GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CO
S-4/A, 1998-12-14
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 14, 1998     
                                                    
                                                 REGISTRATION NO. 333-64687     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ----------------
                                 
                              AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ----------------
 
                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
        DELAWARE                      1600                     13-3634726
    (STATE OR OTHER             (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      JURISDICTION              CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)  IDENTIFICATION NO.)
  (OF INCORPORATION OR                                       
     ORGANIZATION)
 
                                ----------------
 
                   SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS BELOW
 
                                ----------------
 
                                 2122 YORK ROAD
                           OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60521
                                 
                              (630) 574-3000     
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANTS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                             MR. DOUGLAS B. MACKIE
                      PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
                                 2122 YORK ROAD
                           OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60521
                                 (630) 574-3000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                              OF AGENT OR SERVICE)
 
                                ----------------
 
                                WITH COPIES TO:
 
                           G. DANIEL O'DONNELL, ESQ.
                             DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
                            4000 BELL ATLANTIC TOWER
                                1717 ARCH STREET
                        PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19103
                                 (215) 994-4000
 
                                ----------------
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                        TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       STATE OR OTHER  PRIMARY STANDARD
EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER;  JURISDICTION OF    INDUSTRIAL    I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE; AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,    INCORPORATION    CLASSIFICATION  IDENTIFICATION
 INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES   OR ORGANIZATION   CODE NUMBER        NUMBER
- -----------------------------------------------------  --------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>              <C>
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Company                                                 New Jersey          1600         36-1163930
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(630) 574-3000
Great Lakes International, Inc.                           Delaware           1600         36-3015839
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(630) 574-3000
Dawson Dredging Company                                   Delaware           1600         36-3503893
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(630) 574-3000
Gates Construction Corp.                                 New Jersey          1600         22-1539854
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(630) 574-3000
Fifty-Three Dredging
 Corporation                                             New Jersey          1600         36-3177787
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(630) 574-3000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+                                                                              +
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 
              SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 14, 1998     
 
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE
 
              SERIES B 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
                              FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
              SERIES A 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
                    
                 OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION     
 
                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
                
             NEW YORK CITY TIME ON     , 1999, UNLESS EXTENDED     
 
  Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Great Lakes"
or the "Company"), hereby offers to exchange an aggregate principal amount of
up to $115,000,000 of its Series B 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
(the "Exchange Notes") for a like principal amount of its Series A 11 1/4%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Existing Notes") outstanding on the
date hereof (the "Exchange Offer"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying letter of
transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"). The Exchange Notes and the Existing
Notes are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Notes."
 
  The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects to
those of the Existing Notes, except that (i) interest on the Exchange Notes
shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the
Existing Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been
paid on the Existing Notes, from August 19, 1998 and (ii) the Exchange Notes
are being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and will not bear any legends restricting their transfer.
The Exchange Notes will evidence the same debt as the Existing Notes and will
be issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, the indenture governing
the Existing Notes. The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy
certain contractual obligations of the Company.
 
  Interest on the Exchange Notes will be payable semi-annually on February 15
and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 1999 at a rate of 11 1/4%
per annum.
 
  The Exchange Notes will mature on August 15, 2008. The Exchange Notes will be
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on or after
August 15, 2003, at the redemption prices set forth herein, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time or from time to
time prior to August 15, 2003, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued at the redemption
price of 111.25% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of redemption, with the net cash proceeds of one
or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined); provided, that at least 65% of
the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued remain outstanding
immediately thereafter. See "Description of Notes--Optional Redemption."
 
  Upon a Change of Control (as defined), each holder of Exchange Notes will
have the right to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder's
Exchange Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase. See "Description of Notes--
Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control."
 
  Holders whose Existing Notes are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have
waived the right to receive any interest or dividends accrued on the Existing
Notes.
 
                                                        (continued on next page)
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN MATTERS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS  THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
 ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION  TO THE CONTRARY
  IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
   
The date of this Prospectus is      , 199      
<PAGE>
 
   
   The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company,
will rank subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as defined) and
will be senior or pari passu in right of payment to any future subordinated
indebtedness of the Company. The Company's obligations under the Exchange
Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed (the "Subsidiary Guarantees")
by each of the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary
Guarantors"). The Subsidiary Guarantees will rank subordinate in right of
payment to all Senior Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor, including each
Subsidiary Guarantor's guarantee of indebtedness under the New Credit Facility
(as defined). The Exchange Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be
effectively subordinated to all liabilities, including trade payables, of the
Company's subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors. As of September 30,
1998, including the effects of the Transaction (as defined), the Exchange
Notes would have been subordinated to $69.1 million of Senior Debt, excluding
contingent obligations, and effectively subordinated to $8.0 million of
liabilities (excluding $26.1 million of intercompany liabilities) of the
Company's subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.     
 
  The Company is offering the Exchange Notes in reliance on certain
interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") to third parties in unrelated transactions.
Based on such interpretive letters, the Company is of the view that holders of
Existing Notes (other than any holder who is an "affiliate" of the Company or
any Guarantor (as defined) within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) who exchange their Existing Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer generally may offer such Exchange Notes for resale, resell such
Exchange Notes and otherwise transfer such Exchange Notes without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the
holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to
participate in a distribution of such Exchange Notes. Each broker-dealer that
receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivery of a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act. This prospectus, at it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of
Exchange Notes received in exchange for Existing Notes where such Existing
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a
period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as defined), it will make this
Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such
resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
  Prior to the Exchange Offer there has been no public market for the Existing
Notes. If a market for the Exchange Notes should develop, such Exchange Notes
could trade at a discount from their principal amount. The Company currently
does not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any securities exchange or to
seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation system, and no
active public market for the Exchange Notes is currently anticipated. There
can be no assurance that an active public market for the Exchange Notes will
develop.
 
  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Existing Notes being tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The
Company will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer.
 
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE COMPANY ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF EXISTING SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT
BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
<PAGE>
 
                             
                          AVAILABLE INFORMATION     
   
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-4 (the "Registration Statement," which term shall encompass all amendments,
exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto) pursuant to the Securities Act, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, covering the Exchange Notes
being offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement. For further information with respect to
the Company and the Exchange Offer, reference is made to the Registration
Statement. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to the
exhibit for a more complete description of the document or matter involved,
and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such
reference.     
   
  Upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, the Company will be subject to the informational
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith will file periodic reports and
other information with the Commission. Such periodic reports and other
information filed with the Commission, including the Registration Statement,
may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 and will also be available for inspection and copying at the
regional offices of the Commission located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of all or any portion of such
material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
upon payment of certain prescribed fees. In addition, the Commission maintains
a website that contains periodic reports and other information filed by
registrants such as the Company. This address of the website is
http://www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the
Company upon request.     
   
  While any Exchange Notes remain outstanding, the Company will make
available, on request, to any holder and any prospective purchaser of Exchange
Notes the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act during any period in which the Company is not subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.     
                           
                        FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS     
   
  This Prospectus, including the "Summary," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business"
sections, contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 does not apply by its terms to this Prospectus
or the Exchange Offer. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "intend," "will," "expect,"
"anticipate," "plan," "the Company believes," "estimate," "continue," or
"position" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable
terminology. In particular, any statements, express or implied, concerning
future operating results or the ability to generate revenues, income or cash
flow to service the Exchange Notes are forward-looking statements. Investors
in the Exchange Notes offered hereby are cautioned that reliance on any
forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties and that, although
the Company believes that the assumptions on which the forward-looking
statements contained herein are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions
could be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from any results
indicated or suggested thereby. The uncertainties in this regard include, but
are not limited to, those identified herein under "Risk Factors." In light of
these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a forward-looking statement
herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the
Company's plans and objectives will be achieved. All forward-looking
statements are expressly qualified by such cautionary statements, and the
Company expressly disclaims any duty to update such forward-looking
statements.     
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in
conjunction with, the more detailed information and consolidated financial
statements of the Company, including the notes thereto (the "Financial
Statements"), included elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted,
the term "AcquisitionCo" means Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Acquisition, Inc. and
the "Company" or "Great Lakes" refers to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
and its subsidiaries. As used herein (i)"Recapitalization" refers to the
recapitalization of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement
(as defined) by and among AcquisitionCo, the Company, the stockholders of the
Company and Vectura Holding Company LLC ("Vectura") and (ii) "Transaction"
refers to the Recapitalization, the financing of the Recapitalization and the
application of the proceeds of such financing. See "The Transaction."
References herein to "bid market share" mean the percentage represented by the
value of contracts bid upon and won by the Company divided by the value of all
contracts upon which the Company bid, including those the Company did not win
(valued at the price at which the contracts were awarded). As such, bid market
share data does not reflect market share data for all dredging activities.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
   
   Great Lakes is the largest provider of dredging services in the United
States. Dredging generally involves the enhancement or preservation of
navigability of waterways or the protection of shorelines through the removal
or replenishment of soil, sand or rock. The U.S. dredging market consists of
three primary types of work: Capital, Maintenance (including controlled
disposal dredging) and Beach Nourishment, in which activities the Company
achieved a combined bid market share in the U.S. of 54% in 1997. In addition,
the Company is the only U.S. dredging contractor with significant international
operations, which represented approximately 22% of its contract revenues in
1997. The Company's fleet of 25 dredges, 29 material transportation barges, two
drillboats, and 128 other specialized support vessels is the largest and most
diverse fleet in the U.S. The Company believes its fleet would cost in excess
of $600 million to build. For the twelve months ended September 30, 1998, the
Company's contract revenues and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined), were $278.7
million and $40.6 million, respectively. In addition, as of September 30, 1998,
the Company's contract backlog totaled approximately $247.0 million.     
 
  Over its 108-year life, the Company has grown to be the leader in each of its
business activities in the U.S. The Company's three principal business
activities are:
 
  .  CAPITAL (approximately 43% of 1997 contract revenues). Capital dredging
     projects are primarily port expansion projects, which involve the
     deepening of channels to allow larger, deeper draft ships and providing
     land fill for building additional port facilities, thereby enhancing
     port profitability and competitiveness. Approximately 31% of the
     Company's Capital project contract revenues in 1997 derive from port
     projects sponsored by the U.S. Government ("Deep Port" projects). The
     Company's cumulative bid market share of Deep Port projects was 76% from
     1991 to 1997. Capital projects also include land reclamations, trench
     digging, and other construction-related dredging. The Company's bid
     market share of total U.S. Capital projects (including Deep Port
     projects) was 67% in 1997. Approximately 22% of the Company's contract
     revenues were attributable to non-U.S. Capital projects.
 
  .  MAINTENANCE (approximately 29% of 1997 contract revenues). Maintenance
     dredging consists of the redredging of waterways and harbors to remove
     silt, sand and other accumulated sediments. Due to natural
     sedimentation, active channels generally require Maintenance dredging
     every one to three years, thus creating a continuous source of dredging
     work that is typically non-deferrable if optimal navigability is to be
     maintained. The Company's bid market share of U.S. Maintenance projects
     was 28% in 1997.
 
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
  .  BEACH NOURISHMENT (approximately 23% of 1997 contract revenues). Beach
     Nourishment dredging projects generally involve moving sand from the
     ocean floor to shoreline locations when erosion has progressed to a
     stage that threatens substantial shoreline assets. The Company's bid
     market share of U.S. Beach Nourishment projects was 86% in 1997.
 
  The Company believes that it benefits from a number of favorable trends in
the U.S. dredging market. The average controlling depth of the top ten largest
U.S. ports, as measured by annual container volume, is 40.4 feet compared to
52.7 feet for the top ten non-U.S. ports worldwide. Without significant
deepening efforts, most major U.S. ports risk being unable to accommodate
larger cargo vessels, which renders them less competitive with deeper ports.
The Army Corps of Engineers (the "Corps"), which has the primary responsibility
for maintaining and improving the nation's waterways, ports and shorelines, has
recently announced 18 new Deep Port projects to be completed over the next
seven years, which the Corps estimates will have an aggregate dollar value in
excess of $2.2 billion. Funding for announced projects has also increased
significantly during the past 12 months due to increased federal funding and
increased cost sharing of Capital projects by local governments. In addition,
the Corps, which historically has performed a significant amount of domestic
Maintenance dredging projects, has substantially reduced its fleet from its
height of 42 dredges in 1976 to 12 dredges in 1998, and has recently idled the
largest of its four remaining hopper dredges, which are the only Corps dredges
that compete with the Company.
 
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
  The Company possesses a number of competitive strengths that have allowed it
to develop and maintain its leading position within the dredging industry,
including the following:
 
  FLEXIBLE PORTFOLIO OF ASSETS. The Company operates the largest and most
diverse dredging fleet in the U.S., which the Company believes would cost in
excess of $600 million to build. Great Lakes owns over 180 vessels including
approximately 40% of the vessels certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and American
Bureau of Shipping to perform offshore dredging operations, 47% of available
hopper dredge capacity, 33% of large capacity clamshell dredges operating in
the U.S., 100% of the drill boats in the U.S. and certain specialized
equipment, such as the only two large electric dredges in the U.S. The size and
breadth of the fleet improves the Company's competitiveness as it generally
permits the Company to select the most efficient equipment for a particular
job. To maintain the value and effectiveness of its fleet, the Company
emphasizes proactive maintenance that results in lower downtime, increased
profitability, enhanced vessel life and relatively low capital expenditure
requirements. To this end, the Company incurred $17.3 million of maintenance
expense in 1997 in addition to capital expenditures of $11.5 million.
 
  FAVORABLE COMPETITIVE DYNAMIC. Great Lakes is the largest U.S. provider of
dredging services and has consistently maintained a cumulative bid market share
of 38% since 1991, which is substantially greater than its nearest competitor's
share for those projects. In addition to operating and owning the industry's
largest and most diverse fleet, the Company believes that it benefits from a
number of significant advantages relative to both existing and potential
competitors, including: (i) the requirements of the Dredging Act of 1906 and
the Jones Act of 1920, which effectively prohibit foreign dredges and foreign-
owned dredging companies from competing in the U.S.; (ii) its being one of
three competitors that it believes are independently able to obtain performance
bonds in an amount greater than $50 million; (iii) the relatively high capital
costs associated with the construction of a new dredge, which the Company
estimates at between $10 to $50 million; and (iv) the Company's reputation for
quality and customer service built up over its 108 year operating history,
during which time it has never failed to complete a project. In addition, the
Company's long history as a leader in the industry has enabled it to develop a
proprietary database that contains detailed bidding and technical information
on most domestic dredging projects since 1970, which management believes allows
the Company, among other things, to be more accurate than its competitors in
predicting contract costs prior to bidding.
 
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  SPECIALIZED CAPABILITY IN CAPITAL PROJECTS. Great Lakes believes it is the
leader in Capital dredging projects which generally require specialized
engineering expertise, specific combinations of equipment and experience in
performing complex projects. From 1991 to 1997, Great Lakes achieved a 38% U.S.
bid market share of the Capital projects. The Corps has recently announced 18
new Deep Port projects to be completed through 2005. The Corps has estimated
the aggregate dollar value of these projects to exceed $2.2 billion (of which
bidding for approximately $1.0 billion of such projects is scheduled to
commence in 1998) compared to $849 million of projects bid between 1986 and
1997. The Company's cumulative bid market share of Deep Port projects was 76%
from 1991 to 1997. The Company believes its extensive experience on complex
projects significantly enhances its ability to profitably bid and complete
these contracts.
 
  PROVEN, EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM. The Company's senior managers include:
Douglas B. Mackie, President and Chief Executive Officer; Richard M. Lowry,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; and Bruce J. Biemeck,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who have an average of 17
years of experience in the dredging industry. The Company believes that its
experienced management team provides it with a significant advantage over its
competitors, many of whom are family owned and managed. As a result of the
Transaction, the management of the Company owns approximately 16% of the issued
and outstanding common stock of Great Lakes.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to continue to grow contract revenues and cash flow
and strengthen its competitive position worldwide. The principal elements of
this strategy include:
   
  CONTINUE TO GROW IN DOMESTIC MARKETS. The Company expects to strengthen its
domestic leadership position by leveraging (i) the size and breadth of its
fleet, (ii) its industry-leading operating experience, (iii) its engineering
expertise, and (iv) its efficient project management practices. For example,
the Company has contracted to build a new backhoe at a cost of approximately
$18 million, which will enhance its ability to compete for and execute new Deep
Port projects. To further enhance the Company's operating capabilities, on
August 25, 1998, the Company acquired from T.L. James & Company, Inc., a
significant competitor, at a cost of approximately $13.8 million, a large
hydraulic dredge and a midsize hydraulic dredge together with support
equipment, inventory and spare parts. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources."     
 
  GROW ESTABLISHED FOREIGN MARKET BASE. Since the early 1990s, a consolidation
among certain foreign competitors, together with an increase in foreign
governments' port infrastructure investments, have resulted in new overseas
dredging opportunities for Great Lakes. In 1997, the Company recorded
approximately $55.9 million in revenue from non-U.S. dredging projects. The
Company intends to continue to selectively pursue international opportunities
that offer it the potential to increase the utilization of its asset base, to
leverage its project management capabilities and to expand its non-U.S.
dredging market share.
 
  EXPLOIT GROWTH IN CONTROLLED DISPOSAL DREDGING. In recent years, in response
to more stringent regulations governing the disposal of dredged materials,
certain of the Company's projects have required dredged materials to be
disposed of in a more controlled manner. The Company believes it is well
positioned to exploit this trend due to its equipment mix, its operating
expertise and its joint venture with the owner and operator of two fully
permitted upland disposal sites in New Jersey, which represent a substantial
percentage of the upland disposal capacity in the greater New York City area.
During 1997, Great Lakes completed $12.0 million of controlled disposal
dredging projects. The Company has estimated that over $100 million of dredging
revenue related to projects requiring upland disposal is expected to be
completed through 2005 in New York and New Jersey.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                THE TRANSACTION
   
  On July 20, 1998, AcquisitionCo, the Company, the stockholders of the
Company, Vectura and certain other entities entered into the Merger Agreement
providing for the recapitalization of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, AcquisitionCo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vectura, merged with and
into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation. As a result of
the Recapitalization, Vectura and certain others own in the aggregate
approximately 84% of outstanding common stock of the Company and certain
members of the management of the Company own in the aggregate approximately 16%
of outstanding common stock of the Company. See "The Transaction."     
 
  The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2122 York Road,
Oak Brook, Illinois 60521 and the telephone number is (630) 574-3000.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
SECURITIES OFFERED..........  Up to $115,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                              Series B 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due
                              2008. The terms of the Exchange Notes and
                              Existing Notes are identical in all material
                              respects, except for certain transfer
                              restrictions and registration rights relating to
                              the Existing Notes.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER..........  The Exchange Notes are being offered in exchange
                              for a like principal amount of Existing Notes.
                              Existing Notes may be exchanged only in integral
                              multiples of $1,000. The issuance of the Exchange
                              Notes is intended to satisfy obligations of the
                              Company contained in the Registration Rights
                              Agreement (as defined).
 
EXPIRATION DATE; WITHDRAWAL
   OF TENDER................     
                              The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New
                              York City time, on      , 1999, or such later
                              date and time to which it may be extended by the
                              Company. The tender of Existing Notes pursuant to
                              the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time
                              prior to the Expiration Date. Any Existing Notes
                              not accepted for exchange for any reason will be
                              returned without expense to the tendering holder
                              thereof as promptly as practicable after the
                              expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
                                  
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE
   EXCHANGE OFFER...........  The Company's obligation to accept for exchange,
                              or to issue Exchange Notes in exchange for, any
                              Existing Notes is subject to certain customary
                              conditions relating to compliance with any
                              applicable law or any applicable interpretation
                              by the staff of the Commission, the receipt of
                              any applicable governmental approvals and the
                              absence of any actions or proceedings of any
                              governmental agency or court which could
                              materially impair the Company's ability to
                              consummate the Exchange Offer. The Company
                              currently expects that each of the conditions
                              will be satisfied and that no waivers will be
                              necessary. See "The Exchange Offer--Certain
                              Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
   EXISTING NOTES...........  Each holder of Existing Notes wishing to accept
                              the Exchange Offer must complete, sign and date
                              the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile
                              thereof, in accordance with the instructions
                              contained herein and therein, and mail or
                              otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal, or
                              such facsimile, together with such Existing Notes
                              and any other required documentation, to the
                              Exchange Agent (as defined) at the address set
                              forth herein. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
                              for Tendering Existing Notes."
 
USE OF PROCEEDS.............  The Company will not receive any proceeds from
                              the Exchange Offer.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT..............  The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") is
                              serving as the Exchange Agent in connection with
                              the Exchange Offer.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX            
   CONSEQUENCES.............  The exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange
                              Offer should not be a taxable event for federal
                              income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income
                              Tax Considerations."
 
    CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING EXISTING NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company is of the view that
holders of Existing Notes (other than any holder who is an "affiliate" of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who exchange
their Existing Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
generally may offer such Exchange Notes for resale, resell such Exchange Notes
and otherwise transfer such Exchange Notes without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided
such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holders'
business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in a distribution of such Exchange Notes. If any holder of
Existing Notes is an affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or intends to
engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired in the
Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not relay on the applicable
interpretations of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange
for Existing Notes must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the Exchange Notes may not be offered or sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or in compliance with an
available exemption from registration or qualification. The Company has agreed,
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and subject to certain specified
limitations therein, or register to qualify the Exchange Notes for offer or
sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any holder
of the Notes reasonably requests in writing. If a holder of Existing Notes does
not exchange such Existing Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, such Existing Notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on
transfer contained in the legend thereon. In general, the Existing Notes may
not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Holders of Existing Notes
do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights under the Delaware General
Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
Offer--Consequences of Failure to Exchange; Resales of Exchange Notes."
 
  The Existing Notes are currently eligible for trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") market.
Following commencement of the Exchange Offer but prior to its consummation, the
Existing Notes may continue to be traded in the PORTAL market. Following
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Notes will not be eligible for
PORTAL trading.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                               THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
SECURITIES OFFERED..........  $115 million in aggregate principal amount of
                              Series B 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
                              2008.
 
MATURITY DATE...............  August 15, 2008.
 
INTEREST RATE ..............  The Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate
                              of 11 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually on
                              February 15 and August 15 of each year,
                              commencing February 15, 1999.
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES.......  The Exchange Notes will be jointly and severally
                              guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all
                              of the existing wholly owned domestic
                              subsidiaries of the Company.
 
SUBORDINATION...............     
                              The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured
                              obligations of the Company, will rank subordinate
                              in right of payment to all Senior Debt and will
                              rank senior or pari passu in right of payment to
                              any future subordinated indebtedness of the
                              Company. The Subsidiary Guarantees will rank
                              subordinate in right of payment to all Senior
                              Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor, including each
                              Subsidiary Guarantor's guarantee of indebtedness
                              under the New Credit Facility. The Exchange Notes
                              and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be effectively
                              subordinated to all liabilities, including trade
                              payables, of the Company's subsidiaries that are
                              not Subsidiary Guarantors. As of September 30,
                              1998, including the effects of the Transaction,
                              the Exchange Notes would have been subordinated
                              to $69.1 million of Senior Debt, exclusive of
                              contingent obligations, and effectively
                              subordinated to $8.0 million of liabilities
                              (excluding $26.1 million of intercompany
                              liabilities) of the Company's subsidiaries that
                              are not Subsidiary Guarantors. See "Risk
                              Factors--Subordination."     
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.........  The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the
                              option of the Company, in whole or in part, at
                              any time on or after August 15, 2003 in cash at
                              the redemption prices set forth herein, plus
                              accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
                              Damages, if any, thereon to the date of
                              redemption. In addition, at any time prior to
                              August 15, 2001, the Company may on any one or
                              more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
                              principal amount of Notes originally issued at a
                              redemption price equal to 111.25% of the
                              principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
                              interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon
                              to the redemption date, with the net cash
                              proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings;
                              provided that at least 65% of the aggregate
                              principal amount of Notes originally issued
                              remain outstanding immediately after the
                              occurrence of such redemption. See "Description
                              of Notes--Optional Redemption."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL...........  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each
                              holder of Exchange Notes will have the right to
                              require the Company to repurchase all or any part
                              of such holder's Exchange Notes at an offer price
                              in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
                              amount
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                              thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
                              Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date
                              of purchase. See "Description of Notes--
                              Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of
                              Control." There can be no assurance that, in the
                              event of a Change of Control, the Company would
                              have sufficient funds to purchase all Exchange
                              Notes tendered. See "Risk Factors--Potential
                              Inability to Fund a Change of Control Offer."
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS...........  The Indenture contains certain covenants that
                              limit, among other things, the ability of the
                              Company to: (i) pay dividends, redeem capital
                              stock or make certain other restricted payments
                              or investments, (ii) incur additional
                              indebtedness or issue certain preferred equity
                              interests, (iii) merge, consolidate or sell all
                              or substantially all of its assets, (iv) create
                              certain liens on assets and (v) enter into
                              certain transactions with affiliates or related
                              persons. See "Description of Notes--Certain
                              Covenants."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS           
AGREEMENT...................  The Existing Notes were sold by the Company on
                              August 19, 1998 in a private placement. In
                              connection with the sale, the Company and the
                              Subsidiary Guarantors entered into a Registration
                              Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights
                              Agreement") providing for, among other things,
                              the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--
                              Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING AN
INVESTMENT IN THE EXCHANGE NOTES, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
                   SUMMARY CONDENSED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
   
  The following table sets forth summary condensed financial and other data of
the Company. The historical financial data (except for EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA) for each of the three years ended December 31, 1997, have been derived
from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical financial data (except for EBITDA
and Adjusted EBITDA) for each of the two years ended December 31, 1994, have
been derived from the audited financial statements of the Company which are not
contained herein. The historical financial data (except for EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1998, have been
derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes related thereto
included elsewhere herein. The historical financial data for the twelve months
ended September 30, 1998, have been derived from unaudited consolidated
financial statements prepared by the Company which are not contained herein. In
the opinion of management, interim financial statements reflect all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation
of the information presented for such periods. Results of operations for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of
results of operations for a full year or for future periods. The pro forma
financial data have been derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
The pro forma statement of income data for the periods presented were prepared
to give effect to the Transaction as if it occurred on January 1, 1997 and does
not purport to represent what the Company's operating results or financial
position would have been or to project its operating results or financial
position for any future date. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements," "Selected Financial and Other Data," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the historical financial statements and the related notes thereto (the
"Historical Financial Statements") included elsewhere in this Prospectus.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                                     ENDED       TWELVE MONTHS
                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            SEPTEMBER 30,       ENDED
                         --------------------------------------  --------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                          1993    1994    1995    1996    1997    1997    1998       1998
                                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
 Contract revenues...... $251.3  $269.6  $226.9  $235.9  $258.3  $179.9  $200.2     $278.6
 Gross profit...........   36.8    37.0     9.8    27.2    29.9    17.7    32.9       45.1
 Operating income
  (loss)................   16.1    17.1    (6.1)   10.8    11.0     4.2     0.0        6.8
 Interest expense, net..   (6.3)   (7.3)   (7.9)   (6.0)   (6.0)   (4.5)   (4.8)      (6.3)
 Net income (loss)......    6.5     4.7   (10.0)    2.0     3.8     0.1    (6.7)      (3.0)
OTHER DATA:
 Adjusted EBITDA(1)..... $ 31.0  $ 35.0  $ 16.0  $ 26.2  $ 28.8  $ 18.3  $ 30.1     $ 40.6
 Depreciation and
  amortization..........   13.4    14.1    14.7    13.9    13.6    10.4    11.0       14.2
 Maintenance expense(2).   12.3    11.1    15.4    14.7    17.3    12.7    14.1       18.7
 Capital expenditures...   12.8     7.4    11.5     5.4    11.5     7.9    26.4       30.0
 Ratio of total debt to Adjusted EBITDA..................................              4.5x
PRO FORMA DATA:
 Cash interest expense(3)................................................           $ 19.6
 Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense.......................              2.1x
</TABLE>    
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 AS OF
                             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                 1998
                             -------------
<S>  <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Cash and cash equivalents.     $  0.5
 Working capital...........       23.0
 Total assets..............      240.5
 Total debt(4).............      184.1
 Total stockholders'
  deficit..................      (50.8)
</TABLE>    
   
Footnotes appear on following page     
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
       
(1) "EBITDA," as provided for herein, represents earnings from continuing
    operations before interest expense, net, income taxes and depreciation and
    amortization expense and excludes equity in earnings of joint ventures and
    minority interests. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow from
    operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. The
    Company's EBITDA is included in the Prospectus as it is a basis upon which
    the Company assesses its financial performance, and certain covenants in
    the Company's borrowing arrangements will be tied to similar measures.
    "Adjusted EBITDA" excludes the effects of certain items on the Company's
    historical EBITDA that are not expected to recur in the ongoing activities
    of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA is presented to provide additional
    information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet future debt
    service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements, but is not
    necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs.
    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an
    alternative to net income, cash flows from continuing operations, or other
    consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with generally
    accepted accounting principals as measures of the Company's profitability
    or liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as defined in this Prospectus may
    differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
 
   The components of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are set forth below for the
   periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                   ENDED     TWELVE MONTHS
                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,     ENDED
                               ------------------------------- ------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                               1993  1994  1995   1996   1997   1997   1998      1998
                                                 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
     <S>                       <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>
     Operating income (loss).  $16.1 $17.1 $(6.1) $10.8  $11.0 $  4.2 $  0.0     $ 6.8
     Depreciation and
      amortization...........   13.4  14.1  14.7   13.9   13.6   10.4   11.0      14.2
                               ----- ----- -----  -----  ----- ------ ------     -----
     EBITDA..................   29.5  31.2   8.6   24.7   24.6   14.6   11.0      21.0
     Management fees paid to
      former stockholder.....    0.5   0.5          0.5    0.5    0.4    0.3       0.4
     Legal and other expenses
      related to the Chicago
      Flood Litigation.......    0.8   1.1   1.4    0.6    1.8    1.7              0.1
     Letter of credit fees
      associated with the
      Chicago Flood
      Litigation.............    0.2   0.6   0.2
     Disposed operations.....          0.3   0.2    1.5    1.9    1.6    1.1       1.4
     Settlement and other
      costs related to
      subcontract dispute....                5.6
     Other corporate charges.          1.3         (1.1)
     Equity incentive plan
      and other compensation
      expenses...............                                            8.2       8.2
     Recapitalization related
      expenses...............                                            9.5       9.5
                               ----- ----- -----  -----  ----- ------ ------     -----
     Adjusted EBITDA.........  $31.0 $35.0 $16.0  $26.2  $28.8  $18.3  $30.1     $40.6
                               ===== ===== =====  =====  ===== ====== ======     =====
</TABLE>    
 
  For descriptions of each of the above components of Adjusted EBITDA, see
  "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations--Certain Items Affecting Results of Operations."
 
(2) Represents amount expended for maintenance included in costs of contract
    revenues.
(3) Pro forma cash interest is defined as interest expense exclusive of
    amortization of deferred financing fees.
          
(4) Total debt includes long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term
    debt and excludes contingent obligations.     
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
   
  This Prospectus includes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These
provisions of the Securities Act and Exchange Act do not apply by their terms
to this Prospectus or the Exchange Offer. Although the Company believes that
its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such plans,
intentions or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward looking
statements are set forth below and elsewhere in this Prospectus. All forward-
looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf
are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement set
forth below.     
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
   
  The Company is, and will continue after the Exchange Offer to be, highly
leveraged. On September 30, 1998, the Company had total indebtedness of $184.1
million (excluding letters of credit, outstanding guarantees and bond
obligations), outstanding letters of credit with a face amount of
approximately $13.6 million and a stockholders' deficit of $50.8 million. The
Company has guaranteed up to $8.5 million of the outstanding indebtedness of
Amboy Aggregates Joint Venture ("Amboy"). The Company and its subsidiaries
will be permitted to incur additional indebtedness in the future. See
"Capitalization" and "Description of Notes--Certain Covenants."     
 
  The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay
the interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, or to refinance, its
indebtedness (including the Notes), or to fund planned capital expenditures
will depend on its future performance, which, to a certain extent, is subject
to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond its control. Based upon the current level of
operations, management believes that cash flow from operations, together with
available borrowings under the New Credit Facility, will be adequate to meet
the Company's future liquidity needs for at least the next several years. The
Company may, however, need to refinance all or a portion of the principal of
the Notes on or prior to maturity. There can be no assurance that the
Company's business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that
future borrowings will be available under the New Credit Facility in an amount
sufficient to enable the Company to service its indebtedness, including the
Notes, or to fund its other liquidity needs. In addition, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to effect any such refinancing on
commercially reasonable terms or at all. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
 
  The degree to which the Company will be leveraged following the Offering
could have important consequences to holders of the Notes, including, but not
limited to: (i) making it more difficult for the Company to satisfy its
obligations with respect to the Notes, (ii) increasing the Company's
vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, (iii)
limiting the Company's ability to obtain additional financing to fund future
working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate
requirements, (iv) requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations to the payment of principal of, and
interest on, its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of such cash
flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate
purposes, (v) limiting the Company's flexibility in planning for, or reacting
to, changes in its business and the industry, and (vi) placing the Company at
a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis less leveraged competitors. In addition,
the Indenture, the New Credit Facility and the New Bonding Agreement will
contain financial and other restrictive covenants that will limit the ability
of the Company to, among other things, borrow additional funds. Failure by the
Company to comply with such covenants could result in an event of default
which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. In addition, the degree to which the Company is leveraged could
prevent it from repurchasing all of the Notes tendered to it upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control. See "Description of Notes--Repurchase at
the Option of Holders--Change of Control" and "Description of the New Credit
Facility."
 
  In the ordinary course of its business the Company is often required to
obtain bid, payment and performance bonds (in the United States) and bank
guarantees (outside the United States) in order to qualify for, and be
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
   
awarded projects. In the event the Company were to default on a contract, the
bonding company would be required either to complete the contract or to
reimburse the project sponsor for the cost of completion. In such event, the
Company will be obligated to reimburse the bonding company for the amount it
expended plus, in the event the bonding company completed the project itself,
a reasonable profit thereon. Pursuant to the bonding agreement to be entered
into by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors upon consummation of the
Transaction, the Company's and the Subsidiary Guarantors' obligations are
secured by a security interest in certain of the Company's fixed assets. In
the event the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors fails or is unable
to complete the work under a bonded contract or breaches the New Bonding
Agreement, the bonding company may proceed against their collateral, cause the
performance of such bonded contract by subletting it in the name of the
Company or its wholly owned subsidiary and seek reimbursement from the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiary for costs incurred on the subletting or
performance of such bonded contract. The total amount of bonds outstanding
varies with the dollar value of contracts in process; however, the face amount
of outstanding bonds typically overstates the associated contingent liability
to the extent of the portion of the related projects which have been completed
by the Company. The Company estimates that as of September 30, 1998,
approximately $395.0 million of bonds were outstanding. See "Description of
New Bonding Agreement."     
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The Notes are subordinated in right of payment of all current and future
Senior Debt of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Upon any
distribution to creditors of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or in a
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding
relating to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or their respective
properties, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of
the Company's or any Subsidiary Guarantor's assets and liabilities, the
holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to be paid in full before any payment
may be made with respect to the Notes. In addition, the subordination
provisions of the Indenture provide that payments with respect to the Notes
will be blocked in the event of a payment default on Senior Debt and may be
blocked for up to 179 days each year in the event of certain non-payment
defaults on Senior Debt. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or
reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, holders of the
Notes will participate ratably with all holders of subordinated indebtedness
of the Company or any such Subsidiary Guarantor that is deemed to be of the
same class as the Notes, and potentially with all other general creditors of
the Company or any such Subsidiary Guarantor, based upon the respective
amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in the remaining assets of the
Company or any such Subsidiary Guarantor. In any of the foregoing events,
there can be no assurance that there would be sufficient assets to pay amounts
due on the Notes. As a result, holders of Notes may receive less, ratably,
than the holders of Senior Debt.
   
  As of September 30, 1998, the aggregate amount of Senior Debt of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including borrowings under the New Credit
Facility but excluding letters of credit, guarantees and outstanding bond
obligations) was $69.1 million, and $29.2 million was available for additional
borrowing under the New Credit Facility. Senior Debt also includes the
Company's letters of credit, guarantees and bonding obligations in effect from
time to time. The Indenture permits the incurrence of substantial additional
indebtedness, including Senior Debt, by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the future. See "Description of the New Credit Facility."     
   
  While the Company's obligations under the Notes are guaranteed by all of the
Company's wholly-owned domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, non-wholly owned and
foreign subsidiaries, representing 22.0% of the Company's total assets as of
September 30, 1998, and 20.7% of the Company's 1997 contract revenues, do not
provide guarantees of the Notes or the New Credit Facility. Consequently, the
Company's obligations under the Notes are effectively subordinated to the
indebtedness and other liabilities of such Subsidiaries. Any right of the
Company to receive assets of any of such Subsidiaries upon the latter's
liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the Holders of the
Notes to participate in those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the
claims of that Subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that the Company
is itself recognized as a creditor of     
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
   
such Subsidiary, in which case the claims of the Company would still be
subordinate to any security in the assets of such Subsidiary and any
indebtedness of such Subsidiary senior to that held by the Company. As of
September 30, 1998, such Subsidiaries would have had approximately $8.0
million of liabilities (including trade payables and excluding intercompany
liabilities) and other liabilities outstanding. In addition, after payment to
creditors the Company's rights against non-Guarantor Subsidiaries will
effectively rank pari passu with minority interests in the Company's
subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Guarantors. As a general partner of
Amboy, the Company is liable for the liabilities of Amboy (other than non-
recourse liabilities), which aggregated approximately $13.9 million as of
December 31, 1997.     
 
BACKLOG; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS
 
  The Company's contracts backlog represents management's estimate of the
revenues which will be realized under the Company's contracts remaining to be
performed based upon estimates relating to, among other things, the time
required to mobilize the necessary assets at the project site, the amount of
material necessary to be dredged and the time necessary to demobilize the
project assets. However, such estimates are necessarily subject to
fluctuations based upon the amount of material which actually must be dredged,
as well as factors affecting the time required to complete the job.
Consequently, backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales. In
addition, because all of the Company's backlog relates to government
contracts, the Company's order backlog can be canceled at any time without
penalty, except, in some cases, the recovery of the Company's actual committed
costs and profit on work performed up to the date of cancellation. See "--
Dependence on Government Contracts and Funding."
 
  Further, the estimated size of a contract is not necessarily indicative of
the profitability of that contract. Substantially all of the Company's
contracts with its customers are fixed-price contracts. Under a fixed-price
contract, the customer agrees to pay a specified price for the Company's
performance of the entire contract. Fixed-price contracts carry inherent
risks, including risks of losses from underestimating costs, operational
difficulties and other changes that may occur over the contract period. One of
the most significant factors which can affect the profitability of a project
is the weather at the project site. Inclement or hazardous weather conditions
can result in substantial delays in dredging and contract losses. For example,
in 1995, the east coast of the United States was struck by the most severe
hurricane and tropical storms experienced in over 60 years. These storms
caused certain of the Company's 1995 Beach Nourishment projects to be delayed
until 1996, which significantly affected the Company's Beach Nourishment
contract revenues and profits in 1995. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to perform its obligations under such
fixed-price contracts without incurring such losses. If the Company were to
significantly underestimate the cost of one or more significant contracts, the
resulting losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND FUNDING
 
  Substantially all of the Company's revenues have been, and are expected to
continue to be, attributable to contracts with federal, state and other
government agencies or with companies operating under contracts with such
government agencies. Government contracts are typically subject to termination
at any time, on relatively short notice, at the election of the applicable
government agency involved even if the Company is performing its obligation
thereunder. Cancellation of significant contracts or the failure of the
Company to win significant contracts could have a material adverse effect on
the Company. In addition, the Company's operations depend on project funding
by various government agencies and may be adversely affected by the level and
timing of such funding. Lack of funding has, in the past, substantially
delayed scheduled projects, including projects that have been put up for bid.
Many of the projects authorized by WORDA (as defined) in 1986 were
substantially delayed due to lack of funding. Recently the Corps has scheduled
in excess of $2.2 billion of projects to be bid on and completed by 2005.
There can be no assurance that these projects will be bid or executed on the
published schedules or at all.
 
  Substantially all of the Company's contracts are, and will continue to be,
awarded based on competitive bidding. In the United States, such contracts are
awarded to the lowest adequately bonded bidder, regardless of a
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
bidder's relationship with the project sponsor, work on past projects,
reputation or similar factors. There can be
no assurance that the Company's competitors will not bid more aggressively
than the Company for contracts or that the Company will continue to achieve
bid market shares at the levels that it has achieved historically.
 
  Some dredging government contracts are awarded through a negotiated
procurement process in which the contractor submits a proposal and cost and
pricing data to the government, and the contractor and the government
negotiate the contract price. Under such contracts, the government has the
right, after award and/or completion of the contract, to audit the
contractor's books and records, including the proposal and data available to
the contractor during negotiations to ensure compliance with the contract and
applicable federal legislation, rules and regulations. The government may seek
a price adjustment based on the results of such audit.
 
DEPENDENCE ON BONDING
 
  The Company, like all dredging service providers, generally is required to
post bonds in connection with its dredging contracts to insure job completion
if the Company should fail to finish a project. Upon consummation of the
transaction, the Company entered into the New Bonding Agreement with Reliance
Insurance Company, United Pacific Insurance Company, Reliance Insurance
Company of New York and United Pacific Insurance Company of New York
(collectively, the "Sureties") pursuant to which the Sureties act as surety,
issue bid bonds, performance bonds and payment bonds and obligate themselves
upon other contracts of guaranty required by the Company in the day-to-day
operations of its dredging and marine construction business. However, the
Sureties are not obligated under the New Bonding Agreement to issue bonds on
behalf of the Company. No bond issued on behalf of the Company has ever been
drawn upon in the Company's 108-year history. However, the Company's business
would be materially and adversely affected if the Company were unable to
obtain bonding for future projects.
 
  The New Bonding Agreement contains financial and operating covenants that
limit the ability of the Company to incur indebtedness, create liens, pay
dividends and to take certain other corporate actions. A default by the
Company under the New Bonding Agreement permits the Sureties to proceed
against collateral that includes most of the Company's operating equipment.
See "Business--Bidding and Foreign Projects Guarantees" and "Description of
New Bonding Agreement."
 
OPERATING RISKS
 
  The business of dredging is generally subject to a number of risks and
hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, labor
disputes, encountering unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins
of below water tunnels, collisions with fixed objects, disruption of
transportation services and flooding. The foregoing risks could result in
damage to or destruction of dredges and transportation vessels as well as
personal injury, environmental damage, delays in dredging, monetary losses and
possible legal liability. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations." For example, in 1992, an
underwater utility tunnel located beneath the Chicago Loop failed adjacent to
a construction tunnel and building basements serviced by the tunnel. Numerous
suits were filed against the Company for claims of flood damage and losses due
to business interruption (the "Chicago Flood Litigation"). See "Business--
Legal and Environmental Matters." Although all remaining claims relating to
the Chicago Flood Litigation were settled in 1997, there can be no assurance
that the Company's operations will not be adversely affected in the future by
similar or other conditions attributable to the foregoing risks. Although the
Company maintains insurance within ranges of coverage consistent with industry
practice, no assurance can be given that such insurance will be available at
economically feasible premiums.
 
POTENTIAL LIABILITY AND INSURANCE COVERAGE
 
  The Company insures the Company's risks up to certain policy limits and
subject to certain deductibles. Management makes estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amount of liability and the disclosure of contingent
liabilities. As claims develop, it is possible that the ultimate results of
these claims may differ from
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
management's estimates. There can be no assurance that the dollar amount of
the Company's liabilities will not materially exceed the insurance policy
limits.
 
  In addition, premiums and deductibles for liability insurance could increase
to the point that such insurance becomes prohibitively expensive, or
unavailable. The failure to obtain adequate insurance could effect the
Company's ability to bid on, or execute, significant projects, or obtain
adequate bonding or financing.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
 
  A significant portion of the Company's current operations are conducted
abroad. International operations are subject to numerous additional risks,
including the impact of foreign government regulations, currency fluctuations,
political uncertainties and differences in business practices. There can be no
assurance that foreign governments will not adopt regulations or take other
actions that would have a direct or indirect adverse impact on the business or
market opportunities of the Company within such governments' countries.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the political, cultural and
economic climate outside the United States will be favorable to the Company's
operations and growth strategy.
 
  In addition, the Company has benefited in recent years from the substantial
investment in foreign port infrastructure, particularly in the Pacific Rim.
Because many international dredging contractors have concentrated significant
assets in the Pacific Rim projects, the Company has enjoyed less competition
in areas such as the Middle East, Africa and South America. However, if the
recent economic recession in South East Asia were to adversely affect the
investment in South East Asian port facilities, the Company could be faced
with substantial increased competition in the foreign markets that it has
competed in, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATIONS
 
  A substantial portion of the Company's revenues and earnings are
attributable to a limited number of significant multiyear contracts. Quarterly
results can fluctuate significantly based upon the number and size of
contracts undertaken and the timing of the initiation of projects under such
contracts. Revenues and earnings can vary from year to year based on the
number and size of such contracts and the timing of project performance. As a
result of the foregoing, results of operations may fluctuate from year to
year. The Company typically realizes lower revenues and earnings in the first
and fourth calendar quarters of each year. During any quarter, projects can be
delayed and revenues and earnings may be adversely affected by severe weather
conditions at job sites. As a result of the foregoing, results of operations
for any one quarter may not be indicative of results for any other quarters or
for the year. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations." Substantial fluctuations in the Company's results
in operations may adversely affect the Company's ability to service its debt
or satisfy its other liquidity needs in a particular period, which could have
a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
  The Company is subject to government regulation pursuant to the dredging
statute (46 U.S.C. Section 292) which protects the United States dredging
industry from competition from foreign-built dredges. The law prohibits
foreign-built vessels (absent special legislative action) from competing in
the United States dredging market. Dredges operating in the navigable waters
of the United States must also meet the coastwise trade requirements of the
Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920) and Section 2 of the
Shipping Act, 1916, as amended, and must have a coastwise endorsement pursuant
to the Vessel Documentation Act (46 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.). These acts
prohibit vessels owned or controlled by entities which are less than 75% owned
and controlled by United States citizens from transporting dredged material
between points in the United States.
 
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  In addition, in 1995, a government agency commenced an investigation into
purported bid-rigging in the U.S. dredging industry. To date, the Company is
not aware of any action against any participant in the U.S dredging industry
related to such investigation. The Company does not engage in collusive
bidding practices, and knows of no such practices in the U.S. dredging
industry. However, there can be no assurance that additional investigations
into purported bid-rigging will not occur or that the Company will not be a
subject of such investigations. See "Business--Legal and Environmental
Matters."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company's operations and facilities are subject to a variety of federal
and state environmental statutes and regulations, including those regulating
dredging operations, the disposal of dredged material, wetlands, storm and
waste water discharges, air emissions and the handling of certain substances.
The scope of such statutes and regulations and parties liable thereunder have
been afforded broad interpretations by state and federal regulators and
courts. In addition, the Company is required to comply with federal and state
statutes designed to protect certain species and habitats. Such compliance can
delay the authorization of, appropriation with respect to, and performance of,
particular projects and increase expenses in connection therewith.
 
  The Company cannot predict what environmental laws will be enacted in the
future, how existing or future environmental laws will be administered or
interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist on its
properties. Compliance with more stringent environmental laws, as well as more
vigorous enforcement policies of the regulatory agencies or stricter
interpretation of those laws, and discovery of new conditions may require
additional expenditure by the Company. There can be no assurance that one or
more of the foregoing will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
See "Business--Legal and Environmental Matters."
 
ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS; UNIONIZED LABOR FORCE
 
  The Company's ability to retain and expand its staff of qualified
professionals is an important factor in determining the Company's future
success. The market for qualified professionals is competitive and there can
be no assurances that the Company will continue to be successful in its
efforts to attract and retain such professionals. In addition, the Company
relies heavily upon the experience and ability of its senior executive staff
and the loss of any or a significant portion of such individuals could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
  A significant portion of the Company's hourly work force is represented by
various unions. The Company has experienced strikes from time to time by
certain of those unions. See "Business--Employees." There can be no assurance
that future strikes, employee slowdowns or similar actions by one or more
unions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
 
  As a result of the Recapitalization, Vectura owns approximately 49.9% of the
outstanding voting capital stock and all of the non-voting capital stock of
the Company. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement among Vectura, the
Company, Management Investors and certain other stockholders of the Company,
Vectura will have the right to appoint up to two of the five directors of the
Company.
 
  As a result of the Recapitalization, Vectura and the Company's directors,
the Management Investors and their affiliates control all of the voting power
represented by the Company's outstanding shares of capital stock. Accordingly,
those stockholders have the ability, if acting in concert, to control the
outcome of elections of matters presented for approval by the stockholders of
the Company. Such concentration of ownership may have the effect of preventing
a change in control of the Company. There can be no assurance that the
interests of Vectura and its affiliates will not conflict with the interests
of the holders of the Notes. See "Management;" "Ownership of Capital Stock"
and "Description of Capital Stock."
 
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
RESTRICTIVE DEBT COVENANTS
 
  The New Credit Facility, the New Bonding Agreement and the Indenture contain
numerous restrictive financial and operating covenants that limit the
discretion of the Company's management with respect to certain business
matters. These covenants place significant restrictions on, among other
things, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to dispose of assets,
incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations, repay other
indebtedness or amend other debt instruments (including the Indenture), pay
dividends, create liens on assets, enter into sale and leaseback transactions,
make investments, loans or advances, make acquisitions, engage in mergers or
consolidations, make capital expenditures, or engage in certain transactions
with affiliates and otherwise restrict corporate activities. In addition,
under the New Credit Facility and the New Bonding Agreement, the Company is
required to comply with specified financial ratios and tests, including
minimum interest coverage ratios, maximum leverage ratios, annual capital
expenditure limitations and net worth tests, which, if not met, may trigger an
event of default under the New Credit Facility or the New Bonding Agreement,
which have a material adverse effect on the Company. See "Description of the
New Credit Facility;" "Description of New Bonding Agreement" and "Description
of Notes."
 
POTENTIAL INABILITY TO FUND A CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER
 
  Upon a Change of Control, the Company will be required to offer to
repurchase all outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of
repurchase. Prior to commencing such an offer to purchase, the Company may be
required to (i) repay in full all indebtedness of the Company that would
prohibit the repurchase of the Notes, including the New Credit Facility or
(ii) obtain any consent required to make the repurchase. If the Company is
unable to repay all of such indebtedness or is unable to obtain the necessary
consents, the Company will be unable to offer to purchase the Notes and that
failure will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture. In addition,
there can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available at the time
of any Change of Control to make any required repurchases of Notes tendered or
that restrictions in the New Credit Facility will allow the Company to make
such required repurchases. Notwithstanding these provisions, the Company could
enter into certain transactions, including certain recapitalizations, that
would not constitute a Change of Control but would increase the amount of debt
outstanding at such time. See "Description of Notes--Repurchase at the Option
of Holders--Change of Control."
 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE STATUTES
 
  Under applicable provisions of federal bankruptcy law or comparable
provisions of state fraudulent transfer law, if, among other things, the
Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness
evidences by the Notes or its Subsidiary Guarantee, (i) (a) was or is
insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such occurrence or (b) was or is
engaged in a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with the
Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor constituted unreasonably small capital or
(c) intended or intends to incur, or believed or believes that it would incur,
debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, and (ii) the
Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor received or receives less than reasonably
equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of such
indebtedness, then the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, and any pledge or
other security interest securing such indebtedness, could be avoided, or
claims in respect of the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees could be
subordinated to all other debts of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor,
as the case may be. In addition, the payment of interest and principal by the
Company pursuant to the Notes or the payment of amounts by a Subsidiary
Guarantor pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee could be avoided and required to
be returned to the person making such payment, or to a fund for the benefit of
the creditors of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.
 
  The measures of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing considerations will
vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding with respect to the
foregoing. Generally, however, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor would be
considered insolvent if (i) the sum of its debts, including contingent
liabilities, were greater than the saleable value of all of its assets at fair
valuation or if the present fair saleable value of its assets were
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on
its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute
and mature or (ii) it could not pay its debts as they become due.
 
  On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history
and other factors, the Company believes that, after giving effect to the
indebtedness incurred in connection with the Transaction, neither it nor the
Subsidiary Guarantors were insolvent, had unreasonably small capital for the
business in which it is engaged or incurred debts beyond its ability to pay
such debts as they mature. There can be no assurance, however, as to what
standard a court would apply in making such determinations or that a court
would agree with the Company's conclusions in this regard.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
  Historically, many computer programs have been written using two digits
rather than four to define the applicable year, which could result in the
program failing to recognize a year that begins with "20" instead of "19".
This, in turn, could result in major system failures or miscalculations, and
is generally referred to as the "Year 2000 issue".
 
  In June 1996, the Company's MIS Department developed a plan to identify and
address issues related to Year 2000 compliance. The Company's internal systems
were the primary focus of the plan. At that time, the Company compiled an
inventory of its internally developed and third party software. The Company
also evaluated various solutions and techniques for making its internally
developed databases and programs Year 2000 ready. The Company prioritized the
tasks taking into account the likelihood of Year 2000 failure, the impact of
Year 2000 failure on its business, and the effort required to complete the
task. In March 1997, senior management of the Company reviewed the tasks and
approved the plan.
 
  The Company's Year 2000 Plan contemplated four phases--assessment,
implementation, testing and release/installation--which overlap to a degree.
The Company has completed all phases for its most critical systems. The
Company is currently in the implementation, testing and installation phase for
its less critical systems and anticipates completing the final installation
phase during the fourth quarter of 1998. Some non-critical systems will be
addressed during calendar year 1999 and the Company believes such systems are
not material to its operations.
 
  The Company has received information concerning the Year 2000 status of
certain critical suppliers, and anticipates initiating more extensive
inquiries with significant suppliers during the fourth quarter of 1998 to
determine the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to those third
parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.
 
  The Company currently estimates that the total cost of implementing its Year
2000 Plan, consisting primarily of increased staffing requirements and outside
consulting services, will not be material. This estimate is based on presently
available information and will be updated as the Company continues its
assessment and proceeds with implementation.
 
  If the Company's computer systems fail with respect to the Year 2000 Issue,
or if any applications or embedded chips critical to the Company's reporting
process are overlooked there could be a material adverse effect on the
business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
Additionally, there can be no assurance that the systems of other companies on
which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted, or that a failure
to convert by another company would not have material adverse effect on the
business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The
Company has not yet established a contingency plan in this regard, but intends
to formulate one to address unavoided or unavoidable risks and expects to have
the contingency plan formulated by July 1999.
 
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
 
  The Existing Notes are eligible for trading in PORTAL. The Exchange Notes
are new securities for which there is no established market. There can be no
assurance as to the existence of any market for the Exchange Note, the
liquidity of any markets that may develop for the Notes, the ability of
holders of the Notes to sell their Notes, or the prices at which holders would
be able to sell their Notes. Future trading prices of the Notes will depend on
many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the
Company's operating results and the market for similar securities. The Initial
Purchaser has advised the Company that it currently intends to make a market
in the Notes. However, it is not obligated to do so and any market making may
be discontinued at any time without notice. The Company does not intend to
apply for listing of the Notes on any securities exchange.
 
                                THE TRANSACTION
          
  The Existing Notes were issued as part of the recapitalization of the
Company, which was accomplished through a transaction in which Vectura Holding
Company LLC ("Vectura") acquired in a merger the capital stock of the Company
owned by Blackstone Dredging Partners L.P. and Blackstone Family Investment
Partnership I L.P. (collectively, the "Sellers") and certain shares of capital
stock owned by certain members of the Company's management. The merger
occurred pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 20, 1998 (as
thereafter amended, the "Merger Agreement") among the Company, the Sellers,
Vectura, a newly formed subsidiary of Vectura named Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Acquisition, Inc. ("AcquisitionCo") and two other subsidiaries. As a result of
the recapitalization, Vectura owns approximately 84% of the outstanding common
stock of the Company, and certain members of Company management (the
"Management Investors") own approximately 16%. Vectura's membership interests
are owned by 399 Venture Partners, Inc., an affiliate of Citicorp Venture
Capital Ltd., and certain other investors.     
   
  Structure and Sequence.  Prior to the recapitalization, certain Management
Investors held approximately 7% of the Company's previously issued common
stock, which they acquired upon the exercise of certain Company stock options
(the "Options"). Vectura purchased some of those shares for approximately $8.2
million and additionally contributed approximately $37.8 million in cash to
the capital of AcquisitionCo. On August 19, 1998, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, AcquisitionCo merged with the Company, with the Company being the
surviving corporation. As a result of the merger, the Sellers received
approximately $156.1 million in cash in exchange for their common stock, which
was funded through Vectura's capital contribution to AcquisitionCo and the
Company's borrowings in respect of the Existing Notes and the New Credit
Facility (defined below). A portion of the stock owned by the Management
Investors and Vectura was converted into approximately $3.1 million and $7.5
million, respectively, of preferred stock of the Company. In connection with
the recapitalization, all of the common stock of AcquisitionCo owned by
Vectura was converted into common and preferred stock of the Company. As a
result of the merger and recapitalization, $46 million of common and preferred
stock of the Company is held by Vectura. The balance of the common stock
retained by the Management Investors represents approximately 14.0% of the
outstanding common stock of the Company after recapitalization. In addition,
other Management Investors who had not previously owned shares purchased
approximately $0.2 million of common and preferred stock of the Company.     
   
  Merger Consideration.  The consideration of approximately $156.1 million
received by the Sellers for their shares of the Company's common stock
reflects their pro rata share of the net purchase price, calculated as
follows: $221.0 million, less (i) approximately $49.1 million of Company debt
at the time of the merger, less (ii) approximately $5.7 million in
Transaction-related bonuses paid by the Company to employees, less (iii)
approximately $2.9 million in Sellers' expenses paid by the Company, plus (iv)
approximately $4.5 million received by the Company upon the exercise of the
Options, less (v) $11.7 million attributable to the common stock held by
Management Investors. In addition, the merger consideration included Sellers'
right to receive after the closing approximately $3.8 million, an amount spent
by the Company to acquire a certain backhoe dredge. The Company also agreed to
pay the Sellers, upon receipt, the amount due the Company as reimbursement
from certain insurance companies for amounts advanced by the Company in
settlement of liability claims in connection with the Chicago Flood
Litigation, which amounts equaled approximately $11.0 million.     
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
   
  Sources and Uses of Funds.  Cash funding requirements to consummate the
recapitalization through the closing date, including the payment of related
fees and expenses but excluding the deferred payment relating to the backhoe
dredge, were approximately $219.0 million. These funds were provided by (i)
$61.5 million of borrowings under a new $110.0 million credit facility with a
syndicate of banks led by the Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association (the "New Credit Facility"), of which $6.5 million consisted of
revolving credit borrowings and $55.0 million consisted of term loans, (ii)
$115.0 million in gross proceeds from the sale of the Existing Notes, (iii)
the proceeds from issuance of common and preferred stock of the Company,
including approximately $37.8 million to Vectura and approximately $0.2
million to new Management Investors and (iv) approximately $4.5 million
received upon the exercise of the Options. The sources and uses of funds do
not include the $8.2 million paid by Vectura to acquire certain shares of the
Company's previously issued common stock from certain Management Investors.
       
  As used in this prospectus, the term "Transaction" refers to the
recapitalization, the financing of the recapitalization and the application of
the proceeds from such financing.     
   
  The following diagram illustrates the ownership of the Company before and
after the Transaction.     
 
                                   * * * * *
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 2122 York Road, Oak
Brook, Illinois 60521. The telephone number of the Company's executive office
is (630) 574-3000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
   
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The gross
proceeds of $115.0 million received by the Company from the sale of the
Existing Notes, together with borrowings totaling $62.1 million under the New
Credit Facility, and proceeds of $42.5 million from the equity contributions,
were used by the Company: (i) to fund the cash purchase price payable in
connection with the Recapitalization and (ii) to pay fees and expenses in
connection with the Transaction.     
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
   
  The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 1998, the actual cash
and capitalization of the Company, which includes the effects of the
Transaction. The following table should be read in conjunction with the
Historical Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF
                                                            SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                                           ---------------------
                                                           (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                        <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.................................        $  0.5
                                                                  ======
Total debt:
New Credit Facility(1):
 Revolving Credit Facility(2)(3)..........................          13.5
 Term Loan................................................          55.0
11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008................         115.0
Other.....................................................           0.6
                                                                  ------
  Total debt(4)...........................................         184.1
Stockholders' deficit.....................................         (50.8)
                                                                  ------
  Total capitalization....................................        $133.3
                                                                  ======
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1)  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
     Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Description
     of the New Credit Facility."
   
