As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1999.
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________________
HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 2500 CITYWEST BOULEVARD, SUITE 2200 76-0487309
(State or other HOUSTON, TEXAS 77042 (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of incorporation (713) 361-2600 Identification Number)
or organization) (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
DAVID W. SHARP
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
2500 CITYWEST BOULEVARD SUITE 2200
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77042
(713) 361-2600
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
COPY TO:
WILLIAM B. MASTERS
JONES, WALKER, WAECHTER, POITEVENT,
CARRERE & DENEGRE, L.L.P.
201 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70170-5100
(504) 582-8000
___________________________
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement
___________________________
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. <square>
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. <checked-box>
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. <square>
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. <square>
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. <square>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title of each class of securities Amount to be Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Amount of
to be registered registered{(1)} offering price per aggregate offering registration fee
share{(2)} price{(2)}
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share 4,125,000 shares $6.7815 $27,973,687.50 $7,777
</TABLE>
(1) Also registered hereby are such additional and indeterminable number of
shares as may become issuable due to adjustments for changes resulting
from stock dividends, stock splits and similar changes.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the
average of the high and low prices per share of the common stock as
reported on the NASDAQ National Market on June 25, 1999.
___________________________
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
4,125,000 SHARES
HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC.
COMMON STOCK
This prospectus relates to 4,125,000 shares of our common stock that may
be offered from time to time by the selling stockholder, as described in this
prospectus. You can find information regarding the selling stockholder under
the heading "Selling Stockholder."
The selling stockholder may offer all or a portion of its shares of common
stock through public or private transactions, on the Nasdaq National Market or
such securities exchange on which our common stock is traded at the time of
sale, at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. The
selling stockholder may offer its shares directly or through agents or broker
dealers acting as principal or agent, or in block trades or through one or
more underwriters on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. The selling
stockholder may engage underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents, who may
receive commissions or discounts from the selling stockholder. You can find
more information regarding the selling stockholder's methods of sale under the
heading "Plan of Distribution."
We are filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part pursuant to contractual obligations. The selling stockholder will receive
all of the net proceeds from the sale of its shares of common stock offered by
this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from such sales. We are
paying all expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering.
The selling stockholder will pay all selling and other expenses incurred by it.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"HOFF." On June 25, 1999, the last reported sale price of our common stock
on the Nasdaq National Market was $7.063 per share.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2500 CityWest Boulevard,
Suite 2200, Houston, Texas 77042, and our telephone number at that location is
(713) 361-2600.
___________________________
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED ON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
___________________________
The date of this prospectus is June 28, 1999.
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
You can inspect and copy that information at the public reference room of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the public reference
room. The Commission also maintains an Internet site that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants,
like us, that file reports with the Commission electronically. The
Commission's Internet address is http://www.sec.gov.
We have filed a registration statement and related exhibits with the
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). The
registration statement contains additional information about us and our
securities. You may inspect the registration statement and exhibits without
charge at the Commission's public reference room, and you may obtain copies
from the Commission at prescribed rates.
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring to documents on file with the Commission. Certain information that
we currently have on file is incorporated by reference and is an important part
of this prospectus. Certain information that we file later with the Commission
will automatically update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed
with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"):
<circle>Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998;
<circle>Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999;
<circle>The description of our common stock included in our registration
statement on Form 8-A under the Exchange Act filed January 22, 1998 and
effective April 1, 1998, by incorporation by reference to the description
of our capital stock provided under the heading "Description of Capital
Stock" of our registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-
43965); and
<circle>All documents filed by us with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering.
At your request, we will provide you with a free copy of any of these
filings (except for exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into the filing). You may request copies by writing or
telephoning us at:
Horizon Offshore, Inc.
2500 CityWest Boulevard, Suite 2200
Houston, Texas 77042
Attn: Investor Relations
(713) 361-2600
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OR PROVIDED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE ELSE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
DIFFERENT INFORMATION.
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
We provide marine construction services to the offshore oil and gas
industry primarily in the United States Gulf of Mexico. Our marine fleet
installs marine pipelines to transport oil and gas from newly installed
production platforms and other subsea production systems, and installs and
salvages production platforms and other marine structures.
We have assembled a fleet of eleven vessels, ten of which are operational,
with one vessel currently under refurbishment. Our fleet is capable of a wide
range of marine construction activities, including:
<circle>Installing up to 48-inch pipelines and small diameter rigid and
coiled-line pipe in water depths up to 800 feet;
<circle>Providing pipebury and all other services necessary to commence
transporting oil and gas through an installed pipeline; and
<circle>Installing and salvaging production platforms and other marine
structures.
Our management believes that our fleet allows us to compete in the United
States Gulf of Mexico for substantially all pipeline installation projects in
shallow water depths of 200 feet and less and a substantial number of projects
in intermediate water depths of between 200 and 800 feet.
Our company was incorporated in Delaware in December 1995, but we did not
commence operations until March 1996. In April 1998, we completed the initial
public offering of shares of our common stock.
