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) March 31, 2003


TIDEWATER INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of incorporation)

1-6311
(Commission File Number)

72-0487776
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
   

601 Poydras Street, Suite 1900
(Address of principal executive offices)

70130

(Zip Code)
   

(504) 568-1010

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

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








Item 9.    Regulation FD Disclosure.

 Regulation FD Disclosure.

            In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company notes that certain statements set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K provide other than historical information and are forward looking. The actual achievement of any forecasted results, or the unfolding of future economic or business developments in a way anticipated or projected by the Company, involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Among those risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, are: fluctuations in oil and gas prices; level of fleet additions by competitors; changes in levels of capital spending in domestic and international markets by customers in the energy industry for exploration, development and production; unsettled political conditions, civil unrest and governmental actions, especially in higher risk countries of operations; foreign currency fluctuations; and environmental and labor laws. Readers should consider all of these risk factors as well as other information contained in this report.

            On March 31, 2003, the Company issued the following press release:

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2003, at 12:00 p.m. CST

TIDEWATER, ENSCO ANNOUNCE APRIL 1, 2003 CLOSING OF GULF OF MEXICO FLEET TRANSACTION

 NEW ORLEANS, MARCH 31, 2003 -- Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW) and ENSCO International Incorporated (NYSE:ESV) jointly announced today that Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance had been obtained and that all other conditions to closing have been satisfied with respect to the previously announced sale by ENSCO of its 27-vessel Gulf of Mexico fleet to Tidewater. The transaction is expected to be completed as of 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2003.



Contact: Keith Lousteau (504) 568-1010





 

SIGNATURE
 

            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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

  TIDEWATER INC.
   
     
  By:    /s/Cliffe F. Laborde
   

Cliffe F. Laborde

Executive Vice President, General

Counsel and Secretary
     
     
Date: March 31, 2003