(2) Approximately $12.3 million face amount of letters of credit were issued
    and outstanding at September 30, 1998 under the $55.0 million Revolving
    Credit Facility and approximately $29.2 million of borrowings are
    available to the Company under the Revolving Credit Facility for working
    capital and general corporate purposes.     
   
(3) In August 1998, the Company acquired two hydraulic dredges, certain
    support vessels and operating inventory from a competitor for
    approximately $13.8 million. The Company initially financed the purchase
    price for such assets with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
    The Company expects to refinance the purchase of the equipment for
    approximately $14.5 million before the end of the year with an operating
    lease.     
 
(4) Total debt includes long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term
    debt and excludes contingent obligations.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company (the "Pro Forma Financial Statements") consist of
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998, for the year ended December 31,
1997, and for the twelve months ended September 30, 1998. The Pro Forma
Financial Statements do not include a pro forma balance sheet as the September
30, 1998 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, included elsewhere
herein, includes the effects of the Transaction. The Pro Forma Financial
Statements were derived from the Company's historical consolidated financial
statements included elsewhere herein, as adjusted to illustrate the effects of
the Transaction. The unaudited pro forma adjustments were applied to the
respective historical consolidated financial statements to reflect and account
for the Transaction as a recapitalization. Accordingly, the historical basis
of the Company's assets and liabilities has not been impacted by the
Transaction.     
   
   The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income give
effect to the Transaction as if it had occurred on January 1, 1997. The
unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information
and upon certain assumptions that the Company's management believes are
reasonable under the circumstances. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements do not purport to represent what the
Company's actual results of operations or net income would have been if the
Transaction had in fact occurred on such date or to project the Company's
results of operations for any future period or date. The Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not give effect to any
transactions other than the Recapitalization and related transactions (the
"Transaction" defined elsewhere herein) and those discussed in the notes to
the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements set forth
below.     
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and
accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the notes thereto,
and other financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                            HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS  AS ADJUSTED
<S>                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Contract revenues..........................   $258.3         --       $258.3
Costs of contract revenues.................    228.4         --        228.4
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Gross profit.............................     29.9         --         29.9
General and administrative expenses........     18.9       (0.5)(a)     18.4
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Operating income.........................     11.0        0.5         11.5
Interest expense, net......................     (6.0)     (12.9)(c)    (18.9)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.......      3.1         --          3.1
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and
   minority interests......................      8.1      (12.4)        (4.3)
Income taxes...............................     (2.6)       5.2 (d)      2.6
Minority interests.........................     (1.7)        --         (1.7)
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Net income (loss)........................   $  3.8      $(7.2)      $ (3.4)
                                              ======      =====       ======
Accrued dividends on Preferred Stock(e)....                             (5.4)
                                                                      ------
  Net income available to Common Stock.....                           $ (8.8)
                                                                      ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(f)......      1.7x                     --
 
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                 FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<CAPTION>
                                            HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS  AS ADJUSTED
<S>                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Contract revenues..........................   $278.6         --       $278.6
Costs of contract revenues.................    233.5         --        233.5
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Gross profit.............................     45.1         --         45.1
General and administrative expenses........     20.6       (0.4)(a)     20.2
Equity incentive plan and other
 compensation expenses.....................      8.2       (8.2)(b)       --
Recapitalization related expenses..........      9.5       (9.5)(b)       --
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Operating income.........................      6.8       18.1         24.9
Interest expense, net......................     (6.3)     (14.0)(c)    (20.3)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.......      1.8         --          1.8
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Income before income taxes, minority
   interests and extraordinary item........      2.3        4.1          6.4
Income taxes...............................     (2.2)      (1.7)(d)     (3.9)
Minority interests.........................     (2.2)        --         (2.2)
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Net income (loss) before extraordinary
   item....................................   $ (2.1)     $ 2.4       $  0.3
                                              ======      =====       ======
Accrued dividends on Preferred Stock(e)....                             (5.4)
                                                                      ------
  Net income available to Common Stock.....                           $ (5.1)
                                                                      ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(f)......       --                     1.2x
</TABLE>    
 
  See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                  
               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                            HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS  AS ADJUSTED
<S>                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Contract revenues..........................   $200.2         --       $200.2
Costs of contract revenues.................    167.3         --        167.3
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Gross profit.............................     32.9         --         32.9
General and administrative expenses........     15.2       (0.3)(a)     14.9
Equity incentive plan and other
 compensation expense......................      8.2       (8.2)(b)       --
Recapitalization related expenses..........      9.5       (9.5)(b)       --
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Operating Income.........................      0.0       18.0         18.0
Interest expense, net......................     (4.8)     (10.6)(c)    (15.4)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.......      0.4         --          0.4
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes,
   minority interests and extraordinary
   item....................................     (4.4)       7.4          3.0
Income taxes...............................      0.5       (3.1)(d)     (2.6)
Minority interests.........................     (1.9)        --         (1.9)
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Net income (loss) before extraordinary
   item....................................   $ (5.8)     $ 4.3       $ (1.5)
                                              ======      =====
Accrued dividends on Preferred Stock(e)....                             (4.1)
                                                                      ------
  Net income available to Common Stock.....                           $ (5.6)
                                                                      ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(f)......       --                     1.0x
</TABLE>    
 
         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                  
               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997     
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                            HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS  AS ADJUSTED
<S>                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Contract revenues..........................   $179.9         --       $179.9
Costs of contract revenues.................    162.2         --        162.2
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Gross profit.............................     17.7         --         17.7
General and administrative expenses........     13.5       (0.4)(a)     13.1
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Operating income.........................      4.2        0.4          4.6
Interest expense, net......................     (4.5)      (9.5)(c)    (14.0)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.......      1.7                     1.7
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and
   minority interests......................      1.4       (9.1)        (7.7)
Income taxes...............................      0.0        3.8 (d)      3.8
Minority interests.........................     (1.3)        --         (1.3)
                                              ------      -----       ------
  Net income (loss)........................   $  0.1      $(5.3)      $ (5.2)
                                              ======      =====
Accrued dividends on Preferred Stock(d)....                             (4.1)
                                                                      ------
  Net income available to Common Stock.....                           $ (9.3)
                                                                      ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(e)......     1.0x                      --
</TABLE>    
 
  See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
  (a) To eliminate the management fee charged by the Seller as subsequent to
      the Transaction, such fee will no longer be incurred.
   
  (b) To eliminate nonrecurring costs incurred in connection with the
Transaction.     
   
  (c) The unaudited pro forma adjustments to interest expense reflect the
      following:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                      ENDED
                                    YEAR ENDED      SEPTEMBER    TWELVE MONTHS
                                 DECEMBER 31, 1997     30,           ENDED
                                 ----------------- ------------  SEPTEMBER  30,
                                       1997        1997   1998        1998
<S>                              <C>               <C>    <C>    <C>
Interest expense on debt
 repaid(1)......................       $(5.8)      $(4.5) $(2.7)     $(4.0)
Interest expense on Term Loan
 (7.74% per annum)(2)...........         4.3         3.2    2.6        3.7
Interest expense on Revolving
 Credit Facility (7.74% per
 annum)(2)......................         0.5         0.4    0.3        0.4
Interest expense on Notes
 (11.25% per annum).............        12.9         9.7    9.7       12.9
Amortization of deferred
 financing costs................         0.7         0.5    0.5        0.7
Other borrowing costs...........         0.3         0.2    0.2        0.3
                                       -----       -----  -----      -----
  Net adjustments...............       $12.9       $ 9.5  $10.6      $14.0
                                       =====       =====  =====      =====
</TABLE>    
  --------
   (1) Interest expense includes amortization of deferred financing costs,
       agents' fees, and unused facility fees.
   (2) Interest rates with respect to borrowings under the Term Loan and
       Revolving Credit Facility are variable. An increase of 0.125% in
       interest rates on borrowings under the Term Loan and Revolving
       Credit Facility would increase pro forma interest by $0.1 annually.
   
  (d) To reflect the estimated tax effects of the unaudited pro forma
adjustments.     
   
  (e) Represents dividends on the Company's issuance of Preferred Stock as
      part of the Recapitalization. The Preferred Stock will accrue dividends
      at a rate of 12%, compounded annually. See "Description of Capital
      Stock."     
   
  (f) Earnings used in computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges
      consists of earnings before provision for income taxes plus distributed
      income of joint ventures and fixed charges. Fixed charges are defined as
      interest expense including the amortization of deferred financing costs.
      For the year ended December 31, 1997, pro forma earnings were
      insufficient to cover fixed charges by $8.1 million. For the twelve
      months ended September 30, 1998 earnings were insufficient to cover
      fixed charges by $0.8 million. For the nine months ended September 30,
      1998 earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $6.4 million.
      For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, pro forma earnings were
      insufficient to cover fixed charges by $10.8 million.     
       
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                       SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
   
  The following table presents selected historical financial and other data of
the Company for the periods indicated. The historical financial data (except
for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA) for each of the three years ended December 31,
1997, have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical financial data
(except for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA) for the two years ended December 31,
1994, have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company which are not contained herein. The historical financial data
(except for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA) for each of the two nine month periods
ended September 30, 1997 and 1998, have been derived from, and should be read
in conjunction with, the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company and the notes related thereto included elsewhere herein. In the
opinion of management, information for interim periods includes all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of
the Company for such periods. Results for interim periods are not indicative
of results for a full year or indicative of future periods. The selected
historical consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Financial Statements included elsewhere in
this Prospectus.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                      ENDED
                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            SEPTEMBER 30,
                          --------------------------------------  --------------
                           1993    1994    1995    1996    1997    1997    1998
                                       (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
Contract revenues.......  $251.3  $269.6  $226.9  $235.9  $258.3  $179.9  $200.2
Costs of contract
 revenues(1)............  (214.5) (232.6) (217.1) (208.7) (228.4) (162.2) (167.3)
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Gross profit...........    36.8    37.0     9.8    27.2    29.9    17.7    32.9
General and
 administrative
 expenses...............   (20.7)  (19.9)  (15.9)  (16.4)  (18.9)  (13.5)  (32.9)
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Operating income
  (loss)................    16.1    17.1    (6.1)   10.8    11.0     4.2     0.0
Interest expenses, net..    (6.3)   (7.3)   (7.9)   (6.0)   (6.0)   (4.5)   (4.8)
Equity in earnings of
 joint ventures.........     2.4     2.1     1.3     1.1     3.1     1.7     0.4
Other non-operating
 expenses...............    (0.4)     --      --      --      --      --      --
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes, minority
  interests,
  discontinued
  operations and
  extraordinary item ...    11.8    11.9   (12.7)    5.9     8.1     1.4    (4.4)
Income tax (expense)
 benefit................    (4.8)   (4.6)    4.2    (2.4)   (2.6)    0.0     0.5
Minority interests......    (0.7)   (1.0)   (1.2)   (0.4)   (1.7)   (1.3)   (1.9)
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations.     6.3     6.3    (9.7)    3.1     3.8     0.1    (5.8)
Extraordinary item net
 of tax effect..........      --    (1.9)     --      --      --      --    (0.9)
Discontinued operations.     0.2     0.3    (0.3)   (1.1)     --      --      --
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Net income (loss)......  $  6.5  $  4.7  $(10.0) $  2.0  $  3.8  $  0.1  $ (6.7)
                          ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges(2).......     2.6     2.6      --     1.8     1.7     1.0      --
OTHER DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA(3)......  $ 31.0  $ 35.0  $ 16.0  $ 26.2  $ 28.8  $ 18.3  $ 30.1
Net cash flows from
 operating activities...    19.3    13.4    (3.7)   24.7    13.6     1.5    23.1
Depreciation and
 amortization...........    13.4    14.1    14.7    13.9    13.6    10.4    11.0
Maintenance expenses(4).    12.3    11.1    15.4    14.7    17.3    12.7    14.1
Capital expenditures....    12.8     7.4    11.5     5.4    11.5     7.9    26.4
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
 equivalents............  $  1.9  $  3.5  $  2.3  $  1.9  $  1.7  $ 20.1  $  0.5
Working capital.........    12.5    20.6    26.9    22.0    41.6    46.2    23.0
Total assets............   263.7   278.0   266.0   222.1   245.6   257.6   240.5
Total debt(5)...........    75.5    70.3    76.8    52.4    57.6    63.3   184.1
Total stockholders'
 equity (deficit) ......    77.6    82.3    72.3    74.4    78.2    74.4   (50.8)
</TABLE>    
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) During interim periods the Company prepays or accrues fixed equipment
    costs and amortizes the expenses in proportion to revenues recognized over
    the year to better match revenues and expenses. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
   
(2) Earnings used in computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges consists
    of earnings before provision for income taxes plus distributed income of
    joint ventures and fixed charges. Fixed charges are defined as interest
    expense including the amortization of deferred financing costs. For the
    year ended December 31, 1995, and the nine months ended September 30,
    1998, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9.6 million
    and $6.4 million, respectively.     
(3) "EBITDA," as provided herein, represents earnings from continuing
    operations before interest expense, net, income taxes and depreciation and
    amortization expense and excludes equity earnings of joint ventures and
    minority interests. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow from
    operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. The
    Company's EBITDA is included in the Prospectus as it is a basis upon which
    the Company assesses its financial performance, and certain covenants in
    the Company's borrowing arrangements will be tied to similar measures.
    "Adjusted EBITDA" excludes the effects of certain items on the Company's
    historical EBITDA that are not expected to recur in the ongoing activities
    of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA is presented to provide additional
    information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet future debt
    service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements, but is not
    necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs.
    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an
    alternative to net income, cash flows from continuing operations, or other
    consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with
    generally accepted accounting principles as measures of the Company's
    profitability or liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as defined in this
    Prospectus may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other
    companies.
  The components of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are set forth below for the
    periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                NINE MONTHS
                                                                   ENDED
                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                               ------------------------------- -------------
                               1993  1994  1995   1996   1997   1997   1998
                                            (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
     <S>                       <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>
     Operating income (loss).  $16.1 $17.1 $(6.1) $10.8  $11.0 $  4.2 $  0.0
     Depreciation and
      amortization...........   13.4  14.1  14.7   13.9   13.6   10.4   11.0
                               ----- ----- -----  -----  ----- ------ ------
     EBITDA..................   29.5  31.2   8.6   24.7   24.6   14.6   11.0
     Management fees paid to
      former stockholder.....    0.5   0.5          0.5    0.5    0.4    0.3
     Legal and other expenses
      related to the Chicago
      Flood Litigation.......    0.8   1.1   1.4    0.6    1.8    1.7
     Letter of credit fees
      associated with the
      Chicago Flood
      Litigation.............    0.2   0.6   0.2
     Disposed operations.....          0.3   0.2    1.5    1.9    1.6    1.1
     Settlement and other
      costs related to
      subcontract dispute....                5.6
     Other corporate charges.          1.3         (1.1)
     Equity incentive plan
      and other compensation
      expenses...............                                            8.2
     Recapitalization related
      expenses...............                                            9.5
                               ----- ----- -----  -----  ----- ------ ------
     Adjusted EBITDA.........  $31.0 $35.0 $16.0  $26.2  $28.8  $18.3  $30.1
                               ===== ===== =====  =====  ===== ====== ======
</TABLE>    
 
  For descriptions of each of the above components of Adjusted EBITDA, see
  "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations--Certain Items Affecting Results of Operations."
 
(4) Represents amount expended for maintenance included in costs of contract
    revenues.
(5) Total debt includes long-term debt and the current maturities of long-term
    debt and excludes contingent obligations.
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OFFINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
                                  OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified in its entirety by, "Selected Financial and Other Data" and the
Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
 
GENERAL
 
  Great Lakes is the largest provider of dredging services in the United
States. Dredging generally involves the enhancement or preservation of
navigability of waterways or the protection of shorelines through the removal
or replenishment of soil, sand or rock. The U.S. dredging market consists of
three primary types of work: Capital, Maintenance (including controlled
disposal dredging) and Beach Nourishment, in which areas the Company has
experienced a combined bid market share in the U.S. of 54% in 1997. In
addition, the Company has grown its role as the only U.S. dredging contractor
with significant international operations, which represented approximately 22%
of its contract revenues in 1997. The Company's fleet of 25 dredges, 29
material transportation barges, two drillboats, and 128 other specialized
support vessels is the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S., which the
Company believes would cost in excess of $600 million to build.
 
  Most dredging contracts are obtained through competitive bidding on terms
specified by the party inviting the bid. The nature of the specified services
dictates the types of equipment, material and labor involved, all of which
affect the cost of performing the contract and the price that dredging
contractors will bid.
 
  For contracts under its jurisdiction, the Corps typically prepares a cost
estimate based on its understanding of the availability of contractors and
their equipment. To be successful, a bidder must be determined by the Corps to
be a responsible bidder (i.e., a bidder that generally has the necessary
equipment and experience to successfully complete the project) and submit the
lowest responsive bid that does not exceed 125.0% of an estimate determined by
the Corps to be fair and reasonable. With respect to projects that are not
administered by the Corps, contracts are generally awarded to the low
qualified bidder, provided such bid is no greater than the amount of funds
that are available for such project.
 
  Substantially all of the Company's contracts are competitively bid. However,
some government contracts are awarded by a sole source procurement process
through negotiation between the contractor and the government. Prior to
negotiations, the contractor submits a proposal and cost and pricing data to
the government. Under such contracts, the government has the right, after
award and/or completion of the contract, to audit the contractor's books and
records, including the proposal and data available to the contractor during
negotiations, to ensure compliance with the contract and applicable federal
legislation, rules and regulations. The government may seek a price adjustment
based on the results of such audit.
 
  The Company recognizes contract revenues under the percentage-of-completion
method, based on the Company's engineering estimates of the physical
percentage completed of each project. Billings on contracts are generally
submitted after verification with the customers of physical quantities
completed. Costs of contract revenues are adjusted to reflect the gross profit
percentage expected to be achieved upon ultimate completion of each project.
Significant expenditures incurred incidental to major contracts are deferred
and recognized as costs of contracts based on contract performance over the
duration of the related project. These expenditures are reported as prepaid
expenses. Provisions for estimated losses on contracts in progress are made in
the period in which such losses are determined. Claims for additional
compensation due the Company are not recognized in contract revenues until
such claims are settled.
 
  The components of costs of contract revenues are labor, equipment,
subcontracts, rentals, lease expense, other assets employed (including
depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance and supplies) and project overhead.
The hourly labor generally is hired on a project basis and laid-off upon the
completion of the project. Costs of contract revenues vary significantly
depending on the type and location of work performed and assets utilized.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
Generally, Capital projects have the lowest costs of contract revenues as a
percent of contract revenues and Beach Nourishment projects have the highest.
 
  The Company's cost structure includes significant fixed costs, averaging
approximately 18.0% of total costs of contracts. The Company can have
significant fluctuations in equipment utilization throughout the year.
Accordingly, for interim reporting, the Company prepays or accrues fixed
equipment costs and amortizes the expenses in proportion to revenues
recognized over the year to better match revenues and expenses. Costs of
contract revenues also includes the net gain or loss on dispositions of
property and equipment. The Company recorded net gains on dispositions of
property and equipment of $1.5 million, $0.5 million, $3.3 million and $0.4
million in 1995, 1996, 1997 and the first six months of 1998, respectively.
 
  The Company's equity in earnings of joint ventures relates to the Company's
50% ownership interest in Amboy and the Company's 14% interest in Riovia S.A.
("Riovia"), the Company's Argentine Joint Venture. The Company's investment in
Riovia was made in 1996. The Company accounts for its investments in each of
Amboy and Riovia under the equity method. The Company conducts certain hopper
dredging activities, primarily Maintenance and Beach Nourishment projects
through the operation of NATCO Limited Partnership ("NATCO") and North
American Trailing Company ("North American"). Minority interests reflects
Ballast Nedam Group N.V.'s respective 25% and 20% interest in NATCO and North
American. See "Business--Joint Ventures."
 
CERTAIN ITEMS AFFECTING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The Company believes that its historical results of operations were impacted
by a number of items that are not expected to recur in the ongoing activities
of the Company. The following table sets forth the Company's historical
EBITDA, the impact of these items and Adjusted EBITDA to eliminate the impact
of these items.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                           NINE MONTHS
                                                              ENDED     TWELVE MONTHS
                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,     ENDED
                          ------------------------------- ------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
                          1993  1994   1995  1996   1997   1997   1998      1998
                                            (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                       <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>
Operating income (loss).  $16.1 $17.1 $(6.1) $10.8  $11.0 $  4.2 $  0.0     $ 6.8
Depreciation and
 amortization...........   13.4  14.1   14.7  13.9   13.6   10.4   11.0      14.2
                          ----- ----- ------ -----  ----- ------ ------     -----
EBITDA..................   29.5  31.2    8.6  24.7   24.6   14.6   11.0      21.0
Management fees paid to
 former stockholder.....    0.5   0.5          0.5    0.5    0.4    0.3       0.4
Legal and other expenses
 related to the Chicago
 Flood Litigation.......    0.8   1.1    1.4   0.6    1.8    1.7              0.1
Letter of credit fees
 associated with the
 Chicago Flood
 Litigation.............    0.2   0.6    0.2
Disposed operations.....          0.3    0.2   1.5    1.9    1.6    1.1       1.4
Settlement and other
 costs related to
 subcontract dispute ...                 5.6
Other corporate charges.          1.3         (1.1)
Equity incentive plan
 and other compensation
 expenses...............                                            8.2       8.2
Recapitalization related
 expenses...............                                            9.5       9.5
                          ----- ----- ------ -----  ----- ------ ------     -----
Adjusted EBITDA.........  $31.0 $35.0 $ 16.0 $26.2  $28.8 $ 18.3 $ 30.1     $40.6
                          ===== ===== ====== =====  ===== ====== ======     =====
</TABLE>    
 
  Management Fees Paid to Former Stockholder. During the periods presented,
the Company paid a management fee to a former stockholder. The Company does
not intend to pay such a fee subsequent to the Recapitalization.
 
  Legal and Other Expenses Related to the Chicago Flood Litigation. In 1992,
an underwater utility tunnel located beneath the Chicago Loop failed adjacent
to a construction site completed by the Company in the fall of 1991. The
failure resulted in a flooding of the tunnel, and building basements served by
the tunnel. Numerous
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
suits were filed against the Company for claims of flood damage and losses due
to business interruption. The Company incurred substantial legal expenses
along with other expenses as a result of the Chicago Flood Litigation. During
1997, all remaining claims were settled relating to the Chicago Flood
Litigation.
 
  Letter of Credit Fees Associated With The Chicago Flood Litigation. In
connection with the Chicago Flood Litigation, the Company incurred additional
expenses related to certain letters of credit as the Company was not able to
obtain such letters of credit under its existing credit facilities. Instead,
the Company obtained such letters of credit from third parties that charged a
higher fee than the Company would have paid for such letters of credit under
its credit facilities.
 
  Disposed Operations. During the periods presented, the Company operated a
marine construction business that was sold in 1996. The adjustments reflect
the elimination of the historical negative EBITDA attributable to this
business.
 
  Settlement and Other Costs related to Subcontract Dispute. The Company
subcontracted a portion of a marine construction project in New Orleans to a
subcontractor. The subcontractor failed to complete its portion of the project
and the Company incurred additional costs to complete the project. The Company
and the subcontractor were subsequently parties to legal proceedings, of which
the settlement in 1995 resulted in $5.6 million of expense recorded by the
Company.
 
  Other Corporate Charges. In 1994, the Company undertook a corporate
reorganization, in which it closed certain of its regional U.S. offices and
incurred a charge of $1.3 million in connection therewith. In 1996, the
Company offered a voluntary early retirement program and incurred a charge of
$0.6 million relating thereto. In 1996, the Company also terminated its
defined benefit pension plan and recognized a net gain of $1.7 million.
 
  "EBITDA," as provided for herein, represents earnings from continuing
operations before interest expense, net, income taxes and depreciation and
amortization expense and excludes equity in earnings of joint ventures and
minority interests. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow from
operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. The
Company's EBITDA is included in the Prospectus as it is a basis upon which the
Company assesses its financial performance, and certain covenants in the
Company's borrowing arrangements will be tied to similar measures. "Adjusted
EBITDA" excludes the effects of certain items on the Company's historical
EBITDA that are not expected to recur in the ongoing activities of the
Company. Adjusted EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with
respect to the ability of the Company to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements, but is not necessarily a
measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs. EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net
income, cash flows from continuing operations, or other consolidated income or
cash flow data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principals as measures of the Company's profitability or liquidity. EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA as defined in this Prospectus may differ from similarly titled
measures presented by other companies.
 
COMPONENTS OF CONTRACT REVENUES
 
  The following table sets forth the Company's contract revenues by type of
work performed for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED            ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,        SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                  -------------------------- -------------------
                                    1995     1996     1997     1997      1998
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
Capital.......................... $ 58,663 $ 34,422 $ 55,563 $  33,577 $  58,854
Maintenance......................   55,347   47,014   74,379    57,506    42,693
Beach............................   29,520   65,838   59,036    41,059    51,665
Foreign..........................   53,910   58,166   55,919    37,395    45,681
Other(1).........................   29,425   30,431   13,399    10,339     1,351
                                  -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
  Total.......................... $226,865 $235,871 $258,296 $ 179,876 $ 200,244
                                  ======== ======== ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Consists of contract revenues primarily attributable to a marine
    construction business that was sold in 1996.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
       
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
   
  The following table sets forth the components of net income and EBITDA as a
percentage of contract revenues for the periods indicated:     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                FOR THE NINE
                                                                MONTHS ENDED
                                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED        SEPTEMBER
                                           DECEMBER 31,              30,
                                       -----------------------  --------------
                                        1995     1996    1997    1997    1998
<S>                                    <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Contract revenues....................   100.0%   100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Costs of contract revenues...........   (95.7)   (88.5)  (88.4)  (90.2)  (83.6)
                                       ------   ------  ------  ------  ------
  Gross profit.......................     4.3     11.5    11.6     9.8    16.4
General and administrative expenses..    (7.0)    (6.9)   (7.3)   (7.5)   (7.6)
  Equity incentive plan and other
   compensation expenses.............     --       --      --      --     (4.1)
  Recapitalization related expenses..     --       --      --      --     (4.8)
                                       ------   ------  ------  ------  ------
  Operating income (loss)............    (2.7)     4.6     4.3     2.3    (0.1)
Interest expense, net................    (3.5)    (2.6)   (2.3)   (2.5)   (2.4)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.     0.6      0.5     1.2     1.0     0.2
                                       ------   ------  ------  ------  ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes,
   minority interests and
   discontinued operations...........    (5.6)     2.5     3.2     0.8    (2.3)
Income tax (expense) benefit.........     1.8     (1.0)   (1.0)   (0.0)    0.2
Minority interests...................    (0.5)    (0.2)   (0.7)   (0.7)   (0.9)
                                       ------   ------  ------  ------  ------
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations........................    (4.3)     1.3     1.5     0.1    (3.0)
Discontinued operations..............    (0.1)    (0.5)    --      --      --
Extraordinary item...................     --       --      --      --     (0.4)
                                       ------   ------  ------  ------  ------
  Net income (loss)..................    (4.4)%    0.8%    1.5%    0.1%   (3.4)%
                                       ======   ======  ======  ======  ======
EBITDA...............................     3.8%    10.5%    9.5%    8.1%    5.5%
                                       ======   ======  ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>    
   
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997     
   
Contract Revenues. Contract revenues increased $20.4 million or 11.3% from
$179.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $200.2 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998. The increase was partially
attributable to a large new capital project in Los Angeles that began work in
the fourth quarter of 1997. Additionally, foreign revenues increased $8.3
million or 22.3% compared to last year due to projects in the Middle East,
Mexico and Denmark. Beach nourishment revenues increased $10.6 million or
25.8% compared to last year, partly related to additional market share due to
the exit of a major competitor. Maintenance revenues declined $14.8 million or
25.8% between the periods due to normal fluctuations in the number and the
size of projects awarded from year to year and a concentration of equipment
committed to capital and beach projects.     
   
Costs of Contract Revenues. Costs of contract revenues increased $5.2 million
or 3.2% from $162.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to
$167.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998. The increase was
primarily attributable to increased utilization of equipment. As a percentage
of contract revenues, costs of contract revenues was 83.6% in the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 compared to 90.2% in the nine months ended September
30, 1997. The improvement in 1998 was attributable to higher margins on two
new large capital projects on the west coast of the United States, several
beach nourishment projects and one foreign capital project.     
 
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
          
  Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $15.2 million or 85.7%, from $17.7
million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $32.9 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998. The increase was primarily attributable
to the increased contract revenues as well as improved margins related to
favorable revenue mix.     
   
  General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased $1.7 million or 12.2%, from $13.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 to $15.2 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998. The increase was primarily due to additional personnel associated with
increased contract revenues and higher incentive accruals connected with
increased earnings levels experienced during 1998.     
   
  Operating Income. Operating income decreased $4.2 million from $4.2 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to break even for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. The decrease is a result of $9.5 million of non-
recurring expenses related to the Company's recapitalization in August of
1998, which were charged to operations. An additional $8.2 million of
compensation expense was charged to operations during the period related to
equity incentive plan transactions and other discretionary bonuses.     
   
  EBITDA. EBITDA decreased $3.6 million or 24.7%, from $14.6 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $11.0 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. The decrease was due to the combined $17.7 million
for equity incentive plan and other compensation expenses and recapitalization
related expenses charged to operations in 1998. The unfavorable effects of
these charges were partially offset by increased earnings related to improved
project margins in 1998.     
   
  Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net increased $0.3 million or 5.9%,
from $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 1997 to $4.8 million for
nine months ended September 30, 1998. The increase in interest expense is
primarily related to interest on the newly issued senior subordinated debt
associated with the Company's recapitalization.     
   
  Equity in Earnings of Joint Ventures. Equity in earnings of joint ventures
declined $1.4 million or 76.3% from $1.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to a temporary reduction in
demand for Amboy's products for the period.     
   
  Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income taxes decreased $0.5 million from $0.1
million expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $0.4 million
benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 1998. The 1998 tax benefit is
a result of the loss generated by the equity incentive plan and other
compensation expenses and certain of the non-recurring expenses associated
with the Company's recapitalization.     
   
  Minority Interests. Minority interests increased $0.6 million or 44.0%, from
$1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $1.9 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998. The increase is due to improved
earnings resulting from stronger margins in the NATCO hopper dredging
operations.     
   
  Extraordinary Item. In conjunction with the Recapitalization, the Company
entered into a new credit agreement. As a result, deferred financing fees
associated with the Company's prior credit agreement of $0.9 million, after
tax, were written off as an extraordinary item in the third quarter of 1998.
       
  Net Income. Net income decreased $6.8 million from $0.1 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 to a $6.7 million loss for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. The decrease is a result of improved operating
earnings offset by the equity incentive plan and other compensation expenses
and non-recurring expenses related to the Company's Recapitalization in August
of 1998.     
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  Contract Revenues. Contract revenues increased $22.4 million or 9.5%, from
$235.9 million in 1996 to $258.3 million in 1997. The increase was primarily
due to contract revenues from a number of large Capital projects and
additional hopper Maintenance work arising from severe flooding in the
Mississippi river basin,
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
partially offset by a decrease in Beach Nourishment contract revenues. A $92.0
million Capital project in Los Angeles was awarded to the Company in the
second quarter of 1997, which contributed $13.0 million to contract revenues
in 1997. Additionally, a new Capital project in Newark Bay contributed $15.9
million to contract revenues in 1997. The decrease in Beach Nourishment
contract revenues was due to normal fluctuations in the number and size of
projects awarded from year to year.
 
  Costs of Contract Revenues. Costs of contract revenues increased $19.7
million or 9.4%, from $208.7 million in 1996 to $228.4 million in 1997. The
increase was primarily due to the increased utilization of fixed assets. The
percent of costs of contract revenues compared to contract revenues remained
constant between 1997 and 1996 at approximately 88.4%.
 
  Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $2.7 million or 10.2%, from $27.2
million in 1996 to $29.9 million in 1997. The increase was due to increased
contract revenues earned in 1997.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased $2.5 million or 15.4%, from $16.4 million in 1996 to $18.9 million
in 1997. The increase was primarily due to additional legal and bonus costs in
1997 related to the Chicago Flood Litigation and the favorable impact from the
termination in 1996 of the Company's defined benefit plan for salaried
employees, which was not repeated in 1997.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income of $10.8 million in 1996 and $11.0
million in 1997 remained essentially unchanged from 1996 to 1997.
 
  EBITDA. EBITDA of $24.7 million in 1996 and $24.6 million in 1997 remained
essentially unchanged from 1996 to 1997.
 
  Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net remained level from 1996 to
1997, representing $6.0 million in each of 1996 and 1997.
 
  Equity in Earnings of Joint Ventures. Equity in earnings of joint ventures
increased $2.0 million or 175.0%, from $1.1 million in 1996 to $3.1 million in
1997. The increase was primarily due to sales growth at Amboy and the addition
of earnings from the Company's investment in Riovia in 1997.
 
  Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $0.2 million or 14.8%, from
$2.4 million in 1996 to $2.6 million in 1997. The increase was primarily due
to increased earnings but offset partially by lower state tax rates in certain
project locations in 1997. The overall effective tax rates were 39.7% and
32.8% for the 1996 and 1997 period, respectively. The decline in tax rate was
caused principally by variations in taxable earnings allocated to minority
interests.
 
  Minority Interests. Minority interests increased $1.3 million or 297.9%,
from $0.4 million in 1996 to $1.7 million in 1997. The increase was primarily
attributable to the increased hopper maintenance dredging by vessels operated
by NATCO in 1997.
 
  Discontinued Operations. The loss from discontinued operations of $1.1
million related to the sale of a non-core aggregate towing business in 1996.
 
  Net Income. Net income increased $1.8 million or 89.5%, from $2.0 million in
1996 to $3.8 million in 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to
revenue growth, improved results in joint venture equity earnings, a reduction
in losses from discontinued operations and favorable state income tax
variances in certain domestic project locations.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  Contract Revenues. Contract revenues increased $9.0 million or 4.0%, from
$226.9 million in 1995 to $235.9 million in 1996. The increase was primarily
due to an increase in Beach Nourishment contract revenues in 1996, partially
offset by reductions in Capital and Maintenance contract revenues. Beach
Nourishment contract revenues increased $36.3 million in 1996 over 1995 due to
increased demand and funding for Beach
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
Nourishment projects. During 1995, the East Coast of the United States was
struck by the most severe hurricane and tropical storms experienced in over 60
years, which caused certain 1995 Beach Nourishment projects to be delayed
until 1996 and severely eroded numerous beaches along the East Coast resulting
in more Beach Nourishment projects performed in 1996. The reductions in
Capital contract revenues were due primarily to increased competition from a
competitor, which has since ceased competing with the Company in the Capital
dredging business. The reductions in Maintenance contract revenues were due to
normal fluctuations in the number and size of projects awarded from year to
year.
 
  Costs of Contract Revenues. Costs of contract revenues declined $8.4 million
or 3.9%, from $217.1 million in 1995 to $208.7 million in 1996. The percent of
costs of contract revenues compared to contract revenues was 88.5% in 1996 and
95.7% in 1995. The improvement in 1996 over 1995 was primarily due to the
losses incurred in 1995 on certain Beach Nourishment contracts adversely
affected by severe weather conditions.
 
  Gross Profit.  Gross profit increased $17.4 million or 177.4%, from $9.8
million in 1995 to $27.2 million in 1996. The increase was primarily
attributable to the increased contract revenues in 1996 and the reduction in
costs associated with Beach Nourishment projects in 1996 as weather conditions
normalized.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased $0.5 million or 3.3%, from $15.9 million in 1995 to $16.4 million in
1996. The increase was primarily due to higher incentive expense connected
with increased earnings levels, partially offset by the favorable impact from
the termination of the Company's defined benefit plan for salaried employees
in 1996.
 
  Operating Income. Operating income increased $16.9 million from a loss of
$6.1 million in 1995 to $10.8 million in 1996. The increase was primarily
attributable to the increased contract revenues in 1996 and the reduction in
costs associated with Beach Nourishment projects in 1996 as weather conditions
normalized.
 
  EBITDA. EBITDA increased $16.1 million or 186.0%, from $8.6 million in 1995
to $24.7 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to the impact of
increased earnings and improved margins.
 
  Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net declined $1.9 million or 23.1%,
from $7.9 million in 1995 to $6.0 million in 1996. The decrease was primarily
due to lower borrowing levels in 1996.
 
 Equity in Earnings of Joint Ventures. Equity in earnings of joint ventures of
$1.3 million in 1995 and $1.1 million in 1996 remained essentially unchanged
from 1995 to 1996.
 
  Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income taxes increased $6.6 million from a
benefit of $4.2 million in 1995 to an expense of $2.4 million in 1996. The
increase was primarily due to increased earnings. The overall effective tax
rates were 33.0% and 39.7% for the 1995 and 1996 period, respectively. The
increase in tax rate was caused principally by variations in state income
taxes.
 
  Minority Interests. Minority interests decreased $0.8 million or 65.2%, from
$1.2 million in 1995 to $0.4 million in 1996. The decrease was primarily
attributable to lower levels of hopper Maintenance work in 1996 as compared to
1995 due to normal fluctuations in the number and size of projects awarded
from year to year.
 
  Discontinued Operations. The loss from discontinued operations increased
$0.8 million or 237.1%, from $0.3 million in 1995 to $1.1 million in 1996.
Discontinued operations related to the non-core aggregate towing business that
was sold in 1996.
 
  Net Income. Net income increased $12.0 million from a loss of $10.0 million
in 1995 to a profit of $2.0 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to
improved operating results in Beach Nourishment and hopper Maintenance
projects.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
BACKLOG
   
  The Company's contracts backlog represents management's estimate of the
revenues which will be realized under the portion of contracts remaining to be
performed based upon estimates relating to, among other things, the time
required to mobilize the necessary assets at the project site, the amount of
material necessary to be dredged and the time necessary to demobilize the
project assets. However, such estimates are necessarily subject to
fluctuations based upon the amount of material which actually must be dredged,
as well as factors affecting the time required to complete the job.
Consequently, backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales. In
addition, because substantially all of the Company's backlog relates to
government contracts, the Company's order backlog can be canceled at any time
without penalty, except, in some cases, the recovery of the Company's actual
committed costs and profit on work performed up to the date of cancellation.
The Company's backlog does not include contract revenues with respect to
project bids that have been awarded to the Company but for which the Company's
customer has not provided an executed contract. As of September 30, 1998,
there were $3.8 million of contracts on which the Company was the low bidder,
but which had not yet been awarded to the Company.     
   
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had a backlog of contract revenues of
$155.3 million, which represents an increase of $47.4 million, or 43.9%, over
December 31, 1996 backlog of $107.9 million. The Company had backlog of $247.0
million at September 30, 1998, $68.4 million of which the Company expects to
complete in 1998, although there can be no assurance that all such backlog
will be completed within that period.     
   
  The largest component of backlog at December 31, 1997 was $79.8 million
attributable to a large Capital project in Los Angeles. As of September 30,
1998, $44.9 million relating to this project remained in backlog which
included $2.3 million of additional work awarded in the first six months of
1998. Additionally, backlog at September 30, 1998 includes $29.7 million
attributable to the Boston Harbor Deep Port project that the Company won in
the second quarter of 1998.     
 
SEASONALITY
 
  The Company has historically realized lower contract revenues and earnings
in the first and fourth quarters of each year. This trend is due to a number
of factors including variation in weather conditions and government funding
cycles, which affect the timing and execution of projects.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
          
  The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash flow from operations and
borrowings under the revolving line of credit. The Company's primary uses of
cash are funding working capital, capital expenditures and debt service.     
   
  The Company's net cash flows from operating activities for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 were $23.0 million and $1.8 million,
respectively. The increase in cash flows from operating activities in 1998
compared to 1997 was due to a decrease in working capital resulting primarily
from favorable timing in the collection of receivables. The Company's net cash
flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995, were $13.6 million, $24.7 million and $(3.7) million, respectively.
The decrease in net cash flow from operating activities in 1997 compared to
1996 was a result of an increase in working capital in the fourth quarter of
1997 due to high revenue levels in the fourth quarter of 1997. Net cash flows
increased in 1996 compared to 1995 due to earnings levels in 1996 compared to
operating losses in 1995.     
   
  The Company's net cash flows from investing activities for the nine months
ended September 1998 and 1997 were a use of $27.4 million and a use of $1.8
million, respectively. The decrease in net cash flows from investing
activities in 1998 compared to 1997 was a result of increased capital
expenditures. The increase in capital expenditures is related to certain
equipment acquired from a competitor for approximately $13.3 million and costs
related to the construction of a new dredge of approximately $5.7 million. The
Company's net cash     
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995, were $(6.2) million, $(0.8) million and $(3.9) million,
respectively. The decrease in net cash flows from investing activities in 1997
from 1996 was a result of increased capital expenditures in 1997 over 1996.
The increase in net cash flows from investing activities in 1996 from 1995 was
a result of decreased capital expenditures in 1996 from 1995.
   
  The Company's net cash flows from financing activities for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 were a source of $3.2 million and a use of
$1.9 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
the Company effected the Recapitalization which extinguished the debt under
the former credit agreement and redeemed the stock of the majority
shareholders with proceeds from the new bank term and revolving credit
agreement, issuance of senior subordinated notes and equity investments by new
shareholders. The Company's net cash flows from financing activities for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $(7.6) million, $(24.3)
million and $6.5 million, respectively. The increase in net cash flows from
financing activities in 1997 compared to 1996 was primarily a result of
funding additional capital expenditures and the increase in working capital
requirements. The decrease in net cash flows from financing activities in 1996
compared to 1995 was a result of the increased repayments of debt with
additional cash generated from increased earnings in 1996.     
   
  Distributions from both Amboy and Riovia are subject to the unanimous
consent of each partner in such joint venture. The Company received
distributions from joint ventures of $5.5 million, $0.8 million, $1.0 million
and $0.0 million in 1995, 1996, 1997 and the first nine months of 1998,
respectively, and recorded earnings from such joint ventures of $1.3 million,
$1.1 million, $3.1 million, and $0.4 million, respectively, for the same
periods. The Company paid dividends of $0.6 million, $0.7 million, $3.0
million and $0.0 million in respect of minority interests in 1995, 1996, 1997
and the first nine months of 1998, respectively, and the Company recorded
minority interest expense of $1.2 million, $0.4 million, $1.7 million and $1.9
million, respectively, for the same periods.     
 
  The Company has entered into operating lease agreements for certain dredging
assets and office space, which require annual lease payments totaling
approximately $6.0 million annually through 2006. Additionally the Company
expects to incur annual maintenance expense of between $15 and $18 million
annually. Amounts expended for operating leases and maintenance expense are
charged to operations on an annual basis.
   
  Planned capital expenditures, which primarily include support equipment and
equipment upgrades, are expected to require annual spending of between $8
million and $11 million annually for the foreseeable future. The Company's
capital expenditures for 1998 are expected to be $11.0 million for
improvements to its current fleet. In August 1998 the Company acquired two
hydraulic dredges, certain support vessels and operating inventory from a
competitor for approximately $13.8 million. The Company expects to refinance
the purchase of the equipment for approximately $14.5 million before the end
of the year with an operating lease increasing annual operating lease expense
by approximately $1.8 million. The Company initially financed the purchase
price for such assets with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. In
addition, the Company has contracted to build a new backhoe dredge, costing
approximately $18.0 million, for delivery in early to mid 1999. In October
1998, the dredge construction costs were refinanced through an operating lease
that will increase annual operating lease expense by approximately
$2.0 million starting mid-1999 upon completion of the dredge.     
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company entered into the New
Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility is secured by first liens on
approximately $55.0 million in market value of dredging equipment and second
liens on approximately an additional $40.0 million in market value of dredging
equipment. Such lien positions restrict the Company's ability to incur
additional indebtedness as a significant portion of its assets are subject to
liens. Additionally, the New Credit Facility restricts the total amount of
indebtedness the Company can incur. The Term Loan under the New Credit
Facility will require quarterly principal payments aggregating $0.0 million,
$2.5 million, $6.5 million, $9.0 million and $11.0 million in 1998, 1999,
2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. See "Description of the New Credit
Facility."
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company entered into the New
Bonding Agreement, which provides surety bonds required for bidding and
performing projects. The bonding company's obligation to issue bonds is
discretionary. The Company's obligations under the New Bonding Agreement are
secured by approximately $160 million of vessel and equipment collateral which
the bonding company has either a first lien position or a second lien position
(behind the first liens securing the Company's obligations under the New
Credit Facility). Additionally, the New Bonding Agreement contains restrictive
covenants which, among other things, limit the Company's ability to incur
indebtedness and place liens on its assets. See "Description of New Bonding
Agreement."
 
  In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company sold the Existing
Notes, with an aggregate principal amount of $115.0 million, to the initial
purchaser. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt. The
Indenture contains certain covenants that limit, among other things, the
ability of the Company to (i) pay dividends, redeem capital stock or make
certain other restricted payments or investments, (ii) incur additional
indebtedness or issue certain preferred equity interests, (iii) sell all or
substantially all of its assets and (iv) create certain liens on assets. The
Notes bear interest at the rate of 11 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually on
February 15 and August 15, commencing February 15 1999. The Notes mature on
August 15, 2008. See "Description of Notes."
 
  Management believes cash flow from operations and available credit will be
sufficient to finance operations, planned capital expenditures and debt
service requirements for the foreseeable future. The Company's ability to make
scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay the interest or Liquidated
Damages (as defined hereinafter), if any, on, or to refinance, its
indebtedness (including the Notes), or to fund planned capital expenditures
will depend on its future performance, which, to a certain extent, is subject
to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond its control. The Company may, however, need to
refinance all or a portion of the principal of the Notes on or prior to
maturity. There can be no assurance that the Company's business will generate
sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be
available under the New Credit Facility in an amount sufficient to enable the
Company to service its indebtedness, including the Notes, or to fund its other
liquidity needs. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to effect any such refinancing on commercially reasonable terms or at
all.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
 
  Historically, many computer programs have been written using two digits
rather than four to define the applicable year, which could result in the
program failing to recognize a year that begins with "20" instead of "19".
This, in turn, could result in major system failures or miscalculations, and
is generally referred to as the "Year 2000 issue".
 
  In June 1996, the Company's MIS Department developed a plan to identify and
address issues related to Year 2000 compliance. The Company's internal systems
were the primary focus of the plan. At that time, the Company compiled an
inventory of its internally developed and third party software. The Company
also evaluated various solutions and techniques for making its internally
developed databases and programs Year 2000 ready. The Company prioritized the
tasks taking into account the likelihood of Year 2000 failure, the impact of
Year 2000 failure on its business, and the effort required to complete the
task. In March 1997, senior management of the Company reviewed the tasks and
approved the plan.
 
  The Company's Year 2000 Plan contemplated four phases--assessment,
implementation, testing and release/installation--which overlap to a degree.
The Company has completed all phases for its most critical systems. The
Company is currently in the implementation, testing and installation phase for
its less critical systems and anticipates completing the final installation
phase during the fourth quarter of 1998. Some non-critical systems will be
addressed during calendar year 1999 and the Company believes such systems are
not material to its operations.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
  The Company has received information concerning the Year 2000 status of
certain critical suppliers, and anticipates initiating more extensive
inquiries with significant suppliers during the fourth quarter of 1998 to
determine the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to those third
parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.
 
  The Company currently estimates that the total cost of implementing its Year
2000 Plan, consisting primarily of increased staffing requirements and outside
consulting services, will not be material. This estimate is based on presently
available information and will be updated as the Company continues its
assessment and proceeds with implementation.
 
  If the Company's computer systems fail with respect to the Year 2000 Issue,
or if any applications or embedded chips critical to the Company's reporting
process are overlooked there could be a material adverse effect on the
business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
Additionally, there can be no assurance that the systems of other companies on
which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted, or that a failure
to convert by another company would not have material adverse effect on the
business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The
Company has not yet established a contingency plan in this regard, but intends
to formulate one to address unavoided or unavoidable risks and expects to have
the contingency plan formulated by July 1999.
 
EFFECTS OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS
130"), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 131, "Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131"), which
could require the Company to make additional disclosures in its financial
statements no later than for the year ending December 31, 1998. SFAS 130
defines comprehensive income, which includes items in addition to those
reported in the statement of operations, and requires disclosures about its
components. Management is presently evaluating the effect on the Company's
financial reporting from the adoption of this statement and does not expect it
to have any material effect. SFAS 131 requires disclosures for each segment of
a business and the determination of segments based on the Company's internal
management structure. Management is in the process of evaluating the impact on
the Company's financial reporting from the adoption of this statement.
 
  In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"), which is effective for all fiscal
quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. SFAS 133 requires
that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities in the
statement of financial position and be measured at fair value. Management is
in the process of evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position
from adoption of SFAS 133.
 
INFLATION
 
  The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on the
Company's operations.
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
   
  The Existing Notes were sold by the Company to the Initial Purchaser on
August 19, 1998 (the "Issue Date"). The Initial Purchaser subsequently sold
the Existing Notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A
under the Securities Act. Because the Existing Notes are subject to certain
transfer restrictions, as an inducement to the Initial Purchaser the Company,
the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser entered into the
Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed (i) to
prepare and file with the Commission the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part not later than October 18, 1998 and (ii) to cause the
Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act not later
than February 15, 1999. The Registration Statement is intended to satisfy in
part the Company's obligations with respect to the Existing Notes under the
Registration Rights Agreement.     
 
  Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, management believes that the
Exchange Notes will be freely transferable by holders other than affiliates of
the Company after the Exchange Offer without further registration under the
Securities Act if the holder of the Exchange Notes represents that it is
acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business, that it
has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the Exchange Notes and that it is not an affiliate of the
Company, as such terms are interpreted by the Commission; provided, however,
that broker-dealers ("Participating Broker-Dealers") receiving Exchange Notes
in the Exchange Offer will have a prospectus delivery requirement with respect
to resales of such Exchange Notes. In interpretive letters issued to third
parties in unrelated transactions, the Commission has taken the position that
Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to exchange notes (other than a resale of an unsold
allotment from the original sale of existing notes) with the prospectus
contained in the registration statement pursuant to which such exchange notes
were registered. Based on those interpretive letters, the Company is of the
view that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to the Exchange Notes with this Prospectus, although
the Commission has expressed no opinion in this regard. Under the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Company is required to allow Participating Broker-
Dealers and other persons, if any, with similar prospectus-delivery
requirements to use this Prospectus in connection with the resale of such
Exchange Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own
account in exchange for Existing Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a Prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
Exchange Offer), the Company will accept for exchange Existing Notes which are
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on           , 1998; provided, however, that if the
Company has extended the period of time for which the Exchange Offer is open,
the term "Expiration Date" means the latest time and date to which the
Exchange Offer is extended.
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, $115.0 million aggregate principal amount
of the Existing Notes are outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the
Letter of Transmittal, is first being sent on or about           , 1998 to all
holders of Existing Notes known to the Company. The Company's obligation to
accept Existing Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject
to certain conditions as set forth under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" below.
 
  The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time,
to extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer is open, and
thereby delay acceptance for any exchange of any Existing Notes,
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
by giving notice of such extension to the holders thereof. During any such
extension, all Existing Notes previously tendered will remain subject to the
Exchange Offer and may be accepted for exchange by the Company. Any Existing
Notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned without
expense to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Existing Notes not theretofore
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offer specified below under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer." The Company will give notice of any extension, amendment, non-
acceptance or termination to the holders of the Existing Notes as promptly as
practicable, such notice in the case of any extension to be issued no later
than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
  Holders of Existing Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
  The tender to the Company of Existing Notes by a holder thereof as set forth
below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder who wishes to
tender Existing Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
transmit a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal,
including all other documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to The
Bank of New York at one of the addresses set forth below under "Exchange
Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i)
certificates for such Existing Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent
along with the Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-
entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Existing Notes, if such
procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository
Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or the "Depositary")
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or the holder
must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure described below.
 
  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF EXISTING NOTES, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER. IF SUCH
DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED,
WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD
BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR EXISTING
NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
 
  Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed unless the Existing Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Existing Notes
who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instruction" or
"Special Delivery Instruction" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the
account of an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
maybe, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a firm which
is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or
trust Company having an office or correspondent in the United States
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If Existing Notes are registered in
the name of a person other than a signer of the Letter of Transmittal, the
Existing Notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied
by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in
satisfactory form as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, duly
executed by, the registered holder with the signature thereon guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Existing Notes tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and
all tenders of any particular Existing Notes not properly tendered or to not
accept any particular Existing Notes which acceptance might, in the judgment
of the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the
absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the
Exchange Offer as to any particular Existing Notes either before or after the
Expiration Date(including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder
who seeks to tender Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular
Existing Notes either before or after the Expiration Date (including the
Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the Company shall be
final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities
in connection with tenders of Existing Notes for exchange must be cured within
such reasonable period of time as the Company shall determine. Neither the
Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to
give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of
Existing Notes for exchange, nor shall any of them incur any liability for
failure to give such notification.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal or any Existing Notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by
the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to
so act must be submitted.
 
  By tendering, each holder of Existing Notes will represent to the Company in
writing that, among other things, the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
holder and any beneficial holder, that neither the holder nor any such
beneficial holder has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes and that neither the
holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405
of the Securities Act, of the Company. If the holder is not a broker-dealer,
the holder must represent that it is not engaged in nor does it intend to
engage in a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the holder is a broker-
dealer, the holder must represent that it will receive Exchange Notes for its
own account in exchange for Existing Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. Each broker-dealer that
receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Existing Notes,
where such Existing Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (an "Exchanging Dealer"),
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
ACCEPTANCE OF EXISTING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  For each Existing Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Existing
Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of
the surrendered Existing Note. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered Existing Notes for exchange
when, as and if the Company has given oral and written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent.
 
  In all cases, issuance of Exchange Notes for Existing Notes that are
accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Existing Notes
or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Existing Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents. If any
tendered Existing Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Existing Notes are submitted for a
greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted
or non-exchanged Existing Notes will be returned without expense to the
tendering holder thereof(or, in the case of Existing Notes tendered by book-
entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described below, such
non-exchanged Existing Notes will be credited to an account maintained with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as promptly as practicable after the
expiration of the Exchange Offer.
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
  Any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Existing Notes by causing
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Existing Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance
with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However,
although delivery of Existing Notes may be effected through book-entry
transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or
facsimile thereof with any required signature guarantees and any other
required documents must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the
Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below under "Exchange Agent"
on or prior to the Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below must be complied with.
 
  The Company understands that the Exchange Agent has confirmed with the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility that any financial institution that is a participant
in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system may utilize the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") to tender Existing
Notes. The Company further understands that the Exchange Agent will request,
within two business days after the date the Exchange Offer commences, that the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility establish an account with respect to the Existing
Notes for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange Offer, and any participant
may make book-entry delivery of Existing Notes by causing the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to transfer such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's
account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's ATOP procedures
for transfer. However, the exchange of the Existing Notes so tendered will
only be made after timely confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such
book-entry transfer and timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of an Agent's
Message (as defined in the next sentence), an appropriate Letter of
Transmittal with any required signature guarantee, and any other documents
required. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility and received by the Exchange Agent and forming part of
Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
has received an express acknowledgment from a participant tendering Existing
Notes which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation and that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of
Transmittal and that the Company may enforce such agreement against such
participant.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
  If a registered holder of the Existing Notes desires to tender such Existing
Notes and the Existing Notes are not immediately available, or time will not
permit such holder's Existing Notes or other required documents to reach the
Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if
(i) the tender is made through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior to the
Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided
by the Company (by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery), setting forth the name and address of the holder of Existing Notes
and the amount of Existing Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being
made thereby and guaranteeing that within five New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, the certificates for all physically tendered Existing Notes, in
proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be,
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent and (iii) the
certificates for all physically tendered Existing Notes, in proper form for
transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange
Agent within five NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
  Tenders of Existing Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of
withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set
forth below under "Exchange Agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must specify
the name of the person
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
having tendered the Existing Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Existing
Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal amount of such Existing Notes),
and (where certificates for Existing Notes have been transmitted) specify the
name in which such Existing Notes are registered, if different from that of
the withdrawing holder. If certificates for Existing Notes have been delivered
or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of
such certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit the serial numbers
of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of
withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such
holder is an Eligible Institution. If Existing Notes have been tendered
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice
of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Existing Notes and
otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility. All questions as to the
validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices
will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any Existing Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to
have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer.
Any Existing Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not
exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost
to such holder (or in the case of Existing Notes tendered by book-entry
transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described above, such Existing
Notes will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility for the Existing Notes) as soon as practicable after withdrawal,
rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn
Existing Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described
under "--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" above at any time on or
prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue Exchange Notes in exchange
for, any Existing Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer if at
any time before the acceptance of such Existing Notes for exchange or the
exchange of Exchange Notes for such Existing Notes, the Company determines
that (i) the Exchange Offer does not comply with any applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission, (ii) the Company has
not received all applicable governmental approvals or (iii) any actions or
proceedings of any governmental agency or court exist which could materially
impair the Company's ability to consummate the Exchange Offer.
 
  The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any
such condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time in its reasonable discretion. The failure by the Company
at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a
waiver of such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right
which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
 
  In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Existing Notes
tendered, and no Exchange Notes will be issued in exchange for any such
Existing Notes, if at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in
effect with respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
constitutes a part or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). In any such
event the Company is required to use every reasonable effort to obtain the
withdrawal of any stop order at the earliest possible time.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  The Bank of New York has been appointed as the Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the
Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below. Questions and requests
for assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the
Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should
be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
 
   By Hand Or Overnight    Facsimile Transmissions: By Registered Or Certified
         Delivery:                                             Mail:
                         (Eligible Institutions Only)
 
 
 
   The Bank of New York         (212) 571-3080         The Bank of New York
    101 Barclay Street                                101 Barclay Street, 7E
 
                            To Confirm by Telephone  New York, New York 10286
 New York, New York 10286  or for Information Call:  Attention: Reorganization
                                                             Section,
 Corporate Trust Services
          Window
 
                                (212) 815-6333
       Ground Level
 Attention: Reorganization
         Section,
 
  Delivery to an address other than as set forth above or transmission via
facsimile to a number other than as set forth above does not constitute a
valid delivery.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
  The Company will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The principal solicitation is
being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be made in person or
by telephone by officers and employees of the Company.
 
  The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
paid by the Company. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the Exchange
Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The Exchange Notes will be recorded at the same carrying amount as the
Existing Notes, which is the principal amount as reflected in the Company's
accounting records on the date of the exchange and, accordingly, no gain or
loss will be recognized. The debt issuance costs will be capitalized and
amortized to interest expense over the term of the Exchange Notes.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
  Holders who tender their Existing Notes for exchange will not be obligated
to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who
instruct the Company to register Exchange Notes in the name of, or request
that Existing Notes not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be
returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be
responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE; RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  Holders of Existing Notes who do not exchange their Existing Notes for
Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to
the restrictions on transfer of such Existing Notes as set forth in the legend
thereon as a consequence of the issuance of the Existing Notes pursuant to the
exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration
requirements of, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Existing Notes not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to
accrue interest at 11 1/4% per annum and will otherwise remain outstanding in
accordance with their terms. Holders of Existing Notes do not have any
appraisal or dissenters' rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law in
connection with the Exchange Offer. In general, the Existing Notes may not be
offered or sold unless registered under the Securities
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Company does not
currently anticipate that it will register the Existing Notes under the
Securities Act. However, (i) if the Initial Purchaser so requests with respect
to Existing Notes not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer and held by it following consummation of the Exchange Offer or
(ii) if any holder of Existing Notes(other than an Exchanging Dealer) is not
eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer or, in the case of any holder of
Existing Notes (other than an Exchanging Dealer) that participates in the
Exchange Offer, does not receive Exchange Notes in exchange for Existing Notes
that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws
(other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act), the Company is obligated to
file a shelf registration statement on the appropriate form under the
Securities Act relating to the Existing Notes held by such persons.
 
  Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company is of the view that
Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any
such holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Notes
from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available
exemption) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders
have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such Exchange Notes. If any holder has any arrangement or
understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be
acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not rely on the
applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction. A broker-dealer who
holds Existing Notes that were acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter"
within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of Exchange Notes. Each such broker-dealer that receives Exchange
Notes for its own account in exchange for Existing Notes, where such Existing
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge in the Letter of
Transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." The Company has not requested
the staff of the Commission to consider the Exchange Offer in the context of a
no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff would take
positions similar to those taken in the interpretive letters referred to above
if the Company were to make such a no-action request.
 
  In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the Exchange Notes may not be offered or sold unless they have
been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or an exemption
from registration or qualification is available and is complied with. The
Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and subject
to certain specified limitations therein, to register or qualify the Exchange
Notes for offer or sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions in the United States as any selling holder of the Notes
reasonably requests in writing.
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
   
  Great Lakes is the largest provider of dredging services in the United
States. Dredging generally involves the enhancement or preservation of
navigability of waterways or the protection of shorelines through the removal
or replenishment of soil, sand or rock. The U.S. dredging market consists of
three primary types of work: Capital, Maintenance (including controlled
disposal dredging) and Beach Nourishment, in which activities the Company
achieved a combined bid market share in the U.S. of 54% in 1997. In addition,
the Company is the only U.S. dredging contractor with significant
international operations, which represented approximately 22% of its contract
revenues in 1997. The Company's fleet of 25 dredges, 29 material
transportation barges, two drillboats, and 128 other specialized support
vessels is the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. The Company believes
its fleet would cost in excess of $600 million to build. For the twelve months
ended September 30, 1998, the Company's contract revenues and Adjusted EBITDA,
were $278.6 million and $40.6 million, respectively. In addition, as of
September 30, 1998, the Company's contract backlog totaled approximately
$247.0 million.     
 
  Over its 108-year life, the Company has grown to be the leader in each of
its business activities in the U.S. The Company's three principal business
activities are:
 
  .  CAPITAL (approximately 43% of 1997 contract revenues). Capital dredging
     projects are primarily port expansion projects, which involve the
     deepening of channels to allow larger, deeper draft ships and providing
     land fill for building additional port facilities, thereby enhancing
     port profitability and competitiveness. Approximately 31% of the
     Company's Capital project revenues in 1997 derive from Deep Port
     projects. The Company's cumulative bid market share of Deep Port
     projects was 76% from 1991 to 1997. Capital projects also include land
     reclamations, trench digging, and other construction-related dredging.
     The Company's bid market share of total U.S. Capital projects (including
     Deep Port projects) was 67% in 1997. Approximately 22% of the Company's
     contract revenues were attributable to non-U.S. Capital projects.
 
  .  MAINTENANCE (approximately 29% of 1997 contract revenues). Maintenance
     dredging consists of the redredging of waterways and harbors to remove
     silt, sand and other accumulated sediments. Due to natural
     sedimentation, active channels generally require Maintenance dredging
     every one to three years, thus creating a continuous source of dredging
     work that is typically non-deferable if optimal navigability is to be
     maintained. The Company's bid market share of U.S. Maintenance projects
     was 28% in 1997.
 
  .  BEACH NOURISHMENT (approximately 23% of 1997 contract revenues). Beach
     Nourishment dredging projects generally involve moving sand from the
     ocean floor to shoreline locations when erosion has progressed to a
     stage that threatens substantial shoreline assets. The Company's bid
     market share of U.S. Beach Nourishment projects was 86% in 1997.
 
  The Company believes that it benefits from a number of favorable trends in
the U.S. dredging market. The average controlling depth of the top ten largest
U.S. ports, as measured by annual container volume, is 40.4 feet compared to
52.7 feet for the top ten non-U.S. ports worldwide. Without significant
deepening efforts, most major U.S. ports risk being unable to accommodate
larger cargo vessels, which renders them less competitive with deeper ports.
The Corps, which has the primary responsibility for maintaining and improving
the nation's waterways, ports and shorelines, has recently announced 18 new
Deep Port projects to be completed over the next seven years, which the Corps
estimates will have an aggregate value in excess of $2.2 billion. Funding for
announced projects has also increased significantly during the past 12 months
due to increased federal funding and increased cost sharing of Capital
projects by local governments. In addition, the Corps, which historically has
performed a significant amount of domestic Maintenance dredging projects, has
substantially reduced its fleet from its height of 42 dredges in 1976 to 12
dredges in 1998, and has recently idled the largest of its four remaining
hopper dredges, which are the only Corps dredges that compete with the
Company.
 
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
 
  The Company possesses a number of competitive strengths that have allowed it
to develop and maintain its leading position within the dredging industry,
including the following:
 
  FLEXIBLE PORTFOLIO OF ASSETS. The Company operates the largest and most
diverse dredging fleet in the U.S., which the Company believes would cost in
excess of $600 million to build. Great Lakes owns over 180 vessels including
approximately 40% of the vessels certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and
American Bureau of Shipping to perform offshore dredging operations, 47% of
available hopper dredge capacity, 33% of large capacity clamshell dredges
operating in the U.S., 100% of the drill boats in the U.S. and certain
specialized equipment, such as the only two large electric dredges in the U.S.
The size and breadth of the fleet improves the Company's competitiveness as it
generally permits the Company to select the most efficient equipment for a
particular job. To maintain the value and effectiveness of its fleet, the
Company emphasizes proactive maintenance that results in lower downtime,
increased profitability, enhanced vessel life and relatively low capital
expenditure requirements. To this end, the Company incurred $17.3 million of
maintenance expense in 1997 in addition to capital expenditures of $11.5
million.
 
  FAVORABLE COMPETITIVE DYNAMIC. Great Lakes is the largest U.S. provider of
dredging services and has consistently maintained a cumulative bid market
share of 38% since 1991, which is substantially greater than its nearest
competitor's share for those projects. In addition to operating and owning the
industry's largest and most diverse fleet, the Company believes that it
benefits from a number of significant advantages relative to both existing and
potential competitors, including: (i) the requirements of the Dredging Act of
1906 and the Jones Act of 1920, which effectively prohibit foreign dredges and
foreign-owned dredging companies from competing in the U.S.; (ii) its being
one of three competitors that it believes are independently able to obtain
performance bonds in an amount greater than $50 million; (iii) the relatively
high capital costs associated with the construction of a new dredge, which the
Company estimates at between $10 to $50 million; and (iv) the Company's
reputation for quality and customer service built up over its 108 year
operating history, during which time it has never failed to complete a
project. In addition, the Company's long history as a leader in the industry
has enabled it to develop a proprietary database that contains detailed
bidding and technical information on most domestic dredging projects since
1970, which management believes allows the Company, among other things, to be
more accurate than its competitors in predicting contract costs prior to
bidding.
 
  SPECIALIZED CAPABILITY IN CAPITAL PROJECTS. Great Lakes believes it is the
leader in Capital dredging projects which generally require specialized
engineering expertise, specific combinations of equipment and experience in
performing complex projects. From 1991 to 1997, Great Lakes achieved a 38%
U.S. bid market share of the Capital projects. The Corps has recently
announced 18 new Deep Port projects to be completed through 2005. The Corps
has estimated the aggregate dollar value of these projects to exceed $2.2
billion (of which bidding for approximately $1 billion of such projects is
scheduled to commence in 1998) compared to $887 million of projects bid
between 1986 and 1997. The Company's cumulative bid market share of Deep Port
projects was 76% from 1991 to 1997. The Company believes its extensive
experience on complex projects significantly enhances its ability to
profitably bid and complete these contracts.
 
  PROVEN, EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM. The Company's senior managers include:
Douglas B. Mackie, President and Chief Executive Officer; Richard M. Lowry,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; and Bruce J. Biemeck,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who have an average of 17
years of experience in the dredging industry. The Company believes that its
experienced management team provides it with a significant advantage over its
competitors, many of whom are family owned and managed. As a result of the
Transaction, the management of the Company owns approximately 16% of the
issued and outstanding common stock of Great Lakes.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to continue to grow contract revenues and cash
flow and strengthen its competitive position worldwide. The principal elements
of this strategy include:
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
   
  CONTINUE TO GROW IN DOMESTIC MARKETS. The Company expects to strengthen its
domestic leadership position by leveraging (i) the size and breadth of its
fleet, (ii) its industry-leading operating experience, (iii) its engineering
expertise, and (iv) its efficient project management practices. For example,
the Company has contracted to build a new backhoe at a cost of approximately
$18 million, which will enhance its ability to compete for and execute new
Deep Port projects. To further enhance the Company's operating capabilities,
on August 25, 1998, the Company acquired T.L. James & Company, Inc., a
significant competitor, at a cost of approximately $13.8 million, a large
hydraulic dredge and midsize hydraulic dredge together with support equipment,
inventory and spare parts. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources."     
 
  GROW ESTABLISHED FOREIGN MARKET BASE. Since the early 1990s, a consolidation
among certain foreign competitors, together with an increase in foreign
governments' port infrastructure investments, have resulted in new overseas
dredging opportunities for Great Lakes. In 1997, the Company recorded
approximately $55.9 million in revenue from non-U.S. dredging projects. The
Company intends to continue to selectively pursue international opportunities
that offer it the potential to increase the utilization of its asset base, to
leverage its project management capabilities and to expand its non-U.S.
dredging market share.
 
  EXPLOIT GROWTH IN CONTROLLED DISPOSAL DREDGING. In recent years, in response
to more stringent regulations governing the disposal of dredged materials,
certain of the Company's projects have required dredged materials to be
disposed of in a more controlled manner. The Company believes it is well
positioned to exploit this trend due to its equipment mix, its operating
expertise and its joint venture with the owner and operator of two fully
permitted upland disposal sites in New Jersey, which represent a substantial
percentage of the upland disposal capacity in the greater New York City area.
During 1997, Great Lakes completed $12.0 million of controlled disposal
dredging projects. The Company has estimated that over $100 million of
dredging revenue related to projects requiring upland disposal is expected to
be completed through 2005 in New York and New Jersey.
 
OPERATIONS
 
  U.S. Capital Dredging. Capital dredging projects are primarily from
expansion projects, which involve the deepening of channels to allow larger,
deeper draft ships and providing land fill for building additional port
facilities, thereby enhancing port profitability and competitiveness. The
Company's cumulative bid market share of Deep Port projects was 76% from 1991
to 1997. Capital projects also include other land reclamations, trench
digging, and other construction-related dredging.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
  U.S. Capital includes Deep Port projects authorized under the 1986 Water
Resource Development Act, as amended and supplemented ("WORDA"). In 1986,
WORDA authorized the deepening of 39 ports and subsequently authorized
additional port deepening projects and modifications to previously authorized
projects. As of the date of this Offering Memorandum, port deepening projects
have commenced or been completed in Norfolk, VA, Baltimore, MD, Mobile, AL,
New York, NY, Miami, FL, Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Long Beach, CA. The
budgeted cost of all federally authorized Deep Port projects is expected to be
in excess of approximately $3.0 billion. Great Lakes has had a bid market
share of 65.4% on the $887.0 of Deep Port projects awarded since WORDA was
enacted in 1986. Increasing competition among ports has resulted in added
pressure on the Corps and Congress to schedule projects previously approved
but not yet put out for bid. Additionally, funding for announced projects has
also increased significantly during the past 12 months due to (i) increased
federal funding, and (ii) increased cost sharing of Capital projects by local
governments. As a result, the Corps has announced over $2.2 billion of Capital
projects to be let for bid and executed over the next seven years, of which
the bidding for approximately $1.0 billion of such projects is scheduled to
commence in 1998. The table below lists the Deep Port projects, estimated size
and expected time frame for construction identified by the Corps for bid
through 2005. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Government Contracts and
Funding."
 
                    DEEP PORT PROJECTS PLANNED THROUGH 2005
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ESTIMATED
                                                     SIZE    EXPECTED TIME FRAME
                                                  (MILLIONS)  FOR CONSTRUCTION
<S>                                               <C>        <C>
Arthur Kill/Kill Van Kull, NY....................   $  750        1999-2005
Houston Ship Channel, TX.........................      250        1998-2004
Cape Fear River, NC..............................      248        2000-2003
Delaware River, PA...............................      236        2000-2003
Oakland, CA......................................      124        2001-2004
Charleston Harbor, SC............................      117        1999-2002
Columbia River, OR...............................      100        2002-2003
San Diego Harbor, CA.............................       87        2001-2003
Baltimore Harbor, MD.............................       63        2002-2004
Savannah, GA.....................................       60        2000-2001
San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico.....................       50        1998-2000
Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA.......................       45        1998-1999
Brunswick, GA....................................       40        1999-2001
Jacksonville Harbor, FL..........................       40        2000-2002
Humbolt Harbor, CA...............................       15        1998-1999
                                                    ------
    Total........................................   $2,255
                                                    ======
</TABLE>
 
  Capital dredging involves a higher level of complexity and the use of
specialized equipment. These requirements limit the number of competitors
qualified to perform this type of work. The Company's experience, expertise
and extensive and diverse equipment fleet make Great Lakes the leading
provider of dredging services with a significant cumulative bid market share
of all Capital projects, approximately 38% over the last seven years.
 
  Maintenance. Maintenance dredging consists of the redredging of waterways
and harbors to remove silt, sand, and other accumulated sediments. Channels
are typically redredged to depths established prior to recent sedimentation.
Due to natural sedimentation, active channels generally require Maintenance
dredging every one to three years, thus creating a continuous source of
dredging work that is typically non-deferrable if optimal navigability is to
be maintained. The frequency of Maintenance dredging requirements is often
accelerated by snowfall or heavy rainfall in the midwest which causes
additional siltation in the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
  The majority of Maintenance dredging work is contracted by the Corps. Other
entities which contract Maintenance dredging include state and local
governments, port authorities, private enterprises, and foreign entities.
Equipment utilized in Maintenance work varies with the specifications of the
project.
 
  The Corps' Maintenance dredging program has grown since 1990 due to both
additional ongoing dredging required in channels deepened under the WORDA
legislation and the execution by the private sector of work previously done by
the Corps. In 1994, the Corps reduced the level of utilization of its hopper
dredging fleet by 20.0% and awarded this additional work to the private
sector. In addition, pursuant to federal legislation enacted in late 1997, the
Corps idled the largest of its four hopper dredges, which are the only Corps
dredges that compete with the Company. The legislation provides that if the
private sector's performance is satisfactory, the idled Corps dredge will be
permanently idled, which will provide the private sector with additional
business opportunities.
 
  The Company believes that the maintenance market will be favorably impacted
by a number of factors, including but not limited to: (i) increasing demands
by the shipping industry to maintain ports more frequently to ensure proper
depths for increasingly larger deeper draft ships, and (ii) additional
maintenance required upon the completion of Capital-related projects, as
deeper channels tend to accumulate sediment more rapidly.
 
  In recent years, in response to more stringent regulations governing the
disposal of dredged materials, certain of the Company's projects have required
dredged materials to be disposed of in a more controlled manner. The Company
believes it is well positioned to exploit this trend due to its equipment mix,
its operating expertise and its joint venture with the owner and operator of
two fully permitted upland disposal sites in New Jersey, which represent a
substantial percentage of the upland disposal capacity in the greater New York
City area. During 1997, Great Lakes completed $12.0 million of controlled
disposal dredging projects. The Corps has estimated that over $100.0 million
of dredging revenue related to projects requiring upland disposal is expected
to be completed through 2005 in New York and New Jersey.
 
  Beach Nourishment. Beach Nourishment dredging projects generally involve
moving sand from the ocean floor to shoreline locations and typically arise
when beach erosion has progressed to a stage that threatens substantial
shoreline assets. Beach Nourishment achieves a more esthetic result than
trapping sand through the use of sea walls and jetties, and a more economic
response to relocating buildings and other assets from the shoreline. Primary
customers for Beach Nourishment jobs are federal, state and local agencies and
municipalities.
 
  Beach Nourishment projects have become in recent years a more important
component of the dredging industry. The increased commercial development of
U.S. shorelines, combined with their continual erosion, has created potential
replenishment opportunities on hundreds of miles of coastline, particularly on
the East Coast. The offshore areas from which replacement sand is dredged,
known as borrow areas, are increasingly located further from the beach, which
(i) requires in certain cases the use of ocean-certified dredges, of which the
Company has the largest U.S. fleet, and (ii) limits the ability to directly
pump the sand. This benefits the Company because it has the largest fleet of
ocean-certified vessels which are capable of performing this activity.
 
  During the period from 1960 through 1985, a substantial amount of beach
rebuilding was performed. However, there was an inadequate amount of follow-up
maintenance performed subsequent to 1985. Since 1996, the Beach Nourishment
market has improved due to (i) an increased amount of follow-up work and (ii)
the recent increase in the severity of the storm and hurricane activity along
the eastern seaboard.
 
  Foreign Dredging Operations. Since 1993, the Company has established itself
as a capable and competitive provider of international dredging services for
Capital projects. Great Lakes has built strong relationships with certain
foreign customers due to its willingness to redesign projects, its ethical
business practices and the desire of certain foreign governments to conduct
business with U.S. firms. Great Lakes is now routinely invited to bid on
projects in certain foreign markets and as a result has been successful in
increasing its foreign business. Since 1993, the Company has worked in Europe,
the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and South America. In 1997, 22% of the
Company's contract revenues were derived from international dredging projects.
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
JOINT VENTURES
 
  Amboy. The Company and a New Jersey aggregates company each own 50% of
Amboy. Amboy was formed in December 1984 to mine sand from the entrance
channel to the New York harbor and to process, transport, and market fine
aggregate, which is used principally as an ingredient in ready-mix concrete
and asphalt. Great Lakes' dredging expertise and its partner's knowledge of
the aggregate market formed the basis for the joint venture. Amboy is
accounted for by the Company under the equity method. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations."
 
  Amboy is the only East coast aggregate producer to mine sand from the ocean
floor. In 1988 Amboy built a specially designed dredge at a cost of $9.0
million for sand mining, de-watering and dry delivery. No other vessel of this
type operates in the U.S. Amboy's ocean-based supply of sand provides a long-
term competitive advantage in the Northeast as land-based sand deposits are
depleted or rendered less cost competitive by escalating land values.
 
  Mining operations are performed pursuant to permits granted to Amboy by the
federal government and the states of New York and New Jersey. Amboy is in the
process of obtaining permits to mine sand in new borrow areas which contain
aggregate more closely meeting the specifications for concrete sand. These new
sources will require less blending of material with the dredged aggregate,
reducing the cost of the final product and improving margins. The Company
believes that these permits are likely to be obtained in the next 18 months.
However, there can be no assurance that such permits will be obtained.
 
  Argentine Joint Venture. In 1996, Great Lakes acquired a 14% interest in
Riovia, a joint venture with four leading European dredging firms and two
Argentine dredging firms to dredge the long neglected Rio Via channel linking
Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay which is important for
shipping to Argentina and Uruguay. This venture has afforded Great Lakes the
opportunity to work with other international dredging companies to design,
manage and execute this project.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
  More than 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels are dredged
throughout the U.S. in order to keep ship traffic operating efficiently. The
dredging industry's customers include federal, state, and local governments,
foreign governments, and both domestic and foreign private concerns such as
utilities and oil companies. Most dredging projects are competitively bid,
with the award going to the lowest bonded bidder. There are generally few
economic substitutes that customers can use for dredging services. Foreign
governments are the primary dredging customers in international markets,
generally for capital projects relating to infrastructure development. See
"Risk Factors--Dependence on Government Contracts and Funding."
 
  The Corps is the largest dredging customer in the U.S. and has
responsibility for federally funded projects related to navigation and flood
control. In addition, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy
are responsible for awarding federal contracts with respect to their own
facilities. Until the early 1970's, the Corps used its own fleet to execute
nearly all of its authorized maintenance dredging. In 1973, Congress imposed a
moratorium on upgrading the Corps' dredging fleet in response to industry
pressure which challenged the efficiency of the Corps' operation. Legislation
was ultimately passed by Congress in 1978 limiting the Corps' fleet of dredges
to a size and configuration considered necessary only for emergencies and
national defense. As a result, its fleet was reduced from 42 dredges in 1976
to 12 dredges in 1998. Currently, only the Corps' four hopper dredges compete
directly with the Company. Furthermore, the Corps recently idled the largest
of its four remaining hopper dredges for a two-year test program. The Corps is
currently conducting a study on alternatives to operating its remaining fleet,
but the Corps is prohibited from selling any of its fleet for use in the U.S.
 
BIDDING PROCESS
 
  Most dredging contracts are obtained through competitive bidding on terms
specified by the party inviting the bid. The nature of the specified services
dictates the types of equipment, material and labor involved, all of which
affect the cost of performing the contract and the price that dredging
contractors will bid.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
  For contracts under its jurisdiction, the Corps typically prepares a cost
estimate based on its understanding of the availability of contractors and
their equipment. To be successful, a bidder must be determined by the Corps to
be a responsible bidder (i.e., a bidder that generally has the necessary
equipment and experience to successfully complete the project) and submit the
lowest responsive bid that does not exceed 125% of an estimate determined by
the Corps to be fair and reasonable. With respect to projects that are not
administered by the Corps, contracts are generally awarded to the lowest
qualified bidder, provided such bid is no greater than the amount of funds
that are available for such project.
 
  Substantially all of the Company's contracts are competitively bid. However,
some government contracts are awarded by a sole source procurement process
through negotiation between the contractor and the government. Prior to
negotiations, the contractor submits a proposal and cost and pricing data to
the government. Under such contracts, the government has the right, after
award and/or completion of the contract, to audit the contractor's books and
records, including the proposal and data available to the contractor during
negotiations, to ensure compliance with the contract and applicable federal
legislation, rules and regulations. The government may seek a price adjustment
based on the results of such audit.
 
  Great Lakes has operated for over 100 years and maintains an extensive
historical database of dredging production records from its own and its
competitors' activities and past bidding results. Prior production records
help the Company predict sediment composition and optimum equipment
requirements. Management believes that its extensive database and its
accumulated estimating and bidding expertise allow the Company to be more
accurate than its competitors in predicting dredging cost, prior to bidding
for contracts.
 
BONDING AND FOREIGN PROJECTS GUARANTEES
 
  For most domestic projects and some foreign projects, dredging service
providers are required to obtain three types of bonds, which are typically
provided by large insurance companies. A bid bond is required to serve as a
guarantee that if a service provider's bid is chosen, the service provider
will sign the contract. The amount of the bond is typically 20% of the service
provider's bid, up to a maximum bond of $3.0 million. After a contract is
signed, the bid bond is replaced by a performance bond, the purpose of which
is to guarantee that the job will be completed. A performance bond typically
covers 100% of the contract value with no maximum bond amounts. If the service
provider fails to complete a job, the bonding company assumes such obligation
and pays to complete the job, generally by using the equipment of the
defaulting company. A company's ability to obtain performance bonds with
respect to a particular contract depends upon the size of the contract, as
well as the size of the service provider and its financial position. A payment
bond is also required to protect the service provider's suppliers and
subcontractors in the event that the service provider cannot make timely
payments. Payment bonds are generally written in amounts ranging from 40% to
50% of the contract value, up to a maximum of $2.5 million.
 
  Great Lakes has never failed to complete a project during its 108 year
history, and therefore a performance bond has never been called. This reflects
(i) the fact that the range of work performed by Great Lakes is limited and
often repetitive; (ii) the relatively short duration of most projects and
(iii) Great Lakes' broad experience in most U.S. harbors.
 
  The Company's projects have been bonded by Reliance Surety Company
("Reliance") since 1985, with whom it believes it has a good relationship. The
Company has not experienced difficulty in obtaining bonding from Reliance for
any of its projects. If the Company were to fail to complete a project, the
bond provider would be required to either (i) permit the customer to complete
the job and reimburse the customer for the cost of completion or (ii) complete
the defaulted contract utilizing the Company's equipment and labor force or a
third party service provider. In the event the bonding company were to
complete the defaulted contract, it would be entitled to be paid the contract
price directly by the customer. However, the bonding company would be entitled
to be paid by the Company an amount equal to the difference, if any, between
the contract price and the cost of completing the project plus a profit margin
thereon.
 
  For most foreign projects, letters of credit or bank guarantees issued by
foreign banks, which are secured by letter of credit issued under the Credit
Agreement, are required as security for the bid, performance and, if
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
applicable, advance payments. Foreign bid guarantees are usually 2% to 5% of
the service provider's bid. Foreign performance and advance payment guarantees
are each typically 5% to 10% of the contract value.
 
COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
 
  The U.S. dredging industry is highly fragmented but has experienced
significant consolidation in recent years. Approximately 180 entities in the
U.S. presently operate more than 600 dredges, most of which are smaller, serve
the inland, as opposed to coastal, waterways and therefore do not compete with
Great Lakes.
 
  Competition in the Company's markets is based mainly on the basis of price,
and competition is often limited by the size of the job, equipment
requirements, bonding requirements, certification requirements, or government
regulations. Currently, Great Lakes and two competitors are the only dredging
companies which independently bid on jobs with values in excess of $50.0
million.
 
  Most dredging competitors concentrate their efforts in certain regions and
operate only one type of dredge. The Company believes the concentration is
usually the result of (i) a limited capital base from which to expand
operations, (ii) familiarity with the local markets and (iii) expertise with a
particular type of equipment. Regional concentrations do not allow these
competitors to respond to opportunities in other regions or to diversify their
risks in the event of a temporary decline in the market in their area. A
company with a variety of equipment, such as Great Lakes, is better able to
respond to changes in demand for certain types of dredges and can select the
most suitable equipment for any particular project, minimizing its project
completion cost. Additionally, Great Lakes, with its extensive fleet and
engineering expertise, can readily meet applicable certification, government
and bonding requirements.
 
EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW
 
  Great Lakes' dredging fleet is the largest in the western hemisphere and one
of the largest fleets in the world. The fleet consists of over 180 pieces of
equipment, including the largest hopper, and most of the large hydraulic
dredges in the U.S.
 
  The following table provides a listing of the Company's fleet of equipment.
 
                            FLEET OF EQUIPMENT (1)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TYPE OF EQUIPMENT                                                       QUANTITY
<S>                                                                     <C>
Hydraulic Dredges......................................................    10
Hopper Dredges.........................................................     8
Clamshell Dredges......................................................     7
Unloaders..............................................................     2
Drill Boats............................................................     2
Dump Barges............................................................    20
Hopper Barges..........................................................     9
Deck Barges............................................................    32
Other Barges...........................................................    23
Booster Pumps..........................................................     6
Tugs...................................................................    10
Launches...............................................................    19
Derricks...............................................................     6
Cranes.................................................................     7
Loaders/Dozers.........................................................    10
Survey Boats...........................................................    13
                                                                          ---
  Total................................................................   184
                                                                          ===
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) In addition, the Company has entered into an agreement to purchase two
    hydraulic dredges and support vessels and is building a backhoe dredge.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
  Along with being among the largest and most versatile in the U.S., five of
Great Lakes' hoppers are split-hulled (to facilitate dumping) and self
propelled. In addition, the Company operates the only two large electric
dredges in the U.S., which makes Great Lakes particularly competitive in
markets with stringent emissions standards (such as southern California). The
Company also has the largest fleet of material transportation barges in the
industry which provide cost advantages when dredged material is required to be
disposed of far offshore or when transporting material requiring controlled
disposal.
 
  The Company is committed to preventive maintenance, which it believes is
reflected in the long life of most of its equipment and its low level downtime
on jobs. The Company spent $17.3 million on maintenance in 1997, in addition
to approximately $11.5 million on capital expenditures.
 
  Great Lakes' domestic fleet is typically positioned on the East and West
coast with a smaller number of vessels on the Gulf of Mexico and on the inland
rivers. The mobility of the Company's fleet enables Great Lakes to move
equipment in response to changes in demand. The Company believes that on
average, its dredge equipment capacity utilization based on actual operating
time is among the highest in the industry. Great Lakes' international fleet is
currently positioned in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Puerto Rico and
Central and South America.
 
  There are three primary types of dredging equipment: hopper dredges,
hydraulic dredges and mechanical dredges.
 
  Hopper Dredges. Hopper dredges are self-propelled with molded hulls and have
the general appearance of an ocean-going vessel. The dredge has hollow hulls
into which material is suctioned hydraulically through dragarms and deposited.
Once the hollow hulls or "hoppers" are filled, the dredge will sail to the
designated disposal site and either (i) bottom dump the material or (ii) pump
the material from the hoppers through a pipeline to the designated site.
Hopper dredges can operate in rough waters, are less likely to interfere with
ship traffic and can move quickly from one project to another.
 
  Hydraulic Dredges. Hydraulic dredges remove material using a revolving
cutterhead which cuts and churns the sediment on the ocean floor and
hydraulically pumps the material by pipe to the disposal location. These
dredges are very powerful and can dredge some types of rock. Certain dredged
materials can be directly pumped as far as seven miles with the aid of a
booster pump. Hydraulic dredges work with an assortment of support equipment
which help with the positioning and movement of the dredge, handling of the
pipelines, and the placement of the dredged material.
 
  Mechanical Dredges. There are two basic types of mechanical dredges:
clamshell and backhoe. In all cases the dredge uses a bucket which excavates
the material from the ocean floor. The dredged material is placed by the
bucket into material barges or "scows" for transport to the designated
disposal area. The scows are emptied by bottom-dumping, direct-pump out or
removal by a crane with a bucket. Mechanical dredges are capable of removing
hardpacked sediments and debris and can work in tight areas such as along
docks or terminals. Clamshell dredges with specialized buckets are ideally
suited to handle material requiring controlled disposal.
 
  Future Equipment Needs. The current Great Lakes fleet is sufficient to meet
the demand associated with the anticipated future Maintenance dredging and
Beach work. A significant portion of the upcoming Capital projects will
require the use of a special type of backhoe dredge. Great Lakes has
contracted to build a backhoe dredge for delivery in early 1999 to meet the
anticipated timing for these projects. Great Lakes believes that this new
dredge will significantly enhance its ability to efficiently bid and execute a
substantial portion of the upcoming Capital projects. To further enhance the
Company's operating capabilities, on July 27, 1998 the Company entered into an
agreement with T.L. James & Company, Inc., a significant competitor, to
acquire a large hydraulic dredge and midsize hydraulic dredge together with
support equipment, inventory and spare parts. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
 
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION
 
  Certification of equipment by the U.S. Coast Guard and the establishment of
the permissible loading capacity by the American Bureau of Shipping ("A.B.S.")
are important factors in Great Lakes business. Many projects, such as Beach
Nourishment projects with offshore sand, dredging projects in exposed entrance
channels, and dredging projects with offshore disposal areas, are restricted
by federal regulations to be performed only by dredges or scows that have U.S.
Coast Guard certification and a load line established by the A.B.S. The
certifications indicate that the dredge is structurally capable of operating
in open waters.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
 
  The Company is subject to government regulation pursuant to the dredging
statute (46 U.S.C. Section 292) which protects the United States dredging
industry from competition from foreign-built dredges. The law prohibits
foreign-built vessels (absent special legislative action) from competing in
the United States dredging market. Dredges operating in the navigable waters
of the United States must also meet the coastwise trade requirements of the
Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920) and Section 2 of the
Shipping Act, 1916, as amended, and must have a coastwise endorsement pursuant
to the Vessel Documentation Act (46 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.). These acts
prohibit vessels owned or controlled by entities which are less than 75% owned
and controlled by United States citizens from transporting dredged material
between points in the United States.
 
  The Company's operations and facilities are subject to a variety of federal
and state environmental statutes and regulations. In addition, the Company is
required to comply with federal and state statues designed to protect certain
species and habitats.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  Currently, the Company employs approximately 220 full-time salaried
personnel, with additional hourly personnel hired on a project-by-project
basis. During 1997, the Company employed an average of approximately 500
hourly personnel, most of whom are unionized, on a project-by-project basis.
Crews are generally available for hire on relatively short notice.
 
  The Company is a party to more than twenty-five collective bargaining
agreements that govern its relationship with its hourly personnel. Six primary
agreements apply to more than ninety percent of such employees, which are
listed below with the corresponding expiration dates of the agreements.
 
  (1) Northern Labor Agreement--Local 25, Marine Division, International
      Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, expires October 1, 1999
 
  (2) Southern Labor Agreement--Local 25, Marine Division, International
      Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, expires February 1, 2000
 
  (3) Seafarers International Union of America--Licensed Agreement, expires
      March 1, 2000
 
  (4) Seafarers International Union of America--Unlicensed Agreement, expires
      March 1, 2000
 
  (5) Northern California Agreement--Local 3, International Union of
      Operating Engineers, expires March 1, 2000
 
  (6) Southern California Master Labor Agreement--Local 12, International
      Union of Operating Engineers ("Local 12"), expired August 1, 1998,
      which agreement was extended until August 1, 2001 pursuant to an
      agreement in principle.
 
  During the past five years the only collective labor disruption experienced
by the Company was a strike by Local 12, in August 1995 at the Company's Los
Angeles, California project site. There can be no assurance that the Company
will not experience labor strikes or disturbances in the future.
 
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  In the ordinary course of business, Great Lakes is engaged in various
litigation. However, management does not believe any current litigation is
material to the Company's operation or financial position.
 
  In 1992, an underwater utility tunnel located beneath the Chicago Loop
failed adjacent to a construction site completed by Great Lakes during the
fall of 1991. The failure resulted in a flooding of the tunnel and building
basements serviced by the tunnel. Numerous suits were filed against the
Company for claims of flood damage and losses due to business interruption.
During 1997 all remaining claims were settled relating to the Chicago Flood
Litigation.
 
  In 1988 Great Lakes and a subsidiary entered into a plea agreement with the
United States of America wherein Great Lakes and the subsidiary agreed to
plead guilty to five violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act for conspiring to
rig bids on projects between 1981 and 1985. The employment of all former
officers of the Company who were involved in the alleged improper bidding
activities was terminated in 1986. Great Lakes and the subsidiary were never
debarred from bidding by any State or Federal Agency as a result of the
improper bidding activities.
 
  Great Lakes is not currently involved in any material environmental or
related claims or legal matters.
 
  The Company's operations and facilities are subject to a variety of federal
and state environmental statutes and regulations, including those regulating
dredging operations, the disposal of dredged material, wetlands, storm and
waste water discharges, air emissions and the handling of certain substances.
The scope of such statutes and regulations and parties liable thereunder have
been afforded broad interpretations by state and federal regulators and
courts. In addition, the Company is required to comply with federal and state
statutes designed to protect certain species and habitats. Such compliance can
delay the authorization of, appropriation with respect to, and performance of,
particular projects and increase expenses in connection therewith.
 
  The Company cannot predict what environmental laws will be enacted in the
future, how existing or future environmental laws will be administered or
interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist on its
properties. Compliance with more stringent environmental laws, as well as more
vigorous enforcement policies of the regulatory agencies or stricter
interpretation of those laws, and discovery of new conditions may require
additional expenditure by the Company. There can be no assurance that one or
more of the foregoing will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
BACKLOG
 
  The Company's contracts backlog represents management's estimate of the
revenues which will be realized under the Company's contracts remaining to be
performed based upon estimates relating to, among other things, the time
required to mobilize the necessary assets at the project site, the amount of
material necessary to be dredged and the time necessary to demobilize the
project assets. However, such estimates are necessarily subject to
fluctuations based upon the amount of material which actually must be dredged,
as well as factors affecting the time required to complete the job.
Consequently, backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales. In
addition, because all of the Company's backlog relates to government
contracts, the Company's order backlog can be canceled at any time without
penalty, except, in some cases, the recovery of the Company's actual committed
costs and profit on work performed up to the date of cancellation.
   
  The Company's backlog does not include contract revenues with respect to
project bids that have been awarded to the Company but for which the Company's
customer has not provided an executed contract, which, as of September 30,
1998, includes $3.8 million of contracts on which the Company was the low
bidder, but which had not yet been awarded to the Company.     
 
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had a backlog of contract revenues of
$155.3 million, which represents an increase of $47.4 million, or 43.9%, over
December 31, 1996 backlog of $107.9 million. The
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
   
Company had backlog of $247.0 million at September 30, 1998, $68.4 of which
the Company expects to complete in 1998, although there can be no assurance
that all such backlog will be completed within that period.     
   
  The largest component of backlog at December 31, 1997, was $79.8 million
attributable to a large Capital project in Los Angeles. As of September 30,
1998, $44.9 million relating to this project remained in backlog which
included $2.3 million of additional work awarded in the first six months of
1998. Additionally, backlog at September 30, 1998 includes $29.7 million
attributable to the Boston Harbor Deep Port project won in the second quarter
of 1998.     
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
 
  Set forth below are the names, ages and positions with the Company of the
persons who serve as the directors, executive officers and key employees of
the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                               AGE                         POSITION
- ----                               ---                         --------
<S>                                <C> <C>
Douglas B. Mackie................   46 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Richard M. Lowry.................   43 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Bruce J. Biemeck.................   49 Sr. Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
William F. Pagendarm.............   49 Vice President--Division Manager
Steven F. O'Hara.................   43 Vice President--Division Manager
Bradley T.J. Hansen..............   45 Vice President--Division Manager
Daniel L. Hussin.................   49 Vice President--Manager of U.S. Business Development
Michael A. Delaney...............   44 Director
David Wagstaff III...............   60 Director
</TABLE>
 
  Douglas B. Mackie--Mr. Mackie has been President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director of the Company since 1995. Mr. Mackie joined the Company in 1978
as Corporate Counsel. In 1987 he was named Senior Vice President.
 
  Richard M. Lowry--Mr. Lowry has been the Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company since 1995. Mr. Lowry joined the Company in
1978 as a Project Engineer and has since held positions of increasing
responsibility in the engineering and operating areas of the Company. In 1990
he was named Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer.
 
  Bruce J. Biemeck--Mr. Biemeck has been the Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since 1994. Mr. Biemeck joined
the Company as Controller in 1987. He was named Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer in 1989.
 
  William F. Pagendarm--Mr. Pagendarm has been the Vice President and Division
Manager of the Company since 1985. He joined the Company in 1979 as Project
Superintendent.
 
  Steven F. O'Hara--Mr. O'Hara has been the Vice President and Division
Manager of the Company since 1988. He joined the Company in 1978 as Cost
Accountant.
 
  Bradley T.J. Hansen--Mr. Hansen has been the Vice President and Division
Manager of the Company since 1994, and Vice President & General Superintendent
of the Company from 1991 to 1994. He joined the Company in 1977 as Area
Engineer.
 
  Daniel L. Hussin--Mr. Hussin has been Vice President--Manager of U.S.
Business Development since 1995, and Vice President and Division Manager of
the Company from 1973 to 1995. He joined the Company in 1972 as an Estimator.
   
  Michael A. Delaney--Mr. Delaney became a director of the Company upon
consummation of the Transaction. Mr. Delaney has been a Managing Director of
399 Venture Partners, Inc. and its affiliate Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd.
since 1989. From 1986 through 1989, he was Vice President of Citicorp Mergers
and Acquisitions. Mr. Delaney is also a director of GVC Holdings, JAC
Holdings, CORT Business Services, Inc., Palomar Technologies, Inc., SC
Processing, Inc., Triumph Group, Inc., CLARK Material Handling Inc., MSX
International, Delco Remy International, Inc., International Knife and Saw
Inc., Fabri-Steel Products, Inc., Aetna Inc., AmeriSource Health Corporation
and Allied Digital Technologies Inc.     
 
  David Wagstaff III--Mr. Wagstaff became a director of the Company upon
consummation of the Transaction. Mr. Wagstaff has served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Vectura Group, Inc. since
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
1993. He was previously the Principal in a private consulting business and has
worked in various executive capacities at the Equitable Life Assurance Company
and Citicorp.
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
  The following table sets forth all cash compensation paid during 1997 to
Great Lakes' Chief Executive Officer and the next four highest paid executive
officers of the Company (collectively, together with the Chief Executive
Officer, the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ANNUAL
                                               COMPENSATION
                                            ------------------    ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                  SALARY  BONUS (1) COMPENSATION (2)
- ---------------------------                 -------- --------- ----------------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>       <C>
Douglas B. Mackie, President and CEO....... $286,700 $236,814    $ 134,140(3)
Richard M. Lowry, Executive Vice President
 and Chief Operating Officer...............  248,000  204,848      113,586(4)
Bruce J. Biemeck, Senior Vice President,
 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.....  176,400  114,484       72,891(5)
William F. Pagendarm, Vice President,
 Division Manager..........................  136,000   35,000       22,188(6)
Bradley T.J. Hansen, Vice President,
 Division Manager..........................  108,000   40,000       19,058(7)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Attributable to 1997, but paid in 1998.
(2) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes 401(k) plan,
    profit sharing contribution under 401(k) plan and lost 401(k) benefit
    bonus due to IRS limitations.
(3) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes' 401(k) plan of
    $9,500, profit sharing contribution of $11,000 and payment of lost 401(k)
    benefit due to IRS limitations of $113,640.
(4) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes' 401(k) plan of
    $9,500, profit sharing contribution of $11,000 and payment of lost 401(k)
    benefit due to IRS limitations of $93,086.
(5) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes' 401(k) plan of
    $9,500, profit sharing contribution of $11,000 and payment of lost 401(k)
    benefit due to IRS limitation of $52,391.
(6) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes' 401(k) plan of
    $9,500, profit sharing contribution of $11,000 and payment of lost 401(k)
    benefit due to IRS limitation of $1,688.
(7) Includes employer matching contributions under Great Lakes' 401(k) plan of
    $9,500 and profit sharing contribution of $9,558.
 
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
 
  The Company has entered into an Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1,
1992, with Douglas B. Mackie. The employment agreement provides for an initial
term of three years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms,
unless sooner terminated by either party giving 90 days written notice prior
to the end of the then current term. In addition, either party may terminate
the employment agreement at any time, with or without cause, by giving the
other party 30 days prior written notice.
 
  Mr. Mackie's current annual base salary under his employment agreement is
$300,000, which is subject to annual increase as determined by the
compensation committee of the Board of Directors, and benefits as provided
from time to time by the Company to its senior executives. In the event Mr.
Mackie resigns for good reason (defined to include, among other things, a
material breach of the employment agreement by the Company) or the employment
agreement is otherwise terminated by the Company for any reason other than
cause, death or permanent disability, Mr. Mackie will be entitled to receive
severance compensation in the amount equal to the sum of (a) Mr. Mackie's
current annual current base salary and (b) a bonus calculated by multiplying
current base salary by the average percentage of Mr. Mackie's base salary
represented by the bonuses Mr. Mackie received during the term of the
employment agreement.
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
  During the term of the employment agreement and for one year thereafter, Mr.
Mackie is prohibited from directly or indirectly carrying on, engaging or
having a financial interest in any business which is in material competition
with the business of the Company.
 
  The Company has also entered into employment agreements with Richard M.
Lowry and Bruce J. Biemeck, which agreements contain terms substantially
similar to Mr. Mackie's employment agreement, other than the amount of base
salary and the office held. Mr. Lowry's and Mr. Biemeck's current annual base
salaries under their respective employment agreements are $260,000 and
$195,000, respectively.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
                          OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the preferred stock and common stock of the Company
immediately following the Transaction.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                         NUMBER AND PERCENT OF SHARES
                               ------------------------------------------------
                                 PREFERRED
                                   STOCK       CLASS A STOCK    CLASS B STOCK
                               -------------- --------------- -----------------
   NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER    NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER  PERCENT  NUMBER   PERCENT
   ------------------------    ------ ------- ------- ------- --------- -------
<S>                            <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
Vectura Holding Company
 LLC(1)....................... 41,818  92.9%  818,000  49.9%  3,363,900  100%
 c/o Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation
 2122 York Road
 Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
Douglas B. Mackie.............    930   2.1%  208,000  12.7%        --    --
 c/o Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation
 2122 York Road
 Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
Richard M. Lowry..............    930   2.1%  208,000  12.7%        --    --
 c/o Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation
 2122 York Road
 Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
Bruce J. Biemeck..............    700   1.6%  149,800   9.2%        --    --
 c/o Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation
 2122 York Road
 Oak Brook, Illinois 60521
William F. Pagendarm..........    130   0.3%   33,000   2.0%        --    --
Bradley T. J. Hansen..........    130   0.3%   33,000   2.0%        --    --
All directors and executive
 officers as a group..........  3,080   6.8%  697,800  42.7%        --    --
</TABLE>    
- ----------------
   
 (1) The interests of Vectura Holding Company LLC are owned by 399 Venture
Partners, Inc., an affiliate of Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd., and by other
individual investors.     
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company may
issue 250,000 shares of preferred stock, all of which is designated as 12%
Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock"). The
Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share and is entitled to
annual dividends when, as and if declared, which dividends are cumulative,
whether or not earned or declared, and accrue at a rate of 12%, compounding
annually. The vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Preferred
Stock, voting as a separate class, is required to (i) create, authorize or
issue any other class or series of stock entitled to a preference prior to the
Preferred Stock upon any dividend or distribution or any liquidation,
distribution of assets, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or increase
the authorized amount of any such other class or series, or (ii) amend the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation if such amendment would adversely
affect the relative rights and preferences of the holders of the Preferred
Stock. Except as described in the immediately preceding sentence or as
otherwise required by law, the Preferred Stock is not entitled to vote. The
Company may not pay any dividend upon (except for a dividend payable in Junior
Stock, as defined below), or redeem or otherwise acquire shares of, capital
stock junior to the Preferred Stock (including the Common Stock) ("Junior
Stock") unless all cumulative dividends on the Preferred Stock have been paid
in full. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders
of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of the legally available
assets of the Company, before any amount shall be paid to holders of Junior
Stock, an amount equal to $1,000 per share of Preferred Stock, plus all
accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of final
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
distribution. If such available assets are insufficient to pay the holders of
the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock in full, such assets, or the
proceeds thereof, will be distributed ratably among such holders. The
Preferred Stock will not be mandatorily redeemable prior to the maturity of
the Notes. The Company may optionally redeem, in whole or in part, the
Preferred Stock at any time at a price per share of $1,000, plus accrued and
unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. At the option of the Company, the
Preferred Stock may be exchanged for junior subordinated debentures of the
Company, subject to the Company's compliance with the requirements of the New
Credit Facility, the New Bonding Agreement and the Notes. The Company
currently anticipates that the dividends on the Preferred Stock will be
declared and accrued but not paid. The ability of the Company to pay cash
dividends, and to redeem the Preferred Stock, is subject to restrictions
contained in the New Credit Facility, the New Bonding Agreement and the Notes.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that the Company
may issue 50 million shares of Common Stock, divided into two classes
consisting of 25 million shares of Class A Stock and 25 million shares of
Class B Stock. The holders of Class A Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.
Except as required by law, the holders of Class B Stock have no voting rights.
Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, a holder of either class of
Common Stock may convert any or all of his shares into an equal number of
shares of the other class of Common Stock; provided that in the case of a
conversion from Class B Stock, which is nonvoting, into Class A Stock, which
is voting, the holders of shares to be converted would be permitted under
applicable law to hold the total number of shares of Class A Stock which would
be held after giving effect to the conversion.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
  In connection with the Transaction, the stockholders of the Company entered
into a Securities Purchase and Holders Agreement (the "Stockholders'
Agreement") containing certain agreements among such stockholders with respect
to the capital stock and corporate governance of the Company. The following is
a summary description of the principal terms of the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
  Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, the Board of Directors of the
Company is composed of up to five directors, which include: Mr. Mackie (so
long as he continues to be President of the Company and own shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock); the President of the Company if Mr. Mackie is no
longer serving on the Board of Directors; up to two individuals designated by
Vectura; and the remaining directors shall be such independent directors as
shall be designated by Vectura (to the extent permitted by applicable law as
determined by Vectura in its sole discretion), provided that in the event that
Vectura concludes that it is unable to designate, or elects not to designate
for any reason, one or more of such independent directors or the election of
any such independent director is not approved by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of Class A Stock, such directorship(s) shall not be
filed by the remaining members of the Board of Directors but shall remain
vacant until the election of a director designated by Vectura to fill such
vacancy in accordance with the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
  The Stockholders' Agreement contains certain provisions which, with certain
exceptions, restrict the ability of the stockholders to transfer any Common
Stock or Preferred Stock except pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders'
Agreement. If holders of more than 50% of the Common Stock approve the sale of
the Company (an "Approved Sale"), each stockholder has agreed to consent to
such sale and, if such sale includes the sale of stock, each stockholder has
agreed to sell all of such stockholder's Common Stock and Preferred Stock on
the terms and conditions approved by holders of a majority of the Common Stock
then outstanding. In the event the Company proposes to issue and sell (other
than in a public offering pursuant to a registration statement) any shares of
Common Stock or any securities containing options or rights to acquire any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into Common Stock to
Vectura or any of its respective affiliates, the Company must first offer to
each of the other shareholders a pro rata portion of such shares. Such
preemptive rights will not be applicable to the issuance of shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of shares of one class of Common Stock
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
into shares of the other class. Subject to certain limitations neither
Vectura, nor any of its respective affiliates, may sell any of their shares of
Preferred Stock or Common Stock without offering the other stockholders a pro
rata opportunity to participate in such sale.
 
  The Stockholders' Agreement also provides for certain additional
restrictions on transfer of shares by Management Investors, including the
right of the Company to repurchase certain shares upon termination of such
stockholder's employment prior to 2003, at a formula price, and the grant of a
right of first refusal in favor of the Company in the event a Management
Investor elects to transfer shares of Common Stock.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
   
  In connection with their entry into the Stockholders' Agreement, the
Company, Vectura, the Management Investors and certain other stockholders of
the Company entered into the Stockholders' Registration Rights Agreement.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Registration Rights Agreement, upon the written
request of Vectura, the Company will prepare and file a registration statement
with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the distribution of all
or part of the shares held by Vectura and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective. If at any time the Company files a
registration statement for the Common Stock pursuant to a request by Vectura
or otherwise (other than a registration statement of Form S-8, Form S-4 or any
similar form, a registration statement filed in connection with a share
exchange or an offering solely to the Company's employees or existing
stockholders, or a registration statement registering a unit offering (as
defined)) (a "Qualifying Offering"), the Company will use its best efforts to
allow the other parties to the Stockholders' Registration Rights Agreement to
have their shares of Common Stock (or a portion of their shares under certain
circumstances) included in such offering of Common Stock. Registration
expenses of the selling stockholders (other than underwriting fees, brokerage
fees and transfer taxes applicable to the shares sold by such stockholders or
in certain cases the fees and expenses of any accountants or other
representatives retained by a selling stockholder) will be paid by the
Company.     
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY
 
  As part of the Transaction, the Company entered into a New Credit Facility
with a group of financial institutions (the "Lenders"), arranged by Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association ("B of A"), with Bank of
Montreal, Chicago Branch, as the documentation agent and B of A acting as the
administrative agent for the Lenders ("Agent"). The New Credit Facility
provides for (i) the Revolving Credit Facility in the maximum amount of $55.0
million and (ii) a term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility") in the amount
of $55.0 million. At Closing, the Company borrowed approximately $55.0 million
under the Term Loan Facility and approximately $7.1 million under the
Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, approximately $10.0 million of face
amount of letters of credit was outstanding under the Revolving Credit
Facility at closing. The Revolving Credit Facility enables the Company to
obtain revolving credit loans and standby letters of credit for the account to
the Company from time to time for working capital, acquisitions and general
corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility will expire on the six and one-
half year anniversary of the closing date.
 
  The loans under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest, generally
at the Company's option, at a Base Rate plus a Base Rate Margin or at an
adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus Eurodollar Rate Margin. The "Base Rate" will
equal the higher of (A) the rate of interest publicly announced from time to
time by B of A, and (B) 0.5% per annum above the latest Federal Funds Rate.
The "Base Rate Margin" will range from 0.0% to 1.0% depending on the Company's
ratio of consolidated total debt to cashflow. The "Eurodollar Rate" will equal
the rate of interest determined by the Agent to be the rate per annum at which
deposits in Dollars in immediately available funds are offered to the Agent in
the interbank Eurodollar market two business days prior to the beginning of
the applicable interest period. The Eurodollar Rate Margin will range from
1.25% to 2.75% depending on the Company's ratio of consolidated total debt to
cashflow.
   
  The New Credit Facility contains various covenants that restrict the Company
from various actions and that require the Company to achieve and maintain
certain financial ratios. The restrictive covenants include limitations on
consolidations, mergers and acquisitions, limitations on investments and
capital expenditures, limitations on the Company's ability to make payments,
restrictions on creating liens, restrictions on paying dividends, restrictions
on asset sales and limitations on borrowing money, among other restrictions.
The covenants relating to financial ratios include requirements to maintain a
total debt to cashflow ratio, a senior debt to cashflow ratio, a cashflow to
interest expense ratio and a minimum net worth. The New Credit Facility also
limits the Company's ability to modify the New Bonding Agreement or the
Company's certificate of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder agreements, voting
trusts or other similar arrangements.     
 
  The New Credit Facility includes events of default consisting of, among
other things: (i) any failure to pay principal or failure in the payment of
any reimbursement obligation under any letter of credit, or to pay interest or
fees within three business days after the date due or any other obligations
within five business days after the date due; (ii) any failure to pay certain
other indebtedness or contingent obligations, or defaults that result in or
permit the acceleration of such indebtedness or contingent obligations; (iii)
the breach by the Company or certain of its subsidiaries of covenants,
representations or warranties contained in the New Credit Facility; (iv)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of the Company or its
subsidiaries; (v) the incurrence of certain pension-related liabilities,
including liabilities with respect to failures to make certain required
contributions when due and termination of, or withdrawal from, certain pension
plans which result in liabilities in excess of specified amounts; (vi) the
invalidity of or any challenge to the validity of the guarantees of the
indebtedness under the New Credit Facility or of the security interests
granted to the Lenders; (vii) default by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries in the payment when due of any amount due under the New Bonding
Agreement or a breach or default with respect to any other term of the New
Bonding Agreement or bonded contracts that are the subject of such New Bonding
Agreement, or the failure of any surety in connection with the New Bonding
Agreement to issue bonds thereunder, the effect of which is materially adverse
to the Company; and (viii) certain change in control of the Company or its
subsidiaries.
   
  "Change in Control" is defined in the New Credit Facility to include (i) (A)
prior to an initial public offering of the voting stock of the Company or any
person or entity which directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company or at any other time when such voting stock is not
traded on a national     
 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
   
securities exchange, the failure of one or more Principals (which term is
defined to have the same meaning as under the Indenture) (1) to own, directly
or indirectly, at least 51% of the voting stock of the Company, determined on
a fully diluted basis and (2) to have the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of the Company or (B) following such
initial public offering and at any time the voting stock of the Company or any
person or entity which directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company is traded on a national securities exchange,
Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd., Citicorp and any direct or indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of Citicorp (individually or in the aggregate) own, directly
or indirectly, less than 40% of the voting stock of the Company, determined on
a fully-diluted basis, and a person or entity (other than a Principal) owns a
greater percentage of such voting stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis;
or (ii) the failure of the Company (A) to own (directly or indirectly), free
and clear of all liens or other encumbrances (other than any lien or
encumbrance created by the New Credit Facility and its ancillary agreements),
100% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of any
Subsidiary Guarantor in existence on the closing date of the New Credit
Facility on a fully diluted basis and (B) to have the power (directly or
indirectly) to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
any such Subsidiary Guarantor; or (iii) a majority of the board of directors
of the Company are not Continuing Directors (defined generally to mean those
directors in office on August 19, 1998, or a director approved by a majority
of such directors); or (iv) any "Change of Control" (as defined in the
Indenture) occurs.     
 
  All obligations under the New Credit Facility are guaranteed by each of the
Subsidiary Guarantors. The loans under the New Credit Facility are secured by:
(i) a perfected first priority lien and security interest (exclusive of all
liens and security interests other than those in favor of the bonding company)
in vessels and equipment approved by the Agent and having appraised orderly
liquidation value of at least $65.0 million; (ii) a perfected second priority
lien and security interest in all vessels and equipment (with the exception of
those vessels and equipment operated by NATCO) securing the bonding company;
(iii) a perfected second priority lien in certain assets; and (iv) a security
interest in all of the accounts receivable of the Company and its
subsidiaries.
 
  In connection with the execution of the New Credit Facility and the New
Bonding Agreement, the Agent and the sureties under the New Bonding Agreement
(the "Sureties") entered into an intercreditor agreement which addresses,
among other things, the lien priorities of shared collateral, the substitution
of vessels under ship mortgages, the exercise of rights under ship mortgages
and other shared collateral agreements, the application of proceeds of various
classes of shared collateral as well as certain collateral benefitting only
the Sureties, the exercise of remedies under the New Credit Facility and the
New Bonding Agreement, the release of certain liens, the taking of additional
collateral and other relevant intercreditor provisions. In addition, the
intercreditor agreement provides that the Sureties will have the right to use
all encumbered vessels and other equipment to perform any outstanding bonded
contracts.
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
                     DESCRIPTION OF NEW BONDING AGREEMENT
 
  As part of the Transaction, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries
entered into an Amended and Restated Underwriting and Continuing Indemnity
Agreement (the "New Bonding Agreement") with the Sureties, pursuant to which
the Sureties will act as surety, issue bid bonds, performance bonds and
payment bonds and obligate themselves upon other contracts of guaranty
required by the Company and its subsidiaries in the day-to-day operations of
its dredging business. The Sureties obligations under the New Bonding
Agreement are discretionary. As such, the Sureties are not obligated under the
New Bonding Agreement to issue bonds on behalf of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
   
  The New Bonding Agreement contains various covenants that restrict the
Company from various actions and that require the Company to achieve and
maintain certain financial ratios. The restrictive covenants restrict the
Company's ability to borrow money, create or allow the creation of liens,
dispose of its assets, pay dividends, issue stock, make investments or enter
into agreements to merge or consolidate with other companies, among other
restrictions and limitations. The covenants also include limits on affiliate
transactions and contingent liabilities. The financial ratios include a
current ratio and a minimum net worth test.     
 
  The New Bonding Agreement includes events of default with respect to the
Company and certain of its subsidiaries, consisting of, among other things:
(i) the failure to pay any obligation owing to the Sureties; (ii) the breach
of covenants, representations or warranties contained in the New Bonding
Agreement; (iii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; (iv) the default
of any provision under a bonded contract; (v) the failure to pay certain other
indebtedness, or defaults that result or permit the acceleration of such
indebtedness or contingent obligation; and (vi) certain judgments that are not
fully covered by insurance or bonded or discharged.
 
  The obligations of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries under the
New Bonding Agreement are secured by a security interest in the Company's
fixed assets. In the event the Company or any of its subsidiaries fails or is
unable to complete the work under a bonded contract or breaches the New
Bonding Agreement, the Sureties may proceed against their collateral, cause
the performance of such bonded contract by subletting it in the name of the
Company or its wholly-owned subsidiary and seek reimbursement from the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiary for costs incurred in the subletting or
performance of such bonded contract.
 
  In connection with the execution of the New Credit Facility and the New
Bonding Agreement, the Agent and the Sureties entered into an intercreditor
agreement which addresses, among other things, the lien priorities of shared
collateral, the substitution of vessels under ship mortgages, the exercise of
rights under ship mortgages and other shared collateral agreements, the
application of proceeds of various classes of shared collateral as well as
certain collateral benefitting only the Sureties, the exercise of remedies
under the New Credit Facility and the New Bonding Agreement, the release of
certain liens, the taking of additional collateral and other relevant
intercreditor provisions. In addition, the intercreditor agreement provides
that the Sureties will have the right to use all encumbered vessels and other
equipment to perform any outstanding bonded contracts.
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
                             DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Existing Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture")
among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as
trustee (the "Trustee"), in a private transaction that was not subject to the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. The terms of the Indenture
apply to the Existing Notes and to the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange
therefor pursuant to the Exchange Offer (all such Notes being referred to
herein collectively as the "Notes"). The terms of the Notes include those
stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to
the Trust Indenture Act. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders
of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a
statement thereof. The following summary of the material provisions of the
Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms
used below. Copies of the Indenture, the form of Notes and the Registration
Rights Agreement are available as set forth below under "--Additional
Information." The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary
are set forth below under "--Certain Definitions." For purposes of this
summary, the term "Company" refers only to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Corporation and not to any of its Subsidiaries.
 
