HVIDE MARINE INC
10-Q, 1997-11-07
DEEP SEA FOREIGN TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT
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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
                                   OF 1934.

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

                        Commission File Number:  0-28732



                           HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED


State of Incorporation:  Florida               I.R.S. Employer I.D. 65-0524593

                                2200 Eller Drive
                                 P.O. Box 13038
                         Ft. Lauderdale, Florida  33316
                                 (954) 524-4200




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past ninety days.


                                      Yes      X              No


There were  12,097,518 and 3,181,936  shares of Class A Common Stock,  par value
$0.001  per  share,  and Class B Common  Stock,  par  value  $0.001  per  share,
respectively, outstanding at November 3, 1997.


<PAGE>



HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED

Quarter ended September 30, 1997

Index
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                           Page


Part I.  Financial information

    Item 1.  Financial Statements............................................1

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
         December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997 (unaudited)................2

         Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
         for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 
         1997 (unaudited)....................................................4

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
         nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 (unaudited)...........5

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements................6

    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of Operations................12

Part II.  Other information

    Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................22

    Signature................................................................23


<PAGE>



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

         The  financial  information  included  herein  is  unaudited.   Certain
information  and  footnote   disclosures  normally  included  in  the  financial
statements have been condensed or omitted  pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission"),  although the
Company  believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information
presented  not  misleading.   These  financial  statements  should  be  read  in
conjunction  with the financial  statements  and related notes  contained in the
Company's  1996  consolidated  financial  statements  previously  filed with the
Commission.  Other than as  indicated  herein,  there  have been no  significant
changes from the  financial  data  published  in said report.  In the opinion of
management, such unaudited information reflects all adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited
information shown.

         Results for the interim  period  presented  herein are not  necessarily
indicative of results expected for the full year.

                                                         1

<PAGE>



                                    Hvide Marine Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                                       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                       (In thousands, except share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   December 31     September 30
                                                                                       1996            1997
                                                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>
ASSETS
   Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents..................................................  $      9,617    $     7,790
      Accounts receivable:
        Trade, net...............................................................        16,049         30,617
        Insurance claims and other...............................................         1,717          1,740
      Inventory, spares and supplies.............................................         5,517          7,928
      Prepaid expenses...........................................................         1,253          2,967
      Deferred costs, net........................................................         4,173          6,283
          Total current assets...................................................        38,326         57,325

   Property:
      Construction in progress...................................................         8,041         36,877
      Vessels and improvements...................................................       229,776        357,460
          Less accumulated depreciation..........................................       (27,480)       (39,390)
      Furniture and equipment....................................................         4,502          5,593
          Less accumulated depreciation..........................................        (1,409)        (1,601)
             Net property........................................................       213,430        358,939

   Other assets:
      Deferred costs, net........................................................         4,645          5,806
      Due from affiliates........................................................            49            439
      Investment in affiliates...................................................         1,291          1,537
      Goodwill, net..............................................................         8,612          8,233
      Deposits and other.........................................................         7,120            988
          Total other assets.....................................................        21,717         17,003
             Total...............................................................  $    273,473    $   433,267
</TABLE>




                                              See accompanying notes.


                                                         2

<PAGE>



                       Hvide Marine Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                          (In thousands, except share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  December 31      September 30
                                                                                       1996           1997
                                                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                               <C>              <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities:
   Current maturities of long-term debt.........................................  $      24,375    $     6,847
   Current obligations under capital leases.....................................          1,443          1,534
   Accounts payable.............................................................          6,278         11,214
   Deferred income..............................................................          2,001          1,784
   Accrued liabilities and other................................................         12,933         11,584
          Total current liabilities.............................................         47,030         32,963

Long-term liabilities:
   Long-term debt...............................................................        108,154         47,164
   Notes payable to related parties.............................................            178             --
   Obligations under capital leases.............................................          7,492          6,312
   Deferred income taxes........................................................          6,385         13,795
   Other     ...................................................................          2,245          2,161
      Total long-term liabilities...............................................        124,454         69,432
      Total liabilities.........................................................        171,484        102,395
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
   securities issued by a consolidated subsidiary...............................             --        115,000
Minority partners' equity in subsidiaries.......................................            898            818
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value authorized 10,000,000 shares,
      issued and outstanding, none..............................................             --             --
   Class A Common Stock--$.001 par value, authorized 100,000,000
      shares, issued and outstanding, 7,647,791 and 12,095,568                                8             12
   Class B Common Stock--$.001 par value, authorized 5,000,000
      shares, issued and outstanding, 3,419,577 and 3,181,936                                 3              3
   Additional paid-in capital...................................................         97,153        195,398
   Retained earnings............................................................          3,927         19,641
      Total stockholders' equity................................................        101,091        215,054
             Total..............................................................  $     273,473    $   433,267


</TABLE>


                                              See accompanying notes.


                                                         3

<PAGE>



                   Hvide Marine Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                    Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
                               (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30                  September 30
                                                            1996          1997             1996          1997
                                                        (In thousands, except share and per share data)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>
Revenues..............................................  $    30,379    $    56,906      $    72,130   $  142,853

Operating Expenses:
   Crew payroll and benefits..........................        7,830         13,015           19,968       34,109
   Charter hire and bond guarantee fee................        1,161          3,198            3,386        7,087
   Repairs and maintenance............................        2,276          4,988            5,848       11,357
   Insurance..........................................        1,925          2,313            4,957        6,555
   Consumables........................................        1,704          4,078            4,196        9,210
   Other..............................................        1,662          3,225            3,734        8,816
     Total operating expenses.........................       16,558         30,817           42,089       77,134
Selling, general and administrative
     expenses.........................................        4,036          6,516           11,049       17,568
Depreciation and amortization.........................        2,688          5,169            6,115       13,021
   Income from operations.............................        7,097         14,404           12,877       35,130
   Net interest expense...............................        2,911            383            8,751        4,529
Other income (expense):
   Minority interest and equity in earnings
     of subsidiaries..................................          353         (1,801)             721       (1,807)
   Other..............................................         (572)          (134)            (522)        (286)
     Total other income (expense).....................         (219)        (1,935)             199       (2,093)
Income before provision for
   income taxes and extraordinary item                        3,967         12,086            4,325       28,508
Provision for income taxes............................        1,484          4,586            1,616       10,662
Income before extraordinary item......................        2,483          7,500            2,709       17,846
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net
   of applicable income taxes of $1,405 and
   $1,252, respectively...............................        8,016             --            8,016        2,132
    Net (loss) income.................................  $    (5,533)   $     7,500      $    (5,307)  $   15,714
Earnings per common  and common equivalent share:
Income applicable to common shares
   before extraordinary item..........................  $      0.36    $      0.48      $      0.68   $     1.19
Loss on early extinguishment of debt..................        (1.16)            --            (2.00)       (0.14)
    Net (loss) income applicable to common shares.....  $     (0.80)   $      0.48      $     (1.32)  $     1.05
Earnings per common share assuming full dilution:
Income applicable to common shares
   before extraordinary item..........................  $      0.36    $      0.44      $      0.68   $     1.16
Loss on early extinguishment of debt..................        (1.16)            --            (2.00)       (0.13)
    Net (loss) income applicable to common shares       $     (0.80 )  $      0.44      $     (1.32)  $     1.03
Weighted average number of common
   shares and common share equivalents
   outstanding........................................    6,934,648     15,618,818        4,012,148   14,973,772
Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding assuming full dilution..........    6,934,648     19,702,340        4,012,148   16,476,346
</TABLE>


                                              See accompanying notes.


                                                         4

<PAGE>



                    Hvide Marine Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Nine Months Ended
                                                                                             September 30
                                                                                           1996        1997
                                                                                            (In thousands)
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>
Operating Activities:
   Net (loss) income.................................................................   $  (5,307)  $  15,714

Adjustments to  reconcile  net (loss)  income to net cash  provided by 
   operating activities:
      Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net......................................       8,016       2,132
      Depreciation and amortization..................................................       6,115      13,021
      Provision for bad debts........................................................         144         496
      Loss on disposal of property...................................................          --          63
      Amortization of drydocking costs...............................................       1,937       3,871
      Amortization of discount on long-term debt.....................................         148           5
      (Benefit from) provision for deferred taxes....................................      (1,616)      8,662
      Minority partners' equity in losses of subsidiaries, net.......................        (651)        (80)
      Undistributed losses of affiliates, net........................................         (87)        (64)
      Other non-cash items...........................................................          --         464
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
      Accounts receivable............................................................      (2,459)    (15,087)
      Due from affiliates............................................................         (23)       (389)
      Current and other assets.......................................................       3,219      (8,224)
      Accounts payable and other liabilities.........................................       1,602      (2,447)
        Net cash provided by operating activities....................................      11,038      18,137

Investing Activities:
   Purchase of property..............................................................      (3,671)    (18,688)
   Construction in progress..........................................................      (4,064)    (23,872)
   Proceeds from disposal of property................................................          21       1,633
   Capital contribution to affiliates................................................        (602)       (182)
   Acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $1,722 in 1996 and $2,819 deposits
     utilized in 1997................................................................     (54,136)    (96,648)
        Net cash used in investing activities........................................     (62,452)   (137,757)

Financing Activities:
   Net repayments of short-term borrowings...........................................      (1,222)    (10,647)
   Proceeds from long-term debt......................................................      21,700      59,210
   Principal payments of long-term debt..............................................     (41,243)   (133,738)
   Payment of debt and other financing costs.........................................        (628)       (984)
   Payment of obligations under capital leases.......................................        (972)     (1,090)
   Payment of notes payable to related parties.......................................        (370)       (178)
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs.....................      76,697      94,111
   Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities, net of offering costs.............         --      111,109
      Net cash provided by financing activities......................................      53,962     117,793

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.....................................       2,548      (1,827)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.....................................       3,050       9,617
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...........................................   $   5,598   $   7,790

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
   Capital leases assumed for the acquisition of vessels.............................   $   5,410   $      --
   Capital stock issued for the acquisition of vessels...............................   $      --   $   3,650
</TABLE>

                                              See accompanying notes.


                                                         5

<PAGE>



                 HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             September 30, 1997
                                 (Unaudited)

1.  Offerings of Equity Securities

         On August 14, 1996, the Company  completed the initial public  offering
(the "IPO") of 7,000,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock at $12.00 per share.
The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $74,821,000,  after deducting
underwriting  commissions  and other  offering  expenses.  A portion  of the net
proceeds was used primarily to repay certain  indebtedness  that was outstanding
prior to the IPO and for the  cash  portion  of the  purchase  price of  certain
acquisitions  consummated  subsequent  to the IPO. On September  12,  1996,  the
underwriters' over-allotment option was exercised, in part, pursuant to which an
additional  159,000  shares  were  issued.  The net  proceeds  of  approximately
$1,774,000 were used by the Company to repay certain  outstanding  indebtedness.
In addition, on August 14, 1996, the Company issued 182,000 and 1,188,000 shares
of  Class A and  Class B Common  Stock,  respectively,  in  payment  of  certain
outstanding indebtedness.

         On February 5, 1997,  the Company  completed a second  public  offering
(the  "Second  Offering")  of  4,000,000  shares of its Class A Common  Stock at
$24.875  per share.  The net  proceeds to the Company  were  $94,300,000,  after
deducting underwriting commissions. Of such amount,  approximately $36.2 million
was used to repay certain  indebtedness.  Of the balance of approximately  $58.1
million,  $5.5 million was used to fund vessel  acquisitions,  $20.9 million was
used to fund the  remainder of the  purchase  price of four supply boats and one
crew boat acquired in the second quarter of 1997, $1.8 million was designated to
fund the  purchase of one crew boat in the third  quarter of 1997,  $6.9 million
was  designated to fund the  refurbishment  and  lengthening of two supply boats
expected  to be put into  service  during  the fourth  quarter of 1997,  and the
remaining $23.0 million was available for general corporate purposes and to fund
a portion of the costs of the vessels to be constructed.

         On June 24,  1997,  the  Company  completed  a  private  offering  (the
"Private Offering") of 2,300,000,  6 1/2% Trust Convertible Preferred Securities
(the  "Preferred  Securities").  The Preferred  Securities  were issued by Hvide
Capital Trust (the "Trust"),  a 100%-owned  subsidiary of the Company. The Trust
exists for the sole purpose of issuing the  Preferred  Securities  and investing
the  proceeds  from the  issuance  thereof  in 6 1/2%  Convertible  Subordinated
Debentures due June 15, 2012 (the "Debentures")  issued by the Company.  The net
proceeds  to  the  Company  were  $111,550,000   after  deducting   underwriting
commissions.  Of such  amount,  approximately  $94.2  million  was used to repay
principal and interest  outstanding  under the Company's  credit  agreement (the
"Credit Facility"),  and $6.0 million was used to repay other indebtedness.  The
remaining $11.4 million was available for general corporate purposes.

         Holders  of  the   Preferred   Securities   are   entitled  to  receive
preferential  cumulative cash distribution from the Trust at an annual rate of 6
1/2% of the liquidation  preference of $50 per Preferred  Security accruing from
the date of the  original  issuance  of the  Preferred  Securities  and  payable
quarterly  in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and  October 1 of each year,
commencing on October 1, 1997. The  distribution  rate and the  distribution and
other payment dates for the Preferred Securities correspond to the interest rate
and  interest and other  payment  dates for the  Debentures,  which are the sole
assets of the Trust.


                                                         6

<PAGE>



         The Preferred Securities are convertible,  beginning September 25, 1997
and prior to the maturity  date of the  Debentures  or, in the case of Preferred
Securities called for redemption, prior to the close of business on the business
day prior to the  redemption  date,  at the option of the holder  into shares of
Hvide Class A Common Stock at the rate of 1.7544  shares of Hvide Class A Common
Stock for each Preferred  Security  (equivalent to a conversion  price of $28.50
per share of Hvide  Class A Common  Stock),  subject  to  adjustment  in certain
circumstances.

2.  Debt

         Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                December 31  September 30
                                                                                   1996          1997
                                                                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>
        Borrowings outstanding under lines of credit.........................   $   10,647   $    17,000
        Term Loan............................................................       58,500            --
        Acquisition Line.....................................................        9,700            --
        Senior Note..........................................................        9,153            --
        Title XI Debt........................................................       32,243        28,573
        Notes payable........................................................       12,286         8,438
                                                                                   132,529        54,011
        Less:  Current maturities............................................      (24,375)       (6,847)
                                                                                $  108,154   $    47,164
</TABLE>

        The Company  currently has a credit  agreement (the "Credit  Agreement")
that provides for a $175 million  revolving line of credit through September 30,
1999 at which time  availability  decreases  by $6  million  per  quarter  until
September 30, 2002 (the "Maturity Date"). The Company's outstanding indebtedness
under the Credit Facility was $17 million at September 30, 1997.

        Borrowings  under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on one of two
calculations set forth in the Credit Agreement,  at the Company's option, plus a
margin based on the Company's  compliance  with certain  financial  ratios.  One
interest rate calculation is tied to the Eurodollar (the "Eurodollar  Rate") and
the  other  calculation  is  tied  to  the  higher  of  the  base  rate  of  the
administrative  agent  named  in  the  Credit  Agreement  or the  Federal  Funds
Effective  Rate (the "Base Rate").  The Credit  Agreement  allows the Company to
convert  its  revolving  credit  loans from  Eurodollar  Rate loans to Base Rate
loans, and vice versa, from time to time. Such borrowings were accruing interest
at  approximately  6.2% at September 30, 1997. On the Maturity Date, all amounts
outstanding  under  the  revolving  line of  credit,  together  with any and all
accrued and unpaid interest,  will become due and payable. Prior to the Maturity
Date, the Company can repay any outstanding amount, in whole or in part, without
penalty or premium.