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
In December 1997 we entered into an agreement with the selling
stockholder, Det Sondenfjelds-Norske Dampskibsselskab ASA, to form a strategic
alliance. As part of the strategic alliance:
<circle>The selling stockholder acquired the 4,125,000 shares of our
common stock being offered pursuant to the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part;
<circle>We purchased the DSND Stephaniturm, a diving support vessel, from
the selling stockholder for $18.3 million. We have chartered the
vessel to the selling stockholder until December 31, 1999; and
<circle>We formed a joint venture with the selling stockholder, which is
30% owned by us, to primarily conduct deep water pipe laying
operations in the United States Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Mexico and
Canada, and in the Caribbean.
In connection with the strategic alliance, we entered into a stockholders'
agreement with the selling stockholder and two of our other principal
stockholders. Under the stockholders' agreement, we agreed to file the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part with the
Commission under the Securities Act, to register all the shares of common stock
sold to the selling stockholder pursuant to the alliance agreement.
As of June 25, 1999, the selling stockholder owned 4,125,000 shares
(21.9%) of our outstanding common stock, all of which are being offered by
this prospectus. After completion of this offering, the selling stockholder
will not own any shares of our common stock.
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholder may sell its shares directly or through broker-
dealers acting as principal or agent, or pursuant to a distribution by one or
more underwriters on a firm commitment or best effort basis. The selling
stockholder may sell from time to time, in one or more transactions, all or a
portion of its common stock in such transactions at prices then prevailing or
related to the then current market price or at negotiated prices. The selling
stockholder will determine the offering price of the shares from time to time
and, at the time of such determination, such offering price may be higher or
lower than the market price of the shares on the Nasdaq National Market. In
connection with an underwritten offering, underwriters or agents may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling stockholder or from purchasers of shares for whom they may act as
agents. Underwriters may sell shares to or through dealers, and such dealers
may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions
from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents.
The methods by which the selling stockholder, or its pledgee, donee,
transferee or other successor in interest, may offer and sell its shares may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
<circle> An underwritten offering;
<circle>Privately negotiated transactions;
<circle>Sales on the Nasdaq National Market or other exchanges on which
the common stock is listed at the time of sale at prices and at
terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current
market price;
<circle>Cross or block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged
will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and
resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction;
<circle>A broker or dealer may purchase as principal and resell such
shares for its own account pursuant to this prospectus; or
<circle>Ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker solicits purchasers.
To the extent required in connection with a particular offering, we will
set forth in a prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, in a post-effective
amendment, the terms of the offering, including among other things, the number
of shares of common stock to be sold, the public offering price, the names of
any underwriters, dealers or agents and any applicable commissions or
discounts.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholder against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute
the payments which the selling stockholder may be required to make in respect
of such liabilities. We have also agreed to indemnify underwriters who
participate in the distribution of shares on substantially the same basis. The
selling stockholder has agreed to indemnify us against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The selling stockholder and any underwriters, dealers or agents
participating in the distribution of the offered shares may be deemed
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the
sale of the offered shares by the selling stockholder and any commissions
received by any such broker-dealers may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions under the Securities Act.
<PAGE>
The selling stockholder will pay all underwriting fees, discounts and
brokerage commissions. We will pay all expenses of preparing and reproducing
this prospectus, including expenses of compliance with state securities laws
and filing fees with the Commission. We will not receive any proceeds of the
sale of any shares of our common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of our common stock being offered hereby will
be passed upon for us by Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &
Denegre, L.L.P., New Orleans, Louisiana.
EXPERTS
The financial statements as of December 31, 1998 and for the year then
ended, incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said report.
<PAGE>
Prospective investors may
rely only on the
information contained in HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC.
this prospectus. We have
not authorized anyone to
provide prospective __________
investors with different
or additional information. PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is not an __________
offer to sell, nor is it
seeking an offer to buy
these securities in any
jurisdiction where the
offer is not permitted.
The information contained
in this prospectus is
correct only as of the
date of this prospectus,
regardless of the time of
the delivery of this
prospectus or any sale of
these securities.
_______________
__________
TABLE OF CONTENTS Common Stock
($1.00 par value)
PAGE __________
----
Where You Can Find
More Information....... 2
The Company............ 3
Selling Stockholder.... 4
Legal Matters.......... 5
Experts................ 5 June 28, 1999
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The estimated fees and expenses payable by Horizon Offshore, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common stock
of the Company registered hereunder are as follows:
Securities and Exchange Commission
registration fee......................... $ 7,777
Legal fees and expenses.................... 5,000
Accounting fees and expenses............... 5,000
Total................................. $ 17,777
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") contains
provisions eliminating the personal liability of the directors to the Company
and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary
duties as directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law. By virtue of these provisions, under current Delaware law a
director of the Company will not be personally liable for monetary damages for
a breach of his or her fiduciary duty except for liability for (a) a breach of
his or her duty of loyalty to the Company or to its stockholders, (b) acts or
omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (c) dividends or stock repurchases or redemptions that are
unlawful under Delaware law and (d) any transaction from which he or she
receives an improper personal benefit. In addition, the Certificate provides
that if a Delaware law is amended to authorize the further elimination or
limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of the directors
shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law,
as amended. These provisions pertain only to breaches of duty by directors as
directors and not in any other corporate capacity, such as officers, and limit
liability only for breaches of fiduciary duties under Delaware corporate law
and not for violations of other laws such as the federal securities laws.