  The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in
right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt, including
Indebtedness pursuant to the New Credit Facility. The Company's obligations
under the Notes are guaranteed (the "Subsidiary Guarantees") on a senior
subordinated basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors. See "--Subsidiary
Guarantees." As of June 30, 1998, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to
the Transaction, the Notes would have been subordinated to $62.7 million of
Senior Debt, excluding contingent obligations, of the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors and effectively subordinated to $37.2 million of
liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.
Upon closing of the Transaction, approximately $37.9 million was available for
additional borrowing under the New Credit Facility. The Indenture permits the
incurrence of additional Senior Debt in the future. See "Risk Factors--
Subordination."
 
  The operations of the Company are conducted through its Subsidiaries and,
therefore, the Company is dependent upon the cash flow of such Subsidiaries to
meet their obligations, including their obligations under the Notes. All of
the existing domestic Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company are,
and all future domestic Restricted Subsidiaries are expected to be, Subsidiary
Guarantors. As of the date of this Prospectus, all of the Company's
Subsidiaries are Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under certain
circumstances, the Company will be able to designate current or future
Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not
be subject to many of the restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture. In
addition, the Notes are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other
liabilities and commitments (including trade payables and capital lease
obligations) of the Company's foreign Subsidiaries and the Company's
Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries. Any right of
the Company to receive assets of any of its foreign Subsidiaries or its
Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries upon such
Subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the
Holders of the Notes to participate in those assets) will be effectively
subordinated to the claims of that Subsidiary's creditors. As of June 30,
1998, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transaction, the
aggregate amount of liabilities (including trade payable) of the Company's
foreign Subsidiaries and the Company's Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries was $37.2 million.
 
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
  The Notes are limited in aggregate principal amount to $165.0 million, of
which $115.0 million were issued as the Existing Notes on August 19, 1998, and
will mature on August 15, 2008. Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate
of 11 1/4% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February
15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 1999, to Holders of
record on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1. Additional Notes
may be issued from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Indenture
described below under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
Stock." The Existing Notes, the Exchange Notes and any additional Notes
subsequently issued would be treated as a single class for all purposes under
the Indenture, including without limitations, waivers, amendments, redemptions
and offers to purchase. Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Existing Notes or, if
no such interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance of the
Existing Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months. Principal, premium and Liquidated Damages,
if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable at the office or agency of
the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York
or, at the option of the Company, payment of principal, premium, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the
Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders of
Notes; provided that all payments of principal, premium, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to Notes the Holders of which have
given wire transfer instructions to the Company will be required to be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's
office or agency in New York will be the office of the Trustee maintained for
such purpose. Notes are issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes is
subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture, to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt, whether outstanding on the date of the
Indenture or thereafter incurred. The Notes rank pari passu in right of
payment with all other senior subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and
senior in right of payment to all subordinated Indebtedness.
 
  Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the Company's
assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive
payment in full in cash of all Obligations due in respect of such Senior Debt
(including interest after the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate
specified in the applicable Senior Debt whether or not allowed in such
proceeding) before the Holders of Notes will be entitled to receive any
payment with respect to the Notes, and until all Obligations with respect to
such Senior Debt are paid in full in cash, any distribution to which the
Holders of Notes would be entitled shall be made to the holders of Senior Debt
(except that Holders of Notes may receive and retain Permitted Junior
Securities and payments made from the trust described under "--Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance").
 
  The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes
(except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under "--
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance") if (i) a default in the payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Designated Senior Debt
occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any
other default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Debt
that permits holders of the Designated Senior Debt as to which such default
relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of such
default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or the representatives
of the holders of any Designated Senior Debt. Payments on the Notes may and
shall be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which
such default is cured or waived in writing and (b) in case of a nonpayment
default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or
waived in writing or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment
Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Debt
has been accelerated. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced
unless and until (i) 360 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of the
immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice and (ii) all scheduled payments of
principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have come due
during such payment blockage period have been paid in full in cash. No
nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of
any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for
a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been
waived for a period of not less than 90 days.
 
  The Indenture further requires that the Company promptly notify holders of
Senior Debt if payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of
Default.
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
  As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
a liquidation or insolvency, Holders of Notes may recover less ratably than
creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Debt. On a pro forma basis,
after giving effect to the Acquisition, the principal amount of Senior Debt
outstanding at June 30, 1998 would have been approximately $62.7 million. The
Indenture limits, subject to certain financial tests, the amount of additional
Indebtedness, including Senior Debt, that the Company and its subsidiaries can
incur. See "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock" and "Risk Factors--Subordination."
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
  The Company's payment obligations under the Notes are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis (the "Subsidiary
Guarantees") by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Subsidiary Guarantee of each
Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated to the prior payment in full of all
Senior Debt of such Guarantor. As of June 30, 1998, on a pro forma basis
giving effect to the Transaction, the Subsidiary Guarantors would have had an
aggregate of approximately $62.7 million of Senior Debt outstanding. The
Indenture permits the Subsidiary Guarantors to incur additional Senior Debt,
subject to certain limitations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor
under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited so as not to constitute a
fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See, however, "Risk Factors--
Fraudulent Conveyance Statutes."
 
  The Indenture provides that no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or
merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving
Person), another Person whether or not affiliated with such Subsidiary
Guarantor unless (i) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes, by operation of law or otherwise, all the
obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Notes,
the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Indenture, and the Registration Rights
Agreement; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists, provided that nothing in the foregoing
provisions shall prohibit the merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary
Guarantor with and into the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary
Guarantor where the Company or such other Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor is
the surviving Person.
 
  The Indenture provides that in the event of a sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of
merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of
the capital stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor, then such Subsidiary Guarantor
(in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary
Guarantor) or the corporation or other entity acquiring the property (in the
event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any and all
obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (and, in the event of a disposition
of assets, any Liens in favor of the Holders will be released); provided that
the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. See "--Repurchase at Option
of Holders", "--Asset Sales." In addition, the Indenture provides that, in the
event the Company designates a Restricted Subsidiary to become an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in accordance with the Indenture, then such Restricted Subsidiary
shall, in accordance with the Indenture, be released from its obligations
under its Subsidiary Guarantee upon the effectiveness of such designation.
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Notes are redeemable at any time at the option of the Company, in whole
or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, in cash at the
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth
below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon
to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period
beginning on August 15 of the years indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     YEAR                                                             PERCENTAGE
     <S>                                                              <C>
     2003............................................................  105.625%
     2004............................................................  103.750%
     2005............................................................  101.875%
     2006 and thereafter.............................................  100.000%
</TABLE>
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to August 15, 2001, the
Company may (but will not have the obligation to) on any one or more occasions
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued
at a redemption price equal to 111.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the
redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of
Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of
such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries);
and provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 180 days of the
date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE
 
  If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or repurchased at any time,
selection of Notes for redemption or repurchase will be made by the Trustee in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed, or, if the Notes are not so
listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall
deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes of $1,000 or less shall be
redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at
least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder
of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. Notices of redemption or
repurchase may not be conditional. If any Note is to be redeemed or
repurchased in part only, the notice of redemption or repurchase that relates
to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be
redeemed or repurchased. A new Note in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed or unrepurchased portion thereof will be issued in the name of the
Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for
redemption or repurchase become due on the date fixed for redemption or
repurchase. On and after the redemption or repurchase date, interest and
Liquidated Damages ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for
redemption or repurchase.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
  Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders," the
Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
 Change of Control
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes will have
the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes pursuant to the
offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in
cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of
purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 days following any
Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing
the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and
offering to repurchase Notes on the date specified in such notice, which date
shall be
 
                                      69
<PAGE>
 
no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is
mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"), pursuant to the procedures
required by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Company will
comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any
other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and
regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a
result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations directly conflict with the provisions of the
Indenture relating to such Change of Control Offer, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.
 
  On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent
lawful, (1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent (as
defined in the Indenture) an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in
respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause
to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an
Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or
portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will
promptly mail to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control
Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail
(or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any;
provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof. The Indenture provides that, prior to complying
with the provisions of this covenant, but in any event within 90 days
following a Change of Control, the Company will either repay all outstanding
Senior Debt or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under the agreements
governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of Notes required
by this covenant. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change
of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control
Payment Date.
 
  The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether
or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable (and will not
affect the subordination provisions). Except as described above with respect
to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit
the Holders of the Notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the
Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction. The
New Credit Facility currently prohibits the Company from repurchasing any
Notes and also provides that certain change of control events with respect to
the Company would constitute a default thereunder. Any future credit
agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which the Company
becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event
a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from
purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the
purchase of Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain
such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such
case, the Company's failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an
Event of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a
default under the New Credit Facility. In such circumstances, the
subordination provisions in the Indenture would likely restrict payments to
the Holders of Notes. In addition, the exercise by Holders of the Notes of
their right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes could cause a
default under such Senior Debt, even if the Change of Control itself does not,
due to the financial effect of such repurchases on the Company. Finally, the
Company's ability to pay cash to the Holders of Notes upon a repurchase may be
limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.
 
  The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set
forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the
Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
 
  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(determined on a consolidated basis), in each case, to any "person" (as such
term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or any Principal or a Related
Party of a Principal (as defined below), (ii) the adoption of a plan relating
to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (other than in a transaction
which complies with the provisions described under "--Merger, Consolidation or
Sale of Assets"), (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including,
without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that
any "person" (as defined above), other than one or more Principals or their
Related Parties, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person shall
be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such person
has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is
exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company (measured by
voting power rather than number of shares) and the Principals do not
beneficially own as much or more of the Voting Stock of the Company (measured
by voting power rather than by number of shares) than such person or (iv) the
first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the
Company are not Continuing Directors.
 
  The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (determined on a
consolidated basis). Although there is a developing body of case law
interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
Holder of Notes to require the Company to repurchase such Notes as a result of
a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of
the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another
Person or group may be uncertain.
 
  "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of
the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election or was designated by a Principal or a Related Party of
a Principal.
 
  "Principals" means (i) CVC and the Management Investors and (ii) any Related
Party of a Person referred to in clause (i).
 
  "Related Party" means (a) with respect to CVC (i) Citicorp, any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Citicorp, and any officer, director or
employee of CVC, Citicorp or any wholly owned subsidiary of Citicorp, (ii) any
spouse or lineal descendant (including by adoption and stepchildren) of the
officers, directors and employees referred to in clause (a) (i) above, (iii)
any trust, corporation or partnership 100%-in-interest of the beneficiaries,
stockholders or partners of which consists of one or more of the persons
described in clause (a) (i) or (ii) above or (iv) Vectura, so long as CVC or
any of its Related Parties described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above holds at
least 50% of the Great Lakes membership interests in Vectura; and (b) with
respect to any officer or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company (i) any spouse or lineal descendant (including by adoption and
stepchildren) of such officer or employee and (ii) any trust, corporation or
partnership 100%-in-interest of the beneficiaries, stockholders or partners of
which consists of such officer or employee, any of the persons described in
clause (b) (i) above or any combination thereof.
 
ASSET SALES
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the
Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives
consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market
value (evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
is in the form of Qualified Proceeds; provided that the aggregate fair market
value of Qualified Proceeds (other than cash or Cash Equivalents), which may
be received in consideration for asset sales pursuant to this clause (ii)
shall not exceed $5.0 million since the date of the
 
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<PAGE>
 
Indenture; provided further that the amount of (x) any liabilities (as shown
on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet),
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities
and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any
guarantee thereof) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets
pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from further liability and (y) any securities, Notes or
other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary
from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within 90 days
following the closing of such Asset Sale, shall be deemed to be cash for
purposes of this provision, provided further that the 75% limitation referred
to above shall not apply to any Asset Sale in which the cash and Cash
Equivalents portion of the consideration received therefor, determined in
accordance with the foregoing proviso, is equal to or greater than what the
net after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Sale complied with the
aforementioned 75% limitation.
 
  Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale,
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds, at its
option, (a) to repay Senior Debt, (b) to the acquisition of a majority of the
assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock of, another Permitted Business,
the making of a capital expenditure or the acquisition or commitment to
acquire (provided that such commitment or a reasonable replacement thereof is
consummated substantially in accordance with the terms thereof) of other
assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business or (c) for a
combination of uses described in clauses (a) and (b). Pending the final
application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise
invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the
Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested
as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph will be deemed to
constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds
exceeds $10.0 million, the Company will be required to make an offer to all
Holders of Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum principal
amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer
price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the
date of repurchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Indenture. To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of
an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use such Excess Proceeds for any general
corporate purpose. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into
such Asset Sale Offer surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of
Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro
rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess
Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
 Restricted Payments
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay any
dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company's
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without
limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation
involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct
or indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries'
Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than, in each case,
dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or dividends or distributions payable to
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in
connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Equity Interests owned by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) or any direct or indirect parent of
the Company; (iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase,
redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that
is subordinated to the Notes (other than any subordinated indebtedness held by
the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor), except a payment of interest or
principal at Stated Maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such
payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being
collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless:
 
 
                                      72
<PAGE>
 
    (a)  at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment,
  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
  would occur as a consequence thereof; and
 
    (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
  giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made
  at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted
  to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
  Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant
  described below under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
  Issuance of Disqualified Stock;" and
 
    (c)  such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
  other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
  Subsidiaries after the date of the Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments
  permitted by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (viii), (ix) and (xi) of the next
  succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of (i)
  50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as
  one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter
  commencing after the date of the Indenture to the end of the Company's most
  recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are
  available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
  Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus
  (ii) 100% of the aggregate fair market value of Qualified Proceeds received
  by the Company since the date of the Indenture as a contribution to its
  equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company
  (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of Disqualified
  Stock or debt securities of the Company that have been converted into such
  Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or
  convertible debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus
  (iii) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the
  date of the Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid
  for Qualified Proceeds, the lesser of (A) the fair market of the Qualified
  Proceeds received with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost
  of disposition, if any) and (B) the initial amount of such Restricted
  Investment, plus (iv) 50% of any dividends received by the Company or a
  Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture from an
  Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends
  were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
  such period, plus (v) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is
  redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture,
  the lesser of (A) the fair market value of the Company's Investment in such
  Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (B) such fair market
  value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as
  an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  The foregoing provisions do not prohibit: (i) the payment of any dividend
within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date of
declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the
Indenture; (ii) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness or Equity Interests of the
Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, in exchange for, or out of
the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of, other Equity Interests of the Company (other
than any Disqualified Stock) or the net cash proceeds of a common equity
capital contribution to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net
cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase,
retirement, defeasance or other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)
(ii) of the preceding paragraph; (iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase
or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds
from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; (iv) the payment of
any dividend or making of any distribution by a Subsidiary of the Company to
the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis; (v) the repurchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity
Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company held by any former
member of the Company's (or any of their Subsidiaries') Board of Directors or
any former officer, employee or director of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement,
stockholder agreement, stock option agreement, employment agreement or other
similar agreements or employee benefit plan; provided that (A) the aggregate
price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity
Interests shall not exceed (1) $2.0 million in any calendar year (with unused
amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years
subject to a maximum (without giving effect to clause (2)) of $5.0 million,
plus (2) in the case of a repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement of Equity Interests of the
 
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<PAGE>
 
Company, the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company during such
calendar year from any reissuance of Equity Interests by or the Company to
employees, officers and directors of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries plus the cash proceeds of any "key man" life insurance policy
received by the Company with respect to the owner of, and any cash proceeds
paid to the Company in connection with the issuance or exercise of, any
management or employee Equity Interests so acquired plus (3) in the case of a
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests
of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the aggregate cash proceeds received by such
Subsidiary Guarantor during such calendar year from any reissuance of Equity
Interests of such Subsidiary Guarantor to employees, officers, and directors
of such Subsidiary Guarantor plus the cash proceeds of any "key man" life
insurance policy received by such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the
owner of any cash proceeds paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor in connection
with the issuance or exercise of, any management or employee Equity Interests
so acquired, and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing immediately after such transaction; provided, further that the
aggregate cash proceeds referred to in (2) above shall be excluded from clause
(c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph; (vi) any Investment to the extent that the
consideration therefor consists of the net cash proceeds of the substantially
concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity
Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock); (vii) so long as
no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company
can incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant
described below under caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock," the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of
any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company, or any Subsidiary
Guarantor issued after the date of the Indenture in accordance with the
covenant described below under the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock;" (viii) repurchase of Equity Interests deemed
to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a
portion of the exercise price of such options; (ix) loans to employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor not to exceed $2.0 million at any one time
outstanding; (x) Restricted Payments not to exceed $5.0 million since the date
of the Indenture and (xi) payments made pursuant to the Merger Agreement and
tax "gross up" payments made pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement in
connection with the Recapitalization, in each case, as in effect on the date
of the Indenture, as the same may be amended, modified or replaced from time
to time so long as such amendment, modification or replacement does not
increase the amount of any such payments from the amount of such payments
provided for in the Merger Agreement or Stockholders Agreement, as the case
may be, as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
  The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default. For
purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash)
in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at
the time of such designation and will reduce the amount available for
Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of this covenant. All such
outstanding Investments will be deemed to constitute Investments in an amount
equal to the fair market value of such Investments at the time of such
designation. Such designation will only be permitted if such Restricted
Payment would be permitted at such time and if such Restricted Subsidiary
otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that
a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions
described in (i) through (x) above or is entitled to be made pursuant to the
first paragraph of this covenant, the Company shall, in its sole discretion,
classify such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with the
covenant. The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the
fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or
securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.
The fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment or return of capital
on any Restricted Subsidiary shall be determined by the Board of Directors
whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee, such
determination to be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an
accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if such
fair market value exceeds $7.5 million. Not later than the date of making any
Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting
forth the basis upon which the
 
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<PAGE>
 
calculations required by the covenant "Restricted Payments" were computed,
together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by the
Indenture.
 
 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or
otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt) and that the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred
stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company's
Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness or issue preferred equity if the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal
quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately
preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such
Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on
a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the
Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of
such four-quarter period.
  The provisions of the first paragraph of this covenant will not apply to the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively,
"Permitted Debt"):
 
    (i) the incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of term
  Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility (including any guarantee thereof
  by any Subsidiary Guarantor); provided that the aggregate principal amount
  of all term Indebtedness outstanding under the New Credit Facility after
  giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an amount equal to $55.0
  million plus (in the case of any refinancing thereof) the aggregate amount
  of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses
  incurred in connection with such refinancing less the aggregate amount of
  all scheduled or mandatory repayments of the principal of any term
  Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility (other than repayments that are
  immediately reborrowed) that have been made since the date of the
  Indenture;
 
    (ii) the incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of
  Indebtedness and reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit
  under Credit Facilities (including any guarantee thereof by any Subsidiary
  Guarantor); provided that the aggregate principal amount of all revolving
  credit or other Indebtedness (other than term Indebtedness permitted under
  clause (i) above) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal
  amount equal to the maximum face amount thereunder) outstanding under all
  Credit Facilities after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an
  amount equal to $55.0 million;
 
    (iii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
  the Existing Indebtedness;
 
    (iv) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the
  Notes sold in the Offering and the incurrence by the Subsidiary Guarantors
  of Indebtedness represented by the Subsidiary Guarantees of such Notes;
 
    (v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage or
  construction financings or purchase money obligations or similar
  financings, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
  part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of
  property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such
  Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20.0
  million at any time outstanding;
 
    (vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds
  of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than
  intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the Indenture to be
  incurred under the first paragraph hereof or clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
  or (ix) of this paragraph;
 
    (vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its
  Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) if the Company is the
  obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated
  to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the
  Notes and (ii)(A) any subsequent issuance or
 
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<PAGE>
 
  transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being
  held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof
  and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person
  that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof shall be
  deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by
  the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not
  permitted by this clause (vii);
 
    (viii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
  Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of
  fixing or hedging (i) interest rate risk with respect to any floating rate
  Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be
  outstanding, (ii) the value of foreign currencies purchased or received by
  the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business
  as conducted by the Company or (iii) commodity risk relating to commodity
  agreements to the extent entered into in the ordinary course of business
  solely to protect the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from
  fluctuations in the prices of raw materials used in its business;
 
    (ix) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
  of Indebtedness (in addition to Indebtedness permitted by other clauses of
  this paragraph) in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
  applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing
  Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness
  incurred pursuant to this clause (ix), not to exceed $25.0 million;
 
    (x) the incurrence by the Company's Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Non-
  Recourse Debt, provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness ceases to
  be Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event shall be
  deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
  Subsidiary of the Company that was not permitted by this clause (x);
 
    (xi) the Guarantee by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of
  Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, which Indebtedness
  was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
 
    (xii) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owed to
  (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of)
  any Person in connection with worker's compensation, health, disability or
  other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance
  provided by such Person to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
  pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in
  each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
  past practices;
 
    (xiii) the incurrence of Permitted Bonding Obligations;
 
    (xiv) the issuance of preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock) by
  any Subsidiary Guarantor to members of management of such Subsidiary
  Guarantor, provided that such preferred stock does not require the Company
  or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends thereon other than in shares
  of additional preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock); and
 
    (xv) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the
  Company or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification,
  adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred
  or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or
  Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the maximum
  aggregate liability of such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross
  proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
  in connection with any such disposition.
 
  For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that
an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories
of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xv) above or is entitled
to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company
shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness in any
manner that complies with this covenant. Accrual of interest, accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any
Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and
the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional
shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an
incurrence of Indebtedness or an
 
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<PAGE>
 
issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in
each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the
Company as accrued.
 
 No Senior Subordinated Debt
 
  The Indenture provides that (i) the Company will not incur, create, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness and senior in
any respect in right of payment to the Notes, and (ii) no Subsidiary Guarantor
will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for
any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and senior in any respect in right
of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided
that no Indebtedness will be deemed subordinate or junior in right of payment
to any other Indebtedness solely by reason of the fact that such Indebtedness
is unsecured.
 
 Liens
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien securing Indebtedness or trade payables on any
asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom or
assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except (i) Permitted
Liens, and (ii) in the case of Liens securing Indebtedness that is expressly
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes, the Notes are secured
by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to
such Liens (with the same relative priority as such subordinate or junior
Indebtedness shall have with respect to the Notes and the Subsidiary
Guarantees) and (y) in all other cases, the Notes are secured by such Lien on
an equal and ratable basis.
 
 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on
the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i)(a) pay dividends or make any
other distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1)
on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or
participation in, or measured by, its profits, or (b) pay any indebtedness
owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) make loans or
advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii)
transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries. However, the foregoing restrictions will not apply to
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (a) Existing
Indebtedness as in effect on the date of the Indenture, (b) the New Credit
Facility and Permitted Bonding Obligations as in effect as of the date of the
Indenture, and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof,
provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or refinancings are not
materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend
and other payment restrictions than those contained in the New Credit Facility
or in agreements with respect to Permitted Bonding Obligations, as applicable,
as in effect on the date of the Indenture, (c) the Indenture, the Notes and
the Subsidiary Guarantees, (d) applicable law, (e) any instrument governing
Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition
(except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in
contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other
than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired,
provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by
the terms of the Indenture to be incurred, (f) customary non-assignment
provisions in leases or other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices, (g) purchase money
obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that
impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (iii) above on the
property so acquired, (h) any agreement for the sale of a Restricted
Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending
its sale, (i) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
 
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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken
as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness
being refinanced, (j) secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred
pursuant to the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption
"--Liens" that limits the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets
securing such Indebtedness, (k) provisions with respect to the disposition or
distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (l)
restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (m) mortgage or
construction financing that imposes restrictions on the transfer of the
property acquired or improved, (n) encumbrances or restrictions imposed by
amendments to the contracts, agreements or obligations referred to in the
foregoing clauses (a), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k) and (n), provided
that such amendments are not materially more restrictive than the agreement so
amended; and (o) protective liens filed in connection with sale-leaseback
transactions permitted under the caption "--Sale and Leaseback Transactions."
 
 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate or merge with or
into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell,
assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another
Person unless (i) the Company is the surviving corporation or the entity or
the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other
than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation or other
entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) the entity or Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the
entity or Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance
or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the then existing
obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes
and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee; (iii) immediately after such transaction no
Default or Event of Default exists; and (iv) except in the case of a merger of
the Company with or into a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, the Company
or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, at the time of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction
had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock." The Indenture will provide that the Company
will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its
properties or assets to any Person.
 
 Transactions with Affiliates
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any
property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction,
contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for
the benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate
Transaction"), unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no
less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those
that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (ii) the Company
delivers to the Trustee (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or
series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in
excess of $2.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company
set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate
Transaction complies with clause (i) above and that such Affiliate Transaction
has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors of the Company and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or
series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in
excess of $7.5 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Holders of such
Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting,
appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate
 
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<PAGE>
 
Transactions: (i) any employment agreement, compensation, employee benefit
arrangements and incentive arrangements or indemnification agreement or
arrangement with any officer, director, member or employee entered into by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) transactions
between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) payment
of reasonable directors fees, (iv) Restricted Payments (other than Restricted
Investments) that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described
above under the caption "--Restricted Payments," (v) loans and advances to
officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
for travel, entertainment, moving and other relocation expenses, in each case
made in the ordinary course of business; (vi) transactions pursuant to the
Stockholders' Agreement and the Merger Agreement, in each case, as in effect
on the date of the Indenture as the same may be amended, modified or replaced
from time to time so long as such amendment, modification or replacement is no
less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, than the Stockholders' Agreement or the Merger Agreement, as the case
may be, as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
 Sale and Leaseback Transactions
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction;
provided that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into
a sale and leaseback transaction if (i) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the
Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction pursuant to
the covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of Additional
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock" and (b) incurred a Lien to
secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above under the
caption "--Liens," (ii) the gross cash proceeds of such sale and leaseback
transaction are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the property that is the subject of
such sale and leaseback transaction and (iii) the transfer of assets in such
sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and if applicable, the Company
applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant
described above under the caption "--Asset Sales." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this covenant shall not apply to the sale and leaseback of (i) the
backhoe dredge "New York" under construction on the date of the Indenture or
(ii) the dredging assets acquired from T.L. James & Company, Inc. pursuant to
the acquisition agreement in effect on the date of the Indenture, as such
agreement is in effect on such date, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii),
within 120 days of the date of completion of such construction or acquisition
of such assets, as applicable.
 
 Business Activities
 
  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent
as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken
as a whole.
 
 Payments for Consent
 
  The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder of
any Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any
of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all Holders of the Notes
that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the
solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
 
 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees
 
  The Indenture provides that if the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall acquire or create another domestic Subsidiary after the
date of the Indenture, then, unless such Subsidiary is properly designated as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such newly acquired or created Subsidiary shall
become a Subsidiary Guarantor
 
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<PAGE>
 
and execute a Supplemental Indenture and deliver an opinion of counsel, in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
 
 Limitations on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any other Indebtedness of the
Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor unless, if such Restricted Subsidiary is not
a Guarantor, such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a
supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for the Guarantee of the
payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which Guarantee shall be
senior to or pari passu with such Subsidiary's Guarantee of such other
Indebtedness unless such other Indebtedness is Senior Debt, in which case the
Guarantee of the Notes may be subordinated to the Guarantee of such Senior
Debt to the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to such Senior Debt.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such Subsidiary Guarantee shall provide by
its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and
discharged upon any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate
of the Company, of all of the Company's stock in, or all or substantially all
the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary, which sale, exchange or transfer is
made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. The form
of such Subsidiary Guarantee attached as an exhibit to the Indenture.
 
REPORTS
 
  The Indenture provides that, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), so
long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of
Notes (i) all quarterly financial information beginning with the quarter ended
September 30, 1998 and annual financial information that would be required to
be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the
Company was required to file such Forms, including a "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" that describes
the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries (showing in reasonable detail, either on the face of
the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto and in Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of
operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company) and, with respect
to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company's certified
independent accountants and (ii) all current reports that would be required to
be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file
such reports, in each case within the time periods specified in the
Commission's rules and regulations. In addition, following the consummation of
the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether
or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company
will file a copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for
public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission's
rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing)
and make such information available to securities analysts and prospective
investors upon request. In addition, (i) at all times the Commission does not
accept the filings provided for in the preceding sentence or (ii) such filings
provided for in the preceding sentence do not contain the information required
to be delivered upon request pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities
Act, then, in each case, the Company has agreed that, for so long as any Notes
remain outstanding, it will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts
and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be
delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  The Indenture provides that each of the following constitutes an Event of
Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or
Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes (whether or not permitted by the
subordination provisions of the Indenture); (ii) default in payment when due
of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes (whether or not permitted
by the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (iii) failure by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions
described under the caption "--Change of Control;" (iv) failure by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days
 
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<PAGE>
 
after notice by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of Notes then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in
the Indenture or the Notes; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee
now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default (a)
is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such
Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default") or (b) results
in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity and, in
each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the
principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a
Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated (after giving
effect to any applicable grace period), aggregates $10.0 million or more; (vi)
failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final
judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million (net of any amount with
respect to which a reputable insurance company with assets over $100.0 million
has acknowledged liability in writing), which judgments are not paid,
discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days after their entry; (vii) certain
events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary
Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any
Subsidiary Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary
Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary
Guarantee.
 
  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare
all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute
a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable
without further action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the
Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain
limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing
Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to
the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice
is in their interest.
 
  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.
 
  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
 
  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company,
as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the
Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on,
in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each
Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.
The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the
Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal
securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is
against public policy.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its
obligations and the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors discharged with
respect to the outstanding Notes ("Legal Defeasance") except for (i)
 
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<PAGE>
 
the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of
the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on such
Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below, (ii) the
Company's obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary
Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and
the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the Trustee, and the Company's obligations in connection
therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture. In
addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the
obligations of the Company released with respect to certain covenants that are
described in the Indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any omission
to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of
Default with respect to the Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs,
certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership,
rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under "Events of Default &
Remedies" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the
Notes.
 
  In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit
of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government
Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient,
in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and
Liquidated Damages on the outstanding Notes on the stated maturity or on the
applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify
whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption
date; (ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from,
or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B)
since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable
federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon
such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions
and exceptions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Legal Defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the
United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to
customary assumptions and exceptions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (iv) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing
of funds to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from
bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period
ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance or
Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the
Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company must
have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that,
subject to customary assumptions and exceptions, after the 91st day following
the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally; (vii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company
with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of
the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors of the Company or others; and (viii) the Company must deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the
Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
 
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<PAGE>
 
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or
exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required
to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of
Notes to be redeemed.
 
  The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all
purposes.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture, the
Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes),
and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture,
the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a
purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).
 
  Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder): (i) reduce the
principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment,
supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed
maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of
the Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above
under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"), (iii) reduce the
rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iv) waive a
Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any,
or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by
the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration), (v)
make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes, (vi) make
any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past
Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of
or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, (vii) waive a redemption payment
with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by one of the
covenants described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders"), (viii) release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its obligations
under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, or (ix) make any change in the foregoing amendment and
waiver provisions. In addition, any amendment to the provisions of Article 10
and Section 11.02 of the Indenture (which relate to subordination) will
require the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding if such amendment would adversely affect
the rights of Holders of the Notes.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder of Notes,
the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement
the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes to cure any ambiguity,
defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or
in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's
or a Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a
merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the Indenture on the date of the Indenture, to make
any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders
of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the
Indenture of any such Holder, or to comply with requirements of the Commission
in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act or to allow any Subsidiary Guarantor to guarantee the
Notes.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any
such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage
in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it
must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for
permission to continue or resign.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to
certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default
shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any Holder of Notes, unless such Holder shall have
offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any
loss, liability or expense.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
  The Exchange Notes will be in the form of a global note without interest
coupons (the "Global Note"). Upon issuance, the Global Note will be deposited
with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered
in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to the accounts of
DTC's Direct and Indirect Participants (as defined below).
 
  The Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to
another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee in certain
limited circumstances. Beneficial interests in the Global Note may be
exchanged for Notes in certificated form in certain limited circumstances. See
"--Transfer of Interests in Global Note for Certificated Notes."
 
  Initially, the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Notes may
be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the
Registrar.
 
DEPOSITARY PROCEDURES
 
  DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "Direct Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between Direct Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Participants. The Direct
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial
Purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities that
clear through or maintain a direct or indirect, custodial relationship with a
Direct Participant (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). DTC may hold
securities beneficially owned by other persons only through the Direct
Participants or Indirect Participants and such other persons' ownership
interest and transfer of ownership interest will be recorded only on the
records of the Direct Participant and/or Indirect Participant, and not on the
records maintained by DTC.
 
  DTC has also advised the Company that, pursuant to DTC's procedures, (i)
upon deposit of the Global Note, DTC will credit the accounts of the Direct
Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of the
principal amount of the Global Notes allocated by the Initial Purchasers to
such Direct Participants, and (ii) DTC will maintain records of the ownership
interests of such Direct Participants in the Global Notes and the transfer of
ownership interests by and between Direct Participants. DTC will not maintain
records of the ownership interests of, or the transfer of ownership interests
by and between, Indirect Participants or other owners of beneficial interests
in the Global Notes. Direct Participants and Indirect Participants must
maintain their own records of the ownership interests of, and the transfer of
ownership interests by and between, Indirect Participants and other owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes.
 
  Investors in the Global Note may hold their interests therein directly
through DTC if they are Direct Participants in DTC or indirectly through
organizations that are Direct Participants in DTC.
 
  The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive, certificated form of securities that they own. This may limit
or curtail the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to
such persons. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Direct Participants, which
in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and others, the ability of a
person having a beneficial interest in a Global Note to pledge such interest
 
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<PAGE>
 
to persons or entities that are not Direct Participants in DTC, or to
otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the
lack of physical certificates evidencing such interests. For certain other
restrictions on the transferability of the Notes see "--Transfers of Interests
in Global Notes for Certificated Notes."
 
  Except as described in "Transfers of Interests in Global Notes for
Certificated Notes," owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will
not have Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery
of Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners
or holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.
 
  Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and
the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Notes are registered
(including Notes represented by the Global Note) as the owners thereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever.
Payments in respect of the principal, premium, Liquidated Damages, if any, and
interest on the Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will
be payable by the Trustee to DTC or its nominee as the registered holder under
the Indenture. Consequently, neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of
the Company or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability
for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Direct Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTC's records or any Direct Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in any
Global Note or (ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of
DTC or any of its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants.
 
  DTC has advised the Company that its current payment practice (for payments
of principal, interest and the like) with respect to securities such as the
Notes is to credit the accounts of the relevant Direct Participants with such
payment on the payment date in amounts proportionate to such Direct
Participant's respective ownership interests in the Global Notes as shown on
DTC's records. Payments by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to
the beneficial owners of the Notes will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices between them and will not be the responsibility of
DTC, the Trustee, the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors. Neither the
Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors nor the Trustee will be liable for any
delay by DTC or its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants in
identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and the Company and the
Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of the Notes for
all purposes.
 
  Interests in the Global Note are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC's
Same-Day Funds Settlement System and, therefore, transfers between Direct
Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and
will be settled in immediately available funds. Transfers between Indirect
Participants who hold an interest through a Direct Participant will be
effected in accordance with the procedures of such Direct Participant but
generally will settle in immediately available funds.
 
  DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more Direct
Participants to whose account interests in the Global Notes are credited and
only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
as to which such Direct Participant or Direct Participants has or have given
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Notes, DTC
reserves the right to exchange Global Notes (without the direction of one or
more of its Direct Participants) for legended Notes in certificated form, and
to distribute such certificated forms of Notes to its Direct Participants. See
"--Transfers of Interests in Global Notes for Certificated Notes."
 
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES
 
  The entire Global Note may be exchanged for definitive Notes in registered,
certificated form without interest coupons ("Certificated Notes") if (i) DTC
(x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary for the Global Note and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a
successor depositary within 90 days or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company, at
 
                                      85
<PAGE>
 
its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the
issuance of Certificated Notes or (iii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. In any
such case, the Company will notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender
by the Direct and Indirect Participants of their interest in the Global Note,
Certificated Notes will be issued to each person that such Direct and Indirect
Participants and DTC identify as being the beneficial owner of the related
Notes.
 
  Beneficial interests in the Global Note held by any Direct or Indirect
Participant may be exchanged for Certificated Notes upon request to DTC, by
such Direct Participant (for itself or on behalf of an Indirect Participant),
but only upon at least 20 days' prior written notice given to the Trustee by
or on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary DTC procedures. Certificated
Notes delivered in exchange for any beneficial interest in the Global Note
will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations,
requested by DTC on behalf of such Direct or Indirect Participants (in
accordance with DTC's customary procedures).
 
  Neither the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors nor the Trustee will be
liable for any delay by the holder of the Global Note or the DTC in
identifying the beneficial owners of Notes, and the Company and the Trustee
may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions
from the holder of the Global Note or the DTC for all purposes.
 
SAME DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
  The Indenture will require that payments in respect of the Notes represented
by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the accounts specified by the holder of such Global Note. With
respect to Certificated Notes, the Company will make all payments of
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to
each such holder's registered address. The Company expects that secondary
trading in the Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately
available funds.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
  "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person,
including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a
Subsidiary of such specified Person, and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien
encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
 
  "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled
by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person,
shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;
provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a
Person shall be deemed to be control.
 
  "Asset Sale" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
any assets or rights (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and
leaseback) other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices (provided that the sale, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by the provisions of the
Indenture described above under the caption "--Change of Control" and/or the
provisions
 
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
described above under the caption "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets"
and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant), and (ii) the issue or
sale by any Restricted Subsidiary of Equity Interests of any of the Company's
Subsidiaries, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions (a) that have a fair market
value in excess of $2.0 million or (b) for net proceeds in excess of $2.0
million. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items shall not be
deemed to be Asset Sales: (i) a transfer of assets by the Company to a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary or by a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary to the
Company or to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) an issuance of
Equity Interests by a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to
another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) a Restricted Payment that is
permitted by the covenant described above under the caption "--Restricted
Payments," (iv) the sale and leaseback of any assets within 120 days of the
date of acquisition or completion of construction of such assets, (v) the sale
at fair market value of property or equipment that has become worn out,
obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the
business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in
the ordinary course of business and (vi) bare-boat charters entered into in
the ordinary course of business for a term not to exceed 12 months.
 
  "Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at
the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of
interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term
of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any
period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended).
 
  "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and
(iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to
receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of,
the issuing Person.
 
  "Cash Equivalents" means (i) United States dollars, (ii) securities issued
or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit
of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not
more than one year from the date of acquisition, (iii) certificates of deposit
and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date
of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding one-year
and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic commercial bank
having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million, (iv) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than thirty days for underlying securities
of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii)
above, (v) obligations issued or fully guaranteed by any state of the United
States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., (vi) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation and in each
case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition, (vii) money
market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents
of the kinds described in clauses (i) through (vii) of this definition and
(viii) short-term asset management accounts offered by any lender under Credit
Facilities for the purpose of investing in notes issued by a corporation
(other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company) organized under the
laws of any state of the United States or of the District of Columbia and
rated A-2 or higher by Standard & Poor's Rating Group, a division of McGraw
Hill, Inc. or P-2 or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
 
  "Citicorp" means Citicorp, a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto
by merger or consolidation.
 
                                      87
<PAGE>
 
  "Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (i) an amount
equal to any extraordinary or nonrecurring loss plus any net loss realized in
connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in
computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus (ii) provision for taxes based on
income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing
such Consolidated Net Income, plus (iii) consolidated interest expense of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or
accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation,
amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash
interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations,
the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit
or bankers' acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to
Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in
computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus (iv) depreciation, amortization
(including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding
amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and
other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent
that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future
period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior
period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the
extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus, without duplication,
(v) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another person that is guaranteed
by such person or a Subsidiary of such person or secured by a Lien on the
assets of such person or one of its Subsidiaries (to the extent that such
interest expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income in such
period), plus (vi) expenses and charges of the Company related to the
Transaction incurred or for which the Company became obligated on or prior to
or within 30 days after the date of the Indenture plus (vii) incremental
expenses incurred associated with the Chicago Flood Litigation not exceeding
$800,000, minus (viii) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income
for such period, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of
accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary thereof, (ii) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be
excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the
date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that
has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms
of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or
its stockholders, (iii) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of
interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition
shall be excluded, (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles shall be excluded and (v) the Net Income (but not loss) of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be excluded, whether or not distributed to the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
 
  "Credit Facilities" means, with respect to the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the
New Credit Facility) or commercial paper facilities with banks or other
institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans,
receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such
lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders
against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as increased as
permitted by the terms of the Indenture, and amended, restated, modified,
renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to
time.
 
  "CVC" means Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., a New York corporation, or any
successor thereto by merger or consolidation.
 
  "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
                                      88
<PAGE>
 
  "Designated Senior Debt" means (i) any Obligations outstanding under the New
Credit Facility (including letters of credit), (ii) any Permitted Bonding
Obligation and (iii) any other Senior Debt permitted under the Indenture the
principal amount of which is $50.0 million or more and that has been
designated by the Company as "Designated Senior Debt." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility shall be deemed
outstanding for purposes of this definition at all times when the lenders
thereunder have an effective commitment to extend credit thereunder,
regardless of whether any such Indebtedness is actually outstanding at such
time.
 
  "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is
exchangeable, at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of
any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the Holder thereof, in
whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on
which the Notes mature; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would
constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the
right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company
may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such
provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant
described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments."
 
  "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
  "Existing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (including Guarantees) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the New Credit
Facility) in existence on the date of the Indenture, until such amounts are
permanently repaid.
 
  "Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum,
without duplication, of (i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
(including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and
original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of
any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments
associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to
Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred
in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net
payments (if any) pursuant to interest Hedging Obligations; provided, however,
that in no event shall any amortization of deferred financing costs incurred
in connection with the Transaction be included in Fixed Charges) and (ii) the
consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was
capitalized during such period, and (iii) any interest expense on Indebtedness
of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon)
and (iv) the product of (a) all cash dividend payments and non-cash dividend
payments, on any series of preferred stock and any series of Disqualified
Stock, in each case, of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
other than dividend payments (x) on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or (y) to the Company
or a Subsidiary Guarantor, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one
and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal,
state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in
each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any Person for any
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period
to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the
referent Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes,
Guarantees, repays or redeems any Indebtedness (other than repayment of
revolving credit borrowings that are not accompanied by a permanent reduction
in the commitment amount) or issues or redeems preferred stock subsequent to
the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is
being calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the
calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation
Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro
forma effect to such incurrence,
 
                                      89
<PAGE>
 
assumption, Guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or
redemption of preferred stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of
the applicable four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of
making the computation referred to above, (i) acquisitions that have been made
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through
mergers (including the Merger) or consolidations and including any related
financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent
to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date shall be
deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period
and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period shall be calculated
without giving effect to clause (iii) of the proviso set forth in the
definition of Consolidated Net Income, (ii) the Consolidated Cash Flow
attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date,
shall be excluded, and (iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or
businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but
only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will
not be obligations of the referent Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.
 
  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
  "Guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
 
  "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under (i) interest rate or currency swap agreements, interest rate
cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements, (ii) other agreements or
arrangements solely designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in
interest or currency exchange rates and (iii) commodities purchase and sale
agreements and other similar agreements designed to protect such Person
against fluctuations in the price of raw materials used by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced
by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances or
representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of
the purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging Obligations,
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable,
if and to the extent any of the foregoing (other than letters of credit,
Hedging Obligations and Attributable Debt) would appear as a liability upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether
or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and, to the extent not
otherwise included, the Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any
other Person. The amount of any Indebtedness (other than Hedging Obligations,
guarantees and Attributable Debt) outstanding as of any date shall be (i) the
accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original
issue discount, and (ii) the principal amount thereof, together with any
interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other
Indebtedness.
 
  "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations),
advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar
advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business),
purchases or other acquisitions of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that
an acquisition of Equity Interests or other securities by
 
                                      90
<PAGE>
 
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for consideration consisting
solely of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company
shall not be deemed to be an Investment. If the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests
of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that,
after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have
made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the
fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not
sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph
of the covenant described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments."
 
  "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the
nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any
jurisdiction).
 
  "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net
income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before
any reduction in respect of dividends on preferred interests, (i) excluding,
however, (a) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for
taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with (1) any Asset
Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and
leaseback transactions) or (2) the disposition of any securities by such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) any
extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any related
provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss)
and (ii) less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period pursuant to
clause (vii) of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted Payments" to the extent not otherwise deducted in
computing such Net Income.
 
  "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including,
without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of
any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct
costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal,
accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and any
relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, any taxes paid or payable as
a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or
deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), and any reserve for adjustment
in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance
with GAAP.
 
  "New Bonding Agreement" means that certain Second Amended and Restated
Underwriting and Continuing Indemnity Agreement, dated as of the date of the
Indenture, by and among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries and the
Sureties, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as amended,
restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to
time.
 
  "New Credit Facility" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the
date of the Indenture, by and among the Company, Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as agent, and certain other lenders party
thereto, initially providing for up to $55.0 million of revolving credit
borrowings and $55.0 million of term borrowings, including any related notes,
guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in
connection therewith, and in each case as increased as permitted by the terms
of the Indenture, and amended, modified, renewed, restated, refunded, replaced
or refinanced from time to time.
 
  "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; and (ii) no default with respect to
which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both)
 
                                      91
<PAGE>
 
any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes being offered
hereby) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a
default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the
lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to
the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
  "Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, costs, expenses, reimbursement obligations, damages and
other liabilities and obligations which may arise under or in connection with
the New Credit Facility or the New Bonding Agreement or under or in connection
with the documentation governing any Indebtedness, and in all cases whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now outstanding or hereafter
created, assumed or incurred and including, without limitation, interest
accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy or the
commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or similar proceedings at the
rate provided in the relevant document, whether or not an allowed claim, and
any obligation to redeem or defease any of the foregoing.
 
  "Permitted Bonding Obligations" means (i) obligations incurred by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including Guarantees) with respect to bid,
performance, surety, appeal or similar bonds and completion guarantees in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices and (ii)
obligations incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including
Guarantees) under the New Bonding Agreement.
 
  "Permitted Business" means any of the businesses engaged in by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of the Indenture and any other
business reasonably related, complementary or ancillary thereto.
 
  "Permitted Investments" means (a) any Investment in the Company or in a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Subsidiary Guarantor and is
engaged in a Permitted Business; (b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents; (c)
any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a
Person, if as a result of such Investment (i) such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and a Subsidiary Guarantor and is engaged in a
Permitted Business or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated
with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or
is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
is a Subsidiary Guarantor and that is engaged in Permitted Business; (d) any
Investment made as a result of the receipt of assets not constituting Cash
Equivalents from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance
with the covenant described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders--Asset Sales;" (e) any acquisition of assets solely in
exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the Company; (f) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair
market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without
giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all
other Investments made pursuant to this clause (f) that are at the time
outstanding, not to exceed $10.0 million; (g) Investments in securities of
customers received in settlement of obligations or pursuant to a plan of
reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of
such trade creditors or customers; (h) Investments existing on the date of the
Indenture; (i) loans and advances to officers, directors, members and
employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other
similar expenses, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with past practices not to exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate
at any time; (j) any Hedging Obligation; (k) Investments consisting of
intercompany loans from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to
Restricted Subsidiaries, including Restricted Subsidiaries that are not
Subsidiary Guarantors; (l) Investments consisting of capital contributions
from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries to Restricted Subsidiaries
that are not Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate amount at any one time
outstanding not to exceed $10.0 million; and (m) Investments in joint ventures
formed in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of bidding and
completing specific projects within a Permitted Business in an aggregate
amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $5.0 million.
 
  "Permitted Junior Securities" means Equity Interests in the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor or debt securities that are subordinated to all Senior
Debt (and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt) to
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Notes are
subordinated to Senior Debt pursuant
 
                                      92
<PAGE>
 
to the Indenture; provided that no such Equity Interests or debt securities
may be issued if the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt are impaired by
any such issuance in connection with a reorganization, including, without
limitation, by reason of such rights being impaired within the meaning of
Section 1124 of Title 11 of the United States Code.
 
  "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens on assets of the Company securing Senior
Debt of the Company and Liens on assets of Subsidiary Guarantors securing
Senior Debt, provided, in each case, that such Indebtedness was permitted by
the terms of the Indenture to be incurred; (ii) Liens in favor of the Company
or a Subsidiary Guarantor; (iii) Liens on property of a Person existing at the
time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in
existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do
not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or
consolidated with the Company; (iv) Liens on property existing at the time of
acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation
of such acquisition; (v) Liens to secure the performance of statutory
obligations, surety or appeal bonds, bid bonds, payment bonds, performance and
lien bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary
course of business; (vi) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (v) or (ix) of the second paragraph of the
covenant entitled "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock"
covering, in the case of such clause (v), only the assets acquired with such
Indebtedness; (vii) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture; (viii) Liens
for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet
delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any
reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made therefor; (ix) Liens on assets of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; (x)
Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not
exceed $7.5 million at any one time outstanding and that (a) are not incurred
in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or
credit (other than trade credit in the ordinary course of business) and (b) do
not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the property or
materially impair the use thereof in the operation of business by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary; (xi) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of
carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other
Liens (including statutory maritime Liens) imposed by law incurred in the
ordinary course of business; (xii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the
ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other types of social security or similar
obligations, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations,
surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and
return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations
for the payment of borrowed money); (xiii) judgment or attachment Liens not
giving rise to an Event of Default; (xiv) easements, rights-of-way, zoning
restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances in respect of real
property not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary course of
the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (xv) any
interest or title of a lessor under any lease, whether or not characterized as
capital or operating; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property
or assets which is not leased property subject to such lease; (xvi) Liens
securing Hedging Obligations which Hedging Obligations relate to Indebtedness
that is otherwise permitted under the Indenture; (xvii) Liens securing
reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and products and
proceeds thereof; (xviii) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
which is incurred to refinance any Indebtedness which has been secured by a
Lien permitted under the Indenture and which has been incurred in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture; (xix) Liens in favor of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; (xx) Liens with respect to
current wages of the master and crew and for wages of a stevedore when
employed directly by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or by the
charterer, operator, master or agent of any of the vessels owned or operated
by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; and (xxi) Liens for salvage
(including contract salvage).
 
  "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, to extend,
refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of
 
                                      93
<PAGE>
 
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany
Indebtedness); provided that: (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if
applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the
principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued interest
on, the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses, premiums, penalties, fees
and interest incurred in connection therewith); (ii) such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final
maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or
greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; (iii) if the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final
maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on
terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the
documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either
by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded.
 
  "Public Equity Offering" means a public offering pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act of Equity Interests (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.
 
  "Qualified Proceeds" means any of the following or any combination of the
following: (i) cash, (ii) Cash Equivalents, (iii) assets that are used or
useful in a Permitted Business and (iv) the Capital Stock of any Person
engaged in a Permitted Business if, in connection with the receipt by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of such Capital Stock, (a)
such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person is merged, consolidated or
amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its
assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company.
 
  "Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
 
  "Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  "Senior Debt" means (i) all Obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary
Guarantor outstanding under the New Credit Facility, including any Guarantee
thereof and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto and all interest and
fees accrued with respect thereto following the commencement of a proceeding
under bankruptcy law, whether or not considered an allowed claim in such
proceeding, (ii) all Permitted Bonding Obligations from time to time
outstanding, (iii) any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary
Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture, unless
the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides
that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes
and (iv) all Obligations with respect to the foregoing. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Debt will not include (v)
any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing, (w) any
Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any Subsidiary of
the Company or any other Affiliates of the Company, (x) any trade payables,
(y) any Indebtedness which is expressly subordinated to any other Indebtedness
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (z) any Indebtedness that is
incurred in violation of the Indenture.
 
  "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
 
  "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal (including any sinking fund payment) on any series of Indebtedness,
the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be
paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not
include any
 
                                      94
<PAGE>
 
contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or
principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
 
  "Stockholders' Agreement" means the Securities Purchase and Holders
Agreement among the stockholders of the Company, as in effect on the date of
the Indenture.
 
  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers
or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole
general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination
thereof).
 
  "Subsidiary Guarantors" means each of (i) the wholly owned domestic
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company on the date of the Indenture and (ii)
any other subsidiary that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with
the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.
 
  "Sureties" means Reliance Insurance Company, United Pacific Insurance
Company, Reliance National Insurance Company and Reliance Surety Company,
together with any of their respective affiliates.
 
  "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company or any
successor to any of them) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the
Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board resolution; but only
to the extent that such Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness other than Non-
Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company; (c) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to
subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such
Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results; (d) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or
indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (e) has at least one director on its board
of directors that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is
not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be
evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the
Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption
"Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." If, at any time, any Unrestricted
Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for
purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be
deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such
date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such
date under the covenant described under the caption "Certain Covenants--
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock," the Company
shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors of the Company
may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence
of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only
be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant
described under the caption "Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock," calculated on a pro forma basis as if such
designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference
period, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence
following such designation.
 
  "Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such
Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of such Person.
 
                                      95
<PAGE>
 
  "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness.
 
  "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall
at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
                                      96
<PAGE>
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  The following discussion summarizes the material United States federal
income tax consequences of the Exchange Offer to a holder of Existing Notes
who is an individual citizen or resident of the United States or a United
States corporation that purchased the Existing Notes pursuant to their
original issue (a "U.S. Holder"). It is based on the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended to the date hereof (the "Code"), existing and proposed
Treasury regulations, and judicial and administrative determinations, all of
which are subject to change at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. The
following relates only to the Existing Notes, and the Exchange Notes received
therefor, that are held as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code by U.S. Holders. It does not discuss state, local, or foreign tax
consequences, nor does it discuss tax consequences to subsequent purchasers
(persons who did not purchase the Existing Notes pursuant to their original
issue), or to categories of holders that are subject to special rules, such as
foreign persons, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, banks and
dealers in stocks and securities. Tax consequences may vary depending on the
particular status of an investor. No rulings will be sought from the Internal
Revenue Service with respect to the federal income tax consequences of the
Exchange Offer.
 
  THIS SECTION DOES NOT PURPORT TO DEAL WITH ALL ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO AN INVESTOR'S DECISION TO EXCHANGE EXISTING
NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN TAX
ADVISOR CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AND OTHER
TAX LAWS TO ITS PARTICULAR SITUATION BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO EXCHANGE
EXISTING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  The exchange of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer should be
treated as a continuation of the corresponding Existing Notes, because the
terms of the Exchange Notes are not materially different from the terms of the
Existing Notes. Accordingly, such exchange should not constitute a taxable
event to U.S. Holders and, therefore, (i) no gain or loss should be realized
by U.S. Holders upon receipt of an Exchange Note, (ii) the holding period of
an Exchange Note should include the holding period of the Existing Note
exchanged therefor and (iii) the adjusted tax basis of an Exchange Note should
be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the Existing Note exchanged therefor
immediately before the exchange.
 
STATED INTEREST
 
  Stated interest on a Note will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
interest income at the time that such interest accrues or is received, in
accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for federal
income tax purposes. The Notes are not considered to have been issued with
original issue discount for federal income tax purposes.
 
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
 
  A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note generally will be its cost. A U.S.
Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or
retirement of a Note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the sale, exchange or retirement and the tax basis of the Note.
Gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note
(excluding amounts received in respect of accrued interest, which will be
taxable as ordinary interest income) generally will be capital gain or loss
and will be long-term capital gain or loss, if the Note was held for more than
one year. Under recently enacted legislation, net long-term capital gain
recognized by non-corporate taxpayers is generally subject to a 20% maximum
rate of tax.
 
 
                                      97
<PAGE>
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
  Under certain circumstances, a U.S. Holder of a Note may be subject to
"backup withholding" at a 31% rate with respect to payments of interest
thereon or the gross proceeds from the disposition thereof.
 
  This withholding generally applies if the U.S. Holder fails to furnish his
or her social security number or other taxpayer identification number in the
specified manner and in certain circumstances or fails to properly certify
that he or she is not subject to backup withholding in general. Any amount
withheld from a payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules is
allowable as a credit against such U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability.
Corporations and certain other entities described in the Code and Treasury
regulations are exempt from backup withholding if their exempt status is
properly established.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. This Prospectus, as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Existing
Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a
period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection
with any such resale. In addition, until 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus, all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Notes may be
required to deliver a prospectus.
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by
broker-dealers. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or
more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such
resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers
who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from
any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes. Any
broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any
such resale of Exchange Notes and any commission or concessions received by
any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that
it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
 
  For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will promptly
send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to
this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the
Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to
the Exchange Offer other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or
dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including any
broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
                                      98
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters with respect to the Exchange Notes offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Company by Dechert Price & Rhoads, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1996
and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997
included in this Prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are
included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The financial statements of Amboy as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 included in this
Prospectus have been audited by J.H. Cohn LLP, independent public accountants,
as stated in their report included herein.
 