        Covenants under the Credit  Agreement,  among other things,  (i) require
the Company to meet certain  financial  tests,  including  tests  requiring  the
maintenance  of minimum  leverage  ratios,  debt service  coverage  ratios,  and
indebtedness to tangible net worth ratios; (ii) limit the creation or incurrence
of certain liens;  (iii) limit the incurrence of additional  indebtedness;  (iv)
restrict  the Company from making  certain  investments;  (v)  restrict  certain
payments,  including  dividends,  with respect to shares of any class of capital
stock; (vi) restrict modification of the terms of the Preferred Securities,  and
in certain

                                                         7

<PAGE>


                    HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


circumstances  the  repayment,   redemption,  or  repurchase  of  the  Preferred
Securities;  and (vii) limit  certain  corporate  acts of the  Company,  such as
making  certain  dispositions  of assets,  and entering  into  certain  types of
business transactions, including certain mergers and acquisitions.

        On August 30, 1997, the Company  secured a $5.6 million  stand-by letter
of  credit  with  one of its  banks  for a  period  of one  year  which,  unless
terminated, renews automatically for additional one year periods.

         The  Company's  Credit  Facility,  which  was  replaced  by the  Credit
Agreement  dated  September 30, 1997, was amended on February 3, 1997,  provided
for a revolving  working capital credit line of $20,000,000  through January 15,
2002 (the  "Revolving  Line")  and a  stand-by  letter of credit of  $5,600,000.
Borrowings  outstanding under the Revolving Line totaled  $8,000,000 at December
31, 1996.

         The Credit  Facility also provided for a term loan (the "Term Loan") of
up to $56,750,000 and a $50,000,000 acquisition line of credit (the "Acquisition
Line") to fund the cash portion of acquisitions.  Borrowings  outstanding  under
the Term Loan and  Acquisition  Line were repaid with a portion of the  proceeds
from the Private  Offering on June 27, 1997 and the Second  Offering on February
5, 1997, respectively.

         On  September  30, 1994,  and as amended on May 24,  1995,  the Company
issued a $25,000,000  senior  subordinated note (the "Senior Note"). The Company
received  proceeds of approximately  $23,072,000,  net of discount of $1,928,000
which was being amortized as interest  expense over the term of the Senior Note.
On August 14, 1996 and September 12, 1996, the Company repaid  $13,490,000,  and
$1,700,000,  respectively,  of the  principal  balance of the Senior Note with a
portion  of the  proceeds  from the IPO and the  exercise  of the  underwriters'
related  over-allotment  option. The remaining balance of $9,810,000,  including
interest,  was repaid with a portion of the  proceeds of the Second  Offering on
February 5, 1997.

         On August 14, 1996, the Company assumed $34,650,000 of Title XI Debt in
connection  with the  acquisitions  of  certain  vessels.  The  Title XI Debt is
collateralized  by first  preferred  mortgages  on  certain  vessels  and  bears
interest at rates  ranging  from 5.4% to 10.1%.  The debt is due in  semi-annual
principal and interest payments through December 1, 2006. Under the terms of the
Title XI Debt,  the Company is  required to maintain a minimum  level of working
capital, as defined, and comply with certain other financial covenants.

         In connection with redemption of the outstanding preferred stock of the
predecessor   company  in  1994,  the  Company  issued  notes  payable  totaling
approximately  $3,561,000  to  the  former  stockholder.  On  August  14,  1996,
approximately $1,548,000 was repaid with a portion of the proceeds from the IPO.
The remaining  balance of approximately  $2,013,000 was repaid with a portion of
the proceeds from the Second Offering on February 5, 1997.

         In connection with the  acquisition of the outstanding  common stock of
its previously  unconsolidated  50%-owned  affiliate,  Ocean  Specialty  Tankers
Corporation ("OSTC"), on August 14,

                                                         8

<PAGE>


                    HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


1996, the Company assumed OSTC's  obligations under a $4,000,000  revolving line
of credit secured by the  outstanding  accounts  receivables  generated by three
chemical tankers. The revolving line of credit bears interest monthly at LIBOR +
1.5% (7.3% at December 31,  1996).  At December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997,
$2,647,000 and $0 was outstanding under the line of credit.

         The Company made interest  payments of  approximately  $12,953,011  and
$6,977,363 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

3.  Income Taxes

         For the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and 1997,  the provision
for income taxes was computed  using an estimated  annual  effective tax rate of
37.0% and 37.4%, respectively,  adjusted principally for depreciation on vessels
built with capital construction funds.

4.  Acquisitions

         In January 1997, the Company  purchased a supply boat and two tug boats
for cash of approximately $4.7 million and $600,000, respectively.

         In February  1997, the Company  purchased  three crew boats for cash of
approximately $5.6 million.

         In February 1997, the Company purchased the outstanding common stock of
an entity for cash of  approximately  $1.5  million.  Pursuant  to the  purchase
agreement,  the Company  assumed the entity's  commitments to fund the remaining
construction   costs  of  three  crew  boats,  two  which  are  currently  under
construction, and one which was completed in June 1997 for an additional cost of
approximately $1.0 million. The aggregate remaining construction cost of the two
vessels under construction is approximately $4.8 million.  The fair value of net
assets acquired approximates the purchase price paid by the Company.

         In April  1997,  the  Company  purchased  two supply  boats for cash of
approximately $10.5 million.

         In May 1997, the Company  acquired 35 offshore  energy support  vessels
for consideration valued at $58.7 million,  consisting of cash of $49.0 million,
a note  payable in the amount of $6.0  million,  and  141,760  shares of Class A
Common Stock valued by the Company at $3.7  million.  Of the cash portion of the
purchase price,  $10.5 million was funded from the Company's  available cash and
$38.5 million was drawn under the Credit Facility. The $6.0 million note payable
and the $38.5 million of debt incurred to fund the acquisition  were repaid with
the proceeds of the Private Offering.

         In  May  1997,  the  Company  purchased  a  supply  boat  for  cash  of
approximately $2.8 million.

         In June 1997,  the Company  purchased  two supply boats and a crew boat
for cash of approximately $13.2 million.


                                                         9

<PAGE>


                   HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
         NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


         In July 1997, the Company purchased four double skin barges for cash of
approximately $2.4 million.

         In August 1997, the Company purchased one anchor-handling  vessel and a
crew  boat  for  cash  of   approximately   $1.7  million  and  $1.8  million,
respectively.

         In September 1997, the Company purchased an anchor-handling  vessel for
cash of approximately $5.4 million.

5.  Extraordinary Item

         On August 14, 1996, the Company paid cash of $26,307,000; issued 55,500
shares of Class A common stock and  1,188,502  shares of Class B common stock to
repay $25,000,000 and $15,190,000 of the Junior and Senior Notes,  respectively.
Accordingly, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of $8,108,000 for the
write off of deferred  financing costs and related debt discounts,  net of a tax
benefit of $1,474,000.

         In  February  and  June  1997,  the  Company  repaid   $33,220,000  and
$93,500,000,  respectively,  of its  outstanding  debt and  amended  its  Credit
Facility.  As a result, the Company recorded  extraordinary losses of $1,754,000
and  $378,000,  respectively,  for the  write-off  of deferred  financing  costs
associated with the early  extinguishment of debt, net of income tax benefits of
$1,030,000 and $222,000 respectively.

6.  Subsequent Events

         In October 1997, the Company purchased the outstanding  common stock of
an  entity  for  cash of  approximately  $36.5  million  and the  assumption  of
approximately  $24.5 million of long-term  debt and other  liabilities.  Cost in
excess of net assets  acquired was  approximately  $12.5  million  which will be
amortized over 20 years.

         In October 1997,  the Company  entered into a joint  venture  agreement
whereby the venture will  design,  construct  and operate a  construction/anchor
handling tug supply vessel. Pursuant to the terms of the venture agreement,  the
Company  is  required  to fund  $20.8  million  of the  estimated  $37.0  of the
construction costs.

         In October  1997,  the Company  purchased  30 offshore  energy  support
vessels and a repair facility for cash of approximately $36.0 million.

7.  Prospective Accounting Changes

     In February  1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 128  "Earnings  Per Share" and
SFAS No. 129  "Disclosure of  Information  about Capital  Structure,"  which are
effective  for fiscal years  beginning  after  December  15, 1997.  SFAS No. 128
simplifies the current required  calculation of earnings per share ("EPS") under
APB No. 15,  "Earnings  per Share," by  replacing  the existing  calculation  of
primary EPS

                                                        10

<PAGE>


                    HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
          NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)


with a basic EPS  calculation.  It  requires a dual  presentation,  for  complex
capital structures, of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income statement
and requires a reconciliation of basic EPS factors to diluted EPS factors.  SFAS
No. 129 requires disclosing information about an entity's capital structure. The
Company  plans to adopt  SFAS No.  128 and SFAS No.  129 in 1998 and  expects no
material impact to the Company's EPS calculation or disclosure information.

         In June 1997,  the FASB  issued SFAS No. 130  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income," which is effective for fiscal years  beginning after December 15, 1997.
This  Statement   established   standards  for  the  reporting  and  display  of
comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in a full  set of  general  purpose
financial statements.  The new rule requires that the Company (a) classify items
of other  comprehensive  income by their nature in a financial statement and (b)
display the accumulated  balance of other  comprehensive  income separately from
retained  earnings and additional  paid-in  capital in the equity section of the
balance  sheet.  The Company  plans to adopt SFAS No. 130 in 1998 and expects no
material impact to the Company's financial statement presentation.

         Also in June  1997,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No. 131  "Disclosure  about
Segments of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information,"  which is  effective  for
fiscal years beginning  after December 15, 1997. This Statement  supersedes SFAS
No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business  Enterprise," and amends
SFAS No. 94, "Consolidation of all Majority-Owned  Subsidiaries." This Statement
requires annual financial  statements to disclose information about products and
services,  geographic areas and major customers based on a management  approach,
along  with  interim  reports.   The  management  approach  requires  disclosing
financial and descriptive information about an enterprise's reportable operating
segments  based  on  reporting  information  the way  management  organizes  the
segments  for making  business  decisions  and  assessing  performance.  It also
eliminates the requirement to disclose additional information about subsidiaries
that were not  consolidated.  This new  management  approach  may result in more
information  being  disclosed than  presently  practiced and require new interim
information not previously presented. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 131 in
1998  with  impact  only to the  Company's  disclosure  information  and not its
results of operation.


                                                        11

<PAGE>



Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

         This discussion and analysis of the Company's  financial  condition and
historical  results  of  operations  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the
condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  and the  related  notes  thereto
included elsewhere in this report and the Company's 1996 consolidated  financial
statements and the related notes thereto previously filed with the Commission.

Recent Acquisitions

         The Company's results of operations have been and will be significantly
affected by a series of  acquisitions,  aggregating 82 vessels,  during 1996 and
the first nine months of 1997 as summarized in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Number of          Assets                     Aggregate
                                  Period         Transactions       Acquired                   Investment
<S>                               <C>             <C>            <C>                           <C>
Offshore Energy Support           1996             7             12 supply boats                $46.6 million(1)
                                                                 11 crew boats(2)
                                  1997             11            10 supply boats                $105.9 million
                                                                 20 anchor-handling vessels
                                                                 13 crew boats
                                                                 2 utility boats
                                                                 4 other vessels

Offshore and Harbor Towing        1996             1             1 offshore tug                 $3.4 million
                                  1997             1             2 harbor tugs                  $0.6 million

Chemical Transportation           1996             1             3 chemical carriers            $64.7 million

Energy Transportation..........   1997             1             4 double-hull barges           $2.4 million
</TABLE>

(1)      Includes one vessel that is currently being upgraded,  lengthened,  and
         refurbished  and is expected to enter service during the fourth quarter
         of 1997.  Aggregate  investment  includes  the  estimated  cost of such
         upgrading, lengthening, and refurbishment.
(2)      Includes nine vessels acquired under capital lease obligations.



                                                        12

<PAGE>



Area of Operations Overview

         The financial information presented below represents historical results
by major areas of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Three Months           Nine Months
                                                                           Ended Sept. 30,       Ended Sept. 30,
                                                                          1996       1997       1996       1997
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
Marine Support Services:
    Offshore Energy Support...........................................  $  11,981  $  31,791  $  28,226  $  72,727
    Offshore & Harbor Towing..........................................      3,351      4,507     10,234     12,992
      Marine Support Services Revenues................................     15,332     36,298     38,460     85,719

Marine Transportation Services:
    Chemical Transportation...........................................      9,968     16,110     19,230     44,053
    Petroleum Product Transportation..................................      5,079      4,497     14,440     13,081
      Marine Transportation Services..................................     15,047     20,607     33,670     57,134
Total Revenues........................................................     30,379     56,905     72,130    142,853

Operating Costs:
Marine Support Services:
    Offshore Energy Support...........................................      5,750     13,648     15,371     30,622
    Offshore & Harbor Towing..........................................      1,712      2,993      5,417      8,461
      Marine Support Services Operating Costs.........................      7,462     16,641     20,788     39,083

Marine Transportation Services:
    Chemical Transportation...........................................      5,997     11,075     11,693     29,324
    Petroleum Product Transportation..................................      3,099      3,100      9,608      8,727
      Marine Transportation Operating Costs...........................      9,096     14,175     21,301     38,051
Total Operating Costs.................................................     16,558     30,816     42,089     77,134

Direct Overhead Expense:
Marine Support Services:
    Offshore Energy Support...........................................        659      1,793      1,859      3,792
    Offshore & Harbor Towing..........................................        337        466        922      1,282
      Marine Support Services Direct Overhead.........................        996      2,259      2,851      5,074

Marine Transportation Services:
    Chemical Transportation...........................................        792        993      1,887      3,331
    Petroleum Product Transportation..................................        233        290        684        818
      Marine Transportation Direct Overhead...........................      1,025      1,283      2,571      4,149
Total Direct Overhead.................................................      2,021      3,542      5,422      9,223

Fleet Operating EBITDA (1)
Marine Support Services:
    Offshore Energy Support...........................................      5,572     16,350     10,996     38,313
    Offshore & Harbor Towing..........................................      1,302      1,048      3,825      3,249
      Marine Support Services Fleet EBITDA (1)........................      6,874     17,398     14,821     41,562

Marine Transportation Services:
    Chemical Transportation...........................................      3,179      4,042      5,650     11,398
    Petroleum Product Transportation..................................      1,747      1,107      4,148      3,536
      Marine Transportation Fleet EBITDA (1)..........................      4,926      5,149      9,798     14,934
Total Fleet EBITDA (1)................................................     11,800     22,547     24,619     56,496

Corporate Overhead Expense............................................      2,015      2,974      5,627      8,345
EBITDA (1)............................................................      9,785     19,573     18,992     48,151
Depreciation and Amortization Expense.................................      2,688      5,169      6,115     13,021
Income from Operations................................................  $   7,097  $  14,404  $  12,877  $  35,130
</TABLE>

                                                          13

<PAGE>




(1)   EBITDA (net income from continuing  operations  before  interest  expense,
      income tax expense,  depreciation expense,  amortization expense, minority
      interest and other non-operating  income) is frequently used by securities
      analysts and is presented here to provide additional information about the
      Company's  operations.  Fleet EBITDA is EBITDA before  corporate  overhead
      expenses.  EBITDA and fleet EBITDA are not required by generally  accepted
      accounting  principles,  should not be considered as  alternatives  to net
      income  as  indicators  of  the  Company's  operating  performance,  or as
      alternatives to cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity,  and
      do not  represent  funds  available  for  management's  use. The Company's
      EBITDA may not be  comparable  to similarly  titled  measures  reported by
      other companies.

