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) September 27, 2001
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.)
601 Poydras Street, Suite 1900 70130
(Address of principal executive offices) (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 5. OTHER EVENTS.
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 September 27 2001, the Company issued the following press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIDEWATER ELECTS R.A. (RICH) PATTAROZZI TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NEW ORLEANS, SEPTEMBER 27, 2001 - Tidewater (NYSE: TDW) today announced the
election of R.A. (Rich) Pattarozzi to its Board of Directors.
Pattarozzi comes to Tidewater following a distinguished career in the energy
industry. After more than 33 years of service, he retired in January 2001 as
Vice President of Shell Oil Co. where his responsibilities included Shell
Deepwater Development Inc., Shell Deepwater Production Inc. and Shell's Shallow
Water Gulf of Mexico E&P business.
Born in LaSalle, Illinois, Pattarozzi graduated from the University of Illinois
in 1966 with a BS degree in civil engineering. Following graduation, he joined
Shell Oil Company and was initially assigned to the company's offshore
engineering organization in New Orleans. He then served in a number of
engineering as well as operations and administrative positions in Midland,
Texas; Houston; Michigan; Bakersfield, Calif.; and New Orleans.
In April 1991, Pattarozzi was appointed General Manager of Shell's Deepwater
Production Division, advancing quickly to General Manager of Shell's Deepwater
Exploration and Production Division in October 1991. Five years later, in
December of 1996, Pattarozzi assumed the position of President and Chief
Executive Officer of Shell Deepwater Production Inc. and Shell Deepwater
Development Inc. His responsibilities included overseeing the exploration,
development and production of Shell's Gulf of
Mexico deepwater leasehold. In early 1999, Pattarozzi was promoted to the
position of Vice President of Shell Oil Co., which he held until his retirement.
Pattarozzi is married and has two sons, ages 32 and 29. He and his wife, Janet,
live in Metairie, La. He is active in several community and civic organizations.
He was a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the United Way of New
Orleans and is currently the Vice-chairman of Finance and member of the Board
for the Offshore Energy Center in Galveston, Texas. He is also a member of the
Board for the Louisiana Alliance for Education Reform.
In addition to sitting on Tidewater's Board of Directors, Pattarozzi is also a
member of the Board of Directors for Transocean Sedco Forex (RIG), Global
Industries (GLBL), Stone Energy (SGY), and OSCA Inc. (OSCA) all of which are
publicly traded companies on the NYSE or NASDAQ.
Tidewater Inc. owns and operates nearly 570 vessels, the world's largest fleet
of vessels serving the global offshore energy industry.
Contact: Liberty Hodges (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: September 27, 2001