                                      99
<PAGE>
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                                        <C>
GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                     Page
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998--unaudited........  F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for Great Lakes Dredge &
 Dock Corporation and Subsidiaries for the nine months ended September
 30, 1998 and 1997--unaudited............................................  F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Great Lakes Dredge &
 Dock Corporation and Subsidiaries for the nine months ended September
 30, 1998 and 1997--unaudited............................................  F-5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Great Lakes
 Dredge & Dock Corporation and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998--
 unaudited...............................................................  F-6
Independent Auditors' Report.............................................  F-16
Consolidated Balance Sheets of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation and
 Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996...........................  F-17
Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings of Great Lakes
 Dredge & Dock Corporation and Subsidiaries for the years ended December
 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.................................................  F-18
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
 and 1995................................................................  F-19
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
 Corporation and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
 and 1995................................................................  F-20
 
 
AMBOY AGGREGATES JOINT VENTURE
Report of Independent Public Accountants.................................  F-37
Balance Sheets of Amboy Aggregates (A Joint Venture) as of December 31,
 1997 and 1996...........................................................  F-38
Statements of Income and Partners' Capital of Amboy Aggregates (A Joint
 Venture) for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...........  F-39
Statements of Cash Flows for Amboy Aggregates (A Joint Venture) for the
 years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995............................  F-40
Notes to Financial Statement for Amboy Aggregates (A Joint Venture)......  F-41
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                      
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     
                                   
                                (UNAUDITED)     
               
            (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARES AMOUNTS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                      1998
                                                                  -------------
<S>                                                               <C>
                                    ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents.............................................   $    528
Accounts receivable, net.........................................     27,939
Contract revenues in excess of billings..........................     11,862
Inventories......................................................     11,416
Asset held for sale..............................................      5,657
Prepaid and other current assets.................................     12,708
                                                                    --------
  Total current assets...........................................     70,110
Property and equipment, net......................................    148,800
Inventories......................................................      6,831
Investments in joint ventures....................................      9,017
Other assets.....................................................      5,695
                                                                    --------
  Total assets...................................................   $240,453
                                                                    ========
                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.................................................   $ 24,296
Accrued expenses and other.......................................     17,328
Billings in excess of contract revenues..........................      4,047
Current maturities of long-term debt.............................      1,450
                                                                    --------
  Total current liabilities......................................     47,121
Long-term debt...................................................    182,650
Deferred income taxes............................................     46,511
Foreign income taxes.............................................      6,282
Other............................................................      4,989
                                                                    --------
  Total liabilities..............................................    287,553
Minority interests...............................................      3,664
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)..........................        --
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
 Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 250,000 shares authorized:
  45,000
  issued and outstanding. .......................................          1
 Common stock, $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized:
  5,000,000
  issued and outstanding. .......................................         50
 Additional paid-in capital......................................     50,457
 Retained deficit................................................   (101,272)
                                                                    --------
  Total stockholders' deficit....................................    (50,764)
                                                                    --------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit....................   $240,453
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>    
       
    See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.     
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                 
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS     
                                   
                                (UNAUDITED)     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                            ------------------
                                                              1998      1997
                                                            --------  --------
<S>                                                         <C>       <C>
Contract revenues.......................................... $200,244  $179,876
Costs of contract revenues.................................  167,364   162,168
                                                            --------  --------
  Gross profit.............................................   32,880    17,708
General and administrative expenses........................   15,175    13,524
Equity incentive plan and other compensation expenses......    8,169       --
Recapitalization related expenses..........................    9,521       --
                                                            --------  --------
  Operating income.........................................       15     4,184
Interest expense, net......................................   (4,798)   (4,529)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures.......................      421     1,773
                                                            --------  --------
  Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interests and
   extraordinary item......................................   (4,362)    1,428
Income tax benefit (expense)...............................      449       (53)
Minority interests.........................................   (1,870)   (1,299)
                                                            --------  --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item....................   (5,783)       76
Extraordinary item (net of income tax benefit of $543).....     (925)      --
                                                            --------  --------
  Net income (loss)........................................ $ (6,708) $     76
                                                            ========  ========
</TABLE>    
       
    See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.     
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
       
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)     
                                   
                                (UNAUDITED)     
                       
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           NUMBER OF SHARES
                          --------------------
                                                                    ADDITIONAL RETAINED
                                                COMMON   PREFERRED   PAID-IN   EARNINGS
                           COMMON    PREFERRED  STOCK      STOCK     CAPITAL   (DEFICIT)    TOTAL
                          ---------  --------- --------  ---------  ---------- ---------  ---------
<S>                       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance at December 31,
 1997...................        100      --    $ 60,000       --         --    $  18,156  $  78,156
Exercise of stock op-
 tions..................          8      --       4,516       --         --          --       4,516
Tax benefit on tax com-
 pensation expense re-
 lated to stock options
 exercised..............        --       --         944       --         --          --         944
Assignment of settlement
 advance receivable.....        --       --         --        --         --      (11,000)   (11,000)
Common stock purchased..  3,552,190      --       8,704       --         --          --       8,704
Issuance of preferred
 stock..................        --    34,420        --     34,420        --          --      34,420
Conversion of common
 shares to preferred
 shares.................       (7.0)  10,580     (8,656)   10,580        --       (1,924)       --
Redemption of common
 shares.................       (100)     --     (60,000)      --         --      (99,796)  (159,796)
Record shares at par
 value..................  1,447,809      --      (5,458)  (44,999)    50,457         --         --
Net loss................        --       --         --        --         --       (6,708)    (6,708)
                          ---------   ------   --------  --------    -------   ---------  ---------
Balance at September 30,
 1998...................  5,000,000   45,000   $     50  $      1    $50,457   $(101,272) $ (50,764)
                          =========   ======   ========  ========    =======   =========  =========
</TABLE>    
       
    See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.     
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                 
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     
                                   
                                (UNAUDITED)     
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          -------------------
                                                            1998       1997
                                                          ---------  --------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)........................................ $  (6,708) $     76
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
 flows from operating activities:
  Depreciation...........................................    10,980    10,361
  Earnings of joint ventures.............................      (421)   (1,773)
  Minority interests.....................................     1,870     1,299
  Deferred income taxes..................................    (1,175)   (2,332)
  Foreign income taxes...................................     1,204     4,498
  Gain on dispositions of property and equipment.........       --     (3,279)
  Compensation expense related to exercise of options....     5,152       --
  Extraordinary item.....................................       925       --
  Other, net.............................................        45       129
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable..................................    12,360   (29,626)
    Contract revenues in excess of billings..............     3,646       411
    Inventories..........................................    (2,726)      319
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets............     1,529    (2,162)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses ...............    (4,796)   16,320
    Billings in excess of contract revenues..............     1,073     7,540
                                                          ---------  --------
  Net cash flows from operating activities...............    22,958     1,781
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment......................   (26,365)   (7,882)
Dispositions of property and equipment...................       --      5,218
Investments in and distributions from joint ventures,
 net.....................................................    (1,027)     (908)
Distribution to minority interests.......................       --       (700)
Deposit..................................................       --      2,500
                                                          ---------  --------
  Net cash flows from investing activities...............   (27,392)   (1,772)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................   126,500    31,500
Repayments of long-term debt.............................  (115,000)  (20,636)
Proceeds from 11 1/4% subordinated debt..................   115,000       --
Exercise of options......................................     4,516       --
Common stock purchased...................................     3,552       --
Issuance of preferred stock..............................    34,420       --
Financing fees...........................................    (5,947)   (1,740)
Redemption of shares.....................................  (159,796)      --
Settlement advance.......................................       --    (11,000)
                                                          ---------  --------
  Net cash flows from financing activities...............     3,245    (1,876)
                                                          ---------  --------
Net decrease in cash and equivalents.....................    (1,189)   (1,867)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period..............     1,717     1,887
                                                          ---------  --------
Cash and equivalents at end of period.................... $     528  $     20
                                                          =========  ========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest................................... $   2,877  $  4,593
                                                          =========  ========
Cash paid for taxes...................................... $   3,264  $    253
                                                          =========  ========
</TABLE>    
       
    See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.     
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
              
           NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     
                               
                            SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     
                                  
                               (UNAUDITED)     
               
            (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)     
   
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION     
   
  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for
interim financial information. Accordingly, these financial statements do not
include all the information in the notes required by generally accepted
accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of
management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include
all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of
operations and cash flows. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and notes herein should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto.     
   
2. RECAPITALIZATION OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION     
   
  Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (the Company) effected a
recapitalization of the Company on August 19, 1998 whereby (i) management
exercised vested options representing 7% of the Company's then outstanding
common stock, (ii) newly issued common stock and preferred stock was sold to
Vectura Holding Company, LLC (Vectura) and certain members of management,
(iii) the common stock formerly held by Blackstone Dredging Partners L.P. and
Blackstone Family Investment Partnership I L.P. (Blackstone) was redeemed, and
(iv) a portion of the common stock held by management was purchased directly
by Vectura. The redemption of the common stock formerly held by Blackstone was
financed using a portion of the proceeds from $115,000 of senior subordinated
debt, a $110,000 new bank credit facility and the issuance of preferred stock
for $34,420 and common stock for $3,552 received by Vectura and certain
members of management. As a result of the recapitalization, certain members of
the Company management own approximately 16% of the outstanding common stock
and Vectura owns approximately 84%. Expenses related to the recapitalization,
which were charged to operations during the period, totaled $9,521 and are not
expected to be recurring expenses.     
   
3. EXTRAORDINARY ITEM     
   
  In August 1998, in conjunction with the recapitalization, the Company
entered into a new credit agreement. As a result, deferred financing fees
associated with the Company's prior credit agreement of $1,468 ($925 net of
income tax benefit) were written off as an extraordinary item.     
   
4. ALLOCATION OF EQUIPMENT COST     
   
  The Company can have significant fluctuations in equipment utilization
throughout the year. Accordingly, for interim reporting, the Company defers or
accrues fixed equipment costs and amortizes the expenses in proportion to
revenues recognized over the year to better match revenues and expenses.     
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                             
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE     
   
  Accounts receivable at September 30, 1998 are as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                                     <C>
Completed contracts.................................................... $ 8,354
Contracts in progress..................................................  16,517
Retainage..............................................................   3,550
                                                                        -------
                                                                         28,421
Allowance for doubtful accounts........................................    (482)
                                                                        -------
                                                                        $27,939
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>    
   
6. CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS     
   
  The components of contracts in progress at September 30, 1998 is are follows:
    
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                                   <C>
Costs and earnings in excess of billings:
  Accumulated costs and earnings for contracts in progress........... $ 129,289
  Amounts billed.....................................................  (119,264)
                                                                      ---------
Costs and earnings in excess of billings for contracts in progress...    10,025
Costs and earnings in excess of billings for completed contracts.....     1,837
                                                                      ---------
                                                                        $11,862
                                                                      =========
Billings in excess of costs and earnings:
  Amounts billed.....................................................  $(37,413)
  Accumulated costs and earnings for contracts in progress...........    33,366
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      $  (4,047)
                                                                      =========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                            
7. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES     
   
  The Company has a 50% ownership interest in Amboy Aggregates Joint Venture,
whose primary business is the dredge mining and sale of fine aggregate, and a
14% ownership interest in a venture whose sole business is the performance of
a dredging contract in Argentina and Uruguay (Riovia S.A. Venture). Financial
information for the Riovia Venture is provided as of August 31, 1998 and for
the eight months ended August 31, 1998 and 1997, the most recently available
information for preparation of the Company's respective September financial
statements. Summarized information for the joint ventures is as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                          AMBOY        RIOVIA
                                                       AGGREGATES     VENTURE
                                                      ------------- ------------
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,  AUGUST 31,
                                                          1998          1998
                                                      ------------- ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Current assets.......................................   $  8,323      $ 35,724
Non-current assets...................................     15,259           737
                                                        --------      --------
  Total assets.......................................   $ 23,582      $ 36,461
                                                        --------      --------
Current liabilities..................................      2,689         8,828
Non-current liabilities..............................      9,636        17,302
                                                        --------      --------
  Equity.............................................   $ 11,257      $ 10,331
                                                        ========      ========
<CAPTION>
                                                       NINE MONTHS  EIGHT MONTHS
                                                          ENDED        ENDED
                                                      ------------- ------------
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,  AUGUST 31,
                                                          1998          1998
                                                      ------------- ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Revenues.............................................   $ 12,816      $ 26,415
Costs and expenses...................................    (12,527)      (24,328)
                                                        --------      --------
  Net income.........................................   $    289      $  2,087
                                                        --------      --------
<CAPTION>
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,  AUGUST 31,
                                                          1997          1997
                                                      ------------- ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Revenues.............................................   $ 17,116      $    --
Costs and expenses...................................    (13,444)          --
                                                        --------      --------
  Net income.........................................   $  3,672      $    --
                                                        ========      ========
</TABLE>    
   
8. LONG-TERM DEBT     
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                                                    <C>
Long-term debt as of September 30, 1998 is as follows:
  Bank Debt:
    Term loan......................................................... $ 55,000
    Revolving loan....................................................   13,500
  11 1/4% subordinated debt...........................................  115,000
  Other secured debt..................................................      600
                                                                       --------
                                                                        184,100
Current maturities of long-term debt..................................   (1,450)
                                                                       --------
                                                                       $182,650
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>    
   
  In August 1998, the Company entered into a new bank credit agreement (Credit
Agreement). The Credit Agreement, expiring in 2004, consists of a $55,000 term
loan and a $55,000 aggregate revolving credit facility which may be used for
borrowings or for letters of credit. At September 30, 1998, availability under
the aggregate revolving credit facility was $29,171. The terms of the Credit
Agreement provide for interest rate     
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                            
spreads based on the Company's debt level compared to earnings, as defined,
and allow for various interest rate options for loan amounts and periods that
are selected at the discretion of the Company. At September 30, 1998, the
average borrowing rate was 8.7%, including amortization of financing fees. The
Company also pays an annual commitment fee of up to 0.5% on the average daily
unused capacity available under the revolving credit facility.     
   
  The Credit Agreement contains provisions that require the Company to
maintain a minimum net worth and certain other financial ratios, limit payment
of dividends and restrict certain other transactions. Borrowings under the
Credit Agreement are secured by first lien mortgages on certain operating
equipment of the Company with a net book value of approximately $34,760 at
September 30, 1998 and are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
       
  Beginning September 30, 1999, quarterly principal payments of the term loan
are required as specified in the Credit Agreement. Annual prepayments of
principal may be required to the extent the Company has excess cash, as
defined, and voluntary prepayments are allowed. All prepayments modify the
requirements for scheduled principal payments. Scheduled long-term debt
maturities for the five years ending December 31 are as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
     <S>                                                                  <C>
     1998................................................................ $  200
     1999................................................................  2,700
     2000................................................................  6,700
     2001................................................................  9,000
     2002................................................................ 11,000
</TABLE>    
   
  On August 19, 1998, the Company issued $115,000 of senior subordinated notes
(Notes) which will mature on August 15, 2008. Interest on the Notes accrues at
a rate of 11 1/4% per annum and is payable semi-annually beginning on February
15, 1999. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company,
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt,
including borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company's obligation
under the Notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by the Company's
wholly owned domestic subsidiaries.     
   
9. INCOME TAXES     
   
  The Company's effective tax rate on earnings (losses) for the nine month
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are reconciled to the statutory U.S.
federal income tax rate as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1998    1997
                                                                  -----   -----
   <S>                                                            <C>     <C>
   Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate........................ (34.0)%  34.0%
   State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit...........   6.8     0.4
   Partnership gain allocated to minority interests.............. (13.1)  (26.2)
   Nondeductible recapitalization expenses.......................  27.1     --
   Other.........................................................   2.9    (4.5)
                                                                  -----   -----
   Effective tax rate............................................ (10.3)%   3.7%
                                                                  =====   =====
</TABLE>    
   
10. CAPITAL STOCK     
   
  As part of the recapitalization, the Company authorized and issued 250,000
and 45,000 shares, respectively, of preferred stock. The preferred stock pays
dividends, if declared, at the rate of 12% per annum and is cumulative.
Additionally, the Company authorized and issued 25,000,000 and 1,636,100
shares, respectively, of class A voting common stock, and 25,000,000 and
3,363,900 shares, respectively, of class B nonvoting common stock, with a par
value of $.01 per share. Previously, authorized and issued common stock had no
par value.     
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                            
  A portion of the common stock held by management prior to the
recapitalization was converted to preferred stock.     
   
11. STOCK PLAN     
   
  In August 1998, all outstanding options granted under the Equity Incentive
Plan were exercised at an exercise price of $600,000 per share, which
represented 7.5 shares of common stock or 7% of common stock outstanding after
the exercise. Subsequently, 5.2 of these shares (or 4.8% of common stock
outstanding) were sold to Vectura in conjunction with the recapitalization,
resulting in non-cash compensation expense of $5,152. The Equity Incentive
Plan was terminated as of the date of recapitalization.     
   
12. OTHER TRANSACTIONS     
   
  In September 1998, the Company approved and paid discretionary bonuses of
$3,017 to certain members of management.     
   
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES     
   
  At September 30, 1998, the Company is contingently liable, in the normal
course of business, for $1,237 in additional letters of credit related to
contract performance guarantees.     
   
  The Company has contracted to build a backhoe dredge for approximately
$18,000 for delivery in early 1999. At September 30, 1998, the Company had
$5,657 of related backhoe construction expenses recorded as an asset held for
sale. In October of 1998, the Company sold the construction in progress and
entered into a long-term operating lease to complete the backhoe dredge
construction and to operate the dredge upon completion.     
   
  In 1992, an underwater utility tunnel failed adjacent to a construction site
completed by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (GLDD), a wholly owned
subsidiary of GLD Corporation. The failure resulted in a flooding of the
tunnel and building basements serviced by the tunnel. Numerous suits were
filed against GLDD for claims of flood damage to building basements and losses
due to business interruption. During 1997, all outstanding claims were settled
related to the flood litigation. Settlement payments totaling $11,000 were
advanced by the Company. As part of the recapitalization, the right to receive
the $11,000 settlement advance was retained by Blackstone.     
   
  In the normal course of business, the Company is a defendant in various
other legal proceedings. Resolutions of these claims is not expected to have a
material impact on the financial position or operations of the Company.     
   
  As is customary with negotiated contracts with the federal government, the
government has the right to audit the books and records of the Company to
ensure compliance with such contracts and applicable federal laws. The
government has the ability to seed a price adjustment based on the results of
such audit. Any such audits are not expected to have a material impact on the
financial position or operations of the Company.     
   
14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS     
   
  In August 1998 the Company made recourse loans totaling $4,516 to certain
members of management in connection with the exercise of their options. The
loans were immediately repaid to the Company from proceeds received upon the
sale of a portion of the common stock owned by management to Vectura. See Note
2.     
   
15. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
   
  The payment obligations of the Company under the senior subordinated notes
are guaranteed by certain of the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries
(the Subsidiary Guarantors). Such guarantees are full, unconditional and joint
and several. Separate financial statements of the Subsidiary Guarantors are
not presented because the Company's management has determined that they would
not be material to investors. The following supplemental financial information
sets forth, on a combined basis, the balance sheet, statements of operations
and statements of cash flows for the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Company's non-
guarantor subsidiaries and for the Company (GLD Corporation).     
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     GUARANTOR         OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                                   SUBSIDIARIES     SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
ASSETS                          -------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                             <C>                 <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Current assets................
  Cash and equivalents........    $             300   $   228     $    --     $     --      $    528
  Accounts receivable, net....               24,874     3,065          --           --        27,939
  Receivables from affiliates.                6,840    12,152       57,914      (76,906)         --
  Current portion of net
   investment in direct
   financing leases...........                3,153     4,596          --        (7,749)         --
  Contract revenues in excess
   of billings................               11,042       820          --           --        11,862
  Inventories.................                8,560     2,856          --           --        11,416
  Settlement advance..........                  --        --           --           --           --
  Assets held for sale........                5,657       --           --           --         5,657
  Prepaid and other current
   assets.....................               10,904       792        1,012          --        12,708
                                  -----------------   -------     --------    ---------     --------
    Total current assets......               71,330    24,509       58,926      (84,655)      70,110
Property and equipment, net...              131,973    16,827          --                    148,800
Net investment in direct
 financing leases.............                6,602    10,087          --       (16,689)         --
Investments in subsidiaries...              144,452       --        67,156     (211,608)         --
Note receivable from
 affiliate....................               31,177     1,377          --       (32,554)         --
Inventories...................                6,831       --           --           --         6,831
Investments in joint ventures.                9,017       --           --           --         9,017
Other assets..................                  467       --         5,228          --         5,695
                                  -----------------   -------     --------    ---------     --------
                                  $         401,849   $52,800     $131,310    $(345,506)    $240,453
                                  =================   =======     ========    =========     ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable............    $          20,834   $ 3,078     $    384    $     --      $ 24,296
  Payables to affiliates......               75,112     1,615          179      (76,906)         --
  Accrued expenses and other..               13,008     1,954        2,366          --        17,328
  Current portion of
   obligations under capital
   leases.....................                  --      7,749          --        (7,749)         --
  Billings in excess of
   contract revenues..........                4,047       --           --           --         4,047
  Current maturities of long-
   term debt..................                  200       --         1,250          --         1,450
                                  -----------------   -------     --------    ---------     --------
    Total current liabilities.              113,201    14,396        4,179      (84,655)      47,121
Long-term debt................                  400       --       182,250                   182,650
Obligations under capital
 leases.......................                  --     16,689          --       (16,689)         --
Note payable to affiliate.....               32,554       --           --       (32,554)         --
Deferred income taxes.........               43,513     2,998          --           --        46,511
Foreign income taxes..........                6,282       --           --           --         6,282
Other.........................                4,934        55          --           --         4,989
                                  -----------------   -------     --------    ---------     --------
    Total liabilities.........              200,884    34,138      186,429     (133,898)     287,553
Minority interests............                3,787       --           --          (123)       3,664
Stockholders' equity
 (deficit)....................              197,178    18,662      (55,119)    (211,485)     (50,764)
                                  -----------------   -------     --------    ---------     --------
                                  $         401,849   $52,800     $131,310    $(345,506)    $240,453
                                  =================   =======     ========    =========     ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1998     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Contract revenues.......   $ 167,617     $ 33,011    $    --      $  (384)    $ 200,244
Costs of contract
 revenues...............    (145,950)     (21,798)        --          384      (167,364)
                           ---------     --------    --------     -------     ---------
    Gross profit........      21,667       11,213         --          --         32,880
General and
 administrative
 expenses...............     (12,110)      (3,065)        --          --       (15,175)
Equity incentive plan
 and other compensation
 expenses...............         --           --       (8,169)        --         (8,169)
Recapitalization related
 expenses...............      (5,922)         --       (3,599)        --         (9,521)
                           ---------     --------    --------     -------     ---------
    Operating income
     (loss).............       3,635        8,148     (11,768)        --             15
Other income (expense):
  Interest, net.........      (2,448)        (133)     (2,217)        --         (4,798)
  Equity earnings in
   subsidiaries.........         --           --        4,353      (4,353)          --
  Equity in earnings of
   joint ventures.......         421          --          --          --            421
                           ---------     --------    --------     -------     ---------
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes,
     minority interests
     and extraordinary
     item...............       1,608        8,015      (9,632)     (4,353)       (4,362)
Income tax benefit
 (expense) .............      (1,780)        (695)      2,924         --            449
Minority interests......      (1,870)         --          --          --         (1,870)
                           ---------     --------    --------     -------     ---------
    Net income (loss)
     before
     extraordinary item.      (2,042)       7,320     (6,708)      (4,353)       (5,783)
Extraordinary item (net
 of income tax benefit
 of $543)...............        (925)         --          --          --           (925)
                           ---------     --------    --------     -------     ---------
    Net income (loss)...   $  (2,967)    $  7,320    $ (6,708)    $(4,353)    $  (6,708)
                           =========     ========    ========     =======     =========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).......   $  (2,967)    $ 7,320     $  (6,708)   $(4,353)    $  (6,708)
Adjustments to reconcile
net income (loss) to net
 cash flows from
 operating activities:
 Depreciation...........       7,957       3,023           --          --        10,980
 Earnings of joint
  ventures and
  subsidiaries..........        (421)        --         (4,353)      4,353         (421)
 Minority interests.....       1,870         --            --          --         1,870
 Deferred income taxes..      (1,150)        (25)          --          --        (1,175)
 Foreign income taxes...       1,204         --            --          --         1,204
 Compensation expense
  related to exercise of
  options...............         --          --          5,152         --         5,152
 Extraordinary item.....         --          --            925         --           925
 Other, net.............         (10)        --             55         --            45
 Changes in assets and
  liabilities:
  Accounts receivable...      16,140      (3,780)          --          --        12,360
  Contact revenues in
   excess of billings...       3,581          65           --          --         3,646
  Inventories...........      (2,726)        --            --          --        (2,726)
  Prepaid expenses and
   other current assets.       3,169      (1,292)         (348)        --         1,529
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....      (6,984)       (579)        2,767         --        (4,796)
  Billings in excess of
   contract revenues....       1,073         --            --          --         1,073
                           ---------     -------     ---------    --------    ---------
 Net cash flows from
  operating activities..      20,736       4,732        (2,510)        --        22,958
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property
 and equipment..........     (23,089)     (3,276)          --          --       (26,365)
Dispositions of property
 and equipment..........         --          --            --          --           --
Investments in and
 distributions from
 joint ventures, net....      (1,027)        --            --          --        (1,027)
Principal payments
 received (paid) on
 direct financing
 leases.................      (3,035)      3,035           --          --           --
Payments on notes
 receivable from (to)
 affiliate..............        (517)        517           --          --           --
                           ---------     -------     ---------    --------    ---------
  Net cash flows from
   investing activities.     (27,668)        276           --          --       (27,392)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term
 debt...................      51,000         --         75,500         --       126,500
Repayments of long-term
 debt...................    (108,000)        --         (7,000)        --      (115,000)
Proceeds from 11 1/4%
 subordinated debt......         --          --        115,000         --       115,000
Exercise of options.....         --          --          4,516         --         4,516
Common stock purchased..         --          --          3,552         --         3,552
Issuance of preferred
 stock..................         --          --         34,420         --        34,420
Financing fees..........         --          --         (5,947)        --        (5,947)
Redemption of shares....         --          --       (159,796)        --      (159,796)
Principal receipts
 (payments) on capital
 leases.................       5,212      (5,212)          --          --           --
Net change in accounts
 with affiliates........      57,735         --        (57,735)        --           --
                           ---------     -------     ---------    --------    ---------
  Net cash flows from
   financing activities.       5,947      (5,212)        2,510         --         3,245
                           ---------     -------     ---------    --------    ---------
Net decrease in cash and
 equivalents............        (985)       (204)          --          --        (1,189)
Cash and equivalents at
 beginning of period....       1,285         432                                  1,717
                           ---------     -------     ---------    --------    ---------
Cash and equivalents at
 end of period..........   $     300     $   228     $     --     $    --     $     528
                           =========     =======     =========    ========    =========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONTINUED)
                                             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                         SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                         ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Contract revenues.......  $ 140,856     $ 45,519      $--        $(6,499)    $ 179,876
Costs of contract
 revenues...............   (134,095)     (34,572)      --          6,499      (162,168)
                          ---------     --------      ----       -------     ---------
    Gross profit........      6,761       10,947       --            --         17,708
General and
 administrative
 expenses...............    (10,353)      (3,171)      --            --        (13,524)
                          ---------     --------      ----       -------     ---------
    Operating income
     (loss).............     (3,592)       7,776       --            --          4,184
Other income (expense):
  Interest, net.........     (4,767)         238       --            --         (4,529)
  Equity earnings in
   subsidiaries.........        --           --         76           (76)          --
  Equity in earnings of
   joint ventures.......      1,773          --        --            --          1,773
                          ---------     --------      ----       -------     ---------
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes and
     minority interests.     (6,586)       8,014        76           (76)        1,428
Income tax benefit
 (expense) .............        670         (723)      --            --            (53)
Minority interests......     (1,299)         --        --            --         (1,299)
                          ---------     --------      ----       -------     ---------
    Net income (loss) ..     (7,215)       7,291        76           (76)           76
                          =========     ========      ====       =======     =========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
 
             
          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES     
    
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(UNAUDITED)--(CONCLUDED)
                                             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).......    $ (7,215)    $ 7,291       $ 76         $(76)      $     76
Adjustments to reconcile
net income (loss) to net
 cash flows from operat-
 ing activities:
 Depreciation...........       7,567       2,794        --           --          10,361
 Earnings of joint
  ventures and
  subsidiaries..........      (1,773)        --         (76)          76         (1,773)
 Minority interests.....       1,299         --         --           --           1,299
 Deferred income taxes..      (2,331)         (1)       --           --          (2,332)
 Gain on dispositions of
  property and
  equipment.............      (3,279)        --         --           --          (3,279)
 Foreign income taxes...       4,498         --         --           --           4,498
 Other, net.............         129         --         --           --             129
 Changes in assets and
  liabilities:
  Accounts receivable...     (20,618)     (9,008)       --           --         (29,626)
  Contract revenues in
   excess of billings...        (961)      1,372        --           --             411
  Inventories...........         319         --         --           --             319
  Prepaid expenses and
   other current assets.      (1,799)       (363)       --           --          (2,162)
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....      14,772       1,548        --           --          16,320
  Billing in excess of
   contract revenues....       7,540         --         --           --           7,540
                            --------     -------       ----         ----       --------
 Net cash flows from
  operating activities..      (1,852)      3,633        --           --           1,781
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property
 and equipment..........      (6,569)     (1,313)       --           --          (7,882)
Dispositions of property
 and equipment..........       5,218         --         --           --           5,218
Investments in and
 distributions from
 joint ventures, net....        (908)        --         --           --            (908)
Distributions to
 minority interests.....         --         (700)       --           --            (700)
Deposit.................       2,500         --         --           --           2,500
Principal payments
 received (paid) on
 direct financing
 leases.................      (2,629)      2,629        --           --             --
Payments on notes
 receivable from (to)
 affiliate..............      (1,028)      1,028        --           --             --
                            --------     -------       ----         ----       --------
 Net cash flows from
  investing activities..      (3,416)      1,644        --           --          (1,772)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term
 debt...................      31,500         --         --           --          31,500
Repayments of long-term
 debt...................     (20,636)        --         --           --         (20,636)
Financing fees..........      (1,740)        --         --           --          (1,740)
Principal receipts
 (payments) on capital
 leases.................       4,610      (4,610)       --           --             --
Net changes in accounts
 with affiliates........         --          --         --           --             --
Settlement advance......     (11,000)        --         --           --         (11,000)
                            --------     -------       ----         ----       --------
 Net cash flows from
  financing activities..       2,734      (4,610)       --           --          (1,876)
                            --------     -------       ----         ----       --------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and
 equivalents............      (2,534)        667        --           --          (1,867)
Cash and equivalents at
 beginning of period....         570       1,317        --           --           1,887
                            --------     -------       ----         ----       --------
Cash and equivalents at
 end of period..........    $ (1,964)    $ 1,984       $--          $--        $     20
                            ========     =======       ====         ====       ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors and
 Stockholders of Great Lakes Dredge
 & Dock Corporation:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Great Lakes
Dredge & Dock Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income and retained
earnings, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE llp
 
Chicago, Illinois
January 30, 1998
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997     1996
                                                              -------- --------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and equivalents....................................... $  1,717 $  1,887
  Accounts receivable, net...................................   40,299   28,057
  Contract revenues in excess of billings....................   15,508   11,252
  Inventories................................................    9,195    9,910
  Settlement advance.........................................   11,000       --
  Prepaid expenses...........................................    5,118    2,875
  Deposit....................................................       --    2,500
  Net assets of discontinued operations......................       --    1,929
  Other current assets.......................................    8,319    8,383
                                                              -------- --------
    Total current assets.....................................   91,156   66,793
Property and equipment, net..................................  138,716  142,966
Inventories..................................................    6,326    6,875
Investments in joint ventures................................    7,569    4,807
Other assets.................................................    1,788      617
                                                              -------- --------
                                                              $245,555 $222,058
                                                              ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable........................................... $ 31,001 $ 20,104
  Accrued expenses...........................................   15,419   11,001
  Billings in excess of contract revenues....................    2,974      326
  Current maturities of long-term debt.......................      200   13,322
                                                              -------- --------
    Total current liabilities................................   49,594   44,753
Long-term debt...............................................   57,400   39,114
Deferred income taxes........................................   48,322   52,061
Foreign income taxes.........................................    5,078    2,382
Other........................................................    5,149    6,180
                                                              -------- --------
    Total liabilities........................................  165,543  144,490
Minority interests...........................................    1,856    3,214
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 15)
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock--$.01 par value; authorized: 100; none
   issued....................................................       --       --
  Common stock--no par value; authorized: 200; issued and
   outstanding: 100..........................................   60,000   60,000
  Retained earnings..........................................   18,156   14,354
                                                              -------- --------
    Total stockholders' equity...............................   78,156   74,354
                                                              -------- --------
                                                              $245,555 $222,058
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997      1996      1995
                                                  --------  --------  --------
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
Contract revenues................................ $258,296  $235,871  $226,865
Costs of contract revenues....................... (228,383) (208,717) (217,077)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
  Gross profit...................................   29,913    27,154     9,788
General and administrative expenses..............  (18,922)  (16,391)  (15,870)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
  Operating income (loss)........................   10,991    10,763    (6,082)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income................................      316       138       380
  Interest expense...............................   (6,303)   (6,182)   (8,242)
  Equity in earnings of joint ventures...........    3,132     1,139     1,333
                                                  --------  --------  --------
    Income (loss) before income taxes, minority
     interests and discontinued operations.......    8,136     5,858   (12,611)
Income tax (expense) benefit.....................   (2,667)   (2,324)    4,160
Minority interests...............................   (1,667)     (419)   (1,204)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
  Income (loss) from continuing operations.......    3,802     3,115    (9,655)
Discontinued operations
  Loss from operations, net of tax benefit: 1997-
   $0; 1996-$695; and 1995-$163 .................       --    (1,044)     (329)
  Loss on disposal, net of tax benefit of $44 in
   1996..........................................       --       (65)       --
                                                  --------  --------  --------
    Net income (loss)............................    3,802     2,006    (9,984)
Retained earnings at beginning of year...........   14,354    12,348    22,332
                                                  --------  --------  --------
Retained earnings at end of year................. $ 18,156  $ 14,354  $ 12,348
                                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997      1996      1995
                                                 --------  --------  --------
<S>                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)............................... $  3,802  $  2,006  $ (9,984)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
 net cash flows from operating activities:
  Depreciation..................................   13,615    13,881    14,700
  Earnings of joint ventures....................   (3,132)   (1,139)   (1,333)
  Minority interests............................    1,667       419     1,204
  Deferred income taxes.........................   (3,963)   (3,796)   (1,352)
  Gain on dispositions of property and
   equipment....................................   (3,308)     (467)   (1,496)
  Foreign income taxes..........................    2,696     2,382        --
  Pension curtailment and settlement............       --    (1,688)       --
  Other, net....................................     (238)      217         6
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable.........................  (12,242)   20,945     5,043
    Contract revenues in excess of billings.....   (4,256)    3,094     3,472
    Inventories.................................    1,264     3,915    (3,714)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets...     (250)     (402)    2,110
    Income taxes receivable.....................       --     3,509    (3,509)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......   15,315   (15,881)   (8,500)
    Billings in excess of contract revenues.....    2,648    (2,321)     (396)
                                                 --------  --------  --------
  Net cash flows from operating activities......   13,618    24,674    (3,749)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment.............  (11,494)   (5,411)  (11,473)
Dispositions of property and equipment..........    5,437     7,820     2,664
Distributions from joint venture................    1,000       750     5,500
Investments in joint venture....................     (630)     (755)       --
Distribution to minority interests..............   (3,025)     (700)     (640)
Deposit.........................................    2,500    (2,500)       --
                                                 --------  --------  --------
  Net cash flows from investing activities......   (6,212)     (796)   (3,949)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt....................  102,500    27,051    52,700
Repayments of long-term debt....................  (97,336)  (51,368)  (46,220)
Financing fees..................................   (1,740)       --        --
Settlement advance..............................  (11,000)       --        --
                                                 --------  --------  --------
  Net cash flows from financing activities......   (7,576)  (24,317)    6,480
                                                 --------  --------  --------
Net decrease in cash and equivalents............     (170)     (439)   (1,218)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year.......    1,887     2,326     3,544
                                                 --------  --------  --------
Cash and equivalents at end of year............. $  1,717  $  1,887  $  2,326
                                                 ========  ========  ========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest.......................... $  5,407  $  6,131  $  7,100
                                                 ========  ========  ========
Cash paid for taxes............................. $  4,588  $  1,492  $  5,047
                                                 ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 ORGANIZATION
 
  Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation ("GLD Corporation") is wholly owned by
Blackstone Limited Partnerships. GLD Corporation and its subsidiaries (the
Company) are in the business of marine construction, primarily dredging. The
Company's primary customers are domestic and foreign government agencies.
 
 PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GLD
Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions are eliminated. The Company is a joint venture partner in Amboy
Aggregates Joint Venture and Riovia S.A. which are accounted for under the
equity method.
 
 USE OF ESTIMATES
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly,
actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 REVENUE AND COST RECOGNITION ON CONTRACTS
 
  Contract revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method,
based on the Company's engineering estimates of the physical percentage
completed of each project. Billings on contracts are generally submitted after
verification with the customers of physical quantities completed. Costs of
contract revenues are adjusted to reflect the gross profit percentage expected
to be achieved upon ultimate completion of each project. Significant
expenditures incurred incidental to major contracts are deferred and
recognized as contract costs based on contract performance over the duration
of the related project. These expenditures are reported as prepaid expenses.
Provisions for estimated losses on contracts in progress are made in the
period in which such losses are determined. Claims for additional compensation
due the Company are not recognized in contract revenues until such claims are
settled.
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
  The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable
and payable in the normal course of contract completion unless completion of
such contracts extends significantly beyond one year.
 
 CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
  The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
 INVENTORIES
 
  Inventories are recorded at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market.
Inventories consist mainly of pipe, purchased spare parts and supplies.
 
 DEPRECIATION
 
  Depreciation is calculated over the estimated useful lives of property and
equipment using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives by class
of assets are 5 to 10 years for furniture and fixtures and 3 to 25 years for
operating equipment.
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The carrying value of financial instruments included in current assets and
liabilities approximates fair values due to the short-term maturities of these
instruments. The carrying value of long-term debt is a reasonable estimate of
its fair value as interest rates are variable, based on the prevailing market
rates. The contract amount of letters of credit and guarantees is a reasonable
estimate of their fair value as the value for each is fixed over the life of
the commitment.
 
 LONG-LIVED ASSETS
 
  Long lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events
indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If
such a review indicates an impairment, the carrying amount would be reduced to
estimated recoverable value.
 
 CAPITAL STOCK
 
  In 1996, the Company authorized an additional 100 shares of common stock and
effected a 5 for 1 stock split of the common shares outstanding.
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company includes 100 shares of preferred
stock, which the Board of Directors is authorized to issue and to establish
the dividend, redemption, voting and other rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of such issues. No shares of preferred stock are outstanding as
of December 31, 1997.
 
 RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
  Certain amounts in the 1996 and 1995 consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the 1997 presentation.
 
 EFFECTS OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
("SFAS 130"), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS
131"), which could require the Company to make additional disclosures in its
financial statements no later than for the year ending December 31, 1998. SFAS
130 defines comprehensive income, which includes items in addition to those
reported in the statement of operations, and requires disclosures about its
components. Management is presently evaluating the effect on the Company's
financial reporting from the adoption of this statement and does not expect it
to have any material effect. SFAS 131 requires disclosures for each segment of
a business and the determination of segments based on the Company's internal
management structure. Management is in the process of evaluating the impact on
the Company's financial reporting from the adoption of this statement.
 
2. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
  Accounts receivable are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997     1996
                                                               -------  -------
     <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
     Completed contracts...................................... $13,797  $14,151
     Contracts in progress....................................  22,831    7,497
     Retainage................................................   4,121    6,713
                                                               -------  -------
                                                                40,749   28,361
     Allowance for doubtful accounts..........................    (450)    (304)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $40,299  $28,057
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
3. CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS
 
  The components of contracts in progress are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997      1996
                                                            --------  ---------
     <S>                                                    <C>       <C>
     Cost and earnings in excess of billings:
       Costs and earnings for contracts in progress.......  $ 56,981  $ 138,578
       Prepaid contract costs.............................    (1,053)    (1,786)
       Amounts billed.....................................   (45,575)  (129,162)
                                                            --------  ---------
     Cost and earnings in excess of billings for contracts
      in progress.........................................    10,353      7,630
     Cost and earnings in excess of billings for completed
      contracts...........................................     5,155      3,622
                                                            --------  ---------
                                                            $ 15,508  $  11,252
                                                            ========  =========
     Billings in excess of costs and earnings:
       Amounts billed.....................................  $(44,870) $  (9,723)
       Costs and earnings for contracts in progress.......    41,896      9,397
                                                            --------  ---------
                                                            $ (2,974) $    (326)
                                                            ========  =========
</TABLE>
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997      1996
                                                             --------  --------
     <S>                                                     <C>       <C>
     Land................................................... $  2,604  $  2,604
     Furniture and fixtures.................................    5,652     5,509
     Operating equipment....................................  203,784   196,010
                                                             --------  --------
                                                              212,040   204,123
     Accumulated depreciation...............................  (73,324)  (61,157)
                                                             --------  --------
                                                             $138,716  $142,966
                                                             ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
  Performance bonds are customarily required for dredging and marine
construction projects. The Company obtains its performance bonds through a
bonding agreement with a group of insurance companies that have been granted a
security interest in a substantial portion of the Company's operating
equipment with a net book value of approximately $62,558 at December 31, 1997.
The bonding agreement contains financial and operating covenants that limit
the ability of the Company to incur indebtedness, create liens, pay dividends
and take certain other actions.
 
  In 1996, the Company paid $2,500 for an option to purchase a used hopper
dredge. The option price was recorded as a current asset deposit. In 1997, the
Company recovered this amount through a lease transaction.
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES
 
  The Company has a 50% ownership interest in a venture whose primary business
is the dredge mining and sale of fine aggregate (Aggregate Venture), and a 14%
ownership interest in a venture whose sole business is the performance of a
dredging contract in Argentina and Uruguay. Summarized financial information
of the combined joint ventures for 1997 and 1996 and of the Aggregate Venture
for 1995 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
                                                           1997         1996
                                                       ------------ ------------
     <S>                                               <C>          <C>
     Current assets...................................   $ 35,793     $ 12,160
     Non-current assets...............................     19,627       23,227
                                                         --------     --------
     Total assets.....................................     55,420       35,387
     Current liabilities..............................    (16,735)     (10,780)
     Non-current liabilities..........................    (10,737)     (12,215)
                                                         --------     --------
       Equity.........................................   $ 27,948     $ 12,392
                                                         ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                1997        1996        1995
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
     <S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>
     Revenues............................... $   67,498  $   24,777  $   15,825
     Costs and expenses.....................    (54,364)    (23,437)    (13,160)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
       Net income........................... $   13,134  $    1,340  $    2,665
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The Aggregate Venture has a mortgage loan with a bank, which contains
certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on the amount of
distributions to its joint venture partners. The Company has guaranteed 50% of
the outstanding mortgage principal and accrued interest which totaled $5,850
at December 31, 1997.
 
  In 1997, the Company paid royalties of $1,549 to the Aggregate Venture for
the right to mine sand related to performance of a contract of the Company. In
1996 and 1995, the Company provided dredging and towing services to the
Aggregate Venture and recorded revenue of $735 and $1,408, respectively, for
these services. As of December 31, 1996, $545 of the amount earned in 1996 was
included in accounts receivable.
 
6. ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
  Accrued expenses are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997    1996
                                                                ------- -------
     <S>                                                        <C>     <C>
     Insurance................................................. $ 5,501 $ 4,128
     Income and other taxes....................................   5,138     467
     Payroll and employee benefits.............................   2,835   2,493
     Rentals...................................................      --   2,279
     Other.....................................................   1,945   1,634
                                                                ------- -------
                                                                $15,419 $11,001
                                                                ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-23
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
7. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-term debt is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997      1996
                                                              -------  --------
     <S>                                                      <C>      <C>
     Bank debt:
       New credit facility revolving loan.................... $57,000  $     --
       Revolving loan........................................      --    31,000
       Term loan.............................................      --    20,084
     Other secured debt......................................     600     1,352
                                                              -------  --------
                                                               57,600    52,436
     Current maturities of long-term debt....................    (200)  (13,322)
                                                              -------  --------
                                                              $57,400  $ 39,114
                                                              =======  ========
</TABLE>
 
  In September 1997, the Company entered into a new revolving credit
agreement. The new credit agreement (Credit Agreement), expiring in 2002, is a
$100,000 aggregate revolving loan commitment of which $50,000 may be used for
letters of credit. At December 31, 1997, availability under the aggregate
commitment for both borrowings and letters of credit was $26,994. The terms of
the Credit Agreement provide for interest rate spreads based on the Company's
debt level compared to earnings, as defined, and allow for various interest
rate options for loan amounts and periods that are selected at the discretion
of the Company. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company's average borrowing
rate was 8.0% and 8.7%, respectively, including amortization of financing
fees. The Company also pays an annual commitment fee of up to 0.5% on the
average daily unused capacity available under the credit commitment.
 
  The Credit Agreement contains provisions that require the Company to
maintain a minimum net worth and certain other financial ratios, limit payment
of dividends and restrict certain other transactions. Borrowings under the
Credit Agreement are secured by first lien mortgages on certain operating
equipment of the Company with a net book value of approximately $34,968 at
December 31, 1997 and are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
 
  No principal payments are required; however, the total commitment is reduced
by $5,333 semi-annually beginning March 24, 2001. The Company may voluntarily
reduce the amount of the commitment at any time.
 
8. INCOME TAXES
 
  The provision for income taxes is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997     1996     1995
                                                     -------  -------  -------
     <S>                                             <C>      <C>      <C>
     Federal:
       Current U.S. ................................ $ 2,372  $ 3,070  $(3,337)
       Current foreign..............................   3,112    2,268      384
       Deferred.....................................  (3,386)  (3,396)  (1,559)
     State:
       Current......................................   1,146      782      145
       Deferred.....................................    (577)    (400)     207
                                                     -------  -------  -------
     Income tax expense (benefit)................... $ 2,667  $ 2,324  $(4,160)
                                                     =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-24
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The deferred income tax benefit is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1997     1996     1995
                                                      -------  -------  -------
     <S>                                              <C>      <C>      <C>
     Depreciation.................................... $(3,940) $(5,153) $  (860)
     Insurance.......................................    (237)     251     (641)
     Pension termination.............................      --      848       --
     Accrued claims..................................      --      540     (412)
     Royalties.......................................      --       --      308
     Other...........................................     214     (282)     253
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                      $(3,963) $(3,796) $(1,352)
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's effective tax rate and the statutory U.S. federal income tax
rate are reconciled as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997  1996  1995
                                                               ----  ----  ----
     <S>                                                       <C>   <C>   <C>
     Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate................... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
     State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit......  4.6   4.3   1.8
     Partnership gain allocated to minority interest.......... (6.0)  (.6) (2.3)
     Other.................................................... (0.8)  1.0  (1.5)
                                                               ----  ----  ----
       Effective tax rate..................................... 32.8% 39.7% 33.0%
                                                               ====  ====  ====
</TABLE>
 
  The deferred tax liabilities (assets) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997     1996
                                                              -------  -------
     <S>                                                      <C>      <C>
     Gross deferred tax liabilities:
       Depreciation.......................................... $47,435  $51,405
       Other.................................................   2,509    2,610
                                                              -------  -------
                                                               49,944   54,015
     Gross deferred tax assets:
       Accrued liabilities...................................  (3,919)  (4,027)
                                                              -------  -------
                                                               46,025   49,988
     Net current deferred tax assets (included in other
      current assets)........................................   2,297    2,073
                                                              -------  -------
     Net non-current deferred tax liabilities................ $48,322  $52,061
                                                              =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
9. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  In April 1997, the Company completed the sale of its non-core aggregate
towing business segment. The segment was reported as discontinued operations
for 1996 and 1995. Revenues from the discontinued segment were $1,575 and
$6,927 for 1996 and 1995, respectively. In 1996 net assets of the discontinued
operation consisted primarily of property, plant and equipment.
 
                                     F-25
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
10. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company leases certain operating equipment and office facilities under
long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through 2009. The leases
contain renewal or purchase options which specify prices at the then fair
market value upon the expiration of the equipment leases. Future minimum lease
payments for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
       <S>                                                              <C>
       1998............................................................ $ 6,115
       1999............................................................   5,967
       2000............................................................   5,931
       2001............................................................   5,882
       2002............................................................   5,819
       Thereafter......................................................  26,605
                                                                        -------
         Total minimum lease payments.................................. $56,319
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
 
  Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 was
$16,457, $19,926 and $12,979, respectively.
 
11. RETIREMENT PLANS
 
  The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan (Plan) covering substantially all
non-union employees. Under the Plan, individual employees may contribute a
percentage of compensation and the Company will match a portion of the
employees' contributions. Effective October 1, 1996, the Company amended the
Plan to add a profit-sharing component, permitting the Company to make
discretionary employer contributions to all eligible employees of the Plan.
The Company's expense for matching and discretionary contributions was $1,732,
$716, and $562 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  The Company sponsored a non-contributory defined pension plan (Pension Plan)
covering substantially all non-union employees. The Pension Plan provided
pension benefits upon retirement, based on compensation and years of service
as defined in the plan. The Company's policy was to fund the Pension Plan as
required by ERISA.
 
  During 1996, the Company terminated the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan's
liabilities were settled in December 1996 through a combination of lump sum
payouts and rollovers, and a group annuity contract. The Company recognized a
$2,440 curtailment gain and a $752 settlement loss on the termination of the
Pension Plan. The components of net pension expense for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996     1995
                                                               -------  -------
     <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
     Service cost............................................. $   488  $   516
     Interest on projected benefit obligation.................     541      541
     Actual return on plan assets.............................    (654)  (1,142)
     Net deferral and amortization............................      57      600
     Curtailment gain net of settlement loss..................  (1,688)      --
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $(1,256) $   515
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-26
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Actuarial assumptions used in accounting for the pension plan for 1996 and
1995 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
       <S>                                                                 <C>
       Discount rate...................................................... 7.00%
       Long term rate of return on assets................................. 9.50
       Rate of increase in compensation levels............................ 6.20
</TABLE>
 
  The Company also contributes to various multi-employer pension plans
pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. In the event of a plan's
termination or Company withdrawal from a plan, the Company may be liable for a
portion of the plan's unfunded vested benefits. As of December 31, 1997,
unfunded amounts, if any, are not significant. Contributions to multi-employer
pension plans for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
$2,173, $2,593 and $2,252, respectively.
 
12. STOCK PLANS
 
  The Equity Incentive Plan of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (the
Plan) provides for the grant of options and other stock-based awards to
management personnel designated by the Compensation Committee. Awards up to an
aggregate of 5.0% of authorized shares of common stock may be granted under
the Plan. On January 1, 1992, options were granted on 3.7% of authorized
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $600,000 per share representing
the estimated fair market value of the shares on the grant date (as defined in
the Agreement). Options become exercisable for 20% of the granted option
shares on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date and remain
exercisable until the tenth anniversary. New options were granted during 1996
equal in number to those options forfeited in 1996 and with vesting provisions
as if such options had been granted on January 1, 1992. All options granted
are fully vested and outstanding as of December 31, 1997.
 
  The Company uses Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees," in accounting for its employee stock options.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation" (SFAS No. 123) requires disclosures of the effect to net
income as if SFAS No. 123 had been adopted. The effects of applying SFAS No.
123 are not material to the Company's financial statements.
 
  The Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
Stock Plan) provides eligible employees with an option to purchase shares of
common stock at a discount to market price. The Stock Plan is considered non-
compensatory and is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal
Revenue Code. An aggregate of 0.4% of authorized shares of common stock may be
granted pursuant to the Stock Plan. The Compensation Committee may grant
options at such times as it, in its discretion, determines but must grant them
to all eligible employees. As of December 31, 1997, no options have been
granted.
 
13. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
 
  In 1997, 1996 and 1995, contract revenues earned from contracts with federal
government agencies were 47.4%, 35.8% and 30.2%, respectively. In 1997, 1996
and 1995, contract revenues earned from a contract with a state port authority
were 10.1%, 11.8% and 13.6%, respectively. An additional 9.5%, 10.9% and 15%,
were earned from contracts with a foreign government in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
                                     F-27
<PAGE>
 
            GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
14. FOREIGN OPERATIONS
 
  The Company derived revenues and gross profit from foreign project
operations, for the years ended December 31, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997      1996      1995
                                                   --------  --------  --------
     <S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
     Contract revenues............................ $ 55,919  $ 58,166  $ 53,910
     Costs of contract revenues...................  (48,695)  (49,324)  (48,866)
                                                   --------  --------  --------
     Gross profit................................. $  7,224  $  8,842  $  5,044
                                                   ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company was contingently liable, in the
normal course of business, for $1,237 and $1,500, respectively, in letters of
credit related to contract performance guarantees.
 
  In 1992, an underwater utility tunnel failed adjacent to a construction site
completed by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (GLDD), a wholly owned
subsidiary of GLD Corporation. The failure resulted in a flooding of the
tunnel and building basements serviced by the tunnel. Numerous suits were
filed against GLDD for claims of flood damage to building basements and losses
due to business interruption. During 1997, all outstanding claims were settled
related to the flood litigation. Settlement payments totaling $11,000 were
advanced by the Company. Management believes all such advances will be fully
recovered through insurance proceeds in 1998.
 
  In the normal course of business, the Company is a defendant in various
other legal proceedings. Resolution of these claims is not expected to have a
material impact on the financial position or operations of the Company.
 
  As is customary with negotiated contracts with the federal government, the
government has the right to audit the books and records of the Company to
ensure compliance with such contracts and applicable federal laws. The
government has the ability to seek a price adjustment based on the results of
such audit. Any such audits are not expected to have a material impact on the
financial position or operations of the Company.
 
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS--UNAUDITED
   
  A recapitalization of the Company was effected on August 19, 1998 whereby
(i) management exercised vested options representing 7% of the Company's then
outstanding common stock, (ii) newly issued common stock and preferred stock
was sold to Vectura Holding Company, LLC (Vectura) and certain members of
management, (iii) the common stock formerly held by Blackstone Dredging
Partners L.P. and Blackstone Family Investment Partnership I L.P. (Blackstone)
was redeemed, and (iv) a portion of the common stock held by management was
purchased directly by Vectura. The redemption of the common stock formerly
held by Blackstone was financed using a portion of the proceeds from $115,000
of senior subordinated debt, a $110,000 new bank credit facility and the
issuance of preferred stock for $34,420 and common stock for $3,552 received
by Vectura and certain members of management. As a result of the
recapitalization, certain members of the Company management own approximately
16% of the outstanding common stock and Vectura owns approximately 84%.     
       
17. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The payment obligations of the Company under the proposed senior
subordinated note offering described above are to be guaranteed by the
Company's wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries ("Subsidiary Guarantors"). Such
guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. Separate financial
statements of the Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented because the
Company's management has determined that they would not be material to
investors. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a
combined basis, balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash
flows for the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Company's non-guarantor subsidiaries
and for the Company.
 