Revenue Overview

         Marine Support Services

         Revenue  derived  from vessels  providing  marine  support  services is
attributable to the Company's offshore energy support fleet and its offshore and
harbor towing  operations.  Revenue  derived from the Company's  offshore energy
support  services is  primarily a function of the size of the  Company's  fleet,
vessel day rates or charter rates, and fleet utilization.  Rates and utilization
are  primarily a function  of  offshore  drilling  production  and  construction
activities.

         The  following  table  sets forth  average  day rates  achieved  by the
offshore  supply  boats and crew boats  owned or  operated by the Company in the
Gulf of Mexico and their average utilization for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996                                     1997
                                                Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4           Q1         Q2         Q3
<S>                                       <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>
Number of supply boats at end of period         10         11         16         18           19         21         24
Average supply boat day rates(1)           $ 3,468    $ 4,095    $ 5,034   $  5,776      $ 6,483    $ 7,176    $ 7,636
Average supply boat utilization rates(2)        92%       100%        97%        90%          86%        90%        91%

Number of crew boats at end of period(3)        35         35         36         36           39         39         39
Average crew boat day rates(1)(3)          $ 1,469    $ 1,466    $ 1,528   $  1,531      $ 1,782    $ 1,940    $ 2,119
Average crew boat utilization rates(2)(3)       89%        93%        96%        96%          95%        93%        95%
</TABLE>

(1) Average day rates are  calculated  by dividing  total vessel  revenue by the
    total number of days the vessel worked.  
(2) Utilization rates are calculated by dividing the fleet average number of 
    days worked by 365.
(3) Excludes utility boats.

         Marine Transportation Services

         Chemical  Transportation.  Generally,  demand for  industrial  chemical
transportation  services coincides with overall economic  activity.  Since 1989,
revenue  derived  from  chemical  transportation  operations  has been  entirely
attributable  to the  operations  of OSTC, a company  owned equally by OMI Corp.
("OMI") and the Company  until  August  1996,  when the Company  acquired  OMI's
interest  in OSTC  along  with three  chemical  carriers  owned by OMI (the "OMI
Chemical   Carriers").   Prior  to  the  acquisition,   the  Company's  chemical
transportation  revenue consisted of distributions from OSTC attributable to the
Company's two chemical  carriers marketed by OSTC based upon a formula that took
into account  individual vessel  performance  characteristics  applied to OSTC's
revenue (net of fuel costs, port charges, and overhead).  Since the acquisition,
the  Company  continues  to have OSTC  market  the five  chemical  carriers  and
receives the revenue attributable to all five of the vessels.


                                                        14

<PAGE>



         Petroleum Product  Transportation.  Since entering service in 1975, the
product  carrier  Seabulk  Challenger  has  derived  all  of  its  revenue  from
successive  voyage and time  charters  to Shell Oil  Company.  Under the current
charter, fuel and port costs are for the account of the charterer,  charter hire
escalates  based upon changes in the consumer  price index,  and charter hire is
suspended  while the vessel is  unavailable  to transport  cargo,  as when it is
undergoing repairs or regularly  scheduled  maintenance.  The charter extends to
January 2000, with the charterer  retaining the right to early  termination upon
the payment to the Company of a significant  penalty.  In the fourth  quarter of
1996,  the charter  rate was  renegotiated  and reduced by  approximately  6% to
reflect the lower current market rate.  Revenue from the Company's  towboats and
fuel barges has been derived  primarily  from  contracts of  affreightment  with
Florida  Power & Light Co.  ("FPL") and Steuart  Petroleum  Co. that require the
Company to transport fuel as needed by those two customers with the FPL contract
having a guaranteed minimum utilization.

Overview of Operating Expenses and Capital Expenditures

         The Company's operating expenses are primarily a function of fleet size
and utilization levels. The most significant expense categories are crew payroll
and benefits,  depreciation  and  amortization,  charter hire,  maintenance  and
repairs, fuel, and insurance.

         The crews of the Company's  chemical and product carriers are paid on a
time-for-time  basis by which  they  receive  paid leave in  proportion  to time
served aboard a vessel. The crews of certain tugs, towboats, and offshore energy
support vessels are paid only for days worked.

         The Company capitalizes  expenditures  exceeding $5,000 for product and
chemical  tankers and $3,000 for all other vessels where the item acquired has a
useful  life  of  three  years  or  greater.   Vessel  improvements  and  vessel
maintenance and repair are capitalized  only if they also extend the useful life
of the vessel or increase its value. The Company  overhauls main engines and key
auxiliary equipment in accordance with a continuous planned maintenance program.
Under  applicable  regulations,  the  Company's  chemical and product  carriers,
offshore service vessels, and its four largest tugs are required to be drydocked
twice in a five-year period for inspection and routine  maintenance and repairs.
These  vessels are also  required to undergo  special  surveys  every five years
involving  comprehensive  inspection  and  corrective  measures to insure  their
structural  integrity and proper  functioning  of their cargo and ballast piping
systems,  critical  machinery and  equipment,  and coatings.  The Company's fuel
barges,  because they are operated in fresh water,  are required to be drydocked
only twice in each  ten-year  period.  The  Company's  harbor tugs and  towboats
generally  are not required to be drydocked on a specific  schedule.  During the
three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company  drydocked 13 and 32
vessels,  respectively, at an aggregate cost (exclusive of lost revenue) of $1.7
and $3.3 million, respectively, compared with six and 18 vessels drydocked at an
aggregate  cost of $0.3 and $0.5 million,  respectively,  for the three and nine
months ended  September  30, 1996. In addition to variable  expenses  associated
with vessel  operations,  the Company  incurs fixed  charges to  depreciate  its
marine  assets.  The  Company  calculates  depreciation  based on a useful  life
ranging from 25 years for its steel-hull  offshore  energy support vessels to 30
years for aluminum-hull vessels, the lesser of any applicable lease term life or
the Oil  Pollution Act of 1990 life for its product and chemical  carriers,  ten
years for its fuel barges, and 40 years for its towboats and tugs.

         Charter hire  consists  primarily of payments  made with respect to the
bareboat  charters of the Seabulk  Challenger and Seabulk  Magnachem  which were
acquired pursuant to leveraged lease transactions.  The Company has entered into
mortgage financing arrangements for one of the chemical

                                                        15

<PAGE>



carriers  acquired from OMI. The Company also pays charter hire when it charters
harbor tugs to meet requirements in excess of its own tugs'  availability.  This
typically  occurs in Mobile when the Company  charters one or two tugs to assist
with the docking or undocking of a particular vessel.

         Insurance  costs consist  primarily of premiums paid for (i) protection
and indemnity  insurance for the Company's  marine  liability  risks,  which are
insured by a mutual  insurance  association of which the Company is a member and
through the commercial insurance markets;  (ii) hull and machinery insurance and
other  maritime-related  insurance,  which are provided  through the  commercial
marine  insurance  markets;  and (iii) general  liability and other  traditional
insurance, which is provided through the commercial insurance markets. Insurance
costs,  particularly costs of marine insurance,  are directly related to overall
insurance market conditions and industry and individual loss records, which vary
from year to year.

Results of Operations

Three  months  ended  September  30, 1997  compared  with the three months ended
September 30, 1996

         Revenue.  Revenue  increased  87% to $56.9 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1997 from $30.4 million for the three months ended September
30, 1996  primarily due to increased  revenue in the Company's  offshore  energy
support and chemical transportation operations.

         Revenue from offshore  energy  operations  increased 165% for the three
months ended  September 30, 1997  primarily due to  acquisitions  and higher day
rates for supply and crew boats  resulting from increased  offshore  exploration
and production  activity.  Utilization of supply boats  decreased to 91% for the
1997 period from 97% for the 1996 period due to a program of regularly scheduled
drydocking,  and  utilization of crew boats decreased to 95% for the 1997 period
from 96% for the 1996 period. During the 1997 period, day rates for supply boats
owned,  operated,  or managed by the Company increased 52% from the 1996 period,
while day rates for crew  boats  owned,  operated,  or  managed  by the  Company
increased 39% from the 1996 period.

         Petroleum product  transportation revenue decreased 11% to $4.5 million
for the three  months ended  September  30, 1997 from $5.1 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1996 primarily due to the reduced charter rate on the
Seabulk Challenger.

         Chemical  transportation revenue increased 62% to $16.1 million for the
three months ended  September  30, 1997 from $10.0  million for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 primarily due to the August 1996 acquisition of the OMI
chemical tankers and remaining 50% interest in OSTC.

         Revenue from  offshore and harbor towing  operations  increased 34% for
the three  months  ended  September  30, 1997 to $4.5  million  compared to $3.4
million for the three months ended  September 30, 1996 due to  acquisitions  and
the redeployment of certain vessels in the offshore towing sector.

         Operating  Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 86% to $30.8 million
for the three months ended  September  30, 1997 from $16.6 million for the three
months ended  September 30, 1996  primarily due to increases in crew payroll and
benefits,  maintenance and repair,  and supplies and consumables  resulting from
acquisitions  and  increased  business  activity.  As a  percentage  of revenue,
operating

                                                        16

<PAGE>



expenses decreased to 54% for the three months ended September 30, 1997 from 55%
for the three months ended September 30, 1996.

         Overhead Expenses.  Overhead expenses increased 61% to $6.5 million for
the three months ended September 30, 1997 from $4.0 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 primarily due to increased staffing requirements due to
acquisitions. As a percentage of revenue, overhead expenses decreased to 11% for
the three  months ended  September  30, 1997 from 13% for the three months ended
September 30, 1996.

         Depreciation  and Amortization  Expense.  Depreciation and amortization
expense  increased 92% to $5.2 million for the three months ended  September 30,
1997 compared with $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 1996 as
a result of an increase in fleet size due to acquisitions.

         Income from Operations.  Income from operations increased 103% to $14.4
million,  or 25% of revenue,  for the three months ended September 30, 1997 from
$7.1 million,  or 23% of revenue,  for the three months ended September 30, 1996
as a result of the factors noted above.

         Net  Interest  Expense.  Net  interest  expense  decreased  87% to $0.4
million,  or 1% of revenue,  for the three months ended  September 30, 1997 from
$2.9 million,  or 10% of revenue,  for the three months ended September 30, 1996
primarily as a result of debt retirement.

         Net Income  (Loss).  The Company had net income of $7.5 million for the
three months ended  September 30, 1997 as compared to a net loss of $5.5 million
for the three  months  ended  September  30, 1996  primarily  as a result of the
factors noted above.

Nine months  ended  September  30,  1997  compared  with the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1996

         Revenue.  Revenue  increased 98% to $142.9  million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1997 from $72.1 million for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 primarily due to increased revenue in the Company's offshore energy and
chemical transportation operations.

         Revenue from offshore  energy  operations  increased  158% for the nine
months  ended  September  30,  1997  primarily  due  to  acquisitions,   greater
utilization of crew boats and higher day rates resulting from increased offshore
exploration and productions  activity.  Utilization of supply boats decreased to
89% for the 1997  period  from  96% for the  1996  period  due to a  program  of
regularly scheduled dry-docking,  and utilization of crew boats increased to 94%
for the 1997 period from 93% for the 1996 period.  During the 1997  period,  day
rates for supply boats owned,  operated or managed by the Company  increased 64%
from the 1996 period, and day rates for crew boats owned, operated or managed by
the Company increased 31% from the 1996 period.

         Petroleum product  transportation revenue decreased 9% to $13.0 million
for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1997 from $14.4  million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 primarily due to the reduced charter rate on the
Seabulk Challenger.

         Chemical transportation revenue increased 129% to $44.1 million for the
nine months  ended  September  30,  1997 from $19.2  million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1996,  primarily due to the August 1996  acquisition of the
OMI Chemical Carriers and the remaining 50% interest in OSTC.

                                                        17

<PAGE>



         Revenue from offshore and harbor tug operations  increased 27% to $13.0
million for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997 from $10.2 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996 primarily as a result of  acquisitions  and
the redeployment of certain vessels in the offshore towing sector.

         Operating  Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 83% to $77.1 million
for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1997 from $42.1  million for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996  primarily due to increases in crew payroll and
benefits,  maintenance and repair,  and supplies and consumables  resulting from
acquisitions  and  increased  business  activity.  As a  percentage  of revenue,
operating expenses decreased to 54% for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
from 58% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.

         Overhead Expenses. Overhead expenses increased 59% to $17.6 million for
the nine months ended  September 30, 1997 from $11.0 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996,  primarily due to increased staffing  requirements due
to acquisitions.  As a percentage of revenue, overhead expenses decreased to 12%
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997 from 15% for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996.

         Depreciation  and Amortization  Expense.  Depreciation and amortization
expense  increased 113% to $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1997 compared with $6.1 million for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 as
a result of an increase in fleet size due to acquisitions.

         Income from Operations.  Income from operations increased 173% to $35.1
million,  or 25% of revenue,  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997 from
$12.9 million,  or 18% of revenue,  for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
as a result of the factors noted above.

         Net  Interest  Expense.  Net  interest  expense  decreased  48% to $4.5
million,  3% of revenue,  for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $8.8
million,  or 12% of  revenue,  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996
primarily as a result of debt retirement.

         Net Income (Loss).  The Company had net income of $15.7 million for the
nine months ended  September  30, 1997 as compared to a net loss of $5.3 million
for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996  primarily  as a result of the
factors noted above.

Seasonality

         The  Company  has  experienced   slight   seasonality  in  its  overall
operations.  The first half of the year is generally not as strong as the second
half due to lower  activity in offshore  energy  support  activity and petroleum
product transportation during the months of February, March, and April.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         The Company's capital  requirements  historically have arisen primarily
from its working capital needs, acquisition of vessels, improvements to vessels,
and debt service requirements. The Company's principal sources of cash have been
borrowings, cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from the August 1996
IPO,  proceeds from the Second  Offering in February 1997, and proceeds from the
Private Offering in June 1997.


                                                        18

<PAGE>



         The Company  currently has a Credit  Agreement that provides for a $175
million  revolving  line of credit  through  September  30,  1999 at which  time
availability  decreases by $6 million per quarter until the Maturity  Date.  The
Company's outstanding  indebtedness under the Credit Facility was $17 million at
September 30, 1997.  The  Company's  outstanding  indebtedness  under the Credit
Agreement  increased to $101.5 million as of November 7, 1997. Proceeds from the
additional  borrowings  were  primarily  used to fund the purchase of additional
marine assets.

         Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on one of two
calculations set forth in the Credit Agreement,  at the Company's option, plus a
margin based on the Company's  compliance  with certain  financial  ratios.  One
interest  rate  calculation  is  tied  to the  Eurodollar  Rate  and  the  other
calculation is tied to the higher of the base rate of the  administrative  agent
named in the Credit  Agreement or the Base Rate. The Credit Agreement allows the
Company to convert its revolving credit loans from Eurodollar Rate loans to Base
Rate loans,  and vice versa,  from time to time.  Such  borrowings were accruing
interest at approximately  6.2% at September 30, 1997. On the Maturity Date, all
amounts  outstanding  under the revolving line of credit,  together with any and
all  accrued and unpaid  interest,  will  become due and  payable.  Prior to the
Maturity  Date,  the Company can repay any  outstanding  amount,  in whole or in
part, without penalty or premium.

         Covenants under the Credit Agreement,  among other things,  (i) require
the Company to meet certain  financial  tests,  including  tests  requiring  the
maintenance  of minimum  leverage  ratios,  debt service  coverage  ratios,  and
indebtedness to tangible net worth ratios; (ii) limit the creation or incurrence
of certain liens;  (iii) limit the incurrence of additional  indebtedness;  (iv)
restrict  the Company from making  certain  investments;  (v)  restrict  certain
payments,  including  dividends,  with respect to shares of any class of capital
stock; (vi) restrict modification of the terms of the Preferred Securities,  and
in  certain  circumstances  the  repayment,  redemption,  or  repurchase  of the
Preferred  Securities;  and (vii) limit certain  corporate  acts of the Company,
such as making certain  dispositions of assets,  and entering into certain types
of business transactions, including certain mergers and acquisitions.

         Events of  default  under the  Credit  Facility  include,  among  other
things, (i) failure to pay principal  thereunder when due, or to pay interest or
fees within three  business  days after the date due; (ii) the breach of certain
financial  covenants or the inaccuracy of certain  representations or warranties
made under the Credit Facility;  (iii) any failure to pay amounts due on certain
indebtedness,  or  defaults  that result in or permit the  acceleration  of such
indebtedness; (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or dissolution; (v)
certain  judgments  or  orders;  (vi) an  acceleration  of the  maturity  of the
Preferred Securities or in certain  circumstances the prepayment,  redemption or
repurchase  of the  Preferred  Securities,  or any default  under the  Preferred
Securities; and (vii) a change in control.

         On August 30, 1997, the Company secured a $5.6 million  stand-by letter
of  credit  with  one of its  banks  for a  period  of one  year  which,  unless
terminated, renews automatically for additional one year periods.

         The  Credit  Agreement  replaced  the  Company's  Credit  Facility,  as
amended,  provided  for a term  loan of up to  $56.8  million,  a $20.0  million
Revolving Line, a $50.0 million  Acquisition  Line, and a $5.6 million letter of
credit.  Borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Line totaled $8.0 million at
December 31, 1996.

         In August 1996,  the Company  completed the IPO,  which resulted in net
proceeds to the Company of  approximately  $76.7 million.  Of such net proceeds,
approximately $34.7 million was used to fund

                                                        19

<PAGE>



the $35.5 million cash portion of the $97.5 million aggregate  purchase price of
three  chemical  carriers,  ten supply boats and one crew boat (the "August 1996
Acquisitions")  and  approximately  $42.0  million  was  used to  repay  certain
indebtedness.  The balance of the purchase price of the August 1996 Acquisitions
was paid by the  assumption or incurrence of $62.0 million of debt  obligations.
In addition,  the Company agreed to indemnify  certain  affiliates of one of the
sellers for certain liabilities up to a maximum of $7.0 million.

         On  February  5, 1997,  the Company  completed  its Second  Offering of
4,000,000  shares of its Class A Common  Stock at  $24.875  per  share.  The net
proceeds  to  the  Company  were  $94,300,000,   after  deducting   underwriting
commissions.  Of such  amount,  approximately  $36.2  million  was used to repay
certain  indebtedness.  Of the  balance of  approximately  $58.1  million,  $5.5
million was used to fund vessel acquisitions, $20.9 million was used to fund the
remainder of the purchase  price of four supply boats and one crew boat acquired
in the second quarter of 1997,  $1.8 million was designated to fund the purchase
of one crew boat in the third  quarter of 1997,  $6.9 million was  designated to
fund the  refurbishment  and  lengthening of two supply boats expected to be put
into service during the fourth quarter of 1997, and the remaining  $23.0 million
was available for general corporate  purposes and to fund a portion of the costs
of the vessels to be constructed.

         In May 1997, the Company  acquired 35 offshore  energy support  vessels
for consideration valued at $58.7 million,  consisting of cash of $49.0 million,
a note  payable in the amount of $6.0  million,  and  141,760  shares of Class A
Common Stock valued by the Company at $3.7  million.  Of the cash portion of the
purchase price,  $10.5 million was funded from the Company's  available cash and
$38.5 million was drawn under the Credit  Facility.  The Company has also agreed
to purchase an  additional  utility and supply  vessel for an aggregate  cost of
approximately $2.9 million in cash.

         In June  1997,  the  Company  completed  the  Private  Offering,  which
resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $111.6 million. Of such
amount,  approximately $94.2 million was used to repay amounts outstanding under
the Credit Facility including  interest,  and $6.0 million was used to repay the
$6.0  million  note  issued in  connection  with the May 1997  acquisition.  The
remaining $11.4 million is available for general corporate purposes.

         The Company's  future capital needs are expected to relate primarily to
debt  service  obligations,  maintenance  and  improvements  of its  fleet,  and
acquisitions.  The Company's outstanding  indebtedness at September 30, 1997 was
approximately  $61.9 million.  After giving effect to repayments of an aggregate
of $148.5 million of indebtedness  through  September 30, 1997 with a portion of
the proceeds of the Second  Offering  and the Private  Offering,  the  Company's
principal  and  interest  payment  obligations  for the  remainder  of 1997  are
estimated to be approximately $2.0 million and $1.2 million,  respectively,  and
operating  lease  obligations  for the  remainder  of 1997 are  estimated  to be
approximately $0.2 million.

         Capital  requirements  for  vessel  improvements  are  estimated  to be
approximately  $17.3  million for 1997, of which $15.7 million had been expended
as of September 30, 1997.

         The Company has contracted for the  construction  of three ship docking
modules  ("SDMs(TM)")  at an estimated  aggregate  cost of  approximately  $14.5
million  with  delivery  expected  in late 1997 or early  1998.  The Company has
contracted  for the  construction  of six supply boats for delivery  during 1997
through 1999 at a cost of $54.4 million. The Company has also agreed to purchase
for an  estimated  aggregate  cost of  $12.4  million,  five  newly  constructed
152-foot crew boats scheduled for delivery in

                                                        20

<PAGE>



1998 and 1999. The Company  currently intends to fund the aggregate costs of the
SDMs(TM),  the crew boats, and the supply boats from available  working capital,
borrowings under the Credit Agreement, lease financing, or a combination of such
sources.

         The Company has a 2.4% equity  interest in five 45,300 dwt  double-hull
petroleum product carriers currently under construction.  The aggregate costs of
the five  carriers is estimated  to be $255.0  million,  of which  approximately
$40.0  million will  constitute  equity  investment  and $215.0  million will be
financed  with the  proceeds of  government-guaranteed  Title XI ship  financing
bonds issued in March 1996.  Subject to certain  conditions,  the Company has an
option,  exercisable through 2002, to purchase a 49.2% interest at a price equal
to (i) the investor's  equity investment plus a stated annual return, or (ii) if
exercised  after  December 31, 1997, the greater of the fair market value of the
interest  or the  amount  set  forth in (i).  The  Company  also has an  option,
exercisable  on January 15, 1998, to purchase an additional  23.4% interest at a
price equal to the investor's equity investment plus a stated return. Should the
Company  fail to exercise  the latter  option,  the  investor  has the option to
acquire  1.6%  of  the   ownership   interest   from  the  Company  for  nominal
consideration.  The total estimated cost of exercising the Company's  options is
up to $32.0  million  (assuming  the options are  exercised  prior to January 1,
1998). The Company  currently has no understanding or agreements with respect to
the  financing  that it would  require if it were to exercise  either or both of
these  options,  and  there can be no  assurance  that  such  financing  will be
available.

         The  Company  is party to  litigation  with one of the  shipyards  that
contracted to complete the Seabulk  America for the Company,  which  shipyard is
seeking to recover  from the  Company  approximately  $6.1  million  for alleged
additions  and  changes  to the  contract  work and costs of  alleged  delay and
disruption,  in addition to $2.4 million of the $5.9 million contract price that
the Company has  withheld.  In addition,  the shipyard is seeking legal fees and
expenses.  The Company has asserted  counterclaims  aggregating $5.6 million for
contract  deletions,  unfinished and defective work, and liquidated  damages for
late  delivery.  The Company  has  obtained a $5.6  million  letter of credit to
finance any  additional  payment  that it might  ultimately  be required to make
pursuant to this litigation.

         The Company believes that the remaining proceeds of the Second Offering
and Private  Offering,  cash generated from  operations,  and amounts  available
under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund debt service requirements,
planned  capital   expenditures,   and  working  capital  requirements  for  the
foreseeable  future. The Company also believes that such resources together with
the potential future use of debt or equity financing,  will allow the Company to
pursue its strategy of growth through acquisitions.  However,  since future cash
flows are subject to a number of  uncertainties,  including the condition of the
markets served by the Company,  there can be no assurance  that these  resources
will continue to be sufficient to fund the Company's cash requirements.

Effect of Inflation

         The Company does not consider inflation a significant  business risk in
the current and foreseeable  future  although the Company has  experienced  some
cost increases.  In some cases, these increases have been offset by charter hire
escalation clauses.

Prospective Accounting Changes

     In February  1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 128  "Earnings  Per Share" and
SFAS No. 129  "Disclosure of  Information  about Capital  Structure,"  which are
effective for fiscal years beginning after

                                                        21

<PAGE>



December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 128 simplifies the current  required  calculation of
EPS  under  APB  No.  15,  "Earnings  per  Share,"  by  replacing  the  existing
calculation  of primary  EPS with a basic EPS  calculation.  It  requires a dual
presentation,  for complex capital  structures,  of basic and diluted EPS on the
face of the income statement and requires a reconciliation  of basic EPS factors
to diluted EPS factors.  SFAS No. 129 requires  disclosing  information about an
entity's capital structure. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 128 and SFAS No.
129 in 1998 and expects no material  impact to the Company's EPS  calculation or
disclosure information.

         In June 1997,  the FASB  issued SFAS No. 130  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income," which is effective for fiscal years  beginning after December 15, 1997.
This  Statement   established   standards  for  the  reporting  and  display  of
comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in a full  set of  general  purpose
financial statements.  The new rule requires that the Company (a) classify items
of other  comprehensive  income by their nature in a financial statement and (b)
display the accumulated  balance of other  comprehensive  income separately from
retained  earnings and additional  paid-in  capital in the equity section of the
balance  sheet.  The Company  plans to adopt SFAS No. 130 in 1998 and expects no
material impact to the Company's financial statement presentation.

         Also in June  1997,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No. 131  "Disclosure  about
Segments of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information,"  which is  effective  for
fiscal years beginning  after December 15, 1997. This Statement  supersedes SFAS
No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business  Enterprise," and amends
SFAS No. 94, "Consolidation of all Majority-Owned  Subsidiaries." This Statement
requires annual financial  statements to disclose information about products and
services,  geographic areas and major customers based on a management  approach,
along  with  interim  reports.   The  management  approach  requires  disclosing
financial and descriptive information about an enterprise's reportable operating
segments  based  on  reporting  information  the way  management  organizes  the
segments  for making  business  decisions  and  assessing  performance.  It also
eliminates the requirement to disclose additional information about subsidiaries
that were not  consolidated.  This new  management  approach  may result in more
information  being  disclosed than  presently  practiced and require new interim
information not previously presented. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 131 in
1998  with  impact  only to the  Company's  disclosure  information  and not its
results of operation.




                                                        22

<PAGE>



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

a.     Exhibits.

       10.22(d) Revolving Credit Agreement dated September 30, 1997 by and among
Hvide Marine Incorporated,  Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, BankBoston,
N.A.,  as  Syndicate  Agent,  with  Citicorp  Securities,  Inc.  and  BankBoston
Securities Inc., having acted as Arrangers.

b. Reports on Form 8-K.

       None



                                                        23

<PAGE>



Signature

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

HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED


 /s/ JOHN J. KRUMENACKER
- -----------------------------------------------------

John J. Krumenacker
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

November 7, 1997

                                                        24


                  REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

                DATED as of September 30, 1997


                             among

                   HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED

                              and

               The Guarantors Identified Herein

                              and

          The Lending Institutions Identified Herein

                              and

            CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

                              and

            BANKBOSTON, N.A., as Syndication Agent

                             with

                   CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.

                              and

                  BANCBOSTON SECURITIES INC.

                   Having Acted as Arrangers





<PAGE>



                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.        DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION...........................1
1.1.      Definitions.......................................................1
1.2.      Rules of Interpretation..........................................15

2.        THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY....................................17
2.1.      Commitment to Lend...............................................17
2.2.      Commitment Fee...................................................17
2.3.      Reduction of Total Commitment....................................17
2.4.      The Revolving Credit Notes.......................................18
2.5.      Interest on Revolving Credit Loans...............................19
2.6.      Requests for Revolving Credit Loans..............................19
2.7.      Conversion Options...............................................20
2.7.1.            Conversion to Different Type of Revolving Credit Loan....20
2.7.2.            Continuation of Type of Revolving Credit Loan............20
2.7.3.            Eurodollar Rate Loans....................................21
2.8.      Funds for Revolving Credit Loans.................................21
2.8.1.            Funding Procedures.......................................21
2.8.2.            Advances by Administrative Agent.........................21

3.        REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS..........................22
3.1.      Maturity.........................................................22
3.2.      Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans...................22
3.3.      Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans....................22

4.        GUARANTY.........................................................23
4.1.      Guaranty of Payment and Performance..............................23
4.2.      Guarantors' Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc..............24
4.3.      Waivers by the Guarantors; Banks' Freedom to Act.................24
4.4.      Unenforceability of Obligations Against Borrower.................25
4.5.      Subrogation; Subordination.......................................26
4.5.1.            Postponement of Rights Against Borrower..................26
4.5.2.            Subordination............................................26
4.5.3.            Provisions Supplemental..................................26
4.6.      Further Assurances...............................................27
4.7.      Reinstatement....................................................27
4.8.      Successors and Assigns...........................................27
4.9.      Severability.....................................................27
4.10.     Limitation on Guaranty...........................................28

5.        FEES.............................................................28
5.1.      Closing Fee......................................................28
5.2.      Agency Fee.......................................................28

6.        CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................28
6.1.      Funds for Payments...............................................28
6.1.1.            Payments to Administrative Agent.........................28
6.1.2.            No Offset, etc...........................................29
6.1.3.            Receipt of Funds By Administrative Agent.................29


<PAGE>



6.2.      Computations.....................................................29
6.3.      Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate...........................30
6.4.      Illegality.......................................................30
6.5.      Additional Costs, etc............................................31
6.6.      Capital Adequacy.................................................32
6.7.      Certificate......................................................33
6.8.      Indemnity........................................................33
6.9.      Interest After Default...........................................33
6.9.1.            Overdue Amounts..........................................33
6.9.2.            Amounts Not Overdue......................................33
6.10.     Replacement of Banks.............................................34

