. The most recent actuarial valuation was completed as of March 31, 2017 and deficit information was communicated in the fourth quarter of 2017. Our share of the deficit was calculated at $0.5 million for which we expect to receive a formal payment demand in the third quarter of 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the amount of the MNRPF accrual recorded by the Successor was adjusted to $0.6 million, which is a combination of the deficit mentioned above plus an estimate of further deficit amounts from April 2017 onward.

Norwegian Pension Plans

The Norwegian benefit pension plans include approximately 144 of our employees, primarily seamen, and are defined benefit, multiple-employer plans, insured with Nordea Liv. We also instituted a defined contribution plan in 2008 for shore-based personnel that existing personnel could elect to participate in while discontinuing any further obligations in the defined benefit plan. All newly hired shore-based personnel are required to join the defined contribution plan. Benefits under the defined benefit plans are based primarily on participants’ years of credited service, wage level at age of retirement and the contribution from the Norwegian National Insurance. A December 31, 2017, measurement date is used for the actuarial computation of the defined benefit pension plans. The following tables provide information about changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets and the funded status of the Norwegian defined benefit pension plans (in thousands):

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     Period from                    Period from         
     November 15,                    January 1,         
     2017 Through                    2017 Through      Year ended  
     December 31,                    November 14,      December 31,  
     2017                    2017      2016  

Change in Benefit Obligation

                

Benefit obligation at beginning of the period

   $ 5,443              $ 5,202      $ 6,394  

Benefit periodic cost

     33                224        319  

Interest cost

     18                121        144  

Withdrawal

     —                  —          (377

Benefits paid

     (35              (237      (289

Actuarial gain

     (16              (108      (1,117

Translation adjustment

     36                241        128  
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at period end

   $ 5,479              $ 5,443      $ 5,202  
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Period from                    Period from         
     November 15,                    January 1,         
     2017 Through                    2017 Through      Year ended  
     December 31,                    November 14,      December 31,  
     2017                    2017      2016  

Change in Plan Assets

                

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period

   $ 5,576              $ 5,486      $ 5,486  

Actual return on plan assets

     27                181        182  

Contributions

     46                310        303  

Withdrawal

     —                  —          (237

Settlement/curtailment

     —                  —          82  

Benefits paid

     (35              (237      (297

Administrative fee

     (7              (48      (56

Actuarial loss

     (55              (369      (63

Translation adjustment

     38                253        86  
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at period end

   $ 5,590              $ 5,576      $ 5,486  
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funded status

   $ 111              $ 133      $ 284  
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

 


Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of (in thousands):

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     December 31,                    December 31,  
     2017                    2016  

Deferred costs and other assets

   $ 429              $ 474  

Other liabilities

     (318              (190
  

 

 

            

 

 

 
   $ 111              $ 284  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

 

     Successor                    Predecessor  
     Period from
November 15,

2017
Through
December 31,
2017
                   Period from
January 1,
2017
Through
November 14,
2017
     Year Ended
December 31,
2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Components of Net Period Benefit Cost

                   

Service cost

   $ 33              $ 222      $ 329      $ 416  

Interest cost

     18                120        149        169  

Return on plan assets

     (27              (180      (182      (185

Administrative fee

     7                48        56        61  

Recognized net actuarial gain

     44                296        (329      (544
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 75              $ 506      $ 23      $ (83
  

 

 

            

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The vested benefit obligation is calculated as the actuarial present value of the vested benefits to which employees are currently entitled based on the employees’ expected date of separation or retirement.

 

     Successor                   Predecessor  
Weighted-average assumptions    Period from
November 15,
2017

Through
December 31,
2017
                  Period from
January 1,
2017
Through
November 14,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Discount rate

     2.4             2.4     2.6

Return on plan assets

     4.1             4.1     3.6

Rate of compensation increase

     2.5             2.5     2.5


The weighted average assumptions shown above were used for both the determination of net periodic benefit cost and the determination of benefit obligations as of the measurement date. In determining the weighted average assumptions, the overall market performance and specific historical performance of the investments of the Norwegian pension plan were reviewed. The asset allocations at the measurement date were as follows:

 

     Successor                   Predecessor        
     December 31,
2017
                  December 31,
2016
    Level  

Equity securities

     11             5     1  

Property

     10             10     3  

Money market

     14             24     2  

Held-to-Maturity bonds

     27             32     2  

Bonds

     13             7     1  

Other

     25             22     3  
  

 

 

           

 

 

   

All asset categories

     100             100  
  

 

 

           

 

 

   

The investment strategy focuses on providing a stable return on plan assets using a diversified portfolio of investments.

The projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the Norwegian pension plan were approximately $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017, and $5.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. The accumulated benefit obligation was $4.8 million and $4.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We expect to contribute approximately $0.4 million to the Norwegian pension plan in 2018. No plan assets are expected to be returned to us in 2018.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):

 

Year ended December 31,

   Benefit
Payments
 

2018

     254  

2019

     254  

2020

     254  

2021

     255  

2022

     255  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,272  
  

 

 

 

(11) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

All the Predecessor’s Class A common stock was cancelled upon our emergence from bankruptcy on the Effective Date in exchange for 75,000 shares of Successor common stock and 810,811 Equity Warrants.

We have authority to issue 25,000,000 shares of common stock. We are subject to U.S. maritime laws that generally require that only U.S. citizens own and operate U.S.-flag vessels for trade between points in the United States. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that no shares of any class or series of our capital stock may be transferred to a Non-U.S. Citizen (as therein defined) if, upon completion of such transfer, the number of shares beneficially owned by all Non-U.S. Citizens in the aggregate would exceed the 24%, or the Permitted Percentage, of the total issued and outstanding shares. The shares of such class or series of capital stock beneficially owned by Non-U.S. Citizens in excess of the Permitted Percentage are referred to as Excess Shares. To prevent the percentage of aggregate shares of our capital stock owned by Non-U.S. Citizens from exceeding the Permitted Percentage, we, at our sole discretion, will have the power to redeem all or any number of such Excess Shares. We have the option to redeem the Excess Share for: (i) cash; (ii) Redemption Warrants, which are warrants to purchase one share of our common stock at $.01 per share and do not give the holder any rights as a shareholder; or (iii) Redemption Notes, which are interest-bearing promissory notes with a maturity date of ten years or less. Until such Excess Shares are redeemed, or they are no longer Excess Shares, the holders of such shares will not be entitled to any voting rights with respect to such Excess Shares and we will pay any dividends or distributions with respect to such Excess Shares, if any, into a segregated account.


Noteholder Warrants

The Jones Act, which applies to companies that engage in maritime transportation of merchandise and passengers between points in the United States, requires that, among other things, with respect to a publicly traded company, the aggregate ownership of common stock by Non-U.S. Citizens be not more than 25% of its outstanding common stock. Accordingly, Non-U.S. Citizen creditors who would otherwise be recipients of Successor common stock pursuant to the Plan or the Rights Offerings received, in lieu of Successor common stock, Noteholder Warrants to acquire Successor common stock at an exercise price of $.01 per share.

On the Effective Date, we entered into a warrant agreement, pursuant to which we issued the Noteholder Warrants entitling the holders thereof to purchase an aggregate of 2,956,859 shares of Successor common stock. The Noteholder Warrants are exercisable for a 25-year term commencing on the Effective Date at an exercise price of $.01 per share. Any outstanding Noteholder Warrant that has not been exercised upon maturity of the Noteholder Warrants on November 14, 2042 will be exchanged for Redemption Warrants that will be substantially in the same form of the existing Noteholder Warrants. No Noteholder Warrants were exercised during the period from November 15, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

Equity Warrants

On the Effective Date, we entered into a warrant agreement, pursuant to which we issued the Equity Warrants entitling the holders thereof to purchase an aggregate of 810,811 shares of Successor common stock, exercisable for a 7-year period commencing on the Effective Date at an exercise price of $100.00 per share, subject to adjustment as described in the warrant agreement for the Equity Warrants.

The Equity Warrants contain certain provisions to facilitate our compliance with the U.S. Maritime Laws limiting the ownership of our common stock by Non-U.S. Citizens. No Equity Warrants were exercised during the period from November 15, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

Common Stock Issuances

During 2017, no proceeds were received from the issuance of the Predecessor’s Class A common stock. During 2016, 165,849 shares of Predecessor’s Class A common stock were issued, generating approximately $0.4 million in proceeds. During 2015, 101,179 shares of Predecessor’s Class A common stock were issued generating approximately $0.7 million in proceeds.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized by our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share. No such shares have been issued.

Stock Repurchases

In December 2012, the Predecessor Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to a total of $100.0 million of our issued and outstanding Predecessor Class A common stock. We did not repurchase any Predecessor Class A common stock in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

(12) OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

Business Segments

We operate our business based on geographic locations and maintain three 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 FASB ASC No. 280, “Segment Reporting.”


Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on operating income. Cash and debt are managed centrally. Because the regions do not manage those items, the gains and 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 segment’s 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. All significant transactions between segments are conducted on an arms-length basis based on prevailing market prices and are accounted for as such. Operating income and other information regularly provided to our chief operating decision-maker is summarized in the following table (all amounts in thousands):

 

     North Sea     Southeast
Asia
    Americas     Other     Total  

Successor

 

Period from November 15 Through December 31, 2017

          

Revenue

   $ 8,304     $ 1,368     $ 3,921     $ —       $ 13,593  

Direct operating expenses

     5,387       1,047       3,425       —         9,859  

Drydock expense

     —         —         —         —         —    

General and administrative expense

     740       382       728       1,557       3,407  

Pre-petition restructuring charges

     1       —         —         —         1  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,481       700       1,162       82       4,425  

Impairment charge

     —         —         —         —         —    

Gain on sale of assets and other

     —         —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (305   $ (761   $ (1,394   $ (1,639   $ (4,099
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Period from January 1 Through November 14, 2017

          

Revenue

   $ 52,217     $ 8,606     $ 27,406     $ —       $ 88,229  

Direct operating expenses

     36,365       7,879       25,577       —         69,821  

Drydock expense

     4,269       959       204       —         5,432  

General and administrative expense

     11,987       3,103       6,937       10,342       32,369  

Pre-petition restructuring charges

     —         —         —         17,861       17,861  

Depreciation and amortization

     20,173       6,222       19,229       2,097       47,721  

Impairment charge

     —         —         —         —         —    

Gain on sale of assets and other

     —         (51     5,258       —         5,207  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (20,577   $ (9,506   $ (29,799   $ (30,300   $ (90,182
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


Year Ended December 31, 2016

          

Revenue

   $ 76,759     $ 14,069     $ 32,891     $ —       $ 123,719  

Direct operating expenses

     45,872       11,308       25,985       —         83,165  

Drydock expense

     2,549       588       1,525       —         4,662  

General and administrative expense

     6,961       5,218       6,876       18,608       37,663  

Depreciation and amortization

     24,157       8,654       22,008       3,363       58,182  

Impairment charge

     1,986       50,437       110,385       —         162,808  

Gain on sale of assets and other

     5,920       2,648       (4 )      —         8,564  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (10,686   $ (64,784   $ (133,884   $ (21,971   $ (231,325
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015

          

Revenue

   $ 142,168     $ 35,524     $ 97,114     $ —       $ 274,806  

Direct operating expenses

     84,474       16,483       68,880       —         169,837  

Drydock expense

     4,112       4,356       6,919       —         15,387  

General and administrative expense

     9,469       4,296       9,906       23,609       47,280  

Depreciation and amortization

     28,724       10,419       29,827       3,621       72,591  

Impairment charge

     22,919       —         129,184       —         152,103  

Gain on sale of assets and other

     1,244       (59     (25     —         1,160  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (8,774   $ 29     $ (147,577   $ (27,230   $ (183,552
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Successor

 

As of December 31, 2017

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 47,686     $ 2,029     $ 5,766     $ 9,132     $ 64,613  

Long-lived assets(a)

     203,505       60,890       97,515       2,218       364,128  

Total assets

     271,759       66,299       118,654       15,243       471,955  

Capital expenditures

     8       —         —         133       141  

Predecessor

 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,436     $ 3,008     $ 364     $ 14     $ 8,822  

Long-lived assets(a)

     440,670       149,668       401,425       3,457       995,220  

Total assets

     465,908       158,671       424,398       3,548       1,052,525  

Capital expenditures

     12,550       90       2,751       797       16,188  

Year Ended December 31, 2015

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,930     $ 4,911     $ 1,221     $ 2,877     $ 21,939  

Long-lived assets(a)

     544,904       216,477       499,083       6,022       1,266,486  

Total assets

     589,934       232,356       529,654       9,308       1,361,252  

Capital expenditures

     5,992       253       26,602       2,581       35,428  

 

(a)

Vessels under construction are included in other assets until delivered. Revenue, long-lived assets and capital expenditures presented in the table above are allocated to segments based on the location where the vessel is employed, which in some instances differs from the segment where the


  vessel is legally owned. For the Successor period from November 15, 2017 through December 31, 2017, we had $3.4 million in revenue and $91.7 million in long-lived assets attributed to the United States, our country of domicile. In the Predecessor period from January 1, 2017 through November 14, 2017, we had $16.5 million in revenue attributed to the United States. In 2016, we had $28.5 million in revenue and $371.6 million in long-lived assets attributed to the United States, our country of domicile. In 2015, we had $73.4 million in revenue and $431.7 million in long-lived assets attributed to the United States.

(13) UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

Summarized quarterly financial data for the Successor period ended December 31, 2017, the Predecessor period ended November 14, 2017 and the Predecessor year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     Predecessor     Successor  
     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Period from
October 1
Through
November 14,
2017
    Period from
November 15
Through
December 31,
2017
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)        

2017

            

Revenues

   $ 24,359     $ 24,641     $ 25,805     $ 13,424     $ 13,593  

Operating loss

     (31,992     (30,680     (18,202     (9,308     (21,859

Net loss

     (124,815