                                     F-28
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
         ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and equivalents...    $  1,285     $   432      $    --    $      --     $  1,717
 Accounts receivable....      37,167       3,132           --           --       40,299
 Receivables from
  affiliates............      18,716       9,713           --      (28,429)          --
 Current portion of net
  investment in direct
  financing leases......       2,938       4,121           --       (7,059)          --
 Contract revenues in
  excess of billings....      14,623         885           --           --       15,508
 Inventories............       7,016       2,179           --           --        9,195
 Settlement advance.....      11,000          --           --           --       11,000
 Prepaid expenses and
  other current assets..      13,259         178           --           --       13,437
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total current assets...     106,004      20,640           --      (35,488)      91,156
Property and equipment,
 net....................     122,142      16,574           --           --      138,716
Net investment in direct
 financing leases.......       8,994      13,596           --      (22,590)          --
Investments in
 subsidiaries...........     155,015          --       78,156     (233,171)          --
Notes receivable from
 affiliates.............      26,717       1,893           --      (28,610)          --
Inventories.............       6,326          --           --           --        6,326
Investments in joint
 ventures...............       7,569          --           --           --        7,569
Other...................       1,788          --           --           --        1,788
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
                            $434,555     $52,703      $78,156    $(319,859)    $245,555
                            ========     =======      =======    =========     ========
    LIABILITIES AND
  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable.......    $ 26,852     $ 4,106      $    --    $      43     $ 31,001
 Payables to affiliates.      26,058       2,371           --      (28,429)          --
 Accrued expenses and
  other.................      16,249       2,144           --           --       18,393
 Current portion of
  obligations under
  capital leases........          --       7,059           --       (7,059)          --
 Current maturities of
  long-term debt........         200          --           --           --          200
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total current
  liabilities...........      69,359      15,680           --      (35,445)      49,594
Long-term debt..........      57,400          --           --           --       57,400
Obligations under
 capital leases.........          --      22,590           --      (22,590)          --
Note payable to
 affiliates.............      28,610          --           --      (28,610)          --
Deferred income taxes...      45,299       3,023           --           --       48,322
Other...................      10,159          68           --           --       10,227
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total liabilities......     210,827      41,361           --      (86,645)     165,543
Minority interests......       2,024          --           --         (168)       1,856
Stockholders' equity....     221,704      11,342       78,156     (233,046)      78,156
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
                            $434,555     $52,703      $78,156    $(319,859)    $245,555
                            ========     =======      =======    =========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
         ASSETS           ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Current Assets:
 Cash and equivalents...    $    570     $ 1,317      $    --    $      --     $  1,887
 Accounts receivable....      25,720       2,337           --           --       28,057
 Receivables from
  affiliates............      19,308      12,659           --      (31,967)          --
 Current portion of net
  investment in direct
  financing leases......       2,673       3,570           --       (6,243)          --
 Contract revenues in
  excess of billings....       8,894       2,358           --           --       11,252
 Inventories............       8,307       1,603           --           --        9,910
 Prepaid expenses.......       2,875          --           --           --        2,875
 Deposit................       2,500          --           --           --        2,500
 Net assets of
  discontinued
  operations............       1,929          --           --           --        1,929
 Other current assets...       8,111         272           --           --        8,383
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total current assets...      80,887      24,116           --      (38,210)      66,793
Property and equipment,
 net....................     126,467      16,499           --           --      142,966
Net investment in direct
 financing leases.......      11,932      17,717           --      (29,649)          --
Investment in
 subsidiaries...........     160,420          --       74,354     (234,774)          --
Notes receivable from
 affiliates.............      41,792       2,582           --      (44,374)          --
Inventories.............       6,875          --           --           --        6,875
Investments in joint
 ventures...............       4,807          --           --           --        4,807
Other...................         617          --           --           --          617
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
                            $433,797     $60,914      $74,354    $(347,007)    $222,058
                            ========     =======      =======    =========     ========
 LIABILITIES AND STOCK-
     HOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable.......     $16,741     $ 3,384      $    --    $     (21)    $ 20,104
 Payables to affiliates.      28,805       2,462           --      (31,267)
 Accrued expenses.......       9,456       1,545           --           --       11,001
 Billings in excess of
  contract revenues.....         326          --           --           --          326
 Current portion of
  obligations under
  capital leases........          --       6,243           --       (6,243)          --
 Current maturities of
  long-term debt........      13,322          --           --           --       13,322
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total current
  liabilities...........      68,650      13,634           --      (37,531)      44,753
Long-term debt..........      39,114          --           --           --       39,114
Obligations under
 capital leases.........      41,792      29,649           --      (71,441)          --
Note payable to
 affiliate..............       2,582                                (2,582)
Deferred income taxes...      48,682       3,379           --           --       52,061
Other...................       8,505          57           --           --        8,562
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
 Total liabilities......     209,325      46,719           --     (111,554)     144,490
Minority interests......       3,321          --           --         (107)       3,214
Stockholders' equity
 Total stockholders'
  equity................     221,151      14,195       74,354     (235,346)      74,354
                            --------     -------      -------    ---------     --------
                            $433,797     $60,914      $74,354    $(347,007)    $222,058
                            ========     =======      =======    =========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                         SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                         ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Contract revenues.......  $ 216,388     $ 53,504     $   --      $(11,596)   $ 258,296
Costs of contract
 revenues...............   (198,428)     (41,551)        --       (11,596)    (228,383)
                          ---------     --------     ------      --------    ---------
  Gross profit..........     17,960       11,953         --            --       29,913
General and
 administrative
 expenses...............    (15,059)      (3,863)        --            --      (18,922)
                          ---------     --------     ------      --------    ---------
  Operating income......      2,901        8,090         --            --       10,991
Interest, net...........     (6,135)         148         --            --       (5,987)
Equity in earnings of
 subsidiaries...........                              3,802        (3,802)
Equity in earnings of
 joint ventures.........      3,132           --         --            --        3,132
                          ---------     --------     ------      --------    ---------
  Income (loss) before
   income taxes,
   minority interests
   and discontinued
   operations...........       (102)       8,238      3,802        (3,802)       8,136
Income tax expense......     (1,577)      (1,090)        --            --       (2,667)
Minority interests......     (1,667)                     --            --       (1,667)
                          ---------     --------     ------      --------    ---------
    Net income (loss)...  $  (3,346)    $  7,148     $3,802      $ (3,802)   $   3,802
                          =========     ========     ======      ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                         SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                         ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Contract revenues.......   $202,864     $44,720      $   --      $(11,713)    $235,871
Costs of contract
 revenues...............   (182,625)    (37,805)         --       (11,713)    (208,717)
                           --------     -------      ------      --------     --------
  Gross profit..........     20,239       6,915          --            --       27,154
General and
 administrative
 expenses...............    (13,093)     (3,298)         --            --      (16,391)
                           --------     -------      ------      --------     --------
  Operating income......      7,146       3,617          --            --       10,763
Interest, net...........     (5,773)       (271)         --            --       (6,044)
Equity in earnings of
 subsidiaries...........                              2,006        (2,006)
Equity in earnings of
 joint ventures.........      1,139          --          --            --        1,139
                           --------     -------      ------      --------     --------
    Income before income
     taxes, minority
     interests and
     discontinued
     operations.........      2,512       3,346       2,006        (2,006)       5,858
Income tax expense......     (1,213)     (1,111)         --            --       (2,324)
Minority interests......       (419)                     --            --         (419)
                           --------     -------      ------      --------     --------
    Income from
     continuing
     operations.........        880       2,235       2,006        (2,006)       3,115
Discontinued operations
  Loss from operations,
   net of tax benefit of
   $695.................     (1,044)         --          --            --       (1,044)
  Loss on disposal, net
   of tax benefit of
   $44..................        (65)         --          --            --          (65)
                           --------     -------      ------      --------     --------
    Net income (loss)...   $   (229)    $ 2,235      $2,006      $ (2,006)    $  2,006
                           ========     =======      ======      ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTAL
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Contract revenues.......   $ 197,467     $ 38,193     $    --     $(8,795)    $ 226,865
Costs of contract
 revenues...............    (196,994)     (28,878)         --      (8,795)     (217,077)
                           ---------     --------     -------     -------     ---------
  Gross profit..........         473        9,315          --          --         9,788
General & administrative
 expenses...............     (13,100)      (2,770)         --          --       (15,870)
                           ---------     --------     -------     -------     ---------
  Operating income
   (loss)...............     (12,627)       6,545          --          --        (6,082)
Other income (expense):
  Interest, net.........      (7,447)        (415)         --          --        (7,862)
  Equity in earnings of
   subsidiaries.........                               (9,984)      9,984
  Equity in earnings of
   joint ventures.......       1,333           --          --          --         1,333
                           ---------     --------     -------     -------     ---------
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes,
     minority interests
     and discontinued
     operations.........     (18,741)       6,130      (9,984)      9,984       (12,611)
Income tax benefit
 (expense)..............       5,235       (1,075)         --          --         4,160
Minority interests......      (1,204)                      --          --        (1,204)
                           ---------     --------     -------     -------     ---------
    Income (loss) from
     continuing
     operations.........     (14,710)       5,055      (9,984)      9,984        (9,655)
Discontinued operations:
  Loss from operations,
   net of tax benefit of
   $163.................        (329)          --          --          --          (329)
                           ---------     --------     -------     -------     ---------
    Net income (loss)...   $ (15,039)    $  5,055     $(9,984)    $ 9,984     $  (9,984)
                           =========     ========     =======     =======     =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).......    $ (3,345)    $ 7,147      $3,802      $(3,802)     $  3,802
Adjustments to reconcile
 net income to net cash
 flows from operation
 activities:
 Depreciation...........       9,899       3,716          --           --        13,615
 Earnings of
  subsidiaries and joint
  ventures..............      (3,132)         --      (3,802)       3,802        (3,132)
 Minority interests.....       6,317      (4,650)         --           --         1,667
 Deferred income taxes..      (3,608)       (355)         --           --        (3,963)
 Gain on dispositions of
  property and
  equipment.............      (3,308)         --          --           --        (3,308)
 Foreign income taxes...       2,696          --          --           --         2,696
 Other, net.............        (238)         --          --           --          (238)
 Changes in net assets
  and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable...     (13,711)      1,469          --           --       (12,242)
  Contract revenues in
   excess of billings...      (5,729)      1,473          --           --        (4,256)
  Inventories...........       1,264          --          --           --         1,264
  Prepaid expenses and
   other current
   assets...............         232        (482)         --           --          (250)
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....      13,251       2,064          --           --        15,315
  Billings in excess of
   contract revenues....       2,772        (124)                                 2,648
                            --------     -------      ------      -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  operating activities..       3,360      10,258          --           --        13,618
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property
 and equipment..........      (7,703)     (3,791)         --           --       (11,494)
Proceeds from
 dispositions of
 property and equipment.       5,437          --          --           --         5,437
Distributions from joint
 venture................       1,000          --          --           --         1,000
Investments in joint
 venture................        (630)         --          --           --          (630)
Distributions to
 minority interests.....          --      (3,025)         --           --        (3,025)
Deposit.................       2,500          --          --           --         2,500
Principal payments
 received on direct
 financing leases.......      (3,570)      3,570          --           --            --
Payments received on
 notes receivable from
 affiliate..............      (1,371)      1,371          --           --            --
                            --------     -------      ------      -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  investing activities..      (4,337)     (1,875)         --           --        (6,212)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term
 debt...................     102,500          --          --           --       102,500
Repayments of long-term
 debt...................     (97,336)         --          --           --       (97,336)
Principal payments on
 capital leases.........       6,243      (6,243)         --           --            --
Financing fees..........      (1,740)         --          --           --        (1,740)
Settlement advance......     (11,000)         --          --           --       (11,000)
                            --------     -------      ------      -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  financing activities..      (1,333)     (6,243)         --           --        (7,576)
                            --------     -------      ------      -------      --------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and
 equivalents............      (2,310)      2,140                                   (170)
Cash and equivalents at
 beginning of period....         570       1,317          --           --         1,887
                            --------     -------      ------      -------      --------
Cash and equivalents at
 end of period..........    $ (1,740)    $ 3,457      $   --      $    --      $  1,717
                            ========     =======      ======      =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).......    $  (229)      $2,235      $ 2,006     $(2,006)     $ 2,006
Adjustments to reconcile
 net income to net cash
 flows from operating
 activities:
 Depreciation...........     10,191        3,690           --          --       13,881
 Earnings of
  subsidiaries and joint
  ventures..............     (1,139)          --       (2,006)      2,006       (1,139)
 Minority interests.....      3,219       (2,800)          --          --          419
 Deferred income taxes..     (3,461)        (335)          --          --       (3,796)
 Gain on dispositions of
  property and
  equipment.............       (467)          --           --          --         (467)
 Foreign income taxes...      2,382           --           --          --        2,382
 Pension curtailment and
  settlement............     (1,688)          --           --          --       (1,688)
 Other, net.............        217           --           --          --          217
 Changes in assets and
  liabilities:
  Accounts receivable...     20,956          (11)          --          --       20,945
  Contract revenues in
   excess of billings...      3,033           61           --          --        3,094
  Inventories...........      3,915           --           --          --        3,915
  Prepaid expenses and
   other current assets.       (281)        (121)          --          --         (402)
  Income tax receivable.      3,509           --           --          --        3,509
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....    (17,074)       1,193           --          --      (15,881)
  Billings in excess of
   contract revenues....     (2,445)         124           --          --       (2,321)
                            -------       ------      -------     -------      -------
 Net cash flows from
  operating activities..     20,638        4,036           --          --       24,674
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property
 and equipment..........     (4,023)      (1,388)          --          --       (5,411)
Dispositions of property
 and equipment..........      7,820           --           --          --        7,820
Distributions from joint
 venture................        750           --           --          --          750
Investments in joint
 venture................       (755)          --           --          --         (755)
Distribution to minority
 interests..............         --         (700)          --          --         (700)
Deposit.................     (2,500)          --           --          --       (2,500)
Principal payments
 received on direct
 financing leases.......     (3,100)       3,100           --          --           --
Payments received on
 notes receivable from
 affiliate..............     (1,371)       1,371           --          --           --
                            -------       ------      -------     -------      -------
 Net cash flows from
  investing activities..     (3,179)       2,383           --          --         (796)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term
 debt...................     27,051           --           --          --       27,051
Repayments of long-term
 debt...................    (51,368)          --           --          --      (51,368)
Principal payments on
 capital leases.........      5,533       (5,533)          --          --           --
                            -------       ------      -------     -------      -------
 Net cash flows from
  financing activities..    (18,784)      (5,533)          --          --      (24,317)
                            -------       ------      -------     -------      -------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and
 equivalents............     (1,325)         886           --          --         (439)
Cash and equivalents at
 beginning of period....      1,895          431           --          --        2,326
                            -------       ------      -------     -------      -------
Cash and equivalents at
 end of period..........    $   570       $1,317      $(2,006)     $2,006      $ 1,887
                            =======       ======      =======     =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
 
             GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           GUARANTOR      OTHER         GLD                  CONSOLIDATED
                          SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES CORPORATION ELIMINATIONS    TOTALS
                          ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss).......    $(15,039)    $  5,055     $(9,984)    $ 9,984      $ (9,984)
Adjustments to reconcile
 net income to net cash
 flows from operating
 activities:
 Depreciation...........      11,195        3,505          --          --        14,700
 Earnings of
  subsidiaries and joint
  ventures..............      (1,333)          --       9,984      (9,984)       (1,333)
 Minority interests.....       1,204                       --          --         1,204
 Deferred income taxes..      (1,757)         405          --          --        (1,352)
 Gain on dispositions of
  property and
  equipment.............      (1,496)          --          --          --        (1,496)
 Other, net.............           6           --          --          --             6
 Changes in assets and
  liabilities:                                             --          --            --
  Accounts receivable...      10,508       (5,465)         --          --         5,043
  Contract revenues in
   excess of billings...       4,585       (1,113)         --          --         3,472
  Inventories...........      (3,714)          --          --          --        (3,714)
  Prepaid expenses and
   other current assets.       1,357          753          --          --         2,110
  Income tax receivable.      (3,509)          --          --          --        (3,509)
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....      (8,757)         257          --          --        (8,500)
  Billings in excess of
   contract revenues....        (320)         (76)                     --          (396)
                            --------     --------     -------     -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  operating activities..      (7,070)       3,321                                (3,749)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Purchases of property
  and equipment.........     (10,283)      (1,190)         --          --       (11,473)
 Dispositions of
  property and
  equipment.............       2,664           --          --          --         2,664
 Distributions from
  joint venture.........       5,500           --          --          --         5,500
 Distribution to
  minority interests....          --         (640)         --          --          (640)
 Principal payments
  received on direct
  financing leases......      (2,740)       2,740          --          --            --
 Payments received on
  notes receivable from
  affiliate.............      (1,371)       1,371          --          --            --
                            --------     --------     -------     -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  investing activities..      (6,230)       2,281          --          --        (3,949)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from long-term
  debt..................      52,700           --          --          --        52,700
 Repayments of long-term
  debt..................     (46,220)          --          --          --       (46,220)
 Principal payments on
  capital leases........       4,953       (4,953)         --          --            --
 Dividends paid.........       3,440       (3,440)         --          --            --
                            --------     --------     -------     -------      --------
 Net cash flows from
  financing activities..      14,873       (8,393)         --          --         6,480
                            --------     --------     -------     -------      --------
Net increase (decrease)
 in cash and
 equivalents............       1,573      (2,791)          --          --        (1,218)
Cash and equivalents at
 beginning of period....         322        3,222          --          --         3,544
                            --------     --------     -------     -------      --------
Cash and equivalents at
 end of period..........    $  1,895     $    431     $ 9,984     $(9,984)     $  2,326
                            ========     ========     =======     =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Partners   Amboy Aggregates
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT
VENTURE) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of
income and partners' capital and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Amboy Aggregates (A Joint
Venture) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and its results of operations and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
J.H. COHN LLP
 
Roseland, New Jersey
January 23, 1998
 
                                     F-37
<PAGE>
 
                       AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997        1996
                                                        ----------- -----------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>
                        ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents............................ $ 1,830,997 $   914,810
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $100,147 and $192,401...................   6,319,106   3,749,758
  Inventory............................................   1,142,696   1,633,236
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets............     167,108     273,164
  Due from general partners............................     136,969
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total current assets...............................   9,596,876   6,570,968
  Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation........................................  13,756,075  15,454,986
  Deferred charges.....................................      59,995      70,280
  Permits..............................................   1,408,653   1,388,031
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Totals............................................. $24,821,599 $23,484,265
                                                        =========== ===========
           LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt.................... $ 1,714,113 $ 1,635,024
  Accounts payable.....................................     849,877     665,985
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.......     552,943     319,451
  Due general partners.................................                 545,469
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total current liabilities..........................   3,116,933   3,165,929
Long-term debt, noncurrent portion.....................   9,985,353  11,666,812
Deferred compensation..................................     751,431     548,138
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Total liabilities..................................  13,853,717  15,380,879
Commitments and contingency
Partners' capital......................................  10,967,882   8,103,386
                                                        ----------- -----------
    Totals............................................. $24,821,599 $23,484,265
                                                        =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>
 
                       AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                   STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997         1996          1995
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
                 INCOME
Revenue:
  Net sales............................. $21,418,691  $17,507,797  $ 15,707,172
  Royalties.............................     799,356                     67,702
  Interest..............................      46,879       26,144        50,417
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
    Totals..............................  22,264,926   17,533,941    15,825,291
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales.........................  14,442,219   12,457,297    10,891,600
  Selling...............................     231,474      329,290       307,957
  General and administrative............   1,746,253    1,363,867     1,298,124
  Interest..............................     980,484    1,105,298       662,244
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
    Totals..............................  17,400,430   15,255,752    13,159,925
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
Net income..............................   4,864,496    2,278,189     2,665,366
           PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Balance, beginning of year..............   8,103,386    7,325,197    15,659,831
Distributions...........................  (2,000,000)  (1,500,000)  (11,000,000)
                                         -----------  -----------  ------------
Balance, end of year.................... $10,967,882  $ 8,103,386  $  7,325,197
                                         ===========  ===========  ============
</TABLE>
 
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>
 
                       AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1997         1996          1995
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income............................  $ 4,864,496  $ 2,278,189  $  2,665,366
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
 net cash provided by operating
 activities:
  Depreciation and amortization.......    2,265,295    2,119,526     2,105,152
  Provision for doubtful accounts.....      120,000      120,000        60,000
  Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities:
    Accounts receivable...............   (2,689,348)  (1,600,753)      698,451
    Inventory.........................      490,540     (356,058)     (533,780)
    Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets...........................      106,056      130,079       (89,042)
    Accounts payable..................      183,892      342,685      (427,156)
    Accrued expenses and other
     liabilities......................      436,785       (6,328)     (926,809)
    Due general partners..............     (682,438)     545,469
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities.........................    5,095,278    3,572,809     3,552,182
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures..................     (556,099)    (480,915)   (1,568,823)
Increase in other assets..............      (20,622)     (66,097)      (99,757)
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
  Net cash used in investing
   activities.........................     (576,721)    (547,012)   (1,668,580)
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Deferred charges......................                                 (19,721)
Proceeds of long-term debt............                               9,628,944
Payments of long-term debt............   (1,602,370)  (1,500,818)   (1,496,335)
Distributions.........................   (2,000,000)  (1,500,000)  (12,800,000)
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
  Net cash used in financing activi-
   ties...............................   (3,602,370)  (3,000,818)   (4,687,112)
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 cash equivalents.....................      916,187       24,979    (2,803,510)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
 of year..............................      914,810      889,831     3,693,341
                                        -----------  -----------  ------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
 year.................................  $ 1,830,997  $   914,810  $    889,831
                                        ===========  ===========  ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
 DATA:
Interest paid.........................  $   980,484  $ 1,105,298  $    662,244
                                        ===========  ===========  ============
</TABLE>
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>
 
                      AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS:
 
  Amboy Aggregates (the "Partnership") was established on January 1, 1989 as
an equal joint venture between Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company and Ralph
Clayton and Sons Materials, L.P.
 
  The Partnership's principal business activity is to dredge, process,
transport and sell fine aggregate in the New York Metropolitan area.
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
 USE OF ESTIMATES:
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly,
actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 CASH EQUIVALENTS:
 
  The Partnership considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with
a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
 CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK:
 
  Financial instruments which potentially subject the Partnership to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents
and accounts receivable. The Partnership places its cash and cash equivalents
with high credit quality financial institutions. At times, such amounts exceed
Federally insured limits.
 
  The Partnership generally extends credit to its customers, a significant
portion of which are in the construction industry. During 1997, 1996 and 1995,
approximately 50%, 47% and 64%, respectively, of the Partnership's net sales
were derived from major customers who accounted for approximately $4,441,000
and $1,762,000 of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
 
  However, the Partnership closely monitors the extension of credit to its
customers while maintaining allowances for potential credit losses. Management
does not believe that significant credit risk exists at December 31, 1997.
 
  The Partnership is currently negotiating a joint venture agreement with a
certain customer in which both parties will own a 50% interest in a newly-
formed limited liability company. It is currently anticipated that the Company
will contribute approximately $1,500,000 of its accounts receivable from this
customer to the newly-formed entity as a capital contribution, and the
customer will contribute equipment and other assets of approximate equal
value.
 
 INVENTORY:
 
  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined using the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method, or market.
 
 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
  Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets.
 
                                     F-41
<PAGE>
 
                      AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
 DEFERRED CHARGES:
 
  Costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing are amortized and
charged to interest expense over the term of the related loan using the
straight-line method which approximates the interest method.
 
 OTHER ASSETS:
 
  Costs incurred in connection with obtaining permits to dredge the
Partnership's products are amortized on the straight-line basis over the term
of the related permits.
 
 ADVERTISING:
 
  The Company expenses the cost of advertising and promotion as incurred.
Advertising costs charged to operations were not material during 1997, 1996
and 1995.
 
 INCOME TAXES:
 
  Income or loss of the Partnership is includible in the income tax returns of
the partners in proportion to their respective interests. Accordingly, there
is no provision for income taxes in the accompanying financial statements.
 
 RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"
("SFAS 130"), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS
131"), which could require the Company to make additional disclosures in its
financial statements no later than for the year ending December 31, 1998. SFAS
130 defines comprehensive income, which includes items in addition to those
reported in the statement of operations, and requires disclosures about its
components. Management believes that the adoption of SFAS 130 will not require
the Company to make any additional disclosures. SFAS 131 requires disclosures
for each segment of a business and the determination of segments based on its
internal management structure. Management is in the process of evaluating
whether SFAS 131 will require the Company to make any additional disclosures.
 
NOTE 3--INVENTORY:
 
  Inventory consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997       1996
                                                           ---------- ----------
     <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
     Raw materials........................................ $  654,845 $  775,292
     Finished goods.......................................    442,024    810,958
     Supplies.............................................     45,827     46,986
                                                           ---------- ----------
       Totals............................................. $1,142,696 $1,633,236
                                                           ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-42
<PAGE>
 
                      AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
NOTE 4--PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
  Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             RANGE OF
                                            ESTIMATED
                                           USEFUL LIVES
                                             (YEARS)       1997        1996
                                           ------------ ----------- -----------
     <S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>
     Land.................................              $   677,408 $   677,408
     Plant and equipment..................    3 to 15     6,616,018   6,245,360
     Delivery equipment (Scows)...........   10 to 20     7,781,647   7,697,412
     Dredging system......................   15 to 20    13,828,348  13,796,684
     Office equipment and trailers........      10          222,170     214,294
     Automobiles and trucks...............    3 to 5        141,098     113,755
                                                        ----------- -----------
                                                         29,266,689  28,744,913
     Less accumulated depreciation........               15,510,614  13,289,927
                                                        ----------- -----------
       Totals.............................              $13,756,075 $15,454,986
                                                        =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
was $2,255,010, $2,109,241 and $1,961,074, respectively.
 
NOTE 5--ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997     1996
                                                               -------- --------
     <S>                                                       <C>      <C>
     Compensation............................................. $510,339 $165,452
     Union health and welfare.................................   41,808   38,987
     Insurance................................................            71,903
     Sundry...................................................      796   43,109
                                                               -------- --------
       Totals................................................. $552,943 $319,451
                                                               ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 6--LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
  At December 31, 1997 and 1996, long-term debt consists of borrowings under a
$15,000,000 variable rate term loan agreement which is payable in monthly
installments through October 2003 with interest at the lower of either the
bank's base rate minus 1/2% or the 30/90 day LIBOR rate plus 180 basis points.
 
  The loan, which is secured by all of the Partnership's machinery and
equipment with a net book value of approximately $13,100,000 at December 31,
1997, also includes a negative pledge of the Partnership's real estate
prohibiting its use as collateral for any other debt. In addition, the loan is
guaranteed by the individual shareholders and/or partners of the general
partners of the Partnership. The loan agreement also contains various
covenants, including requirements for maintaining certain financial ratios and
places restrictions on capital expenditures and the amount of partners'
distributions.
 
  Principal payment requirements in each of the five years subsequent to
December 31, 1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     YEAR ENDING
     DECEMBER 31,                                                       AMOUNT
     ------------                                                     ----------
     <S>                                                              <C>
      1998........................................................... $1,714,113
      1999...........................................................  1,850,974
      2000...........................................................  1,998,762
      2001...........................................................  2,158,350
      2002...........................................................  2,330,681
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-43
<PAGE>
 
                      AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The Partnership also has available a $2,000,000 revolving credit facility,
borrowings under which are secured by the Partnership's accounts receivable
and inventory and bear interest at either the bank's base rate on the 60/90
day LIBOR rate plus 140 basis points. There is a stand-by fee of 1/2% per year
on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The Partnership had no
amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 1997
and 1996.
 
NOTE 7--RETIREMENT PLANS:
 
 PENSION PLAN:
 
  Employees covered by a union agreement are included in a multi-employer
pension plan to which the Partnership makes contributions in accordance with
the contractual union agreement. The Partnership made contributions of
$223,792, $191,170 and $183,767 during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively. Plan benefit and net asset data for the multi-employer
pension plan for union employees are not available.
 
 401(K) PLAN:
 
  The Partnership maintains a retirement plan qualifying under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code which allows eligible employees to defer a
portion of their income through contributions to the plan. Under the
provisions of the plan, the Partnership makes contributions for the benefit of
the employees, subject to certain limitations. The Partnership's contributions
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $44,361, $20,015 and
$18,015, respectively.
 
NOTE 8--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCY:
 
 LICENSE AGREEMENT:
 
  The Partnership has a license agreement with the State of New Jersey which
enables the Partnership to dredge in the Ambrose Channel for commercial fill.
Under this agreement, the State of New Jersey receives a royalty fee based on
the amount of material dredged of $.35 ($.40 beginning August 1, 1997) per
cubic yard. Royalties charged to operations during the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 amounted to $799,697, $667,780 and $695,233,
respectively.
 
 LITIGATION:
 
  In the ordinary course of business, the Partnership is a defendant in
various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, resolution of these
claims is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the financial
position or results of operations of the Partnership.
 
NOTE 9--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
 
  During 1997, one of the general partners dredged fill material from the
Ambrose Channel under the Partnership's license agreement with the State of
New Jersey. As a result, the general partner reimbursed the Partnership for
the royalty fee of $774,326 which was paid to the State of New Jersey and, in
addition, paid the Partnership a royalty fee of $774,326.
 
  The Partnership had a towage agreement, which expired in 1996, with a
general partner whereby the Partnership was required to pay the general
partner $2.35 in 1996 and $2.20 in 1995 per delivered cubic yard for towing
service. During 1996 and 1995, the Partnership incurred towage expenses of
approximately $190,000 and $1,248,000, respectively.
 
                                     F-44
<PAGE>
 
                       AMBOY AGGREGATES (A JOINT VENTURE)
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  In addition, during 1996 and 1995, Partnership purchased approximately
$545,000 and $160,000, respectively, of dredging services from a general
partner.
 
  The amounts due from/to general partners at December 31, 1997 and 1996 arose
from the aforementioned transactions.
 
NOTE 10--FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
 
  The Company's material financial instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1996
for which disclosure of estimated fair value is required by certain accounting
standards consisted of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and long-term debt. In the opinion of management, (i) cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable were carried at values
that approximated their fair values because of their liquidity and/or their
short-term maturities and (ii) long-term debt was carried at values that
approximated its face value because it bears interest at rates equivalent to
those currently prevailing for financial instruments with similar
characteristics.
 
                                    *  *  *
 
                                      F-45
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFOR-
MATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER-
ING MEMORANDUM, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ISSUER OR THE INITIAL PUR-
CHASER. THIS OFFERING MEMORANDUM DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SO-
LICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE NOTES BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE PERSON MAKING THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS OFFERING MEMORANDUM NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE IS-
SUER SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT
AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                         <C>
Available Information.....................................................    i
Summary...................................................................    1
Risk Factors..............................................................   10
The Transaction...........................................................   18
Use of Proceeds...........................................................   19
Capitalization............................................................   20
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...........   21
Selected Financial and Other Data.........................................   25
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations ..............................................................   27
The Exchange Offer........................................................   38
Business..................................................................   45
Management................................................................   57
Ownership of Capital Stock................................................   60
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   60
Description of the New Credit Facility....................................   63
Description of New Bonding Agreement......................................   65
Description of Notes......................................................   66
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences...................................   97
Plan of Distribution......................................................   98
Legal Matters.............................................................   99
Experts...................................................................   99
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-1
</TABLE>    
 
Until           , 1999 (90 days after the date of this Prospectus), all
dealers effecting transactions in the Notes, whether or not participating in
this distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in
addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as
underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 $115,000,000
 
[LOGO OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE AND DOCK CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]
 
                              GREAT LAKES DREDGE
                              & DOCK CORPORATION
 
 
              SERIES B 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
 
                       ---------------------------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                       ---------------------------------
 
 
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors of the Company
shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i)
for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts of omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, relating to prohibited dividends or
distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit. In
addition, the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of the Company's
officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any persons,
including officers and directors, who were or are, or are threatened to be
made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact
that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such
corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as an
officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's
best interests and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to
believe that his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify
officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation
under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without
judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and
reasonably incurred. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has
been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
  The directors and officers of the Company are insured against certain
liabilities under the registrant's directors' and officers' liability
insurance.
 
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
  (a) Exhibits
 
  The following exhibits are filed herewith unless otherwise indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER  DESCRIPTION
 ------- -----------
 <C>     <S>
 2.01+   Plan and Agreement of Merger dated as of August 19, 1998 between the
         Company and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Acquisition, Inc.
 3.01+   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 3.02+   Bylaws of the Company.
 4.01+   Indenture dated as of August 19, 1998 among the Company, the
         Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
 4.02+   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 19, 1998 among the
         Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser.
         Form of 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Note due 2008 (included in Exhibit
 4.03+   4.01).
 5.01    Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads.
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER  DESCRIPTION
 ------- -----------
 <C>     <S>
 10.01+  Credit Agreement dated as of August 19, 1998 among the Company and the
         other loan parties thereto, as Borrowers, the financial institutions
         from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, Bank of Montreal, Chicago
         Branch, as Documentation Agent, Bank of America National Trust and
         Savings Association, as Issuing Lender and Administrative Agent and
         BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, as Lead Arranger.
 10.02+  Second Amended and Restated Underwriting and Continuing Indemnity
         Agreement dated August 19, 1998 among the Company, certain of its
         Subsidiaries, Reliance Insurance Company, United Pacific Insurance
         Company, Reliance National Insurance Company and Reliance Surety
         Company.
 10.03+  Contract relating to Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement and Berth
         Dredging Project between Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company and United
         States Army Corps of Engineers, awarded May 18, 1998.
 10.04+  Contract Relating to Stage 2, Port of Los Angeles, Pier 400 Deep
         Draft, Navigation Improvements, Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors,
         San Pedro Bay, Los Angeles County, California, between Pier 400
         Constructors and United States Army Corps of Engineers, awarded May
         12, 1997.
 10.05   Employment Agreement between the Company and Douglas B. Mackie.
 10.06   Great Lakes Annual Cash Bonus Plan.
 10.07   Securities Purchase and Holders Agreement dated August 19, 1998 among
         the Company, Vectura and the Management Investors.
 10.08   Registration Rights Agreement dated August 19, 1998 among the Company,
         Vectura and the Management Investors.
 10.09   Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard Lowry.
 10.10   Employment Agreement between the Company and Bruce Biemeck.
 21.01+  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 23.01   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (included on Page II-10).
 23.02   Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP (included on Page II-11).
 23.03   Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads (included in Exhibit 5.01).
 24.01+  Powers of Attorney.
         Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of The Bank of New York on
 25.01+  Form T-1.
 27.01   Financial Data Schedule for the Company.
 99.01   Form of Letter of Transmittal.
 99.02   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
+  Previously filed.     
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
  Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the
conditions under which they are required or because the information required
by such omitted schedules is set forth in the financial statements or the
notes thereto.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  (a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
 
  (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 the 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 the 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
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
       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; and
 
    (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
          distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
          statement or any material change to such information in the
          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; and
 
  (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) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrants have 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 registrants 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 registrants 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.
 
  (c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
 
  (d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post- effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
 
                                         /s/ Douglas B. Mackie
                                     By: ______________________________________
                                        Douglas B. Mackie
                                        President & Chief Executive Officer
       
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.     
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>  
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>  
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director               
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice                   
               *                       President, Chief              
- -------------------------------------  Financial Officer
          Bruce J. Biemeck             and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer)
 
                                       
               *                       Director                                                        
- -------------------------------------
         Michael A. Delaney
 
                                       
               *                       Director                                                             
- -------------------------------------
         David Wagstaff III
                                                                    
  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998         
- -------------------------------------                             
 Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>      
       
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                          GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK COMPANY
 
                                            
                                          By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie 
                                            __________________________________
                                            Douglas B. Mackie
                                            President & Chief Executive
                                            Officer
       
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>  
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
                ----                           ------                ---- 
<S>                                    <C>                       <C> 
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director              
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice                  
               *                       President, Chief             
- -------------------------------------  Financial Officer
          Bruce J. Biemeck             and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer) and
                                       Director
 
                                       
               *                       Director                          
- -------------------------------------
             Mark Thomas

  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998
- -------------------------------------                             
 Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>      

                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                          GREAT LAKES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
                                            
                                          By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie 
                                            _________________________________
                                            Douglas B. Mackie
                                            President & Chief Executive
                                            Officer
                                                   
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.     
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 
 
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
                ----                           -----                 ----
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>  
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director              
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice                   
               *                       President, Chief              
- -------------------------------------  Financial Officer
          Bruce J. Biemeck             and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer) and
                                       Director
 
                                                                       
               *                       Director                        
- -------------------------------------
             Mark Thomas                                                    

  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998  
- -------------------------------------
  Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>      

                            II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                          DAWSON DREDGING COMPANY
 
                                            
                                          By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie 
                                            _________________________________
                                            Douglas B. Mackie
                                            President & Chief Executive
                                            Officer
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.     
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 
 
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
                ----                           -----                 ----
<S>                                    <C>                       <C>  
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998   
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director               
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice                   
               *                       President, Chief              
- -------------------------------------  Financial Officer
          Bruce J. Biemeck             and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer) and
                                       Director
 
                                             
               *                       Director
- -------------------------------------
             Mark Thomas

  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998
- -------------------------------------                             
 Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>      
                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                          GATES CONSTRUCTION CORP.
 
                                            
                                          By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie
                                            _________________________________
                                            Douglas B. Mackie
                                            President & Chief Executive
                                            Officer
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.     

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>  
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
                ----                           -----                 ----
<S>                                    <C>                       
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director               
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice
               *                       President, Chief
- -------------------------------------  Financial Officer
          Bruce J. Biemeck             and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer) and
                                       Director
 
                                       
               *                       Director
- -------------------------------------
          Richard M. Lowry
          
  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------                                 
 Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact                               
</TABLE>      
                          
                                     II-8
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oak Brook and State of Illinois on
December 14, 1998.     
 
                                          FIFTY-THREE DREDGING CORPORATION
 
                                             
                                          By: /s/ Douglas Mackie
                                             _________________________________
                                             Douglas B. Mackie
                                             President & Chief Executive
                                             Officer
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.     

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 
                NAME                           TITLE                 DATE
                ----                           -----                 ----
<S>                                    <C>                       <C> 
        /s/ Douglas B. Mackie          President, Chief          December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------  Executive Officer         
          Douglas B. Mackie            and Director               
                                       (principal executive
                                       officer)
 
                                       Senior Vice
               *                       President, Chief
- ---------------------------------      Financial Officer
        Bruce J. Biemeck               and Treasurer
                                       (principal financial
                                       officer and
                                       principal accounting
                                       officer)
 
                                       
               *                       Director
- -------------------------------------
             Mark Thomas

  * By: /s/ Douglas B. Mackie                                    December 14, 1998 
- -------------------------------------                             
 Douglas B. Mackie Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>     

                                     II-9
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
   
  We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
883-64687 of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation of our report dated January
30, 1998, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration
Statement, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.     
   
    
DELOITTE & TOUCHE llp
 
Chicago, Illinois
   
December 11, 1998     
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
 
                    INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
   
  We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Amendment No.
1 to Form S-4 being filed by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation of our
report, dated January 23, 1998, on the financial statements of Amboy
Aggregates (A Joint Venture) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. We also consent to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Prospectus of the
Registration Statement.     
 
                                          J. H. Cohn LLP
 
Roseland, New Jersey
   
December 10, 1998     
 
                                     II-11

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
                      [DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS LETTERHEAD]



 


                                 December 11, 1998


Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
2122 York Road
Oak Brook, Illinois 60521


                     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-4
                          SEC File No. 333-64687
                          ----------------------


Gentlemen and Ladies:

          We have acted as special counsel to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Great Lakes Dredge &
Dock Company, a New Jersey corporation; Great Lakes International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation; Dawson Dredging Company, a Delaware corporation; Gates
Construction Corp., a New Jersey corporation; and Fifty-Three Dredging
Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (collectively, the "Guarantors") in
connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 (Registration No. 333-64687), originally filed on September 29, 1998 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
as subsequently amended by an amendment to be filed today (the "Registration
Statement"). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance of up
to $115 million aggregate principal amount of Series B 11 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Exchange Notes") of the Company and the
guarantee thereof (the "Exchange Guaranties") by each of the Guarantors. The
Exchange Notes are to be issued in exchange for an equal aggregate principal
amount of the Company's outstanding Series A 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008 (the "Existing Notes") and the Guarantors' guaranties
<PAGE>
 
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
December 11, 1998
Page 2



thereof pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement dated August 19, 1998
among the Company, the Guarantors and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation. The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to the terms of an
Indenture, filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the Registration Statement (the
"Indenture"), among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as
trustee.

          We have participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement
and have made such legal and factual examination and inquiry which we have
deemed advisable for the rendering of the opinions set forth below.  In making
our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
all authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.
Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

          1.  The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by the Company, and
when the Registration Statement has been declared effective, when the Exchange
Notes have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, and when the Exchange Notes have been issued and
delivered against the exchange of the Existing Notes in accordance with the
terms set forth in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, the
Exchange Notes will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium,
reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights or debtors'
obligations and to general principles of equity.

          2.  The Exchange Guaranties have been duly authorized by the
respective Guarantors, and when the Registration Statement has been declared
effective, when the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated and
delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and when the Exchange
Notes have been issued and delivered against the exchange of the Existing Notes
in accordance with the terms set forth in the Prospectus included in the
Registration Statement, the Exchange Guaranties will constitute the legal, valid
and binding obligations of the respective Guarantors, enforceable against the
respective Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization or
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights or debtors' obligations and to
general principles of equity.
<PAGE>
 
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
December 11, 1998
Page 3



          The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the United
States of America, the State of New York, the Delaware General Corporation Law
and the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, and we express no opinion
concerning any other laws.

          The opinions expressed herein are rendered for your benefit in
connection with the transaction contemplated herein. The opinions expressed
herein may not be used or relied upon by any other person, nor may this letter
or any copies hereof be furnished to a third party, filed with a governmental
agency, quoted, cited or otherwise referred to without our prior written
consent, except as noted below.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the use of our name in the Prospectus contained
therein under the caption "Legal Matters." In giving such consent we do not
thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act.


                                 Very truly yours,

                                 /s/ Dechert Price & Rhoads

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.05

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT, made as of January 1, 1992, by and between GREAT LAKES HOLDINGS 
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Douglas Mackie 
("Executive").

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------

     In order to induce Executive to remain in his current position and to 
continue serving as a senior executive officer of the Company, the Company 
desires to provide Executive with compensation and other benefits on the terms 
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     Executive is willing to continue his employment and perform services
for the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     Executive acknowledges that:

     (i)  this Agreement is the sole existing employment agreement between 
     Executive and the Company; and

     (ii) this Agreement nullifies and supersedes all previous contracts 
     governing the terms of Executive's employment with the Company.

     It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

     1.  Employment.
         ----------
     1.1  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Company agrees to employ Executive during the term hereof as Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. In those capacities,
Executive shall have the customary powers, responsibilities and authority of
other persons
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               2

having similar positions at corporations of the size, type and nature of the
Company, as they exist from time to time. Executive's principal office shall be
at the principal executive offices of the Company in Oak Brook, Illinois.
     1.2  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive
hereby accepts employment by the Company in the positions specified in Section
1.1 hereof and agrees to devote his full working time and efforts, to the best
of his ability, experience and talent, to the performance of services, duties
and responsibilities in connection therewith. Nothing in this Agreement shall
preclude Executive from engaging, consistent with his duties and
responsibilities hereunder, in charitable and community affairs, from managing
his personal investments, from continuing to serve on the boards of directors of
the companies and associations listed on Exhibit A or from serving, subject to
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a member of boards of
directors or as a trustee of other companies, associations or entities.

     2.  Term of Employment.
         ------------------
     Executive's term of employment under this Agreement shall commence on the
date hereof and, subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier of
(i) the third anniversary of the date hereof (the "Termination Date") or (ii)
termination of Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement; provided,
however, that on the Termination Date and each anniversary thereof, the
Termination Date shall be extended for a period of one additional year unless
either party shall have given written notice to the other party not less than 90
days
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               3

prior to such date that the Termination Date shall not be so extended. Upon any 
such extension, references to the Termination Date shall be deemed to be 
references to the Termination Date as so extended.

     3.  Compensation.
         ------------
     The Company shall pay Executive a base salary at an annual rate of
$157,500, which salary shall be automatically increased by five percent (5%) on
the first anniversary of Executive's lase increase in base salary. Thereafter,
Executive's base shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company at least once in every twelve-month period during the
term of this Agreement and, if adjusted, such adjusted amount shall constitute
Executive's base salary.

     4.  Employee Benefits.
         -----------------
     The Company shall provide Executive during the term of his employment
hereunder coverage (commensurate with his positions in the Company and to the
extent possible under any employee benefit plan) under any bonus plans and other
employee benefit programs, plans and practices (including the cash bonus program
and Company stock option plan), in accordance with the terms thereof, which the
Company makes available to its senior executive officers.

     5.  Expenses.
         --------
     Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, including, without limitation,
expenses for travel and similar items related to such duties and
responsibilities. The
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               4

Company will reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by 
Executive from time to time of an itemized account of such expenditures.
 
     6.  Termination of Employment.
         -------------------------

     6.1  Termination
          -----------
     The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time for any
reason, and Executive may terminate his employment at any time upon 30 days
prior written notice to the Company. If prior to the Termination Date, as then
in effect, Executive either (a) resigns for Good Reason (as defined in Section
6.2 hereof) or (b) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for
Cause (as defined in Section 6.2), death or Permanent Disability (as defined in
Section 6.2), Executive shall be entitled to receive equal monthly installments
for twelve months, in lieu of any other cash compensation provided for herein
but not in substitution for compensation already paid or earned, equal to 8.34
percent multiplied by the sum of (x) Executive's then current base salary and
(y) Executive's current bonus, which shall be a percentage of his then current
base salary equal to (i) the average percentage of Executive's base salary
represented by the bonuses Executive received during the term of this
Agreement prior to his termination or (ii) if employment terminates on or prior
to December 31, 1992, the percentage of Executive's base salary represented by
the bonus Executive received with respect to the 1991 calendar year.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               5


     6.2  Certain Definitions.
          -------------------

     For purposes of this Agreement:

     (a)  "Cause" shall mean:
 
     (i)  commission by the Executive of any felony involving moral turpitude;

    (ii)  the Executive's willful misconduct as an employee of the Company
          involving dishonesty (including the unauthorized disclosure of
          confidential or proprietary information of the Company); or

   (iii)  the Executive's willful failure to render services to the Company in
          accordance with his employment.

     (b)  "Good Reason" shall mean the resignation of Executive from employment
by the Company as a result of the occurrence of any of the following events
without Executive's express prior written consent:

     (i)  a material reduction or a material adverse alteration in the nature of
the Executive's position, responsibilities or authorities;

    (ii)  the Executive's becoming the holder of a lesser office or title than
that previously held;

   (iii)  any reduction in the aggregate of the Executive's bonus, compensation
and benefits, other than a reduction in bonus or benefits generally applicable
to executive employees;

    (iv)  the relocation of the Executive's job more than fifty miles from his
present location; or

     (v)  any material breach of this Agreement by the Company which causes an
adverse change to the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               6

     (c)  "Permanent Disability" shall mean the inability of the Executive to
perform substantially all his duties and responsibilities to the Company by
reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for a continuous period
of six months. The date of such Permanent Disability shall be the last day of
such six-month period or if later, the day on which the Executive submits
satisfactory medical evidence of such Permanent Disability.

     7.  Notices.
         -------
     All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed as 
follows:

     To the Company:

          Great Lakes Holdings Corporation
          2122 York Road
          Oak Brook, Illinois  60521-1930
          Attention: Witt Barlow

     with a copy to:

          Blackstone Dredging Partners L.P.
          118 North Bedford Road
          Suite 300
          Mount Kisco, New York 10549
          Attention: James J. Mossman

     To Executive at the address set forth on the signature page of this
     Agreement.

Any such notice or communication shall be sent certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as above (or to such other
address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described
above), and the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice
was given.
 








 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               7


     8.  Separability; Legal Fees.
         ------------------------
     If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or 
unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall 
not affect the remaining provisions hereof, which shall remain in full force and
effect. In addition, the Company shall bear, or reimburse Executive for, all 
reasonable legal fees incurred in connection with entering into this Agreement.

     9.  Assignment.
         ----------
     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs 
and representatives of Executive and the assigns and successors of the Company, 
but neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable or 
otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation 
of the laws of intestate succession) or by the Company, except that the Company 
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 the
Company.

     10.  Amendment.
          ---------
     This Agreement may only be amended by written agreement of the parties 
hereto.

     11.  Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Non-Competition.
          ----------------------------------------------------------
     (a)  Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company,
divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, partnership, 
corporation or other entity any Confidential Information pertaining to the 
business of the Company, except (i) while employed by the Company, in the 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               8

business of and for the benefit of the Company, or (ii) when required to do so
by a court of competent jurisdiction or an individual duly appointed thereby, by
any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof)
having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any
administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with
jurisdiction to order Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such
information. For purposes of this Section 11(a), "Confidential Information"
shall mean non-public information concerning the financial data, strategic
business plans, product development (or other proprietary product data),
customer lists, marketing plans and other non-public, proprietary and
confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries that is not
otherwise available to the public; provided, however, that Confidential
Information shall also include any information of the type herein described
which has become publicly available through any breach of fiduciary duty.
          (b)  During the period of his employment hereunder and for a period of
one year thereafter, Executive agrees that, without the prior written consent of
the Company, he will not, directly or indirectly, either as principal, manager,
agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or employee
or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in or have any financial interest
in, any business which is in material competition with the business of the
Company and/or its affiliates.
          (c)  For purposes of this Section 11, a business shall be deemed to be
in competition with the Company if it is 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               9

principally involved in the purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or 
the rendering of any service purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by the 
Company and/or its affiliates as a material part of the business of the Company 
and/or its affiliates within the same geographic areas in which the Company 
and/or its affiliates principally effect such purchases, sales or dealings or 
render such services. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be construed so as to 
preclude Executive from (i) investing in any publicly held company provided 
Executive's beneficial ownership of any class of such company's securities does 
not exceed 3% of the outstanding securities of such class.
     (d)  Executive and the Company agree that this covenant not to compete is a
reasonable covenant under the circumstances, and further agree that if in the
opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not reasonable
in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and authority to excise
or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant as to the court shall
appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant as so
amended. Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in this
Section 11 would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, the Company may,
in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in equity,
obtain an injunction against Executive from any court having jurisdiction over
the matter, restraining any further violation of this Agreement by Executive.

     12.  Survivorship.
          ------------
     The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall 
survive any termination of this Agreement to the
<PAGE>
 
                                                                              10

extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. 
The provisions of this Section 12 are in addition to the survivorship provisions
of any other section of this Agreement.

     13.  Governing Law.
          -------------
     This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed in accordance 
with the laws of the State of New York without reference to rules relating to 
conflicts of law.

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

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

                                       GREAT LAKES HOLDINGS
                                         CORPORATION



                                       By  /s/        
                                         --------------------------------
                                         Title:



                                           /s/  DOUGLAS MACKIE 
                                         --------------------------------
                                                Douglas Mackie



                   
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------


              Existing Board of Directors Positions of Executive
              --------------------------------------------------
             The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Limited


<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.06

          THE GREAT LAKES HOLDINGS CORPORATION ANNUAL CASH BONUS PLAN

1.   Purpose.
     -------

          The Great Lakes Holdings Corporation Annual Cash Bonus Plan (the
"Plan") is established to provide annual cash bonuses to senior management
personnel who influence the profitability of the Great Lakes Holdings
Corporation (the "Company") and its subsidiaries.

2.   Administration.
     --------------

          The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (the
"Committee") designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"),
which committee, subject to action of the Board, has complete discretion and
authority with respect to the Plan and its application except to the extent that
discretion is expressly limited by the Plan.

3.   Eligibility for Participation.
     -----------------------------

          The Committee shall at the suggestion of the Company's Chief Executive
officer, but in its sole discretion, designate each year those employees of the
Company who shall participate in the Plan (a "Participant"). A Participant whose
employment by the Company terminates for any reason shall not participate in the
Plan for the year of termination and, following such termination, the Company
shall have no further obligation hereunder to the Participant.

4.   Determination of Bonus Amounts.
     ------------------------------

          (a) EBITD. Each fiscal year (a "Performance Year") a bonus shall be
              -----
awarded to a Participant based on the Company's achievement of a target "EBITD"
(as defined below). The target EBITD for the first Performance Year is set forth
on Exhibit A. The target EBITD for each subsequent Performance Year will be
established annually by the Committee prior to the commencement of such
Performance Year. For all purposes under this Plan, EBITD shall, for a
particular Performance Year, mean the earnings of the Company before interest,
taxes and depreciation (exclusive of any extraordinary or unusual items of
income or expense), all as determined by the Committee. EBITD shall also be
adjusted by the Committee, in its discretion, to reflect the effect of any
acquisition, divestiture, sale-leaseback, or other corporate transaction in
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries engage. Each such determination
approved by the Committee shall be conclusive.
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Bonus Levels. The Committee shall set Minimum, Target and Maximum
              ------------
bonus levels for each Participant as a percentage of the Participant's base
annual salary. The Minimum or Target bonus shall be paid to the Participant if
the Company achieves 90% or 100%, respectively, of the target EBITD for the
applicable Performance Year. No bonus shall be payable without special action of
the Board, if the Company achieves less than 90% of target EBITD. The Maximum
bonus shall be paid to the Participant if the Company achieves a level of EBITD
at least 20% above the target EBITD for the applicable Performance Year;
provided, however, that in no event shall an amount greater than the
Participant's Target bonus be paid unless the Committee, in its sole discretion,
determines that other qualitative criteria have been satisfied by the
Participant during the Performance Year including, but not limited to, the
overall financial performance and condition of the Company and the Participant's
individual performance.

          (c) Bonus Adjustments. If the Company achieves a percentage of target
              -----------------
EBITD greater than that required for the payment of a Minimum or Target level
bonus but less than that required for the payment of the next highest bonus
level, the Participant's bonus shall be adjusted upwards based on linear
interpolation between the percentages of target EBITD required for the payment
of (i) the Minimum or Target level bonus, as applicable and (ii) the next
highest level bonus. Any bonus payments to be made in excess of the Target level
bonus which may be required by the immediately preceding sentence shall be
subject to the additional qualitative criteria set forth in section 4(b) above.

          (d) Time of payment. Payment of bonuses shall be made as soon as
              ---------------
practicable following the close of the Performance Year to which the bonus
relates. In the event a Participant's employment terminates for "Cause" (as
defined below) following a Performance Year but prior to the payment of a bonus
with respect to such Performance Year, any bonus otherwise payable shall be paid
only in the discretion of the Committee. In the event a Participant's employment
terminates other than for Cause following such Performance Year, any bonus
payable with respect thereto shall be paid at the time otherwise required
hereunder. For purposes of this Plan, "Cause" shall mean (i) commission by the
Participant of any felony involving moral turpitude, (ii) the Participant's
willful misconduct as an employee of the Company involving dishonesty (including
the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the
Company) or (iii) the Participant's willful failure to render services to the
Company in accordance with his employment.

5.  Miscellaneous.
    -------------

          (a) Although it is the present intention of the Company to continue
the Plan in effect for an indefinite period of time, the Company reserves the
right to terminate the Plan in
<PAGE>
 
its entirety at any time or to modify the Plan as it exists from time to time,
provided that no such action shall adversely affect any bonus previously awarded
under the Plan with respect to a prior Performance Year and provided further
that no termination or modification which would adversely affect a Participant
hereunder shall take effect with respect to a Performance Year in progress at
the time of such action.

          (b) No bonus payable under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or
charge prior to actual receipt thereof by the payee; and any attempt to so
anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge prior
to such receipt shall be void. The Company shall not be liable in any manner for
or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any
person entitled to any bonus under the Plan.

          (c) Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Participant the
right to be retained in the service of the Company or any subsidiary thereof nor
limit the right of the Company or any subsidiary thereof to discharge or
otherwise deal with any Participant without regard to the existence of the Plan.

          (d) The Plan shall at all times be entirely unfunded and no provision
shall at any time be made with respect to segregating assets of the Company or
any subsidiary thereof for payment of any bonuses hereunder. No Participant or
any other person shall have any interest in any particular assets of the Company
or any subsidiary thereof by reason of the right to receive a bonus under the
Plan and any such Participant or any other person shall have only the rights of
a general unsecured creditor of the Company or any subsidiary thereof with
respect to any rights under the Plan.

          (e) To the extent required by law, the Company will withhold from
payments otherwise due hereunder such taxes required to be withheld by the
federal or any state or local government.

          (f) The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
<PAGE>
 
In 1996 the Company bonus Plan was revised to incorporate three bonus categories
as follows:

        1.) Annual Christmas bonus
        2.) Management bonuses
        3.) Senior Management bonuses

All bonuses are based on company performance but required minimum EBITDA
thresholds will vary for each plan as follows:

        1.) Annual Christmas Bonuses
            ------------------------
            Annual Christmas bonuses are awarded to non management employees. An
            EBITDA level of "Total Business Requirement" cash flow, as defined
            in the company's profit sharing plan, must be attained to pay a
            minimum bonus. This calculation is:

               Interest on current year debt                     $
               Minimum return on beginning of year Equity (10%)
               Minimum return on Capital Expenditures               800,000
                                                                 ----------
                 Total Business Requirements                     $
                                                                 ==========


Under this plan, bonuses will be awarded in three categories based on each
employees level of responsibility as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
            Minimum          Target             Maximum
            -------          ------             ------- 
Employee    "Total Business  EBITDA within 15%  EBITDA at least
Category    Requirement"     of budget          15% over budget
- --------    ---------------  -----------------  ---------------
<S>         <C>              <C>                <C>
 A                  $   500            $ 1,000          $ 1,500
 B                      750              1,500            2,250
 C                    1,000              2,000            3,000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
File Memorandum
Page 2
January 26, 1998

        2.) Management Bonuses
            ------------------

            Individual management bonus awards are discretionary but a pool of
            allowable bonus payments will be calculated each year based on
            budgeted EBITDA as follows:

                  EBITDA                     Approximate
                  as a percentage              Bonus
                  of Budget                     Pool
                  ---------                     ----
 
                  Less than 70%                   0
                       75%                     250,000
                      100%                     500,000
                      125%                     750,000 

Between each threshold the pool will be interpolated based on actual EBITDA.

        3.) Senior Management Bonuses
            -------------------------       

            Senior Management bonuses are determined by the board of directors
            which currently requires a threshold EBITDA level of 90% of budget.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.07

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                                                                

                   SECURITIES PURCHASE AND HOLDERS AGREEMENT


          SECURITIES PURCHASE AND HOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of August 19, 1998
(the "Agreement"), by and among GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION, a
      ---------                                                         
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), VECTURA HOLDING COMPANY LLC, a Delaware
                           -------                                           
limited liability company ("Vectura"), the individuals designated on Schedule 1
                            -------                                            
hereto as Purchasing Management Investors (the "Purchasing Management
                                                ---------------------
Investors"), the individuals designated on Schedule 1 hereto as Continuing
- ---------
Management Investors (the "Continuing Management Investors") and individuals who
                           -------------------------------                      
join in this Agreement, as hereinafter provided, as Management Investors. The
Purchasing Management Investors, Continuing Management Investors and individuals
joining this Agreement as Management Investors are sometimes referred to
hereinafter individually as a "Management Investor" and collectively as the
                               -------------------                         
"Management Investors." Vectura and the Management Investors are sometimes
- ---------------------                                                     
referred to hereinafter individually as an "Investor" and collectively as the
                                            --------                         
"Investors."
- ----------  

                                   Background
                                   ----------

          A. Vectura and the Company are among the parties to an Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of July 20, 1998 (as thereafter amended and restated,
the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which, at the Effective Time of the Merger
     ----------------
(each as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Company will be recapitalized and
the Continuing Management Investors will retain an equity interest in the
Company.

          B. As of the Effective Time of the Merger, the authorized capital
stock of the Company will consist of shares of (i) Class A Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share ("Class A Common Stock"), (ii) Class B Common Stock, par
                       --------------------
value $.01 per share ("Class B Common Stock" and, collectively with the Class A
                       --------------------
Common Stock, the "Common Stock") and (iii) 12% Series A Cumulative Compounding
                   ------------
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Series A Preferred Stock," and,
                                            ------------------------
collectively with the Common Stock, the "Shares").
                                         ------   

          C. The Management Investors will be employed by the Company at the
Effective Time of the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and certain
letter agreements between each of the Continuing Management Investors and the
Company, each Continuing Management Investor has exercised options to purchase
shares of the Company's previously issued common stock, some of which shares
will be converted, at the Effective Time of the Merger, into the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock set forth opposite
the name of such Continuing Management Investor on Schedule 1 attached hereto.

          D. Each of the Purchasing Management Investors desires to purchase,
and the Company desires to sell to such Purchasing Management Investor, the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock set forth
opposite the name of such Purchasing Management Investor on Schedule 1 hereto.
<PAGE>
 
          E. As used herein, the term "Securities" shall mean the Shares held by
                                       ---------- 
any party hereto, including all shares of Common Stock (including any Incentive
Shares) and all other securities of the Company (or a successor to the Company)
received on account of ownership of Shares, including all securities issued in
connection with any merger, consolidation, stock dividend, stock distribution,
stock split, reverse stock split, stock combination, recapitalization,
reclassification, subdivision, conversion or similar transaction in respect
thereof.

          F. The Investors and the Company wish to set forth certain agreements
regarding their future relationships and their rights and obligations with
respect to the Securities.

                                     Terms
                                     -----

          In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          1.1. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall
have the following meanings:

          "Adjusted Book Value Price" has the meaning set forth in Section
           -------------------------                                      
7.2(a)(ii)(C)(2) of this Agreement.

          "Adjusted Book Value Price Percentage" has the meaning set forth in
           ------------------------------------                              
Section 7.3(a)(iii) of this Agreement.

          "Adjusted Cost Price" has the meaning set forth in Section
           -------------------                                      
7.2(a)(ii)(B)(1) of this Agreement.

          "Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Rules
           ---------                                                      
promulgated under the Exchange Act.

          "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this
           ---------                                                   
Agreement.

          "Approved Sale" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a) of this
           -------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Assurance of Compliance" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 of
           -----------------------                                             
this Agreement.

          "Called Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a)(iii) of
           -------------                                                     
this Agreement.

          "Cause," when used in connection with the termination of a Management
           -----                                                               
Investor's employment with the Company, means the Management Investor's (i) act
or acts of dishonesty, moral turpitude or criminality, (ii) continued failure to
perform such Management Investor's duties as an employee, as reasonably
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company acting in good faith, after
reasonable notice of such failure is given to such employee by the Board of
Directors of the 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Company, for a period of 30 days after such notice and opportunity to cure such
failure, or (iii) willful or deliberate violations of such Management Investor's
obligations to the Company that result in injury to the Company.

          "Class A Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in Background Section
           --------------------                                                 
B of this Agreement.

          "Class B Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in Background Section
           --------------------                                                 
B of this Agreement.

          "Closing" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
           -------                                                             

          "Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in Background Section B of
           ------------                                                      
this Agreement.

          "Company" means Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a Delaware
           -------                                                         
corporation, except that when used in Article VII, "Company" means the Company
                                                    -------                   
and all other entities of which the Company from time to time owns, directly or
indirectly, 50% or more of the stock or assets.

          "Continuing Management Investors" has the meaning set forth in the
           -------------------------------                                  
Preamble of this Agreement.

          "Escrow Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(d)(i) of this
           -------------                                                        
Agreement.

          "Escrow Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(d)(ii) of
           -------------                                                    
this Agreement.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
           ------------                                                        

          "Incentive Shares" means the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by
           ----------------                                                   
each Management Investor designated as Incentive Shares on Schedule 1, and all
other securities of the Company (or a successor to the Company) received on
account of ownership of such shares, including any and all incentive securities
issued in connection with any merger, consolidation, stock dividend, stock
distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, stock combination,
recapitalization, reclassification, subdivision, conversion or similar
transaction in respect thereof.

          "Investor" and "Investors" have the meanings set forth in the Preamble
           --------       ---------                                             
of this Agreement.

          "Management Investor" and "Management Investors" have the meanings set
           -------------------       --------------------                       
forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

          "Merger Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Background Section A
           ----------------                                                   
of this Agreement.

          "Observers" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this
           ---------                                                  
Agreement.

          "Option Purchase Price" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ---------------------                                      
7.2(a)(ii)(A) of this Agreement.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Permitted Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b) of
           --------------------                                                
this Agreement.

          "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
           ------                                                               
partnership, firm, association, joint venture, joint stock company, trust or
other entity, or any government or regulatory administrative or political
subdivision or agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

          "Preemptive Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(c) of
           -----------------                                                
this Agreement.

          "Preemptive Reply" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(c) of this
           ----------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Public Offering" means a successfully completed firm-commitment
           ---------------                                                
underwritten public offering (other than a Unit Offering, as hereinafter
defined) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act in respect of the offer and sale of shares of Common Stock for the account
of the Company resulting in aggregate net proceeds to the Company and any
stockholder selling shares of Common Stock in such offering of not less than
$[30] million.

          "Purchase Number" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a)(ii) of
           ---------------                                                    
this Agreement.

          "Purchase Option" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a) of this
           ---------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Purchasing Management Investors" has the meaning set forth in the
           -------------------------------                                  
Preamble of this Agreement.

          "Registration Rights Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Article
           -----------------------------                                      
VIII of this Agreement.

          "Regulatory Problem" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 of this
           ------------------                                                  
Agreement.

          "Restricted Investor" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5 of this
           -------------------                                                  
Agreement.

          "Sale Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 of this
           -----------                                                  
Agreement.

          "Securities" has the meaning set forth in Background Section E of this
           ----------                                                           
Agreement.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
           --------------                                               

          "Series A Preferred Stock" has the meaning set forth in Background
           ------------------------                                         
Section B of this Agreement.


          "Shares" has the meaning set forth in Background Section B of this
           ------                                                           
Agreement.

          "Significant Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) of
           --------------------                                                
this Agreement.

          "Size Status Declaration" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 of
           -----------------------                                             
this Agreement.

          "Subsequent Offering" has the meaning set forth in Section
           -------------------                                      
7.2(a)(iii)(A) of this Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, any corporation more than 50% of
           ----------                                                           
whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of
whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries
of such Person.

          "Tag-Along Acceptance Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ---------------------------                                      
5.6(b) of this Agreement.

          "Tag-Along Right" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) of this
           ---------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Tag-Along Rightholders" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a)
           ----------------------                                             
of this Agreement.

          "Tag-Along Sale Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(b) of
           ---------------------                                                
this Agreement.

          "Tag-Along Seller" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(b) of this
           ----------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Termination Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a) of this
           ----------------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) of this
           --------                                                     
Agreement.

          "Transfer Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 of this
           -------------                                                  
Agreement.

          "Unit Offering" means an underwritten public offering of a combination
           -------------                                                        
of debt securities and Common Stock (or warrants or exchange rights to purchase
Common Stock) of the Company in which not more than 15% of the gross proceeds
received for the sale of such securities is attributed to Common Stock.

          "Vectura" means Vectura Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited
           -------                                                       
liability company.

          "83(b) Election" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 of this
           --------------                                                  
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

     PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BY PURCHASING MANAGEMENT INVESTORS
     ---------------------------------------------------------

          2.1.      Purchase of Securities; Setoff. At the Closing, the Company
                    ------------------------------
shall issue and sell to each of the Purchasing Management Investors, and each of
the Purchasing Management Investors shall purchase from the Company, the number
of shares of Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock set forth
opposite such Purchasing Management Investor's name on Schedule 1 at a purchase
price of $1 per share of Class A Common Stock and $1,000 per share of Series A
Preferred Stock. Each Purchasing Management Investor agrees that the purchase
price for the Securities purchased pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be satisfied
by the Company setting off such amounts against moneys otherwise due to such
Management Investor in connection with the Merger, including 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
but not limited to, the Sales Bonuses (as such term is used in the Merger
Agreement) payable to such Purchasing Management Investor as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.