7.        GUARANTIES.......................................................35

8.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................36
8.1.      Corporate Authority..............................................36
8.1.1.            Incorporation; Good Standing.............................36
8.1.2.            Authorization............................................36
8.1.3.            Enforceability...........................................37
8.2.      Governmental Approvals...........................................37
8.3.      Title to Properties; Leases......................................37
8.4.      Financial Statements.............................................37
8.4.1.            Fiscal Year, Fiscal Quarters.............................37
8.4.2.            Financial Statements.....................................37
8.5.      No Material Changes, etc.; Solvency..............................38
8.6.      Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc.............................38
8.7.      Litigation.......................................................38
8.8.      No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc.............................39
8.9.      Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, etc.....................39
8.10.     Tax Status.......................................................39
8.11.     No Event of Default..............................................40
8.12.     Holding Company and Investment Company Acts......................40
8.13.     Absence of Financing Statements, etc.............................40
8.14.     Certain Transactions.............................................40
8.15.     Employee Benefit Plans...........................................40
8.15.1.           In General...............................................40
8.15.2.           Terminability of Welfare Plans...........................41
8.15.3.           Guaranteed Pension Plans.................................41
8.15.4.           Multiemployer Plans......................................41
8.16.     Use of Proceeds..................................................42
8.16.1.           General..................................................42
8.16.2.           Regulations U and X......................................42
8.16.3.           Ineligible Securities....................................42
8.17.     Environmental Compliance.........................................42
8.18.     Subsidiaries, etc................................................43
8.19.     Concerning the Vessels...........................................43
8.20.     Disclosure.......................................................43

9.        AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS.........43
9.1.      Punctual Payment.................................................43


<PAGE>



9.2.      Maintenance of Office.............................................43
9.3.      Records and Accounts..............................................44
9.4.      Financial Statements, Certificates and Information................44
9.5.      Notices...........................................................46
9.5.1.            Defaults..................................................46
9.5.2.            Environmental Events......................................46
9.5.3.            Notice of Litigation and Judgments........................47
9.6.      Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties; Etc...............47
9.7.      Insurance.........................................................47
9.8.      Taxes.............................................................48
9.9.      Inspection of Properties and Books................................48
9.10.     Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits............48
9.11.     Employee Benefit Plans............................................49
9.12.     Use of Proceeds...................................................49
9.13.     Concerning the Vessels; Citizenship...............................49
9.14.     Further Assurances................................................49

10.       CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE
            GUARANTORS......................................................50
10.1.     Restrictions on Indebtedness......................................50
10.2.     Restrictions on Liens.............................................51
10.3.     Restrictions on Investments.......................................52
10.4.     Distributions.....................................................53
10.5.     Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets...................53
10.5.1.           Mergers and Acquisitions..................................53
10.5.2.           Disposition of Assets.....................................54
10.6.     Sale and Leaseback................................................54
10.7.     Compliance with Environmental Laws................................54
10.8.     Trust Securities..................................................55
10.9.     Employee Benefit Plans............................................55
10.10.            Business Activities.......................................56
10.11.            Fiscal Year; Fiscal Quarters..............................56
10.12.            Transactions with Affiliates..............................56

11.       FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER...............................56
11.1.     Leverage Ratio....................................................56
11.2.     Debt Service Coverage Ratio.......................................56
11.3.     Indebtedness to Tangible Net Worth Ratio..........................56

12.       CLOSING CONDITIONS................................................57
12.1.     Loan Documents....................................................57
12.2.     Certified Copies of Charter Documents.............................57
12.3.     Corporate, Action.................................................57
12.4.     Incumbency Certificate............................................57
12.5.     Certificates of Insurance.........................................57
12.6.     Opinion of Counsel................................................58
12.7.     Payment of Fees...................................................58
12.8.     Payoff Letter.....................................................58




<PAGE>



13.       CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS......................................58
13.1.     Representations True; No Event of Default.........................58
13.2.     No Legal Impediment...............................................59
13.3.     Governmental Regulation...........................................59
13.4.     Proceedings and Documents.........................................59

14.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC..............................59
14.1.     Events of Default and Acceleration................................59
14.2.     Termination of Commitments........................................62
14.3.     Remedies..........................................................63

15.       AGREEMENT OF THE BANKS............................................63

16.       THE AGENTS........................................................63
16.1.     Authorization.....................................................63
16.2.     Employees and Agents..............................................64
16.3.     No Liability......................................................64
16.4.     No Representations................................................65
16.4.1.           General...................................................65
16.4.2.           Closing Documentation, etc................................65
16.5.     Payments..........................................................66
16.5.1.           Payments to Administrative Agent..........................66
16.5.2.           Distribution by Agents....................................66
16.5.3.           Delinquent Banks..........................................66
16.6.     Holders of Notes..................................................67
16.7.     Indemnity.........................................................67
16.8.     Agents as Banks...................................................67
16.9.     Resignation.......................................................67
16.10.            Notification of Defaults and Events of Default............68

17.       EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION......................................68
17.1.     Expenses..........................................................68
17.2.     Indemnification...................................................69
17.3.     Survival..........................................................70

18.       TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.....................70
18.1.     Sharing of Information with Section 20 Subsidiary.................70
18.2.     Confidentiality...................................................70
18.3.     Prior Notification................................................71
18.4.     Other.............................................................71

19.       SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC........................................71

20.       ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION......................................72
20.1.     Conditions to Assignment by Banks.................................72
20.2.     Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants....72
20.3.     Register..........................................................73
20.4.     New Notes.........................................................74
20.5.     Participations....................................................74
20.6.     Disclosure........................................................75


<PAGE>



20.7.     Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower..............75
20.8.     Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions...............................76
20.9.     Assignment by Borrower............................................76

21.       NOTICES, ETC......................................................76

22.       GOVERNING LAW.....................................................77

23.       HEADINGS..........................................................78

24.       COUNTERPARTS......................................................78

25.       ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.............................................78

26.       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..............................................78

27.       CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC................................79

28.       SEVERABILITY......................................................79




<PAGE>



List of Exhibits and Schedules

         Exhibit A      Form of Revolving Credit Note
         Exhibit B      Form of Loan Request
         Exhibit C      Form of Compliance Certificate
         Exhibit D      Form of Assignment and Acceptance

         Schedule 1.1   Banks; Commitments; Commitment Percentages; Domestic
                        Lending Offices; Eurodollar Lending Offices
         Schedule 5.1   Closing Fees
         Schedule 8.3   Title to Properties
         Schedule 8.7   Litigation
         Schedule 8.8   Materially Adverse Contracts
         Schedule 8.18  Subsidiaries
         Schedule 10.1  Existing Indebtedness
         Schedule 10.2  Existing Liens
         Schedule 10.3  Existing Investments






<PAGE>



                            REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This  REVOLVING  CREDIT  AGREEMENT is made as of September 30, 1997, by
and among HVIDE MARINE  INCORPORATED  (the  "Borrower"),  a Florida  corporation
having its principal place of business at 2200 Eller Drive, P.O. Box 13038, Port
Everglades  Station,  Fort  Lauderdale,  FL 33316,  the  Guarantors  referred to
herein, the lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 hereto,  CITIBANK, N.A. as
administrative  agent (the  "Administrative  Agent"),  and BANKBOSTON,  N.A., as
syndication agent (the "Syndication Agent").

1.  DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

1.1.     Definitions.  The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in 
this ss.1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement referred to 
below:

     Adjustment Date. The first day of the month immediately following the month
in which a Compliance  Certificate  is  delivered  by the  Borrower  pursuant to
ss.9.4(d) hereof.

         Administrative Agent.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         Administrative  Agent's Head Office.  The  Administrative  Agent's head
office located at Two Penn's Way, Suite 200,  Newcastle,  Delaware  19720, or at
such other location as the Administrative Agent may designate from time to time.

         Affiliate.  Any Person that would be  considered  to be an affiliate of
the Borrower  under Rule 144(a) of the Rules and  Regulations  of the Securities
and Exchange  Commission,  as in effect on the date hereof, if the Borrower were
issuing securities.

     Agency Fee Letter.  The letter  agreement,  dated as of September 30, 1997,
among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent.

     Agents. Collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent.

     Agents' Special Counsel. Bingham, Dana & Gould LLP or such other counsel as
may be approved by the Agents.

         Applicable  Margin.  For each period  commencing on an Adjustment  Date
through the date  immediately  preceding the next  Adjustment Date (each a "Rate
Adjustment  Period"),  the Applicable Margin shall be the applicable  percentage
set forth below with respect to the Leverage  Ratio,  determined  on a Pro Forma
Basis as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower immediately  preceding
the date of such Compliance Certificate:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Eurodollar        Base Rate          Commitment
  Level                        Leverage Ratio                      Rate             Loans               Fee
                                      Loans
<S>        <C>  <C>                                           <C>             <C>                <C>
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------

- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
I               Less than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00 and             1.25%            0.25%              0.30%
                greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------

- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>        <C>  <C>                                           <C>             <C>                <C>
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
II              Less than 3.25 to 1.00 and greater than            1.00%              0%               0.20%
                or equal to 2.25 to 1.00
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------

- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
III             Less than 2.25 to 1.00 and greater than            0.75%              0%               0.20%
                or equal to 1.50 to 1.00
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------

- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
IV              Less than 1.50 to 1.00                             0.50%              0%               0.15%
- ---------  ---- --------------------------------------------  --------------- ------------------ ------------------
</TABLE>

Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  (a)  until  the  delivery  of  the  Compliance
Certificate  for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or about September
30, 1997,  the Leverage  Ratio shall be calculated  based on the  Borrower's Pro
Forma Consolidated  Historical  Financial Statements as presented in the S-1 and
(b) if the  Borrower  fails to deliver any  Compliance  Certificate  pursuant to
ss.9.4(d)  hereof,  then for the period  commencing on the date such  Compliance
Certificate was due through the date  immediately  preceding the Adjustment Date
that occurs immediately following the date on which such Compliance  Certificate
is delivered,  the Applicable  Margin shall be that percentage  corresponding to
Level I in the table above.

         Assignment and Acceptance.  See ss.20.1.

         Balance Sheet Date.  December 31, 1996.

     Banks. The lending  institutions  listed on Schedule 1 hereto and any other
Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and  obligations of a Bank pursuant
to ss.20.

         Base Rate. The higher of (i) the annual rate of interest announced from
time to time by the  Administrative  Agent at its head  office in New York,  New
York,  as its "base  rate" and (ii)  one-half of one  percent  (1/2%)  above the
Federal Funds  Effective  Rate.  For the purposes of this  definition,  "Federal
Funds  Effective  Rate" shall mean for any day,  the rate per annum equal to the
weighted  average of the rates on  overnight  federal  funds  transactions  with
members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by federal funds  brokers,  as
published  for such day (or,  if such day is not a  Business  Day,  for the next
preceding  Business  Day) by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York,  or, if such
rate is not so published  for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the
quotations  for such day on such  transactions  received  by the  Administrative
Agent  from  three  funds  brokers  of  recognized   standing  selected  by  the
Administrative Agent.

     Base Rate Loans.  Revolving  Credit Loans  bearing  interest  calculated by
reference to the Base Rate.

         Borrower.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         Business Day. Any day on which banking  institutions  in New York,  New
York and Boston, Massachusetts, are open for the transaction of banking business
and,  in the case of  Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  also a day which is a  Eurodollar
Business Day.

         Capitalized  Lease.  With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
any lease of any property  (whether real,  personal or mixed) by such Persons as
lessee that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, either
would be required to be  classified  and  accounted  for as a capital lease on a
balance  sheet of such  Persons or  otherwise  be disclosed as such in a note to
such balance sheet, other


<PAGE>



than,  in the case of the Borrower or a  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower,  any such
lease under which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is the lessor.

         Change  of  Control.  Either  (a) Mr.  Erik J.  Hvide,  members  of his
immediate  family,  and estate  planning trusts for the benefit of the foregoing
shall,  at any  time,  cease to own  shares  of  capital  stock of the  Borrower
representing at least twenty percent (20%) of the total shareholder votes of the
Borrower or (b) any Person or group of Persons shall, at any time, own a greater
percentage  of the total  shareholder  votes of the  Borrower  than Mr.  Erik J.
Hvide,  members of his  immediate  family,  and estate  planning  trusts for the
benefit of the foregoing.


<PAGE>




     Closing  Date.  The first date on which the  conditions  set forth in ss.12
have been satisfied and any Revolving Credit Loan is to be made hereunder.

         Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

         Commitment. With respect to each Bank, the amount set forth on Schedule
1 hereto as the amount of such Bank's  commitment to make Loans to the Borrower,
as the  same  may be  reduced  from  time  to  time;  or if such  commitment  is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.

     Commitment Percentage.  With respect to each Bank, the percentage set forth
on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the Total Commitment.

         Compliance Certificate.  See ss.9.4(d).

         Consolidated  or  consolidated.  With  reference  to any  term  defined
herein,  shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries,  consolidated  in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

         Consolidated  EBITDA. With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Persons for such period,
plus, to the extent deducted in the  calculation of Consolidated  Net Income and
without  duplication,  Consolidated  Total Interest Expense,  income taxes paid,
depreciation,  amortization  and other  non-cash  adjustments to income for such
period, excluding amortized drydocking expenses.

         Consolidated EBITDAR. Consolidated EBITDA for any period, plus, without
duplication, Consolidated Rental Expense for such period.

         Consolidated  Net Income.  The  consolidated net income of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries,  after deduction of all expenses,  taxes, and other proper
charges, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
without  giving  effect to any  adjustments,  accruals,  deductions  or  entries
resulting from any gains or losses from the sale or other  disposition of assets
of such Person during such period.

         Consolidated  Rental  Expense.  With  respect to the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  and for any period,  all  payments of such Persons for such period
under operating leases and all other rental payments as determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.


<PAGE>



         Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth. The excess of the total assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis over  Consolidated  Total
Liabilities,  excluding,  however,  from the  determination  of total assets (i)
goodwill,   organizational   expenses,   research  and   development   expenses,
trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent applications,  licenses and
rights in any thereof  and other  similar  intangibles,  (ii)  unamortized  debt
discount and expense,  (iii) all reserves  carried and not deducted from assets,
(iv) treasury  stock and capital stock,  obligations  or other  securities of or
capital contributions to or investments in any Subsidiary,  (v) sinking or other
analogous  funds  established  for the  purpose  of  redemption,  retirement  or
prepayment of capital  stock,  (vi) any write up in the book value of any assets
resulting  from a revaluation  thereof  subsequent  to December 31, 1996,  (vii)
capitalized  expenses  in  connection  with the  issuance  of debt or equity and
(viii) any items not  included  in clauses  (i)  through  (vii)  above which are
treated  as  intangibles  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted   accounting
principles.

         Consolidated  Total  Indebtedness.  As of any date, all Indebtedness of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  determined on a consolidated  basis for such
Persons in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         Consolidated  Total Interest Expense.  With respect to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries and for any period, the interest expense net of interest income
of such  Persons for such period as  determined  in  accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.

         Consolidated Total Liabilities.  All the obligations in accordance with
generally accepted  accounting  principles which are included in determining the
total  liabilities as shown on the liabilities side of the consolidated  balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

     Conversion  Request.  A notice given by the Borrower to the  Administrative
Agent of the  Borrower's  election to convert or  continue a Loan in  accordance
with ss.2.7.