The Company's By-laws require the Company to indemnify its directors and
officers against certain expenses and costs, judgments, settlements and fines
incurred in the defense of any claim, including any claim brought by or in the
right of the Company, to which they were made parties by reason of being or
having been directors and officers, subject to certain conditions and
limitations.
In addition, each of the Company's directors has entered into an
indemnity agreement with the Company, pursuant to which the Company has agreed
under certain circumstances to purchase and maintain directors' and officers'
liability insurance. The agreements also provide that the Company will
indemnify the directors against any costs and expenses, judgments, settlements
and fines incurred in connection with any claim involving a director by reason
of his position as director that are in excess of the coverage provided by such
insurance, provided that the director meets certain standards of conduct.
Under the indemnity agreements, the Company is not required to purchase and
maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance if it is not reasonably
available or, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors, there is
insufficient benefit to the Company from the insurance.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
4.1 - Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-43965)).
4.2 - Bylaws of the Company, as amended (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's registration statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-43965)).
4.3 - Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's registration statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-43965)).
5 - Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &
Denegre, L.L.P.
23.1 - Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 - Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &
Denegre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24 - Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages to this
registration statement).
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of this registration statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this registration statement;
notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume
of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
statement or any material change to such information in this
registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on June 28, 1999.
HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC.
By:/s/ David W. Sharp
-----------------------------
David W. Sharp
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
immediately below constitutes and appoints each of Jonathan D. Pollock, David
W. Sharp and Bill J. Lam, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-
fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ Jonathan D. Pollock Chairman of the Board June 28, 1999
--------------------------
Jonathan D. Pollock
/s/ Bill J. Lam President and Director June 28, 1999
-------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Bill J. Lam
/s/ David W. Sharp Chief Financial Officer June 28, 1999
-------------------------- (Principal Financial and
David W. Sharp Accounting Officer)
/s/ James Devine Director June 28, 1999
--------------------------
James Devine
/s/ Gunnar Hirsti Director June 28, 1999
--------------------------
Gunnar Hirsti
/s/ Edward L. Moses, Jr. Director June 28, 1999
--------------------------
Edward L. Moses, Jr.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number DESCRIPTION
4.1 - Company's registration statement on Form S-1 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's registration statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-43965)).
4.2 - Bylaws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.2 to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-43965)).
4.3 - Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-43965)).
5 - Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &
Denegre, L.L.P.
23.1 - Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 - Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &
Denegre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24 - Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages to this
registration statement).
EXHIBIT 5
JONES, WALKER
WAECHTER, POITEVENT
CARRERE & DENEGRE, L.L.P.
June 28, 1999
Horizon Offshore, Inc.
2500 CityWest Boulevard
Suite 2200
Houston, Texas 77042
RE: Horizon Offshore, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
4,125,000 shares of Common Stock
Gentlemen:
We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of a
registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, on or about the date hereof, with respect to the registration of
4,125,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Shares"),
of the selling stockholder, as described therein.
In so acting, we have examined originals, or photostatic or certified
copies, of such records of the Company, certificates of officers of the
Company and of public officials, and such other documents as we have deemed
relevant. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as
certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of
such documents.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the prospectus
included therein under the caption "Legal Matters." In giving this
consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the general rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ William B. Masters
----------------------------------
JONES, WALKER, WAECHTER, POITEVENT,
CARRERE & DENEGRE, L.L.P.
NEW ORLEANS OFFICE: PLACE ST. CHARLES <circle> 201 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
<circle> NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70170-5100 <circle>
504-582-8000 <circle> FAX 504-582-8012
BATON ROUGE OFFICE: FOUR UNITED PLAZA <circle> 8555 UNITED PLAZA BOULEVARD
<circle> BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70809-7000 <circle> 504-231-2000 <circle>
FAX 504-231-2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE: SUITE 245, REPUBLIC PLACE <circle> 1776 EYE STREET,
NW <circle> WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006 <circle> 202-828-8363 <circle> FAX
202-828-6907
LAFAYETTE OFFICE: SUITE 210 <circle> 201 RUE IBERVILLE <circle>
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70508 <circle> 318-232-5353 <circle> FAX 318-232-5415
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our report dated
February 26, 1999 included in Horizon Offshore, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and to all references to our firm included in this
registration statement.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
- --------------------------
Arthur Andersen LLP
Houston, Texas
June 28, 1999