          2.2.  Closing of the Purchase of Securities. The closing of the
                ------------------------------------- 
purchase and sale of the Shares purchased by the Purchasing Management Investors
hereunder (the "Closing") will take place at a location mutually agreed upon by
                ------- 
the Company and the Purchasing Management Investors and on the same date as the
Effective Time of the Merger. At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each
Purchasing Management Investor certificates evidencing the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock and the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be
purchased by such Purchasing Management Investor, against payment of the
purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by
certified check.

                                  ARTICLE III

          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
          ---------------------------------------------

          3.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
               ---------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to each of the Investors as follows:

               (a) The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

               (b) The Company has full corporate power and corporate authority
to make, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to carry out all of the
transactions provided for herein.

               (c) The Company has taken such corporate action as is necessary
or appropriate to enable it to perform its obligations hereunder, and this
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with the terms hereof.

               (d)  The Shares, when issued in accordance with the plan of
merger filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in connection with the
Merger, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

               (e)  As of the Effective Time of the Merger, the authorized
capital stock of the Company will consist of (i) 25,000,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock, of which 1,636,100 will be issued and outstanding, (ii) 25,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, of which of which 3,363,900 will be issued and
outstanding and (iii) 250,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, of which
45,000 will be issued and outstanding. Except as otherwise set forth herein, as
of the Effective Time of the Merger there will be no rights, subscriptions,
warrants, options, conversion rights or agreements of any kind outstanding to
purchase from the Company, or otherwise require the Company to issue, any shares
of capital stock of the Company or securities or obligations of any kind
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of the Company;
the Company will not be subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock; and
the Shares will constitute all of the outstanding shares of the Company's
capital stock. 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IV

                        REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
                           COVENANTS OF EACH INVESTOR
                           --------------------------

          4.1. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Each Investor. Each
               ----------------------------------------------------------
of the Investors severally represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees
with, the Company that:

               (a) Such Investor has full legal right, power and authority
(including the due authorization by all necessary corporate action in the case
of corporate Investors) to enter into this Agreement and to perform such
Investor's obligations hereunder without the need for the consent of any other
Person; and this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Investor enforceable
against such Investor in accordance with the terms hereof.

               (b) The Securities are being received by such Investor for
investment and not with a view to any distribution thereof that would violate
the Securities Act, or the applicable securities laws of any state; and such
Investor will not distribute the Securities in violation of the Securities Act
or the applicable securities laws of any state.

               (c) Such Investor understands that the Securities have not been
registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and must
be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and
any applicable state securities laws or unless an exemption from such
registration becomes or is available.

               (d) Such Investor is financially able to hold the Securities for
long-term investment, believes that the nature and amount of the Securities
being purchased are consistent with such Investor's overall investment program
and financial position, and recognizes that there are substantial risks involved
in the purchase of the Securities.

               (e) Such Investor confirms that (i) such Investor is familiar
with the business of the Company, (ii) such Investor has had the opportunity to
ask questions of officers and directors of the Company and to obtain (and that
such Investor has received to its satisfaction) such information about the
business and financial condition of the Company as it or he has reasonably
requested, and (iii) such Investor, either alone or with such Investor's
representative (as defined in Rule 501(h) promulgated under the Securities Act),
if any, has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that
such Investor is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective
investment in the Securities.


          4.2. Legends. (a) All Shares. All certificates representing Shares
               -------      ----------
shall bear the following legends in addition to any other legend required under
applicable law:

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
     AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND
     MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
     STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE
     COMPANY, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

     THE EXPRESS TERMS OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND OF THE
     OTHER CLASSES AND SERIES OF SHARES WHICH THE COMPANY IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE
     ARE CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, A
     COPY OF WHICH WILL BE MAILED TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE WITHIN
     FIVE DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE
     TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A SECURITIES PURCHASE AND HOLDERS AGREEMENT BY AND
     AMONG THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDERS SPECIFIED THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH
     AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. THE SALE,
     TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF
     SUCH AGREEMENT AND THE SECURITIES ARE TRANSFERABLE ONLY UPON PROOF OF
     COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

          (b)  Incentive Shares. In addition to the legends required by Section
               ----------------
4.2(a) above, the following legend shall appear on certificates representing
Incentive Shares, provided, that the Company's failure to cause certificates
representing Incentive Shares to bear such legend shall not affect the Company's
Purchase Option described in Section 7.2 herein:

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT FOR A
     PERIOD OF TIME TO A PURCHASE OPTION OF THE COMPANY APPLICABLE TO "INCENTIVE
     SHARES" AS DESCRIBED IN THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AND HOLDERS AGREEMENT BY
     AND AMONG THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDERS SPECIFIED THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH
     AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.

        4.3. Management Investor Representations and Warranties. Each Management
             --------------------------------------------------                 
Investor severally represents and warrants to the Company that:

             (a) such Management Investor has full legal right, power and
authority to perform such Management Investor's obligations hereunder without
the need for the consent of any other Person; and such obligations constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Management Investor in
accordance with the terms hereof;

             (b) such Management Investor's residence, business address,
business and residence telephone numbers and social security number are as set
forth below such Management Investor's signature to this Agreement; and 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
             (c) in formulating the decision to (i) exercise such Management
Investor's options to purchase shares of the Company's previously issued common
stock, some of which shares have been converted, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, into the Shares set forth opposite such Management Investor's name on
Schedule 1 hereto and (ii) enter into this Agreement, such Management Investor
has relied solely upon an independent investigation of the Company's business
and upon consultations with such Management Investor's legal and financial
advisers with respect to this Agreement and the nature of such Management
Investor's investment; and that in entering into this Agreement no reliance was
placed upon any representations or warranties other than those contained in this
Agreement.

       4.4.  Representations and Warranties of Vectura.
             ----------------------------------------- 

             (a) Vectura represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees
with the Company that, Vectura qualifies as an "accredited investor" within the
meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, and has such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that Vectura is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its purchase of the Securities;
and

             (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
Vectura do not contravene or violate any laws, rules or regulations applicable
to it.

       4.5.  Restrictions on Transfers of Securities. The following restrictions
             ---------------------------------------
on Transfer shall apply to all Securities owned by any Restricted Investor. As
used herein, "Restricted Investor" shall mean any Investor or Permitted
Transferee except a Permitted Transferee by virtue of Section 4.5(b)(iii)
hereof:

             (a) No Restricted Investor shall Transfer (other than in connection
with a redemption or purchase by the Company) any Securities unless (i) such
Transfer is to a Permitted Transferee or a Person approved in advance in writing
by the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Common Stock then held by the
Investors (including shares held by the transferor) and (ii) such Transfer
complies with the provisions, if applicable, of Sections 5.5, 5.6 and 5.7, this
Section 4.5 and, in addition, in the case of Securities held by Management
Investors, the applicable provisions of Article VII of this Agreement. No
Restricted Investor may effect any Transfer of Shares unless the transferee
(other than a Permitted Transferee under Section 4.5(b)(iii)) executes an
agreement pursuant to which such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms and
provisions of this Agreement applicable to the transferor (except as otherwise
specifically provided herein). Any purported Transfer in violation of this
Agreement shall be null and void and of no force and effect and the purported
transferee shall have no rights or privileges in or with respect to the Company.
As used herein, "Transfer" means the making of any sale, exchange, assignment,
                 --------                                                     
hypothecation, gift, security interest, pledge or other encumbrance, or any
contract therefor, any voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with
respect to the transfer of voting rights or any other beneficial interest in any
of the Securities, the creation of any other claim thereto or any other transfer
or disposition whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting the
right, title, interest or possession in or to such Securities.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          Prior to any proposed Transfer of any Securities, the holder thereof
shall give written notice to the Company describing the manner and circumstances
of the proposed Transfer accompanied by a written opinion of legal counsel,
addressed to the Company and the transfer agent, if other than the Company, and
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to each addressee, to the effect
that the proposed Transfer of the Securities may be effected without
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Each
certificate evidencing the Securities transferred shall bear the legends set
forth in Section 4.2(a) and, if applicable, the legend set forth in Section
4.2(b), except that such certificate shall not bear the legends set forth in
Section 4.2(a) if the opinion of counsel referred to above is to the further
effect that such legend is not required in order to establish compliance with
any provision of the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.

             (b) As used herein, "Permitted Transferee" shall mean:
                                  --------------------  
                 (i)   in the case of any Investor or Permitted Transferee who
is a natural person, such person's spouse or children or grandchildren (in each
case, natural or adopted), any trust for the sole benefit of such person and
such person's spouse or children or grandchildren (in each case, natural or
adopted), any charitable trust the grantor of which is an Investor or Permitted
Transferee, or any corporation or partnership in which the direct and beneficial
owner of all of the equity interest is such individual person or such person's
spouse or children or grandchildren (in each case, natural or adopted) (or any
trust solely for the benefit of such persons);

                 (ii)  in the case of any Investor or Permitted Transferee who
     is, in each case, a natural person, the heirs, executors, administrators or
     personal representatives upon the death of such person or upon the
     incompetency or disability of such person for purposes of the protection
     and management of such person's assets;

                 (iii) in the case of any Investor or Permitted Transferee, any
Person if such Person takes such Securities pursuant to a sale in connection
with a Public Offering or following a Public Offering in open market
transactions or under Rule 144 under the Securities Act; 

                 (iv)  in the case of Vectura or any Permitted Transferee of
Vectura, (A) 399 Venture Partners Inc., Citibank Delaware or any Affiliate of
Citicorp, a Delaware corporation; (B) any employee or director of any of the
foregoing entities, or any trust, partnership or other entity established solely
for the benefit of such officers, employees or directors; or (C) any qualified
institutional buyer (as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act) organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof,
provided that such qualified institutional buyer shall only be a Permitted
Transferee of up to 3% of the outstanding Common Stock and up to $2.0 million in
liquidation value of Class A Preferred Stock).

        4.6. Notation. A notation will be made in the appropriate transfer
             --------
records of the Company with respect to the restrictions on transfer of the
Securities referred to in this Agreement.

        4.7. Limitation on Repurchase of Company Stock. Each Investor
             -----------------------------------------
understands that concurrently with the issuance of the Shares, the Company is
entering into certain financing

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
agreements which will contain prohibitions, restrictions and limitations on the
ability of the Company to purchase any of the Shares and to pay dividends on the
Shares.

        4.8.  Reliance. Each Investor acknowledges that the Company and each of
              -------- 
the other Investors is entering into this Agreement in reliance upon such
Investor's representations and warranties and other covenants and agreements
contained herein.


                                   ARTICLE V

                      OTHER COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS
                      -----------------------------------

        5.1.  Observers' Rights. So long as Vectura or its Affiliates own at
              ----------------- 
least 5% of the Common Stock outstanding, if no employee of Vectura or its
Affiliates is a member of the Company's Board of Directors, Vectura shall have
the right to designate two observers (the "Observers") to attend meetings of the
                                           --------- 
Company's Board of Directors and committees thereof. If at least one employee of
Vectura or its Affiliates is a member of the Company's Board of Directors,
Vectura shall have the right to designate one Observer to attend meetings of the
Company's Board of Directors and committees thereof. The Observers shall not
have the right to vote on any matter presented to the Board of Directors or any
committee thereof. The Company shall give each Observer written notice of each
meeting of the Board of Directors and committees thereof at the same time and in
the same manner as the members of the Board of Directors or such committee
receive notice of such meetings, and the Company shall permit each Observer to
attend as an observer all meetings of its Board of Directors and committees
thereof. Each Observer shall be entitled to receive all written materials and
other information given to the directors in connection with such meetings at the
same time such materials and information are given to the directors, and each
Observer shall keep such materials and information confidential. If the Company
proposes to take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of its Board
of Directors or a committee thereof, the Company shall give written notice
thereof to each Observer prior to the effective date of such consent. The
Company shall provide to each Observer all written materials and other
information given to the directors in connection with such action by written
consent at the same time such materials and information are given to the
directors, and each Observer shall keep such materials and information
confidential. The Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
each Observer incurred in connection with attending such meetings.

        5.2.  Financial Statements and Other Information. So long as Vectura
              ------------------------------------------ 
owns any of the Securities, the Company shall deliver to Vectura:

              (a)  as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Company,
consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the end of
such period, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company
and its subsidiaries for the period then ended prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, except
as otherwise noted therein, and subject to the absence of footnotes and to year-
end adjustments; and

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
              (b)  as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated and consolidating
balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the end of such year,
and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the
Company and its subsidiaries for the year then ended prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, except
as otherwise noted therein, together with an auditor's report thereon of a firm
of established national reputation.

        5.3.  Regulatory Compliance Cooperation. So long as Vectura or its
              ---------------------------------    
Affiliates beneficially own any of the Securities, before the Company redeems,
purchases or otherwise acquires, directly or indirectly, or converts or takes
any action with respect to the voting rights of, any shares of any class of its
capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares
of any class of its capital stock, the Company shall give Vectura 30 days prior
written notice of such pending action. Upon the written request of Vectura made
within 30 days after its receipt of any such notice, stating that after giving
effect to such action Vectura would have a Regulatory Problem (as described
below), the Company will defer taking such action for such period (not to extend
beyond 90 days after Vectura's receipt of the Company's original notice) as
Vectura requests to permit it and its Affiliates to reduce the quantity of
Securities held by it and its Affiliates in order to avoid the Regulatory
Problem. In addition, the Company will not be a party to any merger,
consolidation, recapitalization or other transaction pursuant to which Vectura
would be required to take any voting securities, or any securities convertible
into voting securities, which might reasonably be expected to cause Vectura to
have a Regulatory Problem. For purposes of this paragraph, a Person will be
deemed to have a "Regulatory Problem" when such Person and such person's
                  ------------------
Affiliates own, control or have power over (or believes that there is a
substantial risk of an assertion that such Person owns, controls or has power
over) a greater quantity of securities of any kind issued by the Company than
are permitted to be owned by such Person under any requirement of any
governmental authority applicable to such Person.

        5.4.  Small Business Administration Forms.
              ----------------------------------- 

        Prior to and after the Effective Time of the Merger, the Company shall,
if requested by Vectura or any Permitted Transferee of Vectura, execute Forms
480 ("Size Status Declaration") and 652-D ("Assurance of Compliance") of the
      -----------------------               -----------------------     
Small Business Administration and any other documents that may be required by
the Small Business Administration or any other governmental agency having
jurisdiction over the activities of Vectura, or which Vectura or such Permitted
Transferee may reasonably require in connection therewith.

        5.5.  Sale of the Company.
              ------------------- 

              (a)  So long as the Company has not consummated a Public Offering,
if holders of at least 50% of the Common Stock (including voting and non-voting
shares voting as a single class) then outstanding vote in favor of (at a duly
called and duly held meeting of stockholders of the Company) or consent in
writing to the merger or consolidation of the Company or the sale of all or
substantially all of its assets or sale of all of the outstanding capital stock
or any other similar transaction (provided such holders include Vectura if it
owns at least 15% of the outstanding Common Stock) (any of the foregoing, an
"Approved Sale"), (i) each Restricted Investor will consent to, vote 
 -------------                                                               

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
for, and raise no objections against, and waive dissenters and appraisal rights
(if any) with respect to, the Approved Sale, (ii) if the Approved Sale includes
a sale of Securities, each Restricted Investor will agree to sell and will be
permitted to sell all of such Restricted Investor's Securities on the terms and
conditions approved by the holders of a majority of the Common Stock then
outstanding. Each Restricted Investor will take all necessary and desirable
actions in connection with the consummation of an Approved Sale.

              (b)  The obligations of each of the Investors with respect to an
Approved Sale are subject to the satisfaction of the conditions that upon the
consummation of the Approved Sale all of the Investors and Permitted Transferees
will receive the same form and amount of consideration per share of Common
Stock, or if any holder of Common Stock is given an option as to the form and
amount of consideration to be received, all Investors and Permitted Transferees
will be given the same option.

        5.6.  Tag-Along Rights.
              ---------------- 

              (a)  Except in the case of a Public Offering or a Transfer to a
Permitted Transferee, neither Vectura nor any Permitted Transferee that owns
more than 40% of the outstanding Common Stock will effect a Transfer of shares
of Common Stock in, or otherwise participate in, any transaction or series of
related transactions that constitute a "Significant Transfer" unless all other
Investors and their Permitted Transferees and assigns (collectively, the 
"Tag-Along Rightholders") are offered an equal opportunity (the "Tag-Along
 ----------------------                                          ---------
Right") to participate in such transaction or transactions on a pro rata basis
- -----
and on identical terms. As used herein, a "Significant Transfer" means a
                                           --------------------
Transfer alone or in the aggregate to any Person or Persons of 50% or more of
the total number of shares of Common Stock owned by Vectura or such Permitted
Transferee.

              (b)  Prior to any sale of Common Stock subject to these
provisions, the seller (the "Tag-Along Seller") shall notify the Company in
                             ----------------
writing of the proposed sale. Such notice (the "Tag-Along Sale Notice") shall
                                                ---------------------
set forth (i) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the proposed sale;
(ii) the name and address of the proposed purchaser; and (iii) the proposed
amount of consideration and terms and conditions of payment offered by such
proposed purchaser. The Company shall promptly, and in any event within ten
days, mail or cause to be mailed the Tag-Along Sale Notice to the Tag-Along
Rightholders. Each Tag-Along Rightholder may exercise the Tag-Along Right by
delivery of a written notice (the "Tag-Along Acceptance Notice") to the Tag-
                                   --------------------------- 
Along Seller within ten days of the date the Company mailed or caused to be
mailed the Tag-Along Sale Notice. The Tag-Along Acceptance Notice shall state
the number of shares of Common Stock that the Tag-Along Rightholder proposes to
include in the proposed sale. If no Tag-Along Acceptance Notice is received
during the ten-day period referred to above, Tag-Along Seller shall have the
right for a 120-day period to effect the proposed sale of shares of Common Stock
on terms and conditions no more favorable to the transferee than those stated in
the Tag-Along Sale Notice.


              (c)  Each Tag-Along Rightholder other than Vectura acknowledges
and agrees that Vectura or a Permitted Transferee of Vectura may grant similar
"tag-along" rights to other Persons and, in such event, such other Persons shall
be offered an equal opportunity to 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
participate in such transaction or transactions to the same extent as such Tag-
Along Rightholders hereunder and shall be included in the calculation of the pro
rata basis upon which such Tag-Along Rightholders may participate in such
transaction or transactions.

              (d)  (i) Notwithstanding the requirements of this Section 5.6, a
Tag-Along Seller may sell Common Stock at any time without complying with the
requirements of Section 5.6(b) so long as the Tag-Along Seller deposits into
escrow with an independent third party at the time of sale that amount of
consideration received in the sale equal to the "Escrow Amount." As used herein,
the "Escrow Amount" shall equal that amount of consideration as all Tag-Along
     -------------
Rightholders would have been entitled to receive if they had the opportunity to
participate in the sale on a pro rata basis, determined as if each Tag-Along
Rightholder (A) delivered a Tag-Along Notice to the Tag-Along Seller in the time
period set forth in Section 5.6(b) and (B) proposed to include all of his, her
or its shares of Common Stock in such sale.
 

                   (ii) The Tag-Along Seller shall notify the Company in writing
of the proposed sale pursuant to this Section 5.6(d) no later than the date of
such sale. Such notice (the "Escrow Notice") shall set forth the information
                             -------------
required in the Tag-Along Sale Notice, and in addition, such notice shall state
the name of the escrow agent and, if the consideration (in whole or in part) for
the sale was cash, then the account number of the escrow account. The Company
shall promptly, and in any event within ten days, mail or cause to be mailed the
Escrow Notice to each Tag-Along Rightholder. Such Tag-Along Rightholder may
exercise the tag-along right by delivery to the Tag-Along Seller, within ten
days of the date the Company mailed or caused to be mailed the Escrow Notice, of
(A) a written notice specifying the number of shares of Common Stock it proposes
to sell; and (B) the certificates for such Common Stock, with stock powers duly
endorsed in blank and with signatures guaranteed.

                   (iii)  Promptly after the expiration of the tenth day after
the Company has mailed or caused to be mailed the Escrow Notice, (A) the Tag-
Along Seller shall purchase that number of shares of Common Stock as the Tag-
Along Seller would have been required to include in the sale had the Tag-Along
Seller complied with the provisions of Section 5.6(b), (B) all shares of Common
Stock not required to be purchased by the Tag-Along Seller shall be returned to
the Tag-Along Rightholders thereof and (C) all funds and other consideration
held in escrow shall be released to the Tag-Along Seller. If the Tag-Along
Seller received consideration other than cash in his, her or its sale, the Tag-
Along Seller shall purchase the shares of Common Stock tendered by paying to the
Tag-Along Rightholders non-cash consideration and cash in the same proportion as
received by the Tag-Along Seller in the sale.

              (e)  The Tag-Along Rights provided pursuant to this Section 5.6
shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) a Public Offering or sale of the
Company; and (ii) the day after the date on which Vectura and its permitted
Transferees that are not natural persons own less than 40% of the Common Stock.
In addition, the rights of the Management Investors under this Section 5.6 shall
terminate on the date on which the Management Investors and their Permitted
Transferees own less than 50% of the shares of Common Stock purchased or
retained by the Management Investors hereunder.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
        5.7.  Preemptive Rights
              -----------------

              (a)  If the Company proposes to issue and sell any of its shares
of Common Stock or any securities containing options or rights to acquire any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible or exchangeable into shares
of Common Stock to Vectura, 399 Venture Partners Inc. or any of their respective
Affiliates, the Company will first offer to each of the other Investors a
portion of the number or amount of such securities proposed to be sold in any
such transaction or series of related transactions equal to the product of (i)
the percentage each such Investor and such Investor's Permitted Transferees
holds of all shares of Common Stock then held by the Investors and (ii) the
number of shares represented by the securities proposed to be issued and sold by
the Company in any such transaction or series of related transactions, all for
the same price and upon the same terms and conditions as the securities that are
being offered to Vectura, Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. and their respective
Affiliates in such transaction or series of transactions.

              (b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section
5.7 shall not be applicable to the issuance of shares of Common Stock (i) upon
the conversion of shares of one class of Common Stock into shares of another
class; (ii) as a dividend on all the outstanding shares of Common Stock; (iii)
in any transaction in respect of a Security that is available to all holders of
such Security on a pro rata basis, provided, that for purposes of this clause
(iii) all classes of Common Stock shall be treated as a single security; (iv) in
connection with grants of stock or options to employees or directors of the
Company; or (v) in an offering or sale of securities pursuant to a registration
statement filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

              (c)  The Company will deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Investors a written notice setting forth the terms and conditions (including the
consideration per share) upon which the Investors may purchase such shares or
other securities (the "Preemptive Notice"). After receiving a Preemptive Notice,
                       -----------------  
an Investor must deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company a written
notice (the "Preemptive Reply") within 45 days of the date of such Preemptive
             ----------------
Notice that such Investor agrees to purchase the shares or other securities
offered pursuant to this Section 5.7 on the date of sale to Vectura, 399 Venture
Partners Inc. and their respective Affiliates. If any Investor fails to make a
Preemptive Reply in accordance with this Section 5.7, shares or other securities
offered to such Investor in accordance with this Section 5.7 may thereafter, for
a period not exceeding six months following the expiration of such 45-day
period, be issued, sold or subjected to rights or options to Vectura, Citicorp
Venture Capital Ltd. and their respective Affiliates at a price not less than
that at which they were offered to the Investors and on such other terms and
conditions no more favorable than those offered to the Investors. Any such
shares or other securities not so issued, sold or subjected to rights or options
to Vectura, Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. and their respective Affiliates during
such six-month period will thereafter again be subject to the preemptive rights
provided for in this Section 5.7.

        5.8.  Covenant Not To Compete.
              ----------------------- 

              (a)  In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the
equity offering of the Company, each Management Investor covenants and agrees
that, for one (1) year 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
after termination of such Management Investor's employment with the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, neither Management Investor nor any of his or her
Affiliates shall engage, directly or indirectly, in lines of business similar to
the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries anywhere in the world.
Each Management Investor and the Company agrees that the foregoing covenant is
intended to prohibit each Management Investor from engaging in such activities,
as the case may be, as owner, creditor (except as a trade creditor in the
ordinary course of business), partner, stockholder, lender, officer, director,
manager, employee, contractor or agent for any person, firm or corporation
(except (i) with respect to the Company or (ii) as a holder of equity or debt
securities in a corporation which has a class of securities that is publicly
traded on a stock exchange or the recognized over-the-counter market, and then
only to the extent of owning not more than two percent (2%) of the issued and
outstanding debt or equity securities of such corporation).

              (b)  Each Management Investor acknowledges and agrees that the
remedy at law for any breach, or threatened breach, of any of the provisions of
this Section 5.8 will be inadequate and, accordingly, each Management Investor
covenants and agrees that the Company shall, in addition to any other rights and
remedies which the Company may have, be entitled to equitable relief, including
injunctive relief, and to the remedy of specific performance with respect to any
breach or threatened breach of such covenant, as may be available from any court
of competent jurisdiction. Such right to obtain equitable relief may be
exercised, at the option of the Company, concurrently with, prior to, after, or
in lieu of, the exercise of any other rights or remedies which the Company may
have as a result of any such breach or threatened breach.

              (c)  In the event that the provisions of this Section 5.8 shall be
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable under
applicable law as to that jurisdiction (the parties agreeing that such decision
shall not be binding, res judicata or collateral estoppel in any other
jurisdiction) for any reason whatsoever, then any such provision or provisions
shall not be deemed void, but the parties hereto agree that said limits may be
modified by the court and that said covenant contained in this Section 5.8 shall
be amended in accordance with said modifications, it being specifically agreed
by each Management Investor and the Company that it is their continuing desire
that this covenant be enforced to the full extent of its terms and conditions or
if a court finds the scope of the covenant unenforceable, the court should
redefine the covenant so as to comply with applicable law.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI


                               CORPORATE ACTIONS
                               -----------------

        6.1.  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Each Investor has
              ---------------------------------------  
reviewed the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the
Restated Bylaws of the Company in the forms attached hereto as Exhibits A and B,
respectively, and hereby approves and ratifies the same.

        6.2.  Directors and Voting Agreements. Each Investor shall take, at any
              -------------------------------
time and from time to time, all action necessary (including, without limitation,
voting the Class A Common Stock owned by him, her or it, calling special
meetings of stockholders and executing and delivering written consents) to
ensure that the Board of Directors of the Company is composed at all times of up
to five persons, determined as follows: (i) the chief executive officer of the
Company; (ii) one individual designated by Vectura; (iii) up to two independent
directors, who shall be designated by Vectura (to the extent permitted by
applicable law as determined by Vectura in its sole discretion), subject to the
right of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock (including any shares of Class A Common Stock held by Vectura) to veto the
election of any such independent director, provided that in the event that
Vectura concludes that it is unable to designate, or elects not to designate for
any reason, one or more of such independent directors or the election of any
such independent director is not approved by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, such directorship(s) shall not be
filled by the remaining members of the Company's Board of Directors but shall
remain vacant until the election of a director designated by Vectura to fill
such vacancy in accordance with this Section 6.2; and (iv) at all times, but
only at such times, when the Board of Directors of the Company includes two
independent directors determined in accordance with clause (iii) of this Section
6.2, one additional individual designated by Vectura, and provided that,
notwithstanding clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 6.2, if Vectura at any
time owns of record in excess of 50% of the Class A Common Stock then
outstanding, then the Board of Directors of the Company shall consist of the
chief executive officer of the Company and up to four individuals designated by
Vectura in its sole discretion. The initial directors named pursuant to this
Section 6.2 shall be Douglas B. Mackie; Michael A. Delaney and David Wagstaff
III.

        6.3.  Right to Remove Vectura Directors. Vectura may request that any
              ---------------------------------
director designated by Vectura pursuant to clause (ii) or (iv) of Section 6.2 be
removed (with or without cause) by written notice to the other Investors, and,
in any such event, each Investor shall promptly consent in writing or vote or
cause to be voted all shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon now or
hereafter owned or controlled by it for the removal of such Vectura Director as
a director. In the event any person ceases to be a director, such person shall
also cease to be a member of any committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company.

        6.4.  Right to Fill Certain Vacancies in Company's Board. In the event
              --------------------------------------------------
that a vacancy is created on the Company's Board of Directors at any time by the
death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal (with or without cause) of
a Vectura Director, or if otherwise there shall exist or occur any vacancy on
the Company's Board of Directors in a directorship subject to designation by
Vectura, such vacancy shall not be filled by the remaining members of the
Company's 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Board of Directors but each Investor hereby agrees promptly to consent in
writing or vote or cause to be voted all shares of Common Stock entitled to vote
thereon now or hereafter owned or controlled by it to elect that individual
designated to fill such vacancy and serve as a director, as shall be designated
by Vectura, which individual shall thereafter be a Vectura Director.

        6.5.  Directors of Company Subsidiaries. The Company shall take, and
              --------------------------------- 
each of the Investors agrees that he or it shall cause the Company to take, at
any time and from time to time, all action necessary (including voting all
shares of common stock of any Subsidiary of the Company, calling special
meetings of stockholders and executing and delivering written consents) to
ensure that the Boards of Directors of all Subsidiaries of the Company (except
NATCO Limited Partnership and North American Trailing Company) are identical to
the Board of Directors of the Company.

        6.6.  Termination of Voting Agreements. The voting agreements in
              --------------------------------
Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the date
the Company consummates a Public Offering (if requested by the underwriter with
respect to such offering) and (ii) the date when Vectura and its Permitted
Transferees and their respective Affiliates no longer own at least 15% of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock.

                                  ARTICLE VII


                    ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF
                    SECURITIES HELD BY MANAGEMENT INVESTORS
                    ---------------------------------------

        7.1.  Restrictions on Transfer. In addition to any restrictions on
              ------------------------
Transfer imposed by Section 4.5, no Management Investor shall effect a Transfer
of any Securities (other than a Transfer to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to
Sections 4.5(b)(i) or 4.5(b)(ii)) without the consent of the Company, as
evidenced by a resolution duly adopted by at least a majority of the Board of
Directors. In the event of such a Transfer to a Permitted Transferee, for
purposes of determining the applicability of the Purchase Option of the Company
described in Section 7.2 herein and, if applicable, the amount of the Option
Purchase Price for Incentive Shares purchased under such Purchase Option,
reference shall be made to the Termination Date of the Management Investor who
first owned the Incentive Shares transferred in such Transfer. In exercising the
consent and approval described in the first sentence of this Section 7.1, the
Company may employ its sole discretion in evaluating the nature of the proposed
transferee and the Company may impose such conditions on Transfer as it deems
appropriate in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, requirements
that the transferee be an employee of the Company and that the transferee
purchase the Management Investor's Securities as a "Management Investor" subject
to the restrictions of this Article VII. Any purported Transfer in violation of
this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force and effect and the
purported transferees shall have no rights or privileges in or with respect to
the Company.

        7.2.  Purchase Option.
              ----------------

              (a)  General Terms. In the event that on or prior to the fifth
                   -------------
anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger, any Management Investor shall
cease to be employed by the

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Company for any reason (including, but not limited to, death, temporary or
permanent disability, retirement at age 65 or more under the Company's normal
retirement policies, resignation or termination by the Company with or without
Cause), such Management Investor (or such Management Investor's heirs,
executors, administrators, transferees, successors or assigns) shall give prompt
notice to the Company of such termination (except in the case of termination by
the Company with or without Cause), and the Company, or one or more designee(s)
selected by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, shall have the
right and option at any time within 90 days after the later of the effective
date of such termination of employment (the "Termination Date") or the date of
                                             ----------------
the Company's receipt of the aforesaid notice, to purchase from such Management
Investor, or such Management Investor's heirs, executors, administrators,
transferees, successors or assigns, as the case may be, any or all of the
Incentive Shares then owned by such Management Investor and such Management
Investor's Permitted Transferees at a purchase price equal to the Option
Purchase Price. The Company or its designee(s) shall give notice to the
terminated Management Investor (or such Management Investor's heirs, executors,
administrators, transferees, successors or assigns) of its intention to purchase
Incentive Shares at any time not later than 90 days after the Termination Date.
(The right of the Company and its designee(s) set forth in this Section 7.2 to
purchase a terminated Management Investor's Incentive Shares is hereinafter
referred to as the "Purchase Option"). As a condition to purchasing a Management
                    ---------------
Investor's Incentive Shares pursuant to this Section 7.2, any designee(s)
selected by the Board of Directors must agree in writing to assume the Company's
obligations under Section 7.2(a)(iii). A designee's agreement to assume such
obligations will relieve the Company of its obligations under Section
7.2(a)(iii) with regard to the particular terminated Management Investor and
such Management Investor shall thereafter have no recourse against the Company
under Section 7.2(a)(iii).

                   (i)  Exercise of Purchase Option. The Purchase Option shall
                        ---------------------------
be exercised by written notice to the terminated Management Investor (or such
Management Investor's heirs, executors, administrators, transferees, successors
or assigns) signed by an officer of the Company on behalf of the Company or by
its designee(s), as the case may be. Such notice shall set forth the number of
Incentive Shares desired to be purchased and shall set forth a time and place of
closing which shall be no earlier than ten days and no later than 60 days after
the date such notice is sent. At such closing, the seller shall deliver the
certificates evidencing the number of Incentive Shares to be purchased by the
Company and/or its designee(s), accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in
blank or duly executed instruments of transfer, and any other documents that are
necessary to transfer to the Company and/or its designee(s) good title to such
of the Incentive Shares to be transferred, free and clear of all pledges,
security interests, liens, charges, encumbrances, equities, claims and options
of whatever nature other than those imposed under this Agreement, and
concurrently with such delivery, the Company and/or its designee(s) shall
deliver to the seller the full amount of the Option Purchase Price for such
Incentive Shares in cash or by certified or bank cashier's check.

                   (ii) Option Purchase Price. (A) If the Management Investor
                        ---------------------
shall be terminated by the Company without Cause or shall cease to be employed
by the Company by reason of death, normal retirement at age 65 or more under the
Company's normal retirement policies, or temporary or permanent disability, the
"Option Purchase Price" for the Incentive
 ---------------------

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Shares to be purchased from such Management Investor or such Management
Investor's Permitted Transferees pursuant to the Purchase Option (such number of
Incentive Shares being the "Purchase Number") shall equal the price calculated
                            --------------- 
as set forth in the table below opposite the applicable Termination Date of such
Management Investor:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If the Termination Date Occurs:                                 Option Purchase Price             
- -------------------------------                                 ---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>  
On or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective           Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by the     
Time of the Merger                                              Purchase Number                
                                                                                                  
After the first anniversary of the Effective Time of            Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by 80% of the    
the Merger, and on or prior to the second                       Purchase Number, plus Adjusted Book    
anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger                 Value Price multiplied by 20% of the      
                                                                Purchase Number                
                                                                                                  
After the second anniversary of the Effective Time              Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by 60% of the    
of the Merger, and on or prior to the third                     Purchase Number, plus Adjusted Book    
anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger                 Value Price multiplied by 40% of the      
                                                                Purchase Number                
                                                                                                  
After the third anniversary of the Effective Time of            Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by 40% of the    
the Merger, and on or prior to the fourth                       Purchase Number, plus Adjusted Book    
anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger                 Value Price multiplied by 60% of the      
                                                                Purchase Number                
                                                                                                  
After the fourth anniversary of the Effective Time              Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by 20% of the    
of the Merger, and on or prior to the fifth                     Purchase Number, plus Adjusted Book    
anniversary of the Effective Time of the Merger                 Value Price multiplied by 80% of the      
                                                                Purchase Number                 
</TABLE> 


                   (B)  If the Management Investor shall cease to be employed by
the Company for any reason other than those set forth in clause (A) of this
Section 7.2(a)(ii) (including, but not limited to, as the result of voluntary
resignation or termination for Cause), the Option Purchase Price for all
Incentive Shares to be purchased from the Management Investor (and such
Management Investor's Permitted Transferees) pursuant to the Purchase Option
shall equal the Adjusted Cost Price multiplied by the Purchase Number.

                   (C)  As used herein:

                        (1)  "Adjusted Cost Price" for each Incentive Share
                              ------------------- 
means One Dollar ($1.00), which represents the Management Investor's original
cost per share; and

                        (2)  "Adjusted Book Value Price" for each Incentive
                              -------------------------
Share means the greater of (i) the Adjusted Cost Price or (ii) the consolidated
net worth of the 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Company per share of Common Stock (adjusted to reflect the pro forma exercise in
full of any dilutive securities, regardless of whether such securities are
exercisable at the time or would otherwise satisfy any requirements under
generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the determination of
"dilutive securities") as reflected in the Company's consolidated financial
statements as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the
Termination Date; provided, however, that in reflecting the pro forma exercise
of dilutive securities no amount shall be added to the consolidated net worth of
the Company on account of the assumed exercise of dilutive securities that is in
excess, on a per share basis, of the consolidated net worth per share of the
Company calculated without regard to the exercise of any dilutive securities;
and provided, further, that if any of the Common Stock is traded on a national
securities exchange or reported on the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System, then the "Adjusted Book Value Price"
shall equal for each Incentive Share the closing price per share of Common Stock
on such exchange or as so reported on the Management Investor's Termination
Date.

                   (iii)  Adjustments to Option Purchase Price. If the Company
                          ------------------------------------
or its designee exercises the Purchase Option with respect to any or all of the
Incentive Shares of any Management Investor whose employment with the Company
was terminated by the Company without Cause (the "Called Shares"), and if within
                                                  -------------
six months after the closing pursuant to such exercise of the Purchase Option by
the Company or its designee:

                   (A)    the Company is merged into, consolidated with or
otherwise combined with or acquired by another Person, or there is a liquidation
of the Company, or there is a Public Offering (a "Subsequent Offering") of the
                                                  ------------------- 
Company's Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act in which other Management Investors participate as selling
stockholders (other than (1) a registration statement on Form S-8 or any
successor forms or any other registration statement relating to a special
offering to the Company's employees or (2) a registration statement relating to
a Unit Offering); and

                   (B)    the per share consideration received by the
stockholders of the Company in such transaction, or the per share net proceeds
received for the Company's Common Stock in the Subsequent Offering, as the case
may be (in each case after being adjusted downward to reflect what the per share
consideration or per share net offering proceeds, as the case may be, would have
been had the Common Stock of such terminated Management Investor purchased by
the Company or its designee pursuant to the Purchase Option been outstanding on
the date of the closing of such transaction or Subsequent Offering), exceeds the
Adjusted Book Value Price used in calculating the Option Purchase Price pursuant
to the exercise of the Purchase Option,

then such Management Investor shall be entitled to receive from the Company or
its designee an amount per Called Share equal to such excess multiplied by the
applicable Adjusted Book Value Price Percentage within 30 days after the closing
of any such transaction or Subsequent Offering. "Adjusted Book Value Price
                                                 -------------------------
Percentage" means 20% multiplied by the number of full years elapsed between the
- ----------                                                                      
Effective Time of the Merger and the Termination Date for such Management
Investor.

        7.3.  Company's Right of First Refusal. If a Management Investor or his
              --------------------------------
or her 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
Permitted Transferees proposes to sell any or all of such Management Investor's
or Permitted Transferee's Securities to a third party in a bona fide
transaction, and provided such transaction is permitted under any applicable
restrictions set forth in Sections 4.5 and 7.1 herein, the Management Investor,
or his Permitted Transferees, may not Transfer such Securities without first
offering to sell such Securities to the Company pursuant to this Section 7.3.

          The Management Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, shall deliver a
written notice (a "Sale Notice") to the Company describing in reasonable detail
                   -----------                                                 
the Securities being offered, the name of the offeree, the purchase price
requested and all other material terms of the proposed Transfer. Upon receipt of
the Sale Notice, the Company, or a designee selected by a majority of the
directors appointed by Vectura pursuant to Section 6.2, shall have the right and
option to purchase all or any portion of the Securities being offered at the
price and on the terms of the proposed Transfer set forth in the Sale Notice.
Within 30 days after receipt of the Sale Notice, the Company shall notify such
Management Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, whether or not it wishes to
purchase any or all of the offered Securities.

          If the Company elects to purchase any of the offered Securities, the
closing of the purchase and sale of such Securities shall be held at the place
and on the date established by the Company in its notice to the Management
Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, in response to the Sale Notice, which in
no event shall be less than ten or more than 60 days from the date of such
notice. In the event that the Company does not elect to purchase all the offered
Securities, the Management Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, may, subject
to the other provisions of this Agreement, Transfer the remaining offered
Securities to the offeree specified in the Sale Notice at a price no less than
the price specified in the Sale Notice and on other terms no more favorable to
the transferee(s) thereof than specified in the Sale Notice during the 180-day
period immediately following the last date on which the Company could have
elected to purchase the offered Securities. Any such Securities not transferred
within such 180-day period will be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.3
upon subsequent Transfer.

          7.4.  Involuntary Transfers. In the event that Securities owned by any
                ---------------------                                           
Management Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, shall be subject to sale or
other Transfer (the date of such sale or Transfer shall hereinafter be referred
to as the "Transfer Date") by reason of (i) bankruptcy or insolvency
           -------------                                            
proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, or (ii) distraint, levy,
execution or other involuntary Transfer, then such Management Investor, or his
Permitted Transferees, shall give the Company written notice thereof promptly
upon the occurrence of such event stating the terms of such proposed Transfer,
the identity of the proposed transferee, the price or other consideration, if
readily determinable, for which the Securities are proposed to be transferred,
and the number of shares of Common Stock to be transferred. After its receipt of
such notice or, failing such receipt, after the Company otherwise obtains actual
knowledge of such a proposed Transfer, the Company, or a designee selected by a
majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company,
shall have the right and option to purchase all, but, not less than all of such
Securities which right shall be exercised by written notice given by the Company
to such proposed transferor within 60 days following the Company's receipt of
such notice or, failing such receipt, the Company's obtaining actual knowledge
of such proposed Transfer. Any purchase pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be at
the price and on the terms applicable to such proposed transfer. If the nature
of the event giving rise to such involuntary 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Transfer is such that no readily determinable consideration is to be paid for
the Transfer of the Securities, the price to be paid by the Company shall be the
Option Purchase Price that would have been applicable hereunder had the
Management Investor incurred a Termination Date as of the date of such proposed
Transfer of the Securities and such Securities had been Incentive Shares. The
closing of the purchase and sale of Securities shall be held at the place and
the date to be established by the Company, which in no event shall be less than
ten or more than 60 days from the date on which the Company gives notice of its
election to purchase the Securities. At such closing, the Management Investor,
or his Permitted Transferees, shall deliver the certificates evidencing the
number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Company, accompanied by
stock powers duly endorsed in blank or duly executed instruments of transfer,
and any other documents that are necessary to transfer to the Company good title
to such of the securities to be transferred, free and clear of all pledges,
security interests, liens, charges, encumbrances, equities, claims and options
of whatever nature other than those imposed under this Agreement, and
concurrently with such delivery, the Company shall deliver to the Management
Investor, or his Permitted Transferees, the full amount of the purchase price
for such Securities in cash by certified or bank cashier's check.

        7.5.  Lapse. The provisions of Sections 7.1 and 7.3, insofar as they
              -----
relate to Securities other than Incentive Shares, and Section 7.4, shall
terminate (i) immediately after consummation of an Approved Sale or (ii) upon
the consummation of a Public Offering.

                                 ARTICLE VIII


                              REGISTRATION RIGHTS
                              -------------------

        The Investors shall have registration rights with respect to the Shares
as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement among the parties hereto and
dated as of the date hereof, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C
(the "Registration Rights Agreement"). Each of the Investors agree not to effect
      -----------------------------
any public sale or distribution of any securities of the Company during the
periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, except as permitted by
the Registration Rights Agreement, and each such Investor agrees to be bound by
the rights of priority to participate in offerings as set forth therein.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

        9.1.  Purchaser Representative. If the Company or any Investor enters
              ------------------------
into any negotiation or transaction for which Rule 506 (or any similar rule then
in effect) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction
(including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), each Management
Investor will, at the request of the Company, appoint a purchaser representative
(as such term is defined in Rule 501(h) promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to the
Company. If any Management Investor appoints the purchaser representative
designated by the Company, the Company will pay the fees of such purchaser
representative, but if any Management Investor 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
declines to appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Company such
Management Investor will appoint another purchaser representative (reasonably
acceptable to the Company), and such Management Investor will be responsible for
the fees of the purchaser representative so appointed.

        9.2.  Section 83(b) Elections. Each Management Investor shall make the
              -----------------------
election (the "83(b) Election") to include in such Management Investor's income,
               --------------
in the year such Management Investor receives the Incentive Shares, the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of the Incentive Shares on the date such shares
are acquired (determined without regard to restrictions which lapse) over One
Dollar ($1.00), the price deemed paid per Incentive Share, pursuant to Section
83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in the manner and within
the time period specified by the regulations promulgated thereunder. EACH
MANAGEMENT INVESTOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (1) HE ALONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING
WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, BY THE APPLICABLE DEADLINE, ALL APPLICABLE
FORMS REQUIRED TO EFFECT THE 83(B) ELECTION, (2) NO EXTENSION OF THE 83(B)
ELECTION DEADLINE WILL BE AVAILABLE UNDER LAW AND (3) ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES
MAY RESULT TO SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR IF THE 83(B) ELECTION IS NOT TIMELY MADE.

        9.3.  Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended or
              --------------------------
modified, or any provision hereof may be waived, provided that such amendment,
modification or waiver is set forth in a writing executed by (i) the Company,
(ii) Vectura (so long as Vectura and its Permitted Transferees own in the
aggregate at least 15% of the outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis)
and (iii) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock on a fully
diluted basis (including Shares owned by Vectura and its Affiliates) held by the
Investors; provided, however that without the approval of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock then held by Management Investors, (A)
the provisions of this Agreement cannot be amended to treat Management Investors
differently than the other Investors and (B) the provisions of Sections 5.6,
5.7, 6.2, 9.3 and Article VII of this Agreement may not be amended or modified
to the detriment of Management Investors. No course of dealing between or among
any Persons having any interest in this Agreement will be deemed effective to
modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or
obligations of any Person under or by reason of this Agreement.

        9.4.  Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations,
              ------------------------------------------
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement will survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Effective Time of the Merger,
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Merger
Agreement, regardless of any investigation made by an Investor or on its behalf.

        9.5.  Successors and Assigns; Entire Agreement. This Agreement and all
              ---------------------------------------- 
of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and
executors, administrators and heirs. This Agreement, together with the
Registration Rights Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
among the parties as to the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes all
prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among
them.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
        9.6.  Separability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or
              ------------
the application of any provision hereof is declared to be illegal, invalid or
otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of
this Agreement shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to delete
such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision unless that provision held
invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of
this Agreement.

        9.7.  Notices. All notices provided for or permitted hereunder shall be
              -------
made in writing by hand delivery, registered or certified first-class mail,
telecopier or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery to the other party at
the following addresses (or at such other address as shall be given in writing
by any party to the others):

               If to the Company to:

                    Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
                    2122 York Road
                    Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
                    Telecopy number: (630) 574-2981
                    Attention: Bruce J. Biemeck

                    with required copies to:

                    399 Venture Partners, Inc.
                    399 Park Avenue
                    Sixth Floor
                    New York, New York 10043
                    Telecopy number: (212) 888-2940
                    Attention: Michael A. Delaney

                    and

                    Dechert Price & Rhoads
                    4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
                    1717 Arch Street
                    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                    Telecopy number: (215) 994-2222
                    Attention: G. Daniel O'Donnell

               If to Vectura to:

                    Vectura Holding Company LLC
                    1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1500
                    New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
                    Telecopy number: (504) 529-8468
                    Attention: David Wasgstaff III

                    with a required copy to:

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                    Dechert Price & Rhoads
                    4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
                    1717 Arch Street
                    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                    Telecopy number: (215) 994-2222
                    Attention: G. Daniel O'Donnell

          If to the Management Investors or any of them, to their addresses as
listed in the books of the Company.

          All such notices shall be deemed to have been duly given: when
delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery.

          9.8.  Governing Law. The validity, performance, construction and
                -------------
effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal law of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts
of law.

          9.9.  Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties to this Agreement
                -------------------- 
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to trial by jury of
any claim, demand, action or cause of action (i) arising under this Agreement or
(ii) in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the
parties hereto in respect of this Agreement or any of the transactions related
hereto, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether in
contract, tort, equity or otherwise. Each of the parties to this Agreement
agrees and consents that any such claim, demand, action or cause of action shall
be decided by court trial without a jury and that the parties to this Agreement
may file an original counterpart of a copy of this Agreement with any court as
written evidence of the consent of the parties hereto to the waiver of the right
to trial by jury.

          9.10.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MANAGEMENT INVESTORS. EACH MANAGEMENT
                 --------------------------------------
INVESTOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE IS A SOPHISTICATED BUSINESSPERSON WHO WAS
ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL DURING NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PROVISIONS RESTRICTING THE
TRANSFER OF SECURITIES BY MANAGEMENT INVESTORS SET FORTH IN SECTION 4.5 AND
ARTICLE VII, AND SPECIFICALLY SECTION 7.2, WHICH SETS FORTH THE COMPANY'S
PURCHASE OPTION WITH RESPECT TO INCENTIVE SHARES. EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY PROPERTY RIGHT THAT HE HAS IN INCENTIVE SHARES IS SUBJECT
IN ALL RESPECTS TO THE COMPANY'S PRIOR RIGHT TO REPURCHASE SUCH INCENTIVE SHARES
AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE VII. EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
IF THE COMPANY EXERCISES ITS PURCHASE OPTION SUCH MANAGEMENT INVESTOR'S
INCENTIVE SHARES COULD BE PURCHASED BY THE COMPANY AT A PRICE THAT IS LESS THAN
THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF SUCH SECURITIES AT THE TIME OF SUCH EXERCISE.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
        9.11.  Tax Payment Obligation. The Company acknowledges and affirms in
               ----------------------
this Agreement its obligation, pursuant to an Option Exercise and Stock Sale
Agreement among the Company, Vectura and the Management Investors, and pursuant
to this Section 9.11 of this Agreement, to make payments to or on behalf of
certain Management Investors in amounts sufficient to cover certain taxes of the
Management Investors as a result of certain income received upon the exercise of
options to purchase the Company's previously issued common stock.

        9.12.  No Effect on Employment. Nothing herein contained shall confer on
               -----------------------
any Management Investor the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

        9.13.  Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
               --------
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they
affect its meaning, construction or effect.

        9.14.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
               ------------
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

        9.15.  Further Assurances. Each party shall cooperate and take such
               ------------------
action as may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

        9.16.  Termination. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with its
               -----------
terms, this Agreement shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective
Time of the Merger.

        9.17.  Remedies. In the event of a breach or a threatened breach by any
               --------
party to this Agreement of its obligations under this Agreement, any party
injured or to be injured by such breach, in addition to being entitled to
exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The parties
agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable,
it being agreed by the parties that the remedy at law, including monetary
damages, for breach of such provision will be inadequate compensation for any
loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy
at law would be adequate is waived.

        9.18.  Party No Longer Owning Securities. If a party hereto ceases to
               ---------------------------------
own any Securities, such party will no longer be deemed to be an Investor or
Management Investor for purposes of this Agreement.

        Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein
        --------                                                            
shall be deemed also to include the corresponding neuter, masculine or feminine
forms.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


                         GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION


                         By:   /s/ Bruce J. Biemeck
                            -----------------------------------------
                            Name:  Bruce J. Biemeck
                            Title: Sr. Vice President


                         VECTURA HOLDING COMPANY LLC

                         By:   /s/ Michael A. Delaney
                            -----------------------------------------
                            Name:  Michael A. Delaney
                            Title: Vice President & Assistant Secretary


                         MANAGEMENT INVESTOR


                         -----------------------------------------
                         Name:
                         Title:

                         Social Security Number:

                         Residence Address:



                         Residence Telephone:

                         Business Address:



                         Business Telephone:

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 1
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                            CONTINUING MANAGEMENT INVESTOR
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                         <C>                     <C>         
                               Number of Shares          Number of
         Name of                  of Class A          Shares of Class          Number of Shares
   Management Investor           Common Stock            A Common                of Series A
                                (non-Incentive            Stock                 Preferred Stock
                                    Shares)             (Incentive
                                                          Shares)
- -------------------------    -------------------    -----------------         -------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION


<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                                RESTATED BYLAWS
                                      OF
                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION


<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT



<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.08

                                                                  Execution Copy

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated August
                                                      --------- 
19, 1998, by and among GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), VECTURA HOLDING COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited
             ------------
liability company ("Vectura"), the individuals identified on the signature pages
                    -------
of this Agreement as Management Investors, the individuals who join in the
Stockholders' Agreement and this Agreement as Management Investors
(collectively, the "Management Investors") and other Persons who may from time
                    --------------------
to time become parties to this Agreement. Vectura and the Management Investors
are sometimes referred to hereinafter individually as an "Investor" and
                                                          --------
collectively as the "Investors."
                     ---------

                                  Background
                                  ----------

                  The Company, Vectura and the Management Investors are parties
to, and this Agreement is made pursuant to, the Stockholders' Agreement. In
order to induce the Investors to enter into the Stockholders' Agreement, the
Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement.
                                      Terms
                                      -----

                  In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                  1.  Definitions
                      -----------   

                  As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms
shall have the following meanings:

                  "Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the 
                   ---------
Rules promulgated  under the Exchange Act.

                  "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                   ----------

                  "Common Stock" means the Class A Common Stock, par value $.01
                   ------------ 
per share, of the Company and any capital stock of the Company issued or
issuable with respect to such common stock by way of or in connection with any
stock dividend or distribution payable thereon or stock split, reverse stock
split, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, exchange, subdivision
or combination thereof.

                  "Company Registrable Securities" has the meaning set forth in
                   ------------------------------ 
Section 4(b) of this Agreement.

                  "Damages" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) of this
                   -------
Agreement.

                  "Demand Registration" and "Demand Registration Requests" have
                   -------------------       ----------------------------
the meanings set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                   ------------
amended from time to time.

                  "Incidental Registration" has the meaning set forth in Section
                   -----------------------
2(a) of this Agreement.

                  "Inspector" and "Inspectors" have the meanings set forth in
                   ---------       ---------- 
Section 4(j) of this Agreement.

                  "Other Registrable Securities" means (i) any shares of Common
                   ----------------------------  
Stock issued or issuable to or otherwise acquired by the Management Investors on
or after the date hereof and (ii) any shares of capital stock of the Company
issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i)
above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization, provided, however, that Incentive Shares (as defined in the
Stockholders' Agreement) of Common Stock issued to Management Investors (and any
shares of capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to such
Incentive Shares by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with
a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization) shall be deemed to be Other Registrable Securities only to the
extent that such shares are subject to the Company's Purchase Option (as defined
in the Stockholders' Agreement) at the Adjusted Book Value Price (as defined in
the Stockholders' Agreement). For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be
deemed to be a holder of Other Registrable Securities whenever such Person has
the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Other Registrable Securities
(upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or
otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of
such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, but in
the case of Registrable Securities subject to vesting, only to the extent that
such Person's right to acquire such Registrable Securities has vested and
provided, further, that each Other Registrable Security shall cease to be an
Other Registrable Security when (i) it has been effectively registered under the
Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement
covering it; (ii) it is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any
similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; or (iii) it has
otherwise been transferred and a new certificate or other evidence of ownership
for it not bearing or requiring a legend as set forth in Section 2.2 of the
Stockholders' Agreement (or other legend of similar import) and not subject to
any stop transfer order has been delivered by or on behalf of the Company and no
other restriction on transfer exists under the Securities Act.

                  "Person" means an individual, partnership, limited liability
                   ------
company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  "Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Registration
                   ----------
Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect
to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement and all other amendments and supplements
to such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material
incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

                  "Records" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(j) of this
                   ------- 
Agreement.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                  "Registration Expenses" means the costs and expenses of all
                   ---------------------
registrations and qualifications under the Securities Act, and of all other
actions the Company is required to take in order to effect the registration of
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement
(including all federal and state registration and filing fees, printing
expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the fees and
expenses of the Company's independent public accountants (including the expenses
of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
registration)) other than the costs and expenses of any Investors whose
Registrable Securities are to be registered pursuant to this Agreement
comprising underwriters' commissions, brokerage fees, transfer taxes or the fees
and expenses of any accountants or other representatives retained by any
Investor.

                  "Registration Statement" means any registration statement of
                   ----------------------
the Company which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments,
all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.

                  "Registrable Securities" means the Vectura Registrable
                   ----------------------  
Securities or the Other Registrable Securities.

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                   --------------    
from time to time.

                  "Stockholders' Agreement" means the Securities Purchase and
                   -----------------------      
Holders Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Company, Vectura
and the Management Investors and other Persons party thereto from time to time.

                  "Special Registration Statement" means (i) a registration
                   ------------------------------ 
statement on Forms S-8 or S-4 or any similar or successor form or any other
registration statement relating to an exchange offer or an offering of
securities solely to the Company's employees or security holders or (ii) a
registration statement registering a Unit Offering.

                  "Unit Offering" means a public offering of a combination of
                   -------------
debt and equity securities of the Company in which (i) not more than 20% of the
gross proceeds received from the sale of such securities is attributed to such
equity securities, and (ii) after giving effect to such offering, the Company
does not have a class of equity securities required to be registered under the
Exchange Act.

                  "underwritten registration or "underwritten offering" means a
                   -------------------------     ---------------------   
registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.

                  "Vectura Registrable Securities" means (i) any shares of
                   ------------------------------
Common Stock issued or issuable to or otherwise acquired by Vectura on or after
the date hereof and (ii) any shares of capital stock of the Company issued or
issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way
of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of
shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. For
purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Vectura
Registrable Securities whever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or
indirectly, such Vectura Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in
connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any
restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not
such acquisition has actually been effected, provided, however, 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
that each such share of Common Stock shall cease to be a Vectura Registrable
Security when (i) it has been effectively registered under the Securities Act
and disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it; (ii)
it is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provisions
then in force) under the Securities Act; or (iii) it has otherwise been
transferred and a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for it not
bearing or requiring a legend as set forth in Section 2.2 of the Stockholders'
Agreement (or other legend of similar import) and not subject to any stop
transfer order has been delivered by or on behalf of the Company and no other
restriction on transfer exists under the Securities Act.

      2.    Incidental Registration.
            -----------------------

            (a)   Right to Include Common Stock. If the Company at any time
                  -----------------------------
proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the Securities Act (other
than on a Special Registration Statement), whether or not for sale for its own
account, the Company will give written notice at least 30 days prior to the
anticipated effective date of the registration statement filed or to be filed in
connection with such registration to all holders of Registrable Securities of
its intention to issue its Common Stock under the Securities Act and of such
holders' rights under this Section 2. Upon the written request of any such
holders of Registrable Securities made within 15 days of the date of the
foregoing notice from the Company (which request shall specify the aggregate
number of the Registrable Securities to be registered and will also specify the
intended method of disposition thereof), the Company will effect the
registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the
Company has been so requested to register by the holders thereof (an "Incidental
                                                                      ----------
Registration"), to the extent required to permit the public disposition (in
- ------------
accordance with such intended methods thereof) of the Registrable Securities to
be so registered; provided that (i) if, any time after giving written notice of
its intention to register shares of Common Stock and prior to the effective date
of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration, the
Company shall determine for any reason not to register the Common Stock, the
Company shall give written notice of such determination to each holder of
Registrable Securities and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to
register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but
not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in connection
therewith); (ii) if a registration requested pursuant to this Section 2 shall
involve an underwritten public offering, any holder of Registrable Securities
requesting to be included in such registration may elect, in writing at least 25
days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in
connection with such registration, not to register such securities in connection
with such registration; and (iii) if, at any time after the 180-day or shorter
period specified in Section 2(b), the sale of the securities has not been
completed, the Company may withdraw from the registration on a pro rata basis
(based on the number of Registrable Securities requested by each holder of
Registrable Securities to be so registered) the Registrable Securities which the
Company has been requested to register and which have not been sold.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection only with the initial registered
public offering of the Common Stock, which offering is a primary offering, no
Registrable Securities shall be included in such registration without the prior
written consent of the holders of a majority of the Vectura Registrable
Securities.