     Credit Agreement. This Revolving Credit Agreement,  including the Schedules
and Exhibits hereto.

         Debt Service  Coverage  Ratio.  As at the end of each fiscal quarter of
the Borrower,  the ratio of (a)  Consolidated  EBITDA for the period of the four
consecutive  fiscal  quarters of the  Borrower  then ending to (b)  Consolidated
Total Interest Expense for the period of the four consecutive fiscal quarters of
the Borrower then ending.

         Default.  See ss.14.1.

         Delinquent Bank.  See ss.16.5.3.

         Derivative  Transaction.  Any of (i) "swap  agreement"  as  defined  in
Section 101(53B) of the United States Bankruptcy Code (other than a spot foreign
exchange  transaction),  (ii) any  equity  swap,  floor,  collar,  cap or option
transaction,  (iii) any option to enter into any of the foregoing,  and (iv) any
combination of the foregoing.

         Distribution.  The  declaration  or  payment of any  dividend  on or in
respect of any shares of any class of capital  stock of the  Borrower  or any of
its Subsidiaries,  other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock
of  the  Borrower  or  such  Subsidiary;  the  purchase,  redemption,  or  other
retirement  of any shares of any class of capital  stock of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary,  directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary or otherwise; the return of capital by


<PAGE>



the  Borrower  or such  Subsidiary  to its  shareholders  as such;  or any other
distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the
Borrower or such Subsidiary.

         Dollars  or $.  Dollars  in lawful  currency  of the  United  States of
America.

         Domestic Lending Office.  Initially, the office of each Bank designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto;  thereafter,  such other  office of such Bank,  if
any,  located within the United States that will be making or  maintaining  Base
Rate Loans.

         Drawdown Date.  The date on which any Revolving  Credit Loan is made or
is to be made,  and the date on which any Revolving  Credit Loan is converted or
continued in accordance with ss.2.7.

         Eligible  Assignee.  Any of (i) a commercial  bank organized  under the
laws of the United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and
having  total  assets  in  excess of  $1,000,000,000;  (ii) a  savings  and loan
association  or savings bank organized  under the laws of the United States,  or
any State  thereof or the  District  of  Columbia,  and having a net worth of at
least $100,000,000,  calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;  (iii) a  commercial  bank  organized  under  the laws of any  other
country  which is a member of the  Organization  for  Economic  Cooperation  and
Development (the "OECD"),  or a political  subdivision of any such country,  and
having  total  assets in excess of  $1,000,000,000,  provided  that such bank is
acting  through  a  branch  or  agency  located  in the  country  in which it is
organized  or  another  country  which is also a member  of the  OECD;  (iv) the
central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD;  and (v) if, but only
if,  any Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  any other  bank,
insurance  company,  commercial  finance company or other financial  institution
approved by the  Administrative  Agent,  such  approval  not to be  unreasonably
withheld.

         Employee  Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
ss.3(3) of ERISA  maintained  or  contributed  to by the  Borrower  or any ERISA
Affiliate, other than a Guaranteed Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.

         Environmental Laws.  See ss.8.17.

         ERISA.  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

         ERISA Affiliate.  Any Person which is treated as a single employer with
the Borrower under ss.414 of the Code.

         ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension  Plan  within  the  meaning  of  ss.4043  of ERISA  and the  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

         Eurocurrency  Reserve  Rate.  For any day with  respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any lender subject
thereto would be required to maintain  reserves under  Regulation D of the Board
of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  (or any  successor  or  similar
regulations  relating  to  such  reserve   requirements)  against  "Eurocurrency
Liabilities"  (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such  liabilities  were
outstanding.  The Eurocurrency  Reserve Rate shall be adjusted  automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.

         Eurodollar Business Day. Any day on which commercial banks are open for
international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London or such
other eurodollar interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent
in its sole discretion acting in good faith.


<PAGE>



         Eurodollar  Lending  Office.   Initially,   the  office  of  each  Bank
designated as such in Schedule 1 hereto;  thereafter,  such other office of such
Bank, if any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans.

         Eurodollar  Rate. For any Interest  Period with respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the rate of interest equal to (i) the arithmetic average of the rates
per annum for each  Reference  Bank (rounded  upwards to the nearest 1/16 of one
percent)  at which  each such  Reference  Bank's  Eurodollar  Lending  Office is
offered Dollar deposits at 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Eurodollar Business Days
prior to the  beginning  of such  Interest  Period in the  interbank  eurodollar
market where the eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange operations of such
Eurodollar Lending Office are customarily  conducted,  for delivery on the first
day of such Interest  Period for the number of days comprised  therein and in an
amount  comparable to the amount of the  Eurodollar  Rate Loan of such Reference
Bank to which such Interest  Period  applies,  divided by (ii) a number equal to
1.00 minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate, if applicable.

     Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest  calculated
by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

         Event of Default.  See ss.14.1.

         Existing Credit  Agreement.  The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of February 3, 1997, by and among the Borrower and the other  borrowers
party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and co-agent, BankBoston,
N.A., as letter of credit agent and co-agent, and the banks party thereto.

         Generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  (i) When  used in  ss.11,
whether  directly or indirectly  through  reference to a  capitalized  term used
therein,   means  (A)  principles   that  are  consistent  with  the  principles
promulgated  or  adopted by the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and
(B) to the extent  consistent with such principles,  the accounting  practice of
the Borrower  reflected in its  financial  statements  for the year ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, and (ii) when used in general, other than as provided above,
means  principles  that are (A) consistent  with the  principles  promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors,  as in
effect  from time to time,  and (B)  consistently  applied  with past  financial
statements of the Borrower  adopting the same principles,  provided that in each
case  referred  to  in  this  definition  of  "generally   accepted   accounting
principles"  a certified  public  accountant  would,  insofar as the use of such
accounting  principles is pertinent,  be in a position to deliver an unqualified
opinion  (other than a  qualification  regarding  changes in generally  accepted
accounting  principles) as to financial statements in which such principles have
been properly applied.

         Guaranteed  Pension Plan. Any employee  pension benefit plan within the
meaning of ss.3(2) of ERISA  maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate the benefits of which are  guaranteed on termination in full or
in part by the PBGC  pursuant to Title IV of ERISA,  other than a  Multiemployer
Plan.

         Guarantors.  Each entity executing this Credit Agreement as a guarantor
and each additional  Subsidiary of the Borrower which delivers a guaranty of the
Obligations pursuant to ss.7 hereof.

     Guaranty.  The  Guaranty  set  forth in ss.4  hereof  and  each  additional
guaranty of the Obligations delivered pursuant to ss.7 hereof.



<PAGE>



         Indebtedness.  (a) Any liability of any Person (i) for borrowed  money,
or under any  reimbursement  obligation  related to a letter of credit or bid or
performance bond facility, or (ii) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or other
evidence of indebtedness  (including a purchase money  obligation)  representing
extensions  of  credit  or  given in  connection  with  the  acquisition  of any
business,  property, service or asset of any kind (other than a trade payable or
other current liability arising in the ordinary course of business) or (iii) for
obligations  with respect to (A) an operating  lease  calculated on the basis of
the present value  discounted  at ten percent (10%) on the future  payments from
such  Person  under such  operating  lease,  or (B) a lease of real or  personal
property  that is or would be  classified  and  accounted  for as a  Capitalized
Lease;  (b) any liability of others either for any lease,  dividend or letter of
credit, or for any obligation described in the preceding clause (a) that (i) the
Person  has  guaranteed  or that  is  otherwise  its  legal  liability  (whether
contingent  or otherwise or direct or indirect,  but excluding  endorsements  of
negotiable  instruments  for deposit or  collection  in the  ordinary  course of
business)  or (ii) is secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held
by that Person,  regardless  whether the obligation  secured  thereby shall have
been  assumed  by or is a  personal  liability  of  that  Person;  and  (c)  any
amendment, supplement,  modification,  deferral, renewal, extension or refunding
of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b), above.

     Ineligible Securities. Securities which may not be underwritten or dealt in
by member banks of the Federal  Reserve  System under  Section 16 of the Banking
Act of 1993 (12 U.S.C. ss.24, Seventh), as amended.

         Interest  Payment Date.  (i) As to any Base Rate Loan,  the last day of
the  calendar  quarter  with respect to interest  accrued  during such  calendar
quarter, including,  without limitation, the calendar quarter which includes the
Drawdown  Date of such Base Rate Loan;  (ii) as to any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan in
respect of which the  Interest  Period is (A) 3 months or less,  the last day of
such Interest Period and (B) more than 3 months,  the date that is 3 months from
the first day of such  Interest  Period and, in  addition,  the last day of such
Interest Period.

         Interest  Period.  With  respect to each  Revolving  Credit  Loan,  (i)
initially, the period commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on
the last day of one of the periods set forth below,  as selected by the Borrower
in a Loan Request or as otherwise required by the terms of this Credit Agreement
(A) for any Base Rate Loan,  the last day of the calendar  quarter;  and (B) for
any Eurodollar Rate Loan, 1, 2, 3, or 6 months; and (ii) thereafter, each period
commencing on the last day of the next preceding  Interest Period  applicable to
such Revolving  Credit Loan and ending on the last day of one of the periods set
forth above, as selected by the Borrower in a Conversion Request;  provided that
all of the foregoing  provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the
following:

         (a)      if any Interest  Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan
                  would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Business
                  Day,  that  Interest  Period  shall  be  extended  to the next
                  succeeding  Eurodollar  Business Day unless the result of such
                  extension  would be to carry such Interest Period into another
                  calendar  month, in which event such Interest Period shall end
                  on the immediately preceding Eurodollar Business Day;
         (b       )if any Interest Period with respect to a Base Rate Loan would
                  end on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest  Period
                  shall end on the next succeeding Business Day;
         (c)      if the  Borrower  shall  fail to give  notice as  provided  in
                  ss.2.7,  the  Borrower  shall be  deemed to have  requested  a
                  conversion of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base Rate
                  Loan and the  continuance  of all Base Rate Loans as Base Rate
                  Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period with
                  respect thereto;
         (d)      any Interest  Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan that
                  begins on the last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month
                  (or on a day for which there is no


<PAGE>



                  numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end
                  of such  Interest  Period)  shall  end on the last  Eurodollar
                  Business Day of a calendar month; and
         (e)      any Interest  Period that would  otherwise  extend  beyond the
                  Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date.

         Investments.   All  expenditures  made  and  all  liabilities  incurred
(contingently  or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans,  advances,  capital  contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect  of  any   guaranties   (or  other   commitments   as  described   under
Indebtedness),  or  obligations  of, any Person.  In  determining  the aggregate
amount of Investments  outstanding at any particular time: (i) the amount of any
Investment  represented  by a  guaranty  shall be  taken  at not  less  than the
principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (ii) there
shall be deducted in respect of each such  Investment  any amount  received as a
return of capital (but only by repurchase,  redemption,  retirement,  repayment,
liquidating  dividend  or  liquidating  distribution);  (iii) there shall not be
deducted in respect of any Investment  any amounts  received as earnings on such
Investment,  whether as dividends,  interest or otherwise;  and (iv) there shall
not be deducted from the  aggregate  amount of  Investments  any decrease in the
value thereof.

         Leverage  Ratio.  As at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower,
the ratio of (a)  Consolidated  Total  Indebtedness as at the end of such fiscal
quarter  to (b)  Consolidated  EBITDAR  for the  period of the four  consecutive
fiscal quarters of the Borrower then ending.

     Loan Documents.  This Credit Agreement,  the Guaranties,  the Notes and the
Agency Fee Letter.

         Loan Request.  See ss.2.6.

         Loans.  The Revolving Credit Loans.

         Maturity Date.  September 30, 2002.

     Multiemployer  Plan. Any multiemployer  plan within the meaning of ss.3(37)
of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

         Notes.  The Revolving Credit Notes.

         Obligations.  All  indebtedness,  obligations and liabilities of any of
the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  to any  of  the  Banks  and  the  Agents,
individually or  collectively,  existing on the date of this Credit Agreement or
arising  thereafter,   direct  or  indirect,  joint  or  several,   absolute  or
contingent,  matured  or  unmatured,  liquidated  or  unliquidated,  secured  or
unsecured,  arising  by  contract,  operation  of law or  otherwise,  arising or
incurred  under this Credit  Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents or in
respect of any of the Loans made or any of the Notes,  or other  instruments  at
any time evidencing any thereof.

     Outstanding.  With respect to the Loans,  the  aggregate  unpaid  principal
thereof as of any date of determination.

     PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation created by ss.4002 of ERISA
and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.



<PAGE>



         Permitted  Acquisition.  The  acquisition by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any Person,  business,  division,  or specified group of assets,
provided  that  the  following  conditions  are met  with  respect  to any  such
acquisition:

         (a)      immediately before, immediately after, and after giving effect
                  to,  such  acquisition,  no Default or Event of Default  shall
                  have occurred and be continuing;

         (b)      concurrently  with the  effectiveness  of any such acquisition
                  involving consideration paid or to be paid by the Borrower and
                  its  Subsidiaries  (including  assumption of  liabilities)  in
                  excess of  $30,000,000,  the Borrower  shall have delivered to
                  the   Agents   and   the   Banks  a   Compliance   Certificate
                  demonstrating the Borrower's compliance with the covenants set
                  forth in ss.11  hereof  on a Pro  Forma  Basis  (after  giving
                  effect to such  acquisition)  for the  immediately  succeeding
                  three (3) fiscal quarters of the Borrower;

         (c)      either (i) such  acquisition is the acquisition of assets only
                  (for use in  substantially  the same line of  business  as the
                  line of business of the Borrower) and not the capital stock or
                  other equity interests of any Person; or (ii) such acquisition
                  involves  the  purchase of the capital  stock or other  equity
                  interests of a Person and each of the following  conditions is
                  met:

(A)      such  acquisition is the  acquisition of one hundred  percent (100%) of
         the capital stock or other equity interests of such Person,

(B)      such  Person  is in  substantially  the same  line of  business  as the
         Borrower,

(C)      such  acquisition has been approved by the board of directors (or other
         similar body) of such Person, and

(D)      concurrently with the  effectiveness of such acquisition,  the Borrower
         shall cause such Person to guaranty  all of the  Obligations  hereunder
         pursuant  to a  Guaranty  in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to the
         Administrative  Agent,  which such  Guaranty  shall be a Loan  Document
         hereunder.

     Permitted Liens. Liens, security interests and other encumbrances permitted
by ss.10.2.

         Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
association,  business,  or  other  legal  entity,  and  any  government  or any
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Pro Forma Basis. In connection with any proposed Permitted Acquisition,
(i) the  calculation  of compliance  with the  financial  covenants set forth in
ss.11  hereof by the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  (including  the Person or
asset(s) to be  acquired)  with  reference to the audited  historical  financial
results  of such  Person,  if  available,  and if not so  available,  then  with
reference to such management certified financial results of such Person as shall
be reasonably  acceptable to the Administrative  Agent (or, if an acquisition of
assets, the financial results  attributable to such assets) and the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for the applicable Test Period ending  immediately prior to the
date of such  acquisition,  after  giving  effect on a pro  forma  basis to such
Permitted  Acquisition in the manner described below and (ii) the calculation of
compliance  with the  financial  covenants  set  forth in  ss.11  hereof  by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Person or assets(s) to be acquired)
with reference to the audited  historical  financial  results of such Person, if
available, and if not so available,  such management certified financial results
of such Person as shall be  reasonably  acceptable to the  Administrative  Agent
(or, if an acquisition of assets, the


<PAGE>



financial  results  attributable  to  such  assets)  and  the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  for each of the three fiscal quarters of the Borrower  immediately
following  such  Permitted  Acquisition,  in  each  case  for  the  Test  Period
applicable to such financial covenant,  after giving effect on a pro forma basis
to such Permitted Acquisition in the manner described below:

         (i) all Indebtedness (whether under this Credit Agreement or otherwise)
and any other balance sheet adjustments  incurred or made in connection with the
Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to have been incurred or made on the first
day of the Test Period,  and all  Indebtedness  of the Person  acquired or to be
acquired  in such  Permitted  Acquisition  which was or will have been repaid in
connection with the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to
have been repaid  concurrently with the incurrence of the Indebtedness  incurred
in connection with the Permitted Acquisition;

         (ii) all  Indebtedness  assumed to have been  incurred  pursuant to the
preceding  clause (i) shall be deemed to have borne  interest  at the sum of (a)
the arithmetic  mean of (x) the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Loans having
an  Interest  Period of one month in effect on the first day of the Test  Period
and (y) the Eurodollar  Rate for Eurodollar Rate Loans having an Interest Period
of one  month  in  effect  on the  last  day of the  Test  Period  plus  (b) the
Applicable  Margin  then  in  effect  (after  giving  effect  to  the  Permitted
Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis); and

         (iii)  other  reasonable  cost  savings,   expenses  and  other  income
statement or  operating  statement  adjustments  which are  attributable  to the
change in ownership and/or management resulting from such Permitted  Acquisition
as may be approved by the Administrative  Agent in writing (which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld) shall be deemed to have been realized on the first
day of the Test Period.

     Real  Estate.  All real  property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or
sublessee) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         Record.  The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid,
or any other similar record, including computer records,  maintained by any Bank
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.

         Reference Bank.  Citibank, N.A..

         Register.  See ss.20.3.

         Required  Banks.  As of any date, the Banks holding at least  sixty-six
and two-thirds  percent (66- 2/3%) of the  outstanding  principal  amount of the
Notes on such date;  and if no such  principal is  outstanding,  the Banks whose
aggregate  Commitments  constitutes at least  sixty-six and  two-thirds  percent
(66-2/3%) of the Total Commitment.

     Revolving  Credit Loans.  Revolving  credit loans made or to be made by the
Banks to the Borrower pursuant to ss.2.

     Revolving  Credit Note Record.  A Record with respect to a Revolving Credit
Note.

         Revolving Credit Notes.  See ss.2.4.

     S-1. The Form S-1,  Registration No. 33-18525 filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  of the United  States of America on December 23, 1996,  as
amended.



<PAGE>



         Section  20  Subsidiary.  A  Subsidiary  of the  bank  holding  company
controlling any Bank, which Subsidiary has been granted authority by the Federal
Reserve Board to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities.

         Subsidiary.  Any  corporation,  association,  trust,  or other business
entity  of which  the  designated  parent  shall at any  time  own  directly  or
indirectly  through a Subsidiary or  Subsidiaries at least a majority (by number
of votes) of the outstanding Voting Stock.

         Syndication Agent.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         Test  Period.  In  connection  with the  calculation  of the  financial
covenants set forth in ss.11 hereof  following any  Permitted  Acquisition,  the
period of all fiscal quarters (and any portion of a fiscal quarter) prior to the
date of such Permitted  Acquisition included in the definition of such financial
covenant.

     Total  Commitment.  The sum of the  Commitments of the Banks,  as in effect
from time to time.

     Trust Securities. The 6 1/2% Trust Convertible Preferred Securities, issued
by Hvide  Capital  Trust,  a Delaware  statutory  business  trust and the 6 1/2%
Convertible  Subordinated Debentures due June 15, 2012 issued by the Borrower to
Hvide Capital Trust.

     Type. As to any Revolving  Credit Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurodollar Rate Loan.

     Vessel(s).  Collectively,  all  vessels  owned  by  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries, and individually, any of such vessels.

         Voting  Stock.  Stock or  similar  interests,  of any class or  classes
(however  designated),  the holders of which are at the time  entitled,  as such
holders,  to vote for the  election of a majority of the  directors  (or persons
performing  similar functions) of the corporation,  association,  trust or other
business entity  involved,  whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason
of the happening of a contingency.

1.2      Rules of Interpretation.

         (a)      A reference to any document or  agreement  shall  include such
                  document  or  agreement  as  amended,  restated,  modified  or
                  supplemented  from time to time in  accordance  with its terms
                  and the terms of this Credit Agreement.

         (b)      The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the 
                  singular.

         (c)      A reference to any law includes any amendment or modification 
                  to such law.

         (d)      Reference to any Person includes its permitted successors and 
                  permitted assigns.

         (e)      Accounting  terms  not  otherwise   defined  herein  have  the
                  meanings  assigned to them by  generally  accepted  accounting
                  principles  applied on a  consistent  basis by the  accounting
                  entity to which they refer.

         (f)      The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not 
                  limiting.



<PAGE>



         (g)      All  terms not  specifically  defined  herein or by  generally
                  accepted accounting principles, which terms are defined in the
                  Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York,
                  have the  meanings  assigned  to them  therein,  with the term
                  "instrument" being that defined under Article 9 of the Uniform
                  Commercial Code.

         (h)      Reference to a particular "ss." refers to that section of this
                  Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

         (i)      The words  "herein",  "hereof",  "hereunder" and words of like
                  import shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not
                  to any  particular  section  or  subdivision  of  this  Credit
                  Agreement.

         (j)      Unless otherwise  expressly  indicated,  in the computation of
                  periods  of time from a  specified  date to a later  specified
                  date,  the word "from" means "from and  including,"  the words
                  "to" and "until"  each mean "to but  excluding,"  and the word
                  "through" means "to and including."

         (k)      This Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  may use
                  several  different  limitations,   tests  or  measurements  to
                  regulate the same or similar  matters.  All such  limitations,
                  tests and measurements are, however,  cumulative and are to be
                  performed in accordance with the terms thereof.

         (l)      This Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  are the
                  result of negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel
                  to, among others,  the Agents, the Borrower and the Guarantors
                  and are the product of discussions and negotiations  among all
                  parties. Accordingly, this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
                  Documents are not intended to be construed  against the Agents
                  or any of the Banks merely on account of either Agent's or any
                  Bank's involvement in the preparation of such documents.

2.       THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.

2.1  Commitment to Lend.  Subject to the terms and  conditions set forth in this
Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the Borrower and
the Borrower may borrow,  repay, and reborrow from time to time from the Closing
Date up to but not  including  the Maturity  Date upon notice by the Borrower to
the  Administrative  Agent given in  accordance  with  ss.2.6,  such sums as are
requested by the Borrower up to a maximum  aggregate amount  outstanding  (after
giving  effect to all  amounts  requested)  at any one time equal to such Bank's
Commitment,  provided  that the sum of the  outstanding  amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans (after  giving  effect to all amounts  requested)  shall not at any
time exceed the Total  Commitment.  The Revolving Credit Loans shall be made pro
rata in accordance with each Bank's  Commitment  Percentage.  Each request for a
Revolving Credit Loan hereunder shall  constitute a representation  and warranty
by the Borrower that the conditions set forth in ss.12 and ss.13, in the case of
the initial Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and ss.13, in
the case of all other Revolving Credit Loans, have been satisfied on the date of
such request.

2.2 Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the  Administrative  Agent for
the  accounts  of the  Banks in  accordance  with  their  respective  Commitment
Percentages a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Margin on the average daily
amount during each calendar  quarter or portion  thereof from the date hereof to
the Maturity Date by which the Total Commitment  exceeds the outstanding  amount
of Revolving Credit Loans during such calendar quarter. The commitment fee shall
be payable  quarterly in arrears on the first day of each  calendar  quarter for
the immediately preceding calendar quarter


<PAGE>



commencing  on the  first  such date  following  the date  hereof,  with a final
payment on the Revolving  Credit  Maturity Date or any earlier date on which the
Commitments shall terminate.

2.3      Reduction of Total Commitment.

(a)  Automatic.  The Total  Commitment  shall be  automatically  and permanently
     reduced by an amount equal to  $6,000,000  on the last day of each calendar
     quarter  of the  Borrower,  commencing  with the  calendar  quarter  of the
     Borrower  ending on or about September 30, 1999. Upon the effective date of
     each such reduction the  Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata
     in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages of the amount of
     such reduction. Upon the effective date of each such reduction the Borrower
     shall pay to the  Administrative  Agent, for the respective  amounts of the
     Banks,  the full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of
     such reduction. No such reduction of the Commitments may be reinstated.

(b)  Optional.  The  Borrower  shall have the right at any time and from time to
     time  upon  three  (3)   Business   Days  prior   written   notice  to  the
     Administrative  Agent to reduce by $10,000,000  or an integral  multiple of
     $1,000,000 in excess  thereof or terminate  entirely the Total  Commitment,
     whereupon  the  Commitments  of the  Banks  shall  be  reduced  pro rata in
     accordance  with  their  respective  Commitment  Percentages  of the amount
     specified in such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly after
     receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to thisss.2.3,  the
     Administrative  Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof.  Upon
     the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrower shall
     pay to the  Administrative  Agent for the respective  accounts of the Banks
     the full  amount of any  commitment  fee then  accrued on the amount of the
     reduction.   No  reduction  or  termination  of  the   Commitments  may  be
     reinstated.

2.4 The Revolving Credit Notes. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by
separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A
hereto  (each a  "Revolving  Credit  Note"),  dated as of the  Closing  Date and
completed  with  appropriate  insertions.  One  Revolving  Credit  Note shall be
payable to the order of each Bank in a  principal  amount  equal to such  Bank's
Commitment or, if less,  the  outstanding  amount of all Revolving  Credit Loans
made by such Bank,  plus  interest  accrued  thereon,  as set forth  below.  The
Borrower  irrevocably  authorizes  each Bank to make or cause to be made,  at or
about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Revolving  Credit Loan or at the time
of receipt of any payment of principal on such Bank's  Revolving Credit Note, an
appropriate  notation on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record reflecting the
making of such Revolving Credit Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such
payment.  The outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans set forth on such
Bank's  Revolving  Credit  Note  Record  shall be prima  facie  evidence  of the
principal  amount  thereof  owing and  unpaid to such Bank,  but the  failure to
record,  or any error in so recording,  any such amount on such Bank's Revolving
Credit Note Record shall not limit or otherwise  affect the  obligations  of the
Borrower  hereunder  or under any  Revolving  Credit  Note to make  payments  of
principal of or interest on any Revolving Credit Note when due.

2.5 Interest on Revolving Credit Loans. Except as otherwise provided in ss.6.9,

         (a)      Each  Base  Rate  Loan  shall  bear  interest  for the  period
                  commencing  with the  Drawdown  Date thereof and ending on the
                  last day of the Interest  Period with  respect  thereto at the
                  rate per  annum  equal to the Base  Rate  plus the  Applicable
                  Margin.



<PAGE>



         (b)      Each  Eurodollar  Rate Loan shall bear interest for the period
                  commencing  with the  Drawdown  Date thereof and ending on the
                  last day of the Interest  Period with  respect  thereto at the
                  rate  per  annum  equal  to  the  Eurodollar   Rate  plus  the
                  Applicable Margin determined for such Interest Period.

         (c)      The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Revolving Credit
                  Loan in arrears on each  Interest  Payment  Date with  respect
                  thereto.

2.6      Requests for Revolving Credit Loans.

The Borrower shall give to the  Administrative  Agent written notice in the form
of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic  notice confirmed in a writing in the form of
Exhibit B hereto) of each  Revolving  Credit Loan  requested  hereunder (a "Loan
Request") no less than (i) 10:00 a.m. on the proposed  Drawdown Date of any Base
Rate Loan (which must be a Business Day) and (ii) three (3) Eurodollar  Business
Days prior to the proposed Drawdown Date of any Eurodollar Rate Loan (which must
be a Business Day).  Each such notice shall specify (A) the principal  amount of
the  Revolving  Credit Loan  requested,  (B) the proposed  Drawdown Date of such
Revolving  Credit Loan, (C) the Interest  Period for such Revolving  Credit Loan
and (D) the Type of such  Revolving  Credit Loan.  Promptly  upon receipt of any
such notice,  the  Administrative  Agent shall notify each of the Banks thereof.
Each Loan  Request  shall be  irrevocable  and binding on the Borrower and shall
obligate the Borrower to accept the  Revolving  Credit Loan  requested  from the
Banks on the proposed  Drawdown  Date.  Each Loan Request  shall be in a minimum
aggregate  amount of $5,000,000 or an integral  multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof.

2.7      Conversion Options.

         2.7.1  Conversion  to  Different  Type of Revolving  Credit  Loan.  The
Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any outstanding Revolving Credit
Loan to a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type,  provided that (i) with respect
to any such  conversion  of a  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan to a Base Rate  Loan,  the
Borrower  shall  give the  Administrative  Agent  prior  written  notice of such
election  not later than  10:00  a.m.  on the  proposed  effective  date of such
election;  (ii) with  respect  to any such  conversion  of a Base Rate Loan to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give the Administrative  Agent at least
three (3) Eurodollar Business Days prior written notice of such election;  (iii)
with respect to any such  conversion of a Eurodollar  Rate Loan into a Base Rate
Loan, such conversion  shall only be made on the last day of the Interest Period
with respect  thereto;  and (iv) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate
Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. On the
date on which such  conversion is being made each Bank shall take such action as
is necessary to transfer its  Commitment  Percentage  of such  Revolving  Credit
Loans to its Domestic  Lending Office or its Eurodollar  Lending Office,  as the
case may be. All or any part of outstanding  Revolving  Credit Loans of any Type
may be  converted  into a  Revolving  Credit  Loan of another  Type as  provided
herein,  provided that any partial conversion shall be in an aggregate principal
amount of  $5,000,000 or an integral  multiple of $1,000,000 in excess  thereof.
Each  Conversion  Request  relating to the  conversion  of a Base Rate Loan to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable by the Borrower.

         2.7.2  Continuation  of Type of Revolving  Credit Loan.  Any  Revolving
Credit Loan of any Type may be continued as a Revolving  Credit Loan of the same
Type  upon  the  expiration  of an  Interest  Period  with  respect  thereto  by
compliance  by the Borrower  with the notice  provisions  contained in ss.2.7.1;
provided that no Eurodollar  Rate Loan may be continued as such when any Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,  but shall be  automatically
converted  to a Base  Rate  Loan on the last day of the  first  Interest  Period
relating  thereto  ending  during  the  continuance  of any  Default or Event of
Default of which officers of the Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's
account have actual


<PAGE>



knowledge.  In the event that the Borrower fails to provide any such notice with
respect  to the  continuation  of any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan as such,  then such
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate Loan on the
last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto. The Administrative Agent
shall notify the Banks promptly when any such automatic conversion  contemplated
by this ss.2.7 is scheduled to occur.