            (b)   Priority in Incidental Registrations. If a registration
                  ------------------------------------
pursuant to Section 2(a) involves an underwritten offering and the managing
underwriter advises the 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
Company in writing that, in its opinion, the total number of shares of Common
Stock to be included in such registration, including the Registrable Securities
requested to be included pursuant to this Section 2, exceeds the maximum number
of shares of Common Stock specified by the managing underwriter that may be
distributed without adversely affecting the price, timing or distribution of
such shares of Common Stock, then the Company shall include in such registration
only such maximum number of Registrable Securities which, in the reasonable
opinion of such underwriter or underwriters, can be sold in the following order
of priority: (i) first, all of the shares of Common Stock that the Company
proposes to sell for its own account, if any; (ii) second, all of the shares of
Common Stock being registered by holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to
a Demand Registration; and (iii) third, the Registrable Securities of the
holder(s) of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Incidental
Registration. To the extent that shares of Common Stock to be included in the
Incidental Registration must be allocated among the holders(s) of Registrable
Securities pursuant to clause (iii) above, such shares shall be allocated pro
rata among the holders(s) of Registrable Securities based on the number of
shares of Common Stock that such holders(s) of Registrable Securities shall have
requested to be included therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an
Incidental Registration is an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or
underwriters may select shares for inclusion, or exclude shares completely, in
such Incidental Registration on a basis other than a pro rata basis if, in the
reasonable opinion of such underwriter or underwriters, selection on such other
basis, or inclusion of such shares, would be material to the success of the
offering.

            (c)   Selection of Underwriters. If any Incidental Registration is
                  -------------------------  
an underwritten offering, the investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the
offering will be selected by the Company.

            (d)   Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
                  -------- 
connection with any registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to
this Section 2.

            (e)   Liability for Delay. The Company shall not be held responsible
                  -------------------
for any delay in the filing or processing of a Registration Statement which
includes any Registrable Securities due to requests by holders of Registrable
Securities pursuant to this Section 2 nor for any delay in requesting the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

            (f)   Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No holder of
                  -------------------------------------------
Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell his or its Common Stock on the
basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons who have
selected the underwriter and (ii) accurately completes in a timely manner and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnification agreements,
underwriting agreements and other documents customarily required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements.

        3.  Demand Registration
            -------------------

            (a)   Right to Demand Registration. Subject to Section 3(b) below,
                  ----------------------------
the holders of a majority of Vectura Registrable Securities shall be entitled to
make written requests ("Demand Registration Requests") at any time and from time
                        ---------------------------- 
to time to the Company for registration with the Commission under and in
accordance with the provisions of the Securities 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Act (including, but not limited to, registrations under Rule 415 promulgated
under the Securities Act) of all or part of the Vectura Registrable Securities
owned by them (a "Demand Registration") (which Demand Registration Request shall
                  -------------------
specify the intended number of Vectura Registrable Securities to be disposed of
by such holders, the anticipated price range for such offering and the intended
method of disposition thereof); provided that (i) the Company may, if the Board
of Directors so determines in the exercise of its reasonable judgment, that due
to a pending or contemplated acquisition or disposition or public offering it
would be inadvisable to effect such Demand Registration at such time, defer such
Demand Registration for a single period not to exceed 180 days. Within 10 days
after receipt of the Demand Registration Request, the Company will serve written
notice of such Demand Registration Request to all holders of Registrable
Securities and, subject to paragraph (b) below, the Company will include in such
registration all Registrable Securities of such holders with respect to which
the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein from such
holders within 15 business days after duly given to the applicable holder of the
notice from the Company. All requests made pursuant to this paragraph 4(a) will
specify the aggregate number of the Registrable Securities to be registered and
will also specify the intended methods of disposition thereof.

            (b)   Priority in Demand Registrations. The Company will not include
                  --------------------------------
in any Demand Registration any securities (other than Company Registrable
Securities) which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written
consent of at least a majority of the Vectura Registrable Securities included in
such registration. If any of the Registrable Securities proposed to be
registered pursuant to a Demand Registration are to be sold in a firm commitment
underwritten offering and the managing underwriter or underwriters of a Demand
Registration advise the Company and the holders of such Registrable Securities
in writing that in its or their reasonable opinion the number of shares of
Common Stock proposed to be sold in such Demand Registration exceeds the maximum
number of shares specified by the managing underwriter that may be distributed
without adversely affecting the price, timing or distribution of the Common
Stock, the Company shall include in such registration only such maximum number
of Registrable Securities which, in the reasonable opinion of such underwriter
or underwriters can be sold in the following order of priority: (i) first, the
number of Vectura Registrable Securities requested to be included in such
registration, pro rata if necessary; (ii) second, the number of Company
Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, if any;
(iii) third, all Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such
registration, pro rata if necessary; (iv) fourth, all other securities requested
to be included in such registration pursuant to "demand registration" rights
granted to other Persons, provided that such rights will have been granted only
as permitted by this Agreement; and (v) fifth, shares of Common Stock held by
other holders requested to be included in such registration, pro rata if
necessary.

            (c)   Selection of Underwriters. In the case of a Demand
                  -------------------------
Registration for an underwritten offering, the holders of a majority of the
Vectura Registrable Securities to be included in such Demand Registration will
have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer
the offering, which investment banker(s) and manager(s) will be nationally
recognized, subject to the Company's approval which will not be unreasonably
withheld.

            (d)   Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
                  --------
connection with any registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to
this Section 3.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
            (e)   Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this
                  -------------------------
Agreement, the Company shall not grant to any Person the right to request the
Company to register any Common Stock under the Securities Act, or the right to
participate in any registration of Common Stock of the Company under the
Securities Act, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority
of Vectura Registrable Securities outstanding at the time of such grant.

         4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required to
            -----------------------
effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the
Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company will, as expeditiously
as possible:

            (a)   prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement
with respect to such Registrable Securities, and use its best efforts to cause
such Registration Statement to become effective, provided, that before filing
any Registration Statement the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by
the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed;

            (b)   in connection with any Demand Registration, if requested by
the party requesting such Demand Registration, use its best efforts to cause to
be included in such registration, a primary offering by the Company of the
Company's shares of Common Stock having an aggregate value (based on the
midpoint of the proposed offering price range specified in the Registration
Statement used to offer such securities) of up to $20 million ("Company
                                                                ------- 
Registrable Securities");
- ----------------------

            (c)   prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for
a period of not less than 180 days or such shorter period which will terminate
when all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been
sold (but not before the expiration of the applicable period referred to in
Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 promulgated thereunder, if
applicable) and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during
such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller
or sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement;

            (d)   furnish to each seller of such Registrable Securities such
number of copies of such Registration Statement and of each such amendment and
supplement thereof (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies
of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each
preliminary Prospectus and summary Prospectus), in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such seller may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities by such seller;

            (e)   use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or
Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as each seller shall request, and do any and
all other acts and things which may be 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in
such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any
action which would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or subject itself to general
taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

            (f)   immediately notify each seller of any Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement, at any time when a Prospectus relating
thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act within the
appropriate period mentioned in clause (c) of this Section 4, of the Company
becoming aware that the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing, and within ten days prepare and furnish to all sellers a reasonable
number of copies of an amended or supplemental Prospectus as may be necessary so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities,
such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing;

            (g)   cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each
securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then
listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on the Nasdaq National Market of The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq"), and arrange for at least two market makers
                            ------
to register as such with respect to the Registrable Securities with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

            (h)   provide an independent transfer agent and registrar for such
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement not later than the
effective date of such Registration Statement;

            (i)   furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement an original, manually signed copy, addressed to such
seller (and the underwriters, if any) of:

                  (i)  an opinion of counsel for the Company, dated the
        effective date of such Registration Statement (or, if such registration
        involves an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing
        under the underwriting agreement), reasonably satisfactory in form and
        substance to the sellers of not less than 50% of such Registrable
        Securities (and the managing underwriter, if any); and

                  (ii) a "comfort letter," dated the effective date of such
        Registration Statement (or, if such registration involves an
        underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the
        underwriting agreement), signed by the independent public accountants
        who have certified the Company's financial statements included in such
        Registration Statement, covering such matters with 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
        respect to such Registration Statement as are customarily covered in
        accountants' letters delivered to the underwriters in underwritten
        offerings of securities as may reasonably be requested by the sellers of
        not less than 50% of such Registrable Securities (and the managing
        underwriter, if any);

            (j)   make available for inspection by any seller of such
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, by any
underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such
Registration Statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained
by any such seller or any such underwriter (any of the foregoing persons,
including such seller, individually an "Inspector" and collectively the
                                        --------- 
"Inspectors"), all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate
 ----------
documents and properties of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by an
Inspector (collectively, the "Records"), and cause all of the Company's
                              -------
officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested
by any Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement; provided that
any Records that are designated by the Company in writing as confidential shall
be kept confidential by the Inspectors unless (A) the disclosure of such Records
is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration
Statement or (B) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena
or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction or by any regulatory
authority having jurisdiction. Each Investor agrees that non-public information
obtained by it as a result of such Inspections shall be deemed confidential and
acknowledges its obligations under the federal securities laws not to trade any
securities of the Company on the basis of material non-public information;

            (k)   enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting
agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of
a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any,
reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split
or combination of shares);

            (l)   otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security
holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earning statement covering the
period of at least 12 months beginning with the first day of the Company's first
full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement,
which earning statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

            (m)   permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in
its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a
controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such
registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of
material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment
of such holder and its counsel should be included;

            (n)   in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending of
preventing the use of any related Prospectus or suspending the qualification of
any Common Stock included in such

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company will use its
reasonable best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order; and

                (o)   use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities
covered by such registration Statement to be registered or approved by such
other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

           The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to
which any registration is being effected promptly to furnish to the Company such
information regarding the distribution of such Registrable Securities as may be
legally required. Such information shall be furnished in writing and shall state
that it is being furnished for use in the Registration Statement.

           Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the
happening of any event of the kind described in clause (f) of this Section 4,
such holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities
until such holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by clause (f) of this Section 4, and, if so directed by
the Company, such holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense)
all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of the Company's notice. In the event the Company shall give any such
notice, the period mentioned in clause (c) of this Section 4 shall be extended
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 4 up to and
including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by clause (f) of this Section 4.

           If any Registration Statement or comparable statement contemplated by
this Agreement refers to any holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any
securities of the Company and if, in its sole and exclusive judgment, such
holder is or might be deemed to be a controlling person of the Company, such
holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in
form and substance satisfactory to such holder and presented to the Company in
writing, to the effect that the holding by such holder of such securities is not
to be construed as a recommendation by such holder of the investment quality of
the Company's securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply
that such holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the
Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such holder by name or
otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute
then in force, the deletion of the reference to such holder, provided that with
respect to this clause (ii) such holder shall furnish to the Company an opinion
of counsel to such effect which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company.

           5.   Indemnification.
                ---------------

                (a)   Indemnification by the Company. The Company hereby agrees
                      ------------------------------
to indemnify and hold harmless each holder of Registrable Securities which shall
have been registered under the Securities Act, and such holder's officers,
directors and agents and each 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
other Person, if any, who controls such holder within the meaning of the
Securities Act and each other Person (including underwriters) who or which
participates in the offering of such Registrable Securities against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, reasonable attorneys' fees, costs or expenses
(collectively, the "Damages"), joint or several, to which such holder or
                    -------
controlling Person or participating Person may become subject under the
Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such Damages (or proceedings in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact made by the Company or its agents contained in
any Registration Statement under which such Registrable Securities are
registered under the Securities Act, in any preliminary Prospectus or final
Prospectus contained therein, or in any amendment or supplement thereof, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such holder of Registrable
Securities or such controlling Person or participating Person in connection with
investigating or defending any such Damages or proceeding; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
Damages arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement,
said preliminary or final Prospectus or said amendment or supplement in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
holder or such controlling or participating Person, as the case may be,
specifically for use in the preparation thereof; or (ii) an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission in a Prospectus if such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is
corrected in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus which amendment or
supplement is delivered to such holder in a timely manner and such holder
thereafter fails to deliver such Prospectus as so amended or supplemented prior
to or concurrently with the sale of such Registrable Securities to the Person
asserting such Damages.

                (b)   Indemnification by the Holders of Registrable Securities
                      --------------------------------------------------------
Which Are Registered. It shall be a condition of the Company's obligations under
- --------------------
this Agreement to effect any registration under the Securities Act that there
shall have been delivered to the Company an agreement or agreements duly
executed by each holder of Registrable Securities to be so registered, whereby
such holder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors,
officers and agents and each other Person, if any, which controls the Company
within the meaning of the Securities Act against any Damages, joint or several,
to which the Company, or such other Person or such Person controlling the
Company may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, but only to
the extent that such Damages (or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any Registration Statement
under which such Registrable Securities are registered under the Securities Act,
in any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein or in any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, which, in
each such case, has been made in or omitted from such Registration Statement,
said preliminary or final Prospectus or said amendment or supplement in reliance
upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by
such holder of Registrable Securities specifically for use in the preparation
thereof. The Company shall be entitled to receive indemnities from 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry
professionals participating in the distribution, to the same extent as provided
above, with respect to information furnished in writing by such Persons
specifically for inclusion in any Prospectus or Registration Statement.

                (c)   Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any Person
                      --------------------------------------
entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to
the indemnifying party of the commencement of any action or proceeding involving
a claim referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 5; and (ii)
unless the indemnified party has been advised by its counsel that a conflict of
interest exists between such indemnified and indemnifying parties under
applicable standards of professional responsibility, with respect to such claim,
permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Whether or not such defense is
assumed by the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will not be subject to
any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such consent will
not be unreasonably withheld). No indemnifying party will consent to the entry
of any judgment or enter into any settlement (i) that does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation and (ii) except for judgments or settlements calling for the payment
of money only, without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or
elects not to, assume the defense of the claim, will not be obligated to pay the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such
indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment
of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such
indemnified party and any other such indemnified parties with respect to such
claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees
and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels.

                (d)   Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification
                      ------------
provided for in the preceding Sections 6(a) or 6(b) is unavailable to an
indemnified party in respect of any Damages referred to therein, the
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the
indemnified party as a result of such Damages in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party, but also the relative fault of the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has
been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or
indemnified parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided,
however, that in no event shall the liability of any selling holder of
Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the difference
between the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder upon the sale
of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation and
all amounts previously contributed by such holder with respect to such Damages.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of 
Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
Person who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                (e)   The indemnification provided for under this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person
of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of securities. The
Company also agrees to make such provisions, as are reasonably requested by any
indemnified party, for contribution to such party in the event the Company's
indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

           6.   Hold-Back Agreements
                --------------------

                (a)   Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of Registrable
                      ----------------------------------------------------
Securities. Each holder of Registrable Securities whose Registrable Securities
- ----------
are eligible for inclusion in a Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Sections 3 or 4 agrees, if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters
in an underwritten offering of any Registrable Securities, not to effect any
public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, including a sale pursuant
to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act
(except as part of such underwritten registration), during the 10-day period
prior to, and during the 180-day period (or such shorter period as may be agreed
to by the parties hereto) beginning on the effective date of such Registration
Statement, to the extent timely notified in writing by the Company or the
managing underwriter or underwriters, provided that this provision shall not
apply to employees of Vectura, 399 Venture Partners, Inc. or wholly owned
subsidiaries of Citicorp.

           The foregoing provisions shall not apply to any holder of Registrable
Securities if such holder is prevented by applicable statute or regulation from
entering into any such agreement; provided, however, that any such holder shall
undertake, in its request to participate in any such underwritten offering, not
to effect any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities (except as
part of such underwritten registration) during such period unless it has
provided 45 days prior written notice of such sale or distribution to the
managing underwriter or underwriter.

                (b)   No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not enter
                      --------------------------
into any Agreement which is inconsistent with or violate the rights granted to
holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

                (c)   Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others. The
                      -----------------------------------------------------
Company shall (i) not effect any public sale or distribution of any of its
Common Stock for its own account during the 10-day period prior to, and during
the 180-day period beginning on, the effective date of a Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 (except as part of a Special Registration
Statement), and (ii) use reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Common Stock
purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other
than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or
distribution of any such securities during such period, including a sale
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (except as part of such
underwritten registration, if permitted).

           7.   Miscellaneous
                -------------

                (a)   Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended
                      --------------------------
or modified, or any provision hereof may be waived, provided that such amendment
or waiver is set 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
forth in a writing executed by (i) the Company, (ii) Vectura (so long as Vectura
and its Affiliates own in the aggregate at least 15% of the outstanding Common
Stock on a fully diluted basis), (iii) the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis (including Shares owned by
Vectura and its Affiliates) held by the Investors, and (iv) in the case of any
amendment which materially and adversely affects any Investor, such Investor. No
course of dealing between or among any persons having any interest in this
Agreement will be deemed effective to modify, amend or discharge any part of
this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any person under or by reason of
this Agreement.

                (b)   Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
                      ------------------------------------------
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, regardless of any
investigation made by an Investor or on its behalf.

                (c)   Successors and Assigns; Entire Agreement. This Agreement
                      ----------------------------------------
and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and
executors, administrators and heirs. In addition, whether or not any express
assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the
benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable Securities are also for the
benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understandings among the
parties as to the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes all prior
discussions and understandings of any and every nature among them.

                (d)   Separability. In the event that any provision of this
                      ------------
Agreement or the application of any provision hereof is declared to be illegal,
invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected except to the extent necessary
to delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision unless that provision
held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions
of this Agreement.

                (e)   Notices. All notices provided for or permitted hereunder
                      -------
shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered or certified first-class
mail, telecopier or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery to the other
party at the following addresses (or at such other address as shall be given in
writing by any party to the others):

                If to the Company to:

                      Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation
                      2122 York Road
                      Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
                      Telecopy number: (630) 574-2981
                      Attention: Bruce J. Biemeck

                      with required copies to:

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
                      399 Venture Partners, Inc.
                      399 Park Avenue
                      Sixth Floor
                      New York, New York 10043
                      Telecopy number: (212) 888-2940
                      Attention: Michael A. Delaney

                      and

                      Dechert Price & Rhoads
                      4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
                      1717 Arch Street
                      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                      Telecopy number: (215) 994-2222
                      Attention: G. Daniel O'Donnell

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
                If to Vectura to:

                      Ventura Holding Company LLC
                      1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1500
                      New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
                      Telecopy number: (504) 529-8468
                      Attention: David Wagstaff III

                      with a required copy to:

                      Dechert Price & Rhoads
                      4000 Bell Atlantic Tower
                      1717 Arch Street
                      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                      Telecopy number: (215) 994-2222
                      Attention: G. Daniel O'Donnell

           If to the Management Investors or any of them, to their addresses as
listed in the books of the Company.

           All such notices shall be deemed to have been duly given: when
delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if
telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery.

                (f)   Governing Law. The validity, performance, construction and
                      -------------
effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal law of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts
of law.

                (g)   Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties to this
                      --------------------
Agreement waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to trial by
jury of any claim, demand, action or cause of action (i) arising under this
Agreement or (ii) in any way connected with or related or incidental to the
dealings of the parties hereto in respect of this Agreement or any of the
transactions related hereto, in each case whether now existing or hereafter
arising, and whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise. Each of the parties
to this Agreement agrees and consents that any such claim, demand, action or
cause of action shall be decided by court trial without a jury and that the
parties to this Agreement may file an original counterpart of a copy of this
Agreement with any court as written evidence of the consent of the parties
hereto to the waiver of the right to trial by jury.

                (h)   Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
                      --------
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement,
nor shall they affect their meaning, construction or effect.

                (i)   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
                      ------------
more counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

                (j)   Further Assurances. Each party shall cooperate and take
                      ------------------
such action as may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry
out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                (k)   Termination. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with
                      -----------
its terms, this Agreement shall terminate ten years after the date of this
Agreement and any additional period permitted by law, provided that the
indemnification rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 hereof shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

                (l)   Remedies. In the event of a breach or a threatened breach
                      --------
by any party to this Agreement of its obligations under this Agreement, any
party injured or to be injured by such breach, in addition to being entitled to
exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement, it being
agreed by the parties that the remedy at law, including monetary damages, for
breach of such provision will be inadequate compensation for any loss and that
any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate is waived.

                (m)   Party No Longer Owning Registrable Securities. If a party
                      ---------------------------------------------
hereto ceases to own any Registrable Securities, such party will no longer be
deemed to be an Investor for purposes of this Agreement; provided that the
indemnification rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 hereof shall
survive any such cessation of ownership.

                (n)   Pronouns. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns
                      --------
used herein shall be deemed also to include the corresponding neuter, masculine
or feminine forms.

                (o)   No Effect on Employment. Nothing herein contained shall
                      -----------------------
confer on any Investor the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Registration Rights Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


                                   GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION


                                   By:  /s/ Bruce J. Biemeck
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   Bruce J. Biemeck
                                        Title:  Sr. Vice President


                                   VECTURA HOLDING COMPANY LLC


                                   By:  /s/ Paul C. Schorr, IV
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   Paul C. Schorr, IV
                                        Title:  Vice President


                                   MANAGEMENT INVESTORS


                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Social Security Number:
                                   Residence Address:
                                   Residence Telephone:
                                   Business Address:
                                   Business Telephone:

                                      -18-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.09

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          AGREEMENT, made as of January 1, 1992, by and between GREAT LAKES 
HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Richard Lowry 
("Executive").

                                  RECITALS                         
                                  --------                             

          In order to induce Executive to remain in his current position and to 
continue serving as a senior executive officer of the Company, the Company 
desires to provide Executive with compensation and other benefits on the terms 
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          Executive is willing to continue his employment and perform services 
for the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          Executive acknowledges that:

          (i)    this Agreement is the sole existing employment agreement 
      between Executive and the Company; and

          (ii)   this Agreement nullifies and supersedes all previous contracts
      governing the terms of Executive's employment with the Company.

          It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

          1.   Employment.    
               ----------

          1.1    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the 
Company agrees to employ Executive during the term hereof as Senior Vice 
President, Chief Engineer of the Company. In that capacity, Executive shall 
have the customary powers, 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               2

resposibilities and authority of other persons having a similar position at
corporations of the size, type and nature of the Company, as they exist from
time to time. Executive's principal office shall be at the principal executive
offices of the Company in Oak Brook, Illinois.

          1.2  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive 
hereby accepts employment by the Company in the position specified in Section 
1.1 hereof and agrees to devote his full working time and efforts, to the best 
of his ability, experience and talent, to the performance of services, duties 
and responsibilities in connection therewith. Nothing in this Agreement shall 
preclude Executive from engaging, consistent with his duties and 
responsibilities hereunder, in charitable and community affairs, from 
managing his personal investments, from continuing to serve on the boards of 
directors of the companies and associations listed on Exhibit A or from serving,
subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a member of 
boards of directors or as a trustee of other companies, associations or 
entities.

          2.   Term of Employment.
               ------------------

          Executive's term of employment under this Agreement shall commence on 
the date hereof and, subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier
of (i) the third anniversary of the date hereof (the "Termination Date") or (ii)
termination of Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement; provided, 
however, that on the Termination Date and each anniversary thereof, the 
Termination Date shall be extended for a period of one additional year unless 
either party shall have 


<PAGE>
 
                                                                               3

given written notice to the other party not less than 90 days prior to such date
that the Termination Date shall not be so extended. Upon any such extension,
references to the Termination Date shall be deemed to be references to the
Termination Date as so extended.

          3.   Compensation.
               ------------

          The Company shall pay Executive a base salary at an annual rate of 
$147,000, which salary shall be automatically increased by five percent (5%) on 
the first anniversary of Executive's last increase in base salary. Thereafter, 
Executive's base salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the 
Board of Directors of the Company at least once in every twelve-month period 
during the term of this Agreement and, if adjusted, such adjusted amount shall 
constitute Executive's base salary.

          4.   Employee Benefits.
               -----------------

          The Company shall provide Executive during the term of his employment 
hereunder coverage (commensurate with his positions in the Company and to the 
extent possible under any employee benefit plan) under any bonus plans and other
employee benefit programs, plans and practices (including the cash bonus program
and Company stock option plan), in accordance with the terms thereof, which 
the company makes available to its senior executive officers.

          5.   Expenses.
               --------

          Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out
his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, including, without 
limitation, expenses for travel and 
 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               4

similar items related to such duties and responsibilities. The Company will
reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by Executive from
time to time of an itemized account of such expenditures.

          6.   Termination of Employment.
               --------------------------

          6.1  Termination
               -----------

          The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time for any 
reason, and Executive may terminate his employment at any time upon 30 days 
prior written notice to the Company. If prior to the Termination Date, as then 
in effect, Executive either (a) resigns for Good Reason (as defined in Section 
6.2 hereof) or (b) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for 
Cause (as defined in Section 6.2), death or Permanent Disability (as defined in 
Section 6.2), Executive shall be entitled to receive equal monthly installments 
for twelve months, in lieu of any other cash compensation provided for herein 
but not in substitution for compensation already paid or earned, equal to 8.34 
percent multiplied by the sum of (x) Executive's then current base salary and 
(y) Executive's current bonus, which shall be a percentage of his then current 
base salary equal to (i) the average percentage of Executive's base salary 
represented by the bonuses Executive received during the term of this Agreement 
prior to his termination or (ii) if employment terminates on or prior to 
December 31, 1992, the percentage of Executive's base salary represented by the 
bonus Executive received with respect to the 1991 calender year.
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               5

          6.2  Certain Definitions.
               -------------------

          For purposes of this Agreement:

          (a)  "Cause" shall mean:

          (i)  commission by the Executive of any felony involving moral
               turpitude;

         (ii)  the Executive's willful misconduct as an employee of the Company
               involving dishonesty (including the unauthorized disclosure of
               confidential or proprietary information of the Company); or

        (iii)  the Executive's willful failure to render services to the Company
               in accordance with his employment.

          (b)  "Good Reason" shall mean the resignation of Executive from
employment by the Company as a result of the occurrence of any of the following
events without Executive's express prior written consent:

          (i)  a material reduction or a material adverse alteration in the
nature of the Executive's position, responsibilities or authorities;

         (ii)  the Executive's becoming the holder of a lesser office or title
than that previously held;

        (iii)  any reduction in the aggregate of the Executive's bonus,
compensation and benefits, other than a reduction in bonus or benefits generally
applicable to executive employees;

         (iv)  the relocation of the Executive's job more than fifty miles from
his present location; or

          (v)  any material breach of this Agreement by the Company which causes
an adverse change to the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment.

          (c)  "Permanent Disability" shall mean the inability of the Executive
to perform substantially all his duties and responsibilities to the Company by
reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for a continuous period
of six months. The date of such Permanent Disability shall be

 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               6

     the last day of such six-month period or if later, the day on which the 
     Executive submits satisfactory medical evidence of such Permanent 
     Disability.

          7.   Notices.
               -------

          All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed
as follows:

          To the Company:

               Great Lakes Holdings Corporation
               2122 York Road
               Oak Brook, Illinois 60521-1930
               Attention: Douglas B. Mackie

          with a copy to:

               Blackstone Dredging Partners L.P.
               118 North Bedford Road
               Suite 300
               Mount Kisco, New York 10549
               Attention: James J. Mossman

          To Executive at the address set forth on the signature page of this 
          Agreement.

Any such notice or communication shall be sent certified or registered mail, 
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as above (or to such other
address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described
above), and the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice
was given.

          8.   Separability; Legal Fees.
               ------------------------

          If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or 
unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall 
not affect the remaining provisions hereof, which shall remain in full force and
effect. In addition, the Company shall bear, or reimburse Executive for, all
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               7

reasonable legal fees incurred in connection with entering into this Agreement.

          9.   Assignment.
               ----------

          This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
heirs and representatives of Executive and the assigns and successors of the
Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable
or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by
operation of the laws of interstate succession) or by the Company, except that
the Company 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 the Company.

          10.  Amendment.
               ---------
 
          This Agreement may only be amended by written agreement of the parties
hereto.

          11.  Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Non-Competition.
               ----------------------------------------------------------
     
          (a)  Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the 
Company, divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, 
partnership, corporation or other entity any Confidential Information pertaining
to the business of the Company, except (i) while employed by the Company, in the
business of and for the benefit of the Company, or (ii) when required to do so 
by a court of competent jurisdiction or an individual duly appointed thereby, by
any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) 
having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any 
administrative body or legislative body (including a committee 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               8

thereof) with jurisdiction to order Executive to divulge, disclose or make 
accessible such information. For purposes of this Section 11(a), "Confidential 
Information" shall mean non-public information concerning the financial data, 
strategic business plans, product development (or other proprietary product 
data), customer lists, marketing plans and other non-public, proprietary and 
confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries that is not 
otherwise available to the public; provided, however, that Confidential 
Information shall also include any information of the type herein described 
which has become publicly available through any breach of fiduciary duty.

          (b)  During the period of his employment hereunder and for a period of
one year thereafter, Executive agrees that, without the prior written consent of
the Company, he will not, directly or indirectly, either as principal, manager,
agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or employee
or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in or have any financial interest
in, any business which is in material competition with the business of the
Company and/or its affiliates.

          (c)  For purposes of this Section 11, a business shall be deemed to be
in competition with the Company if it is principally involved in the purchase, 
sale or other dealing in any property or the rendering of any service purchased,
sold, dealt in or rendered by the Company and/or its affiliates as a material 
part of the business of the Company and/or its affiliates within the same 
geographic areas in which the Company and/or its affiliates principally effect 
such purchases, sales or

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               9

dealings or render such services. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be construed 
so as to preclude Executive from (i) investing in any publicly held company 
provided Executive's beneficial ownership of any class of such company's 
securities does not exceed 3% of the outstanding securities of such class.

          (d)  Executive and the Company agree that this covenant not to 
compete is a reasonable covenant under the circumstances, and further agree that
if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not 
reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and authority
to excise or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant as to the
court shall appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant
as so amended. Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in
this Section 11 would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, the Company
may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in equity,
obtain an injunction against Executive from any court having jurisdiction over
the matter, restraining any further violation of this Agreement by Executive.

          12.  Survivorship.
               ------------

          The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall 
survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the
intended preservation of such rights and obligations. The provisions of this
Section 12 are in addition to the survivorship provisions of any other section
of this Agreement.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                              10

          13.  Governing Law.
               -------------

          This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed in 
accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to rules 
relating to conflicts of law.

          14.  Withholding.
               -----------

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

          15.  Counterparts.
               ------------

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

                    
                                         GREAT LAKES HOLDINGS
                                           CORPORATION             


                                         By /s/
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                            /s/ Richard Lowry
                                         --------------------------------------
                                             Richard Lowry


   Executive's Address:
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------


              Existing Board of Directors Positions of Executive
              --------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          AGREEMENT, made as of January 1, 1992, by and between GREAT LAKES 
HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Bruce Biemeck 
("Executive").

                                  RECITALS                         
                                  --------                             

          In order to induce Executive to remain in his current position and to 
continue serving as a senior executive officer of the Company, the Company 
desires to provide Executive with compensation and other benefits on the terms 
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          Executive is willing to continue his employment and perform services 
for the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

          Executive acknowledges that:

          (i)    this Agreement is the sole existing employment agreement 
     between Executive and the Company; and

          (ii)   this Agreement nullifies and supersedes all previous contracts
     governing the terms of Executive's employment with the Company.

          It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

          1.   Employment.    
               ----------

          1.1    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the 
Company agrees to employ Executive during the term hereof as Vice President - 
Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In those 
capacities, Executive shall have the customary powers, responsibilities and 
authority of

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               2

other persons having similar positions at corporations of the size, type and 
nature of the Company, as they exist from time to time. Executive's principal 
office shall be at the principal executive offices of the Company in Oak Brook, 
Illinois.

          1.2  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive 
hereby accepts employment by the Company in the positions specified in Section 
1.1 hereof and agrees to devote his full working time and efforts, to the best 
of his ability, experience and talent, to the performance of services, duties 
and responsibilities in connection therewith. Nothing in this Agreement shall 
preclude Executive from engaging, consistent with his duties and 
responsibilities hereunder, in charitable and community affairs, from 
managing his personal investments, from continuing to serve on the boards of 
directors of the companies and associations listed on Exhibit A or from serving,
subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a member of 
boards of directors or as a trustee of other companies, associations or 
entities.

          2.   Term of Employment.
               ------------------

          Executive's term of employment under this Agreement shall commence on 
the date hereof and, subject to the terms hereof, shall terminate on the earlier
of (i) the third anniversary of the date hereof (the "Termination Date") or (ii)
termination of Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement; provided, 
however, that on the Termination Date and each anniversary thereof, the 
Termination Date shall be extended for a period of one additional year unless 
either party shall have given written notice to the other party not less than 90
days
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               3

prior to such date that the Termination Date shall not be so extended. Upon any 
such extension, references to the Termination Date shall be deemed to be 
references to the Termination Date as so extended.

          3.   Compensation.
               ------------

          The Company shall pay Executive a base salary at an annual rate of 
$110,250, which salary shall be automatically increased by five percent (5%) on 
the first anniversary of Executive's last increase in base salary. Thereafter, 
Executive's base salary shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the 
Board of Directors of the Company at least once in every twelve-month period 
during the term of this Agreement and, if adjusted, such adjusted amount shall 
constitute Executive's base salary.

          4.   Employee Benefits.
               -----------------

          The Company shall provide Executive during the term of his employment 
hereunder coverage (commensurate with his positions in the Company and to the 
extent possible under any employee benefit plan) under any bonus plans and other
employee benefit programs, plans and practices (including the cash bonus program
and Company stock option plan), in accordance with the terms thereof, which 
the company makes available to its senior executive officers.

          5.   Expenses.
               --------

          Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out
his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, including, without 
limitation, expenses for travel and similar items related to such duties and 
responsibilities. The
 









<PAGE>
 
                                                                               4

Company will reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by 
Executive from time to time of an itemized account of such expenditures.

          6.   Termination of Employment.
               --------------------------

          6.1  Termination
               -----------

          The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time for any 
reason, and Executive may terminate his employment at any time upon 30 days 
prior written notice to the Company. If prior to the Termination Date, as then 
in effect, Executive either (a) resigns for Good Reason (as defined in Section 
6.2 hereof) or (b) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for 
Cause (as defined in Section 6.2), death or Permanent Disability (as defined in 
Section 6.2), Executive shall be entitled to receive equal monthly installments 
for twelve months, in lieu of any other cash compensation provided for herein 
but not in substitution for compensation already paid or earned, equal to 8.34 
percent multiplied by the sum of (x) Executive's then current base salary and 
(y) Executive's current bonus, which shall be a percentage of his then current 
base salary equal to (i) the average percentage of Executive's base salary 
represented by the bonuses Executive received during the term of this Agreement 
prior to his termination or (ii) if employment terminates on or prior to 
December 31, 1992, the percentage of Executive's base salary represented by the 
bonus Executive received with respect to the 1991 calender year.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               5

          6.2  Certain Definitions.
               -------------------

          For purposes of this Agreement:

          (a)  "Cause" shall mean:

          (i)  commission by the Executive of any felony involving moral
               turpitude;

         (ii)  the Executive's willful misconduct as an employee of the Company
               involving dishonesty (including the unauthorized disclosure of
               confidential or proprietary information of the Company); or

        (iii)  the Executive's willful failure to render services to the Company
               in accordance with his employment.

          (b)  "Good Reason" shall mean the resignation of Executive from
employment by the Company as a result of the occurrence of any of the following
events without Executive's express prior written consent:

          (i)  a material reduction or a material adverse alteration in the
nature of the Executive's position, responsibilities or authorities;

         (ii)  the Executive's becoming the holder of a lesser office or title
than that previously held;

        (iii)  any reduction in the aggregate of the Executive's bonus,
compensation and benefits, other than a reduction in bonus or benefits generally
applicable to executive employees;

         (iv)  the relocation of the Executive's job more than fifty miles from
his present location; or

          (v)  any material breach of this Agreement by the Company which causes
an adverse change to the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               6
 
          (c)  "Permanent Disability" shall mean the inability of the Executive
     to perform substantially all his duties and responsibilities to the Company
     by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity for a continuous
     period of six months. The date of such Permanent Disability shall be the
     last day of such six-month period or if later, the day on which the
     Executive submits satisfactory medical evidence of such Permanent
     Disability.

          7.   Notices.
               -------

          All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed
as follows:

          To the Company:

               Great Lakes Holdings Corporation
               2122 York Road
               Oak Brook, Illinois 60521-1930
               Attention: Douglas B. Mackie

          with a copy to:

               Blackstone Dredging Partners L.P.
               118 North Bedford Road
               Suite 300
               Mount Kisco, New York 10549
               Attention: James J. Mossman

          To Executive at the address set forth on the signature page of this 
          Agreement.

Any such notice or communication shall be sent certified or registered mail, 
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as above (or to such other
address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described
above), and the actual date of mailing shall constitute the time at which notice
was given.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               7


          8.   Separability; Legal Fees.
               ------------------------  

          If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or 
unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall 
not affect the remaining provisions hereof, which shall remain in full force and
effect. In addition, the Company shall bear, or reimburse Executive for, all 
reasonable legal fees incurred in connection with entering into this Agreement.

          9.   Assignment.
               ----------

          This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
heirs and representatives of Executive and the assigns and successors of the
Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable
or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by
operation of the laws of interstate succession) or by the Company, except that
the Company 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 the Company.

          10.  Amendment.
               ---------
 
          This Agreement may only be amended by written agreement of the parties
hereto.

          11.  Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Non-Competition.
               ----------------------------------------------------------
     
          (a)  Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the 
Company, divulge, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, 
partnership, corporation or other entity any Confidential Information pertaining
to the business of the Company, except (i) while employed by the Company, in the

<PAGE>
 
                                                                               8

business of and for the benefit of the Company, or (ii) when required to do so
by a court of competent jurisdiction or an individual duly appointed thereby, by
any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) 
having supervisory authority over the business of the Company, or by any 
administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with
jurisdiction to order Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such
information. For purposes of this Section 11(a), "Confidential Information"
shall mean non-public information concerning the financial data, strategic
business plans, product development (or other proprietary product data),
customer lists, marketing plans and other non-public, proprietary and
confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries that is not
otherwise available to the public; provided, however, that Confidential 
Information shall also include any information of the type herein described
which has become publicly available through any breach of fiduciary duty.

          (b)  During the period of his employment hereunder and for a period 
of one year thereafter, Executive agrees that, without the prior written consent
of the Company, he will not, directly or indirectly, either as principal,
manager, agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or
employee or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in or have any financial
interest in, any business which is in material competition with the business of
the Company and/or its affiliates.

          (c)  For purposes of this Section 11, a business shall be deemed to be
in competition with the Company if it is 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               9

principally involved in the purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or 
the rendering of any service purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by the 
Company and/or its affiliates as a material part of the business of the Company 
and/or its affiliates within the same geographic areas in which the Company
and/or its affiliates principally effect such purchases, sales or dealings or
render such services. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be construed so as to
preclude Executive from (i) investing in any publicly held company provided
Executive's beneficial ownership of any class of such company's securities does
not exceed 3% of the outstanding securities of such class.

          (d)  Executive and the Company agree that this covenant not to 
compete is a reasonable covenant under the circumstances, and further agree that
if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not 
reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and authority
to excise or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant as to the
court shall appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant
as so amended. Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in
this Section 11 would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, the Company
may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in equity,
obtain an injunction against Executive from any court having jurisdiction over
the matter, restraining any further violation of this Agreement by Executive.

          12.  Survivorship.
               ------------

          The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall 
survive any termination of this Agreement to the 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                              10

extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. 
The provisions of this Section 12 are in addition to the survivorship provisions
of any other section of this Agreement.

          13.  Governing Law.
               -------------

          This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed in 
accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to rules 
relating to conflicts of law.

          14.  Withholding.
               -----------

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

          15.  Counterparts.
               ------------

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

                    
                                         GREAT LAKES HOLDINGS
                                           CORPORATION             


                                         By /s/
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                            /s/ Bruce Biemeck   
                                         --------------------------------------
                                             Bruce Biemeck   


   Executive's Address:
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------


              Existing Board of Directors Positions of Executive
              --------------------------------------------------


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>     0000885538
<NAME>    GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             528                   1,717
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,421                  40,749
<ALLOWANCES>                                       482                     450
<INVENTORY>                                     11,416                   9,195
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,110                  91,156
<PP&E>                                         233,058                 212,040
<DEPRECIATION>                                  84,258                  73,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 240,453                 245,555
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,421                  49,594
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          1                       0
<COMMON>                                            50                  60,000
<OTHER-SE>                                    (50,815)                  18,156
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   240,453                 245,555
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               200,244                 258,296
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  167,364                 228,383
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                32,865                  18,922
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,041                   6,303
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,362)                   8,136
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (449)                   2,667
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,783)                   3,802
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (925)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,708)                   3,802
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                
                                                             EXHIBIT 99.01     
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                     
                  GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION     
                       
                    OFFER FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING     
              SERIES A 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
          
   IN EXCHANGE FOR SERIES B 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008     
          
       WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933     
                
             PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY  , 1999     
    
 THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
 CITY TIME, ON       , 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE
 WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
     
                 The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
 
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
 
  By Hand Or Overnight           Facsimile                 By Registered or
        Delivery               Transmissions:              Certified Mail:
 
 
                           (Eligible Institutions
  The Bank of New York             Only)                 The Bank of New York
 
   101 Barclay Street                                   101 Barclay Street, 7E
                               (212) 571-3080         New York, New York 10286
   New York, New York
       10286     
 
                                                      Attention: Reorganization
    Corporate Trust       To Confirm by Telephone              Section,
 Services Window Ground      or for Information
         Level                     Call:
   
Attention: Reorganization      (212) 815-6333
       Section     
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
   
  THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE OR SHE HAS RECEIVED THE PROSPECTUS,
DATED:       , 1999 OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION, A DELAWARE
CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY"), AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WHICH TOGETHER
CONSTITUTE THE COMPANY'S OFFER (THE "EXCHANGE OFFER") TO EXCHANGE AN AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF UP TO $115,000,000 SERIES B 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTES DUE 2008 WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") (THE "EXCHANGE NOTES") OF THE COMPANY FOR A
LIKE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING SERIES A 11 1/4% SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 (THE "EXISTING NOTES") OF THE COMPANY FROM THE
HOLDERS THEREOF.     
 
  THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).
   
  This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Existing Notes
either if Existing Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of
Existing Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained
by The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or "DTC") pursuant to the procedures set
forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the
Prospectus.     
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
   
  Holders of Existing Notes whose certificates (the "Certificates") for such
Existing Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their
Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot
complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender
their Existing Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the
Prospectus.     
 
  DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
  The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take
with respect to the Exchange Offer.
 
 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING NOTES              1             2            3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME(S) AND
ADDRESS(ES)
    OF
REGISTERED
 HOLDER(S)                     AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
  (PLEASE                          AMOUNT  OF      PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
FILL IN, IF     CERTIFICATE         EXISTING          OF EXISTING
  BLANK)        NUMBER(S)*            NOTES        NOTES TENDERED**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       ----------------------------
                                       ----------------------------
                                       ----------------------------
                                       ----------------------------
<S>          <C>               <C>                 <C>
                  TOTAL
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Need not be completed if Existing Notes are being tendered by book-entry
    holders.
    
 ** Existing Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples
    of $1,000. See instruction 4. Unless otherwise indicated in the column,
    a holder will be deemed to have tendered all Existing Notes represented
    by the principal amount indicated in Column 2. See Instruction 4.     
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
           (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
   TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE
   BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
  Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
 
  Account Number _____________________________________________________________
 
  Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________
 
[_]CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
   TENDERED EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
   GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
   FOLLOWING:
 
  Name of Registered Holder(s) _______________________________________________
 
  Window Ticket Number(if any) _______________________________________________
 
  Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________
 
  Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery ______________________________
       
    If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer:      
 
  Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
 
  Account Number _____________________________________________________________
 
  Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED EXISTING
   NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
   ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE EXISTING NOTES FOR
   ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
   "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF
   THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
 
  Name: ______________________________________________________________________
 
  Address: ___________________________________________________________________
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
   
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the above-described aggregate
principal amount of the Company's Existing Notes (in exchange for a like
aggregate principal amount of the Company's Exchange Notes which have been
registered under the Securities Act, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated        , 199  (as the same may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which
is acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the
Prospectus, constitute the Exchange Offer).     
   
  Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Existing Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Existing
Notes as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact
(with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the
Company in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered
Existing Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) subject only to
the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver
Certificates for Existing Notes to the Company together with all accompanying
evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company,
upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the
Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange for such Existing Notes, (ii) present
Certificates for such Existing Notes for transfer, and to transfer the
Existing Notes on the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the account
of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial
ownership of such Existing Notes, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.     
   
  THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS FULL
POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE
EXISTING NOTES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR
EXCHANGE, THE COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE
THERETO, FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES,
AND THAT THE EXISTING NOTES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE
CLAIMS. THE UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR
DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE EXISTING
NOTES TENDERED HEREBY. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS
OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.     
 
  The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Existing
Notes tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set
forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Existing
Notes. The Certificate number(s) and the Existing Notes that the undersigned
wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
 
  If any tendered Existing Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Existing Notes
than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged
or nontendered Existing Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Exisitng
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Existing Notes will be credited to
an account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder,
promptly following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
   
  The undersigned understands that tenders of Existing Notes pursuant to any
one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instruction attached
hereto will, upon the Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered
Existing Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the
Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the
Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the
Existing Notes tendered hereby.     
 
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
  Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that Exchange Notes be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Existing Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the
account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute
Certificates representing Existing Notes not exchanged or not accepted for
exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Existing Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special
Delivery Instructions," please deliver Exchange Notes to the undersigned at
the address shown below the undersigned's signature.
 
  BY TENDERING EXISTING NOTES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (I) THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN
"AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY, (II) ANY EXCHANGE NOTES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS, (III)
THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH ANY PERSON TO
PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF
EXCHANGE NOTES TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (IV) IF THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT ENGAGED IN, AND
DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
SECURITIES ACT) OF SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES. BY TENDERING EXISTING NOTES PURSUANT
TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, A HOLDER OF
EXISTING NOTES WHICH IS A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS AND AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH
CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE LETTERS ISSUED BY THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION OF
CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO THIRD
PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH EXISTING NOTES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY
AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH EXISTING NOTES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER
FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER THE PROSPECTUS (AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM
TIME TO TIME) MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IN CONNECTION
WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES (PROVIDED THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND
BY DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT
THAT IT IS AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).
   
  THE COMPANY HAS AGREED THAT THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER
(AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES RECEIVED IN
EXCHANGE FOR EXISTING NOTES, WHERE SUCH EXISTING NOTES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING
ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES, FOR A PERIOD ENDING 180 DAYS AFTER THE
EXPIRATION DATE OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN ALL SUCH NOTES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY
SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO
ACQUIRED EXISTING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH
EXISTING NOTES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AGREES THAT, UPON
RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE
DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUS
UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE
A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN,
IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING, SUCH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES PURSUANT
TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS
TO CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE
AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE
COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE RESUMED,
AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF THE COMPANY GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF
THE EXCHANGE NOTES IT SHALL EXTEND THE 180-DAY PERIOD     
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
   
REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO
USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES BY THE
NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF
SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL
HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO
PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH THE
COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE RESUMED, AS
THE CASE MAY BE.     
   
  Holders of Existing Notes whose Existing Notes are accepted for exchange
will not receive accrued interest on such Existing Notes for any period from
and after the last interest payment date on which interest has been paid on
such Existing Notes prior to the original issue date of the Exchange Notes or,
if no such interest has been paid or duly provided for, will not receive any
accrued interest on such Existing Notes, and the undersigned waives the right
to receive any interest on such Existing Notes accrued from and after such
interest payment date or, if no such interest has been paid, from and after
August 19, 1998.     
 
  The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Existing Notes tendered hereby. All
authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
 
  THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING
NOTES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE
EXISTING NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
               HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
                
             (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE 13)     
      (NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)
    
 Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s)
 appear(s) on Certificate(s) for the Existing Notes hereby
 tendered or on the register of holders maintained by the
 Company, or by any person(s) authorized to become the
 registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents
 transmitted herewith (including such opinions of counsel,
 certifications and other information as may be required by
 the Company or the Trustee for the Existing Notes to comply
 with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Existing
 Notes). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor,
 administrator, trustee, guardian, officer or a corporation
 or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative
 capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See
 Instruction 5.     
 _____________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________
                  (SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
 Date: ________________________________________________ , 199
 
 
 Name(s)______________________________________________________
 
 _____________________________________________________________
                         (PLEASE PRINT)
 
 Capacity (full title)________________________________________
 
 Address______________________________________________________
 
 _____________________________________________________________
 
 _____________________________________________________________
                       (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
 Area Code and Telephone Number: _____________________________
 
 Tax Identification or
 Social Security No. _________________________________________
 
             GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES(S) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)
 
 
 Authorized Signature_________________________________________
 
 Date: ________________________________________________ , 199
 
 Name of Firm_________________________________________________
 
 Capacity (full title)________________________________________
                         (PLEASE PRINT)
 
 Address______________________________________________________
 
 _____________________________________________________________
 
 _____________________________________________________________
                       (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
 Area Code and Telephone Number ______________________________
 
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
   SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS             SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
   (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)             (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)
 
 
  To be completed ONLY if the Ex-           To be completed ONLY if Exchange
 change Notes or Existing Notes            Notes or Existing Notes not ten-
 not tendered are to be issued in          dered are to be sent to someone
 the name of someone other than            other than the registered holder
 the registered holder of the Ex-          of the Existing Notes whose
 isting Notes whose name(s) ap-            name(s) appear(s) above, or such
 pear(s) above.                            registered holder(s) at an ad-
                                           dress other than that shown
                                           above.
 
 
 
 Issue
                                           Mail
 
 
 [_]Existing Notes not tendered
 to: ______________________________        [_]Existing Notes not tendered
 [_]Exchange Notes, to: ___________        to: ______________________________
                                           [_]Exchange Notes, to: ___________
 
 Name(s) __________________________        Name(s) __________________________
 
                                                     (PLEASE PRINT)
 Address __________________________        Address __________________________
 __________________________________        __________________________________
         (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)                          (INCLUDE CODE)
 Area Code and Telephone                   Area Code and Telephone
 Number ___________________________        Number ___________________________
 __________________________________        __________________________________
 __________________________________        __________________________________
   (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL             (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL
        SECURITY NUMBER(S))                       SECURITY NUMBER(S))
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                 INSTRUCTIONS
 
        FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be pursuant to
the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus.
Certificates, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Existing
Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as this Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Existing Notes may be
tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
   
  Holders who wish to tender their Existing Notes and (i) whose Existing Notes
are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Existing Notes,
this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the
procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender
their Existing Notes by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly and duly
executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made
available by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior
to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Certificates (or a book-entry
confirmation (as defined in the Prospectus)) representing all tendered
Existing Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent within five New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date of execution of such
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The Exchange Offer--
Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus.     
 
  The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by
facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Existing Notes
to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the
Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the
Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution"
means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act
as "an eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined
therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or
dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a
national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing
agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities
Transfer Association.
 
  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
  The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance
of such tender.
 
  2. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:
 
  (i) this letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of
      Existing Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed
      either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box
      entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or
 
  (ii) such Existing Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an
       Eligible Institution.
 
  In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
 
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned "Description
of Existing Notes" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the
principal amount of Existing Notes and any other required information should
be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of
Transmittal.
   
  4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Existing Notes will be
accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount. If less than
all the Existing Notes evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be
tendered, fill in the principal amount of Existing Notes which are to be
tendered in the box entitled "Principal Amount of Existing Notes Tendered." In
such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Existing Notes that
were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of
the Existing Notes, promptly after the Expiration Date. All Existing Notes
represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to
have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.     
 
  Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Existing Notes may be
withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic,
telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in
the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of
withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Existing Notes
to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes to be
withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Existing Notes have been tendered) the
name of the registered holder of the Existing Notes as set forth on the
Certificate for the Existing Notes, if different from that of the person who
tendered such Existing Notes. If Certificates for the Existing Notes have been
delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the
physical release of such Certificates for the Existing Notes, the tendering
holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for
the Existing Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of
withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case
of Existing Notes tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If
Existing Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Existing Notes," the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Existing
Notes, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to
the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission.
Withdrawals of tenders of Existing Notes may not be rescinded. Existing Notes
properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to
the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing
Notes."
 
  All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Exchange Agent,
in its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. None of the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the
Exchange Agent or any other person shall be under any duty to give any
notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Existing Notes which
have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder
thereof without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.
 
  5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OR TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Existing Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with
the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
  If any of the Existing Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or
more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  If any tendered Existing Notes are registered in different name(s) on
several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as
many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are
different registrations of Certificates.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such persons
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory
to the Exchange Agent, in its sole discretion, of each such Person's authority
so to act.
 
  When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Existing Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Notes
are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s).
Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Existing Notes listed, the Certificates must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name
or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also
must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other
information as the Company or the Trustee for the Existing Notes may require
in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Existing
Notes. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
  6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If Exchange Notes are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be
completed. Certificates for Existing Notes not exchanged will be returned by
mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account
indicated above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.
 
  7. IRREGULARITIES. The Company and the Exchange Agent will determine, in
their sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any
tender of Existing Notes, which determination shall be final and binding on
all parties. The Company and the Exchange Agent reserve the absolute right to
reject any and all tenders determined by either of them not to be in proper
form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view of
counsel to the Company and the Exchange Agent, be unlawful. The Company and
the Exchange Agent also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law,
to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Existing Notes of
any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are
waived in the case of other holders. The Company's and the Exchange Agent's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including
this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and
binding. No tender of Existing Notes will be deemed to have been validly made
until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or
waived. The Company and the Exchange Agent, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company and the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall not be under any
duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any
liability for failure to give such notification.
 
  8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and
requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
   
  9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING, SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under U.S. Federal income
tax law, a holder whose tendered Existing Notes are accepted for exchange is
required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition,
payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Existing Notes
exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup
withholding.     
 
  The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering
holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply
for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is checked, the holder or
other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such
amounts withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute
Form W-9. If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60
days after the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during
the 60 day period will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall
be retained or withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If,
however, the holder has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within
such 60 day period, amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup
withholding. In addition, 31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld
and remitted to the IRS until a correct TIN is provided.
 
  The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Existing Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers
attached to, or endorsed on, the Existing Notes. If the Existing Notes are
registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner,
consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to
report.
 
  Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the
face thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person
may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form
W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt
status. Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.
 
  Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax. Rather, the
U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding
will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
  10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
 
  11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional, irregular or
contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Existing Notes,
by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive
notice of the acceptance of their Existing Notes for exchanges.
 
  Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to
give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of
Existing Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give
any such notice.
 
  12. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Existing Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder
should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed
as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s).
This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been
followed.
 
  13. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Existing Notes for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the
Existing Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other
than the exchange of Existing Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer,
then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered
holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes
will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
  IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE.
 
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
               TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
                              (See Instruction 9)
 
                      PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                        PART I--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR
 SUBSTITUTE             TIN ON THE LINE AT RIGHT       TIN: _________________
 FORM W-9               AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND     Social Security Number
                        DATING BELOW.
                                                              OR

                                                       ----------------------
                                                       Employer Identification
                                                               number        
                        ----------------------------------------------------- 
                        PART 2--TIN Applied For [_]
                        ----------------------------------------------------- 
 DEPARTMENT OF          CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I
 THE TREASURY           CERTIFY THAT:
 INTERNAL               (1) The number shown on this form is my correct
 REVENUE                    taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting
 SERVICE                    for a number to be issued to me).
                                                       
                        (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either
                            because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding,
                            (ii) I have not been notified by the Internal
                            Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to
                            backup withholding as a result of a failure to
                            report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the
                            IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject
                            to backup withholding, and

                        (3) any other information provided on this form is
                            true and correct.
 
                       --------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR 
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION   Signature: _____________     
NUMBER ("TIN") AND                                  Date: , 1999     
CERTIFICATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 YOU MUST CROSS OUT ITEM (iii) IN PART (2) ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY
 THE IRS THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING BECAUSE OF UNDERREPORTING
 INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS ON YOUR TAX RETURN AND YOU HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY
 THE IRS THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
      RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT
      TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
      CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
      FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
 YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 2
                            OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
   I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
 has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
 application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
 Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Officer or
 (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I
 understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the
 time of payment, 31% of all payments made to me on account of the Exchange
 Agent and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer identification number within
 60 days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue
 Service as backup withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me
 thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service
 until I provide a taxpayer identification number.
 
 Signature ________________________   Date ______________________________ 1997

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                      13

<PAGE>
 
                                                                
                                                             EXHIBIT 99.02     
 
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                     
                  FOR TENDER OF ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING     
              SERIES A 11 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
                           
                        (THE "EXISTING NOTES") OF     
 
                     GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION
 
  This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this
form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates for Series A 11 1/4% Senior Subordinate Notes due 2008 (the
"Existing Notes") of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation are not immediately
available, (ii) Existing Notes, the Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents cannot be delivered to The Bank of New York (the "Exchange
Agent") on or prior to 5:00 P.M. New York City time, on the Expiration Date
(as defined in the Prospectus referred to below) or (iii) the procedures for
delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis. This
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or
mail, or transmitted by facsimile transmission, to the Exchange Agent. See
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the
Prospectus. In addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure
to tender Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a completed, signed
and dated Letter of Transmittal relating to the Existing Notes (or facsimile
thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 P.M. New
York City time, on the Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined herein
have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.
 
                 The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
 
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
 
    By Registered or             Facsimile               By Hand or Overnight
     Certified Mail            Transmissions:                  Delivery
 
 
                           (Eligible Institutions
  The Bank of New York             Only)                 The Bank of New York
 
 101 Barclay Street, 7E                                   101 Barclay Street
   New York, New York          (212) 571-3080              Corporate Trust
         10286                                             Services Window
 
  Attn: Reorganization      Confirm by Telephone             Ground Level
        Section                (212) 815-6333             New York, New York
                                                                10286
 
                           For Information Call:         Attn: Reorganization
                               (212) 815-6333                  Section
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA
FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.
 
  THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE
SIGNATURES. IF SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE
GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE
SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
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<PAGE>
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
   
  The undersigned hereby tenders to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a
Delaware Corporation (the "Company") upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated      , 1999 (as the same may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), and the related
Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"),
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of
Existing Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering Existing Notes."     
 
 ____________________________________________________________________________
                          AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
 ____________________________________________________________________________
                      NAME(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S):
 Amount Tendered: $__________________________________________________________
 
 Certificate No(s)
 if available): _____________________________________________________________
 : __________________________________________________________________________
      (TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT REPRESENTED BY EXISTING NOTES CERTIFICATE(S)
 $ __________________________________________________________________________
 If Existing Notes will be tendered by book-entry transfer, provide the
 following information:
 
 DTC Account Number: ________________________________________________________
 
 Date: ______________________________________________________________________
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
 death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the
 undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs personal
 representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
 
 X____________________________________________   ______________________________
 
 X____________________________________________   ______________________________
                                                              DATE
     SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S) OR AUTHORIZED
                 SIGNATORY     
 
 Area Code and Telephone Number: ____________________________________________
 
 Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Existing Notes as their name(s)
 appear(s) on certificates for Existing Notes or on a security position
 listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
 endorsement and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed
 Delivery. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
 attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or
 representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title
 below.
                     
                  (PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES))     
 Name(s):____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________
 
 Capacity: __________________________________________________________________
 
 Address(es): _______________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
       
                                   GUARANTEE
                   (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
   
  The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii)
a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer,
government securities broker, government securities dealer; (iii) a credit
union; (v) a national securities exchange, registered securities association
or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing
being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver
to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above, either the
Existing Notes tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of
the book-entry transfer of such Existing Notes to the Exchange Agent's account
at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for book-
entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case together with one
or more properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) or Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof) and any other required documents within five business days
after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.     
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of
Transmittal and the Existing Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent
within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result
in a financial loss to the undersigned.
 
______________________________________   ______________________________________
             NAME OF FIRM
 
                                                  AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
 
______________________________________   ______________________________________
               ADDRESS
 
                                                         TITLE
 
______________________________________   ______________________________________
               ZIP CODE
 
                                                 (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NO. __________   DATED: _______________________________
   
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR EXISTING NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES
      FOR EXISTING NOTES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
          
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