         2.7.3  Eurodollar Rate Loans. Any conversion to or from Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be in such amounts and be made  pursuant to such  elections so that,
after giving effect thereto,  the aggregate  principal  amount of all Eurodollar
Rate Loans having the same Interest  Period shall not be less than $5,000,000 or
an integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  in excess  thereof.  No more than five (5)
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be outstanding at one time.

2.8      Funds for Revolving Credit Loans.

         2.8.1. Funding Procedures. Not later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on
the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans, each of the Banks will
make available to the Administrative  Agent, at the Administrative  Agent's Head
Office,  in immediately  available funds,  the amount of such Bank's  Commitment
Percentage of the amount of the requested  Revolving Credit Loans.  Upon receipt
from each Bank of such  amount,  and upon receipt of the  documents  required by
ss.ss.12 and 13 and the  satisfaction of the other conditions set forth therein,
to the extent applicable,  the  Administrative  Agent will make available to the
Borrower the aggregate  amount of such Revolving  Credit Loans made available to
the  Administrative  Agent by the Banks.  The  failure or refusal of any Bank to
make  available to the  Administrative  Agent at the aforesaid time and place on
any  Drawdown  Date the amount of its  Commitment  Percentage  of the  requested
Revolving  Credit  Loans  shall  not  relieve  any other  Bank from its  several
obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent the amount of
such other Bank's Commitment Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loans.

         2.8.2 Advances by Administrative  Agent. The Administrative  Agent may,
unless  notified to the  contrary by any Bank prior to a Drawdown  Date,  assume
that such Bank has made available to the  Administrative  Agent on such Drawdown
Date the amount of such Bank's  Commitment  Percentage of the  Revolving  Credit
Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date, and the Administrative Agent may (but it
shall not be required to), in reliance upon such  assumption,  make available to
the  Borrower  a  corresponding  amount.  If any  Bank  makes  available  to the
Administrative  Agent such amount on a date after such Drawdown Date,  such Bank
shall pay to the  Administrative  Agent on demand an amount equal to the product
of (i) the average computed for the period referred to in clause (iii) below, of
the weighted average interest rate paid by the Administrative  Agent for federal
funds  acquired by the  Administrative  Agent  during each day  included in such
period,  times  (ii) the amount of such  Bank's  Commitment  Percentage  of such
Revolving  Credit Loans,  times (iii) a fraction,  the numerator of which is the
number of days that elapse from and including  such Drawdown Date to the date on
which the amount of such Bank's  Commitment  Percentage of such Revolving Credit
Loans shall become immediately  available to the  Administrative  Agent, and the
denominator of which is 365. A statement of the  Administrative  Agent submitted
to such Bank with  respect to any amounts  owing under this  paragraph  shall be
prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing to the Administrative  Agent by
such Bank. If the amount of such Bank's Commitment  Percentage of such Revolving
Credit  Loans is not made  available  to the  Administrative  Agent by such Bank
within three (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the  Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with
interest  thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans
made on such Drawdown Date.



<PAGE>



3.  REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

3.1.  Maturity.  The Borrower  promises to pay on the Maturity  Date,  and there
shall  become  absolutely  due and  payable  on the  Maturity  Date,  all of the
Revolving  Credit  Loans  outstanding  on such date,  together  with any and all
accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

3.2.  Mandatory  Repayments  of  Revolving  Credit  Loans.  If at any  time  the
aggregate  outstanding  amount of the  Revolving  Credit Loans exceeds the Total
Commitment, then the Borrower shall immediately pay the amount of such excess to
the  Administrative   Agent  for  the  respective  accounts  of  the  Banks  for
application to the Revolving  Credit Loans.  Each prepayment of Revolving Credit
Loans  shall  be  allocated  among  the  Banks,  in  proportion,  as  nearly  as
practicable,  to the respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's Revolving
Credit Note,  with  adjustments to the extent  practicable to equalize any prior
payments or repayments not exactly in proportion.

3.3. Optional  Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall have the
right, at its election,  to repay the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit
Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without  penalty or premium,  provided
that any full or partial  prepayment of the outstanding amount of any Eurodollar
Rate  Loans  pursuant  to this  ss.3.3  may be made  only on the last day of the
Interest Period  relating  thereto.  The Borrower shall give the  Administrative
Agent  notice of any  proposed  prepayment  pursuant to this ss.3.3 of Base Rate
Loans not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the date of such prepayment and
of any proposed  prepayment pursuant to this ss.3.3 of Eurodollar Rate Loans not
less than two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment,
in each case  specifying  the proposed date of  prepayment  of Revolving  Credit
Loans, the principal  amount to be prepaid and which Loan is to be repaid.  Each
such  partial  prepayment  of the  Revolving  Credit Loans shall be in a minimum
amount of  $5,000,000 or an integral  multiple of $1,000,000 in excess  thereof,
shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest on the principal prepaid
to the date of prepayment and shall be applied, in the absence of instruction by
the  Borrower,  first  to the  principal  of Base  Rate  Loans  and  then to the
principal of Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Each partial  prepayment shall be allocated
among the Banks,  in  proportion,  as nearly as  practicable,  to the respective
unpaid  principal  amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments
to the extent  practicable  to  equalize  any prior  repayments  not  exactly in
proportion.

4.  GUARANTY.

4.1 Guaranty of Payment and Performance. Each of the Guarantors and the Borrower
is a member of a group of  interrelated  and  interdependent  corporations,  the
success of any one of which is dependent upon the success of the others. Each of
the Guarantors expects to receive  substantial direct and indirect benefits from
the extensions of credit to the Borrower  hereunder  (which  benefits are hereby
acknowledged).  In consideration  thereof, each of the Guarantors hereby jointly
and  severally  guarantees  to the Agents and the Banks,  the full and  punctual
payment  when due  (whether  at stated  maturity,  by required  pre-payment,  by
acceleration  or  otherwise),  as  well  as  the  performance,  of  all  of  the
Obligations  including  all such which would become due but for the operation of
the automatic stay pursuant to ss.362(a) of the Federal  Bankruptcy Code and the
operation of ss.ss.502(b) and 506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. Each of the
Guarantors is accepting joint and several  liability  hereunder in consideration
of the other Guarantors  accepting joint and several liability  hereunder.  This
Guaranty is an absolute,  unconditional and continuing  guaranty of the full and
punctual  payment and  performance  of all of the  Obligations  and not of their
collectability  only and is in no way conditioned  upon any requirement that the
Agents or any Bank  first  attempt to collect  any of the  Obligations  from the
Borrower  or resort  to any  collateral  security  or other  means of  obtaining
payment. Should the Borrower default in the payment or performance of any of the
Obligations, the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder


<PAGE>



with  respect  to  such  Obligations  in  default  shall,  upon  demand  by  the
Administrative  Agent,  become immediately due and payable to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents,  without demand or notice of
any  nature,  all of  which  are  expressly  waived  by each of the  Guarantors.
Payments by the Guarantors hereunder may be required by the Administrative Agent
on any number of  occasions.  All  payments by any of the  Guarantors  hereunder
shall be made to the  Administrative  Agent,  in the  manner and at the place of
payment specified  therefor in ss.6.1.1 hereof, for the account of the Banks and
the Agents.

4.2 Guarantors'  Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc. Each of the Guarantors
further  jointly and severally  agrees,  as the  principal  obligor and not as a
guarantor only, to pay to the  Administrative  Agent, on demand,  all reasonable
costs and  expenses  (including  court  costs  and  reasonable  legal  expenses,
including the allocated cost of staff counsel) incurred or expended by any Agent
or  any  Bank  in  connection  with  the  Obligations,  this  Guaranty  and  the
enforcement  thereof,  together with interest on amounts  recoverable under this
ss.4 from the time when such amounts become due until payment, whether before or
after  judgment,  at the rate of  interest  for overdue  principal  set forth in
ss.6.9  hereof,  provided  that if such  interest  exceeds  the  maximum  amount
permitted to be paid under  applicable  law, then such interest shall be reduced
to such maximum permitted amount.

4.3 Waivers by the  Guarantors;  Banks'  Freedom to Act. Each of the  Guarantors
agrees that the  Obligations  will be paid and performed  strictly in accordance
with their respective terms,  regardless of any law,  regulation or order now or
hereafter  in  effect in any  jurisdiction  affecting  any of such  terms or the
rights of the Agents or any Bank with respect  thereto.  Each of the  Guarantors
waives  promptness,   diligence,   presentment,   demand,   protest,  notice  of
acceptance,  notice of any  Obligations  incurred  and all other  notices of any
kind,  all defenses  which may be available  by virtue of any  valuation,  stay,
moratorium  law or other  similar law now or hereafter  in effect,  any right to
require the  marshalling  of assets of the Borrower or any other entity or other
Person  primarily or secondarily  liable with respect to any of the Obligations,
and all suretyship  defenses  generally.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  each of the  Guarantors  agrees to the  provisions of any instrument
evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation and
agrees that the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall not be released or
discharged, in whole or in part, or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the
Agents or any Bank to assert  any  claim or  demand or to  enforce  any right or
remedy against the Borrower or any other Person primarily or secondarily  liable
with  respect  to any of  the  Obligations;  (ii)  any  extensions,  compromise,
refinancing,  consolidation  or renewals of any Obligation;  (iii) any change in
the  time,  place  or  manner  of  payment  of  any of  the  Obligations  or any
rescissions, waivers, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or other amendments
or modifications of any of the terms or provisions of this Credit Agreement, the
other Loan Documents or any other  agreement  evidencing,  securing or otherwise
executed  in  connection  with  any  of  the  Obligations,  (iv)  the  addition,
substitution  or release of any entity or other Person  primarily or secondarily
liable for any  Obligation;  (v) the  adequacy of any rights which the Agents or
any Bank may have  against any  collateral  security or other means of obtaining
repayment  of any of the  Obligations;  (vi) the  impairment  of any  collateral
securing any of the  Obligations,  including  without  limitation the failure to
perfect or preserve  any rights  which the Agents or any Bank might have in such
collateral security or the substitution,  exchange,  surrender, release, loss or
destruction of any such collateral security;  or (vii) any other act or omission
which  might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such  Guarantor  or
otherwise operate as a release or discharge of such Guarantor,  all of which may
be done without notice to such  Guarantor.  To the fullest  extent  permitted by
law,  each of the  Guarantors  hereby  expressly  waives  any and all  rights or
defenses  arising  by reason of (A) any "one  action" or  "anti-deficiency"  law
which would  otherwise  prevent the Agents or any Bank from bringing any action,
including  any claim for a deficiency,  or exercising  any other right or remedy
(including  any right of set-off),  against such  Guarantor  before or after the
Agent's or such Bank's  commencement  or completion of any  foreclosure  action,
whether judicially, by exercise


<PAGE>



of power of sale or otherwise, or (B) any other law which in any other way would
otherwise require any election of remedies by the Agents or any Bank.

4.4.  Unenforceability  of Obligations  Against Borrower.  If for any reason the
Borrower has no legal existence or is under no legal obligation to discharge any
of the Obligations,  or if any of the Obligations have become irrecoverable from
the   Borrower  by  reason  of  the   Borrower's   insolvency,   bankruptcy   or
reorganization  or by  other  operation  of law or for any  other  reason,  this
Guaranty  shall  nevertheless  be binding on each of the  Guarantors to the same
extent as if each such Guarantor at all times had been the principal  obligor on
all such Obligations.  In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of
any  of  the   Obligations  is  stayed  upon  the   insolvency,   bankruptcy  or
reorganization  of the  Borrower,  or for any  other  reason,  all such  amounts
otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of this Credit Agreement,  the
other Loan Documents or any other  agreement  evidencing,  securing or otherwise
executed in connection with any Obligation  shall be immediately due and payable
by each of the Guarantors.

4.5.     Subrogation; Subordination.

         4.5.1. Postponement of Rights Against Borrower. Until the final payment
and performance in full in cash of all of the Obligations and the termination of
the  Commitments:  none of the Guarantors  shall exercise any rights against the
Borrower arising as a result of payment by each such Guarantor hereunder, by way
of subrogation, reimbursement,  restitution, contribution or otherwise, and none
of the  Guarantors  will prove any claim in  competition  with the Agents or any
Bank in  respect of any  payment  hereunder  in any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or
reorganization  case or proceedings of any nature;  none of the Guarantors  will
claim any setoff,  recoupment or counterclaim against the Borrower in respect of
any liability of any such Guarantor to the Borrower;  and each of the Guarantors
waives any benefit of and any right to participate  in any  collateral  security
which may be held by the Agents or any Bank.

         4.5.2.  Subordination.  The payment of any amounts due with  respect to
any  indebtedness  of the Borrower for money borrowed or credit  received now or
hereafter  owed to any of the  Guarantors  is hereby  subordinated  to the prior
payment in full in cash of all of the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors agrees
that,  after the  occurrence of any default in the payment or performance of any
of the Obligations, such Guarantor will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt
to collect any such  indebtedness of the Borrower to such Guarantor until all of
the Obligations shall have been paid in full. If,  notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, any of the Guarantors shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in
respect of such indebtedness while any Obligations are still  outstanding,  such
amounts shall be collected,  enforced and received by such  Guarantor as trustee
for the Banks and the Agents and be paid over to the  Administrative  Agent, for
the benefit of the Banks and the Agents,  on account of the Obligations  without
affecting  in any  manner  the  liability  of the  Guarantors  under  the  other
provisions of this Guaranty.

         4.5.3. Provisions Supplemental.  The provisions of this ss.4.5 shall be
supplemental  to and not in  derogation  of any rights and remedies of the Banks
and the Agents under any separate subordination  agreement which an Agent may at
any time and from time to time  enter  into with any of the  Guarantors  for the
benefit of the Banks and the Agents.

4.6. Further Assurances. Each of the Guarantors agrees that it will from time to
time,  at the  request of the  Agents,  do all such  things and execute all such
documents as the Agents may consider  necessary or desirable to give full effect
to this  Guaranty and to perfect and preserve the rights and powers of the Banks
and the Agents hereunder.  Each of the Guarantors acknowledges and confirms that
such Guarantor  itself has  established its own adequate means of obtaining from
the Borrower on a continuing  basis all  information  desired by such  Guarantor
concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and that such


<PAGE>



Guarantor  will look to the  Borrower and not to the Agents or any Bank in order
for such  Guarantor  to keep  adequately  informed of changes in the  Borrower's
financial condition.

4.7.  Reinstatement.  Notwithstanding  any  termination of this  Guaranty,  this
Guaranty  shall  continue to be effective or be  reinstated,  if at any time any
payment made or value  received  with respect to any  Obligation is rescinded or
must  otherwise  be  returned  by an  Agent or any  Bank  upon  the  insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or otherwise, all
as though such payment had not been made or value received.

4.8.  Successors  and Assigns.  This Guaranty  shall be binding upon each of the
Guarantors,  its successors  and assigns,  and shall inure to the benefit of the
Agents and the Banks and their respective  successors,  transferees and assigns.
Without  limiting the  generality of the foregoing  sentence,  each Bank may, in
accordance  with the  provisions  of ss.20,  assign or otherwise  transfer  this
Credit  Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or any other agreement or note held
by it  evidencing,  securing  or  otherwise  executed  in  connection  with  the
Obligations,  or sell  participations  in any  interest  therein,  to any  other
Person,  and such other Person shall thereupon become vested,  to the extent set
forth in the agreement  evidencing such assignment,  transfer or  participation,
with all the rights in respect thereof granted to such Bank herein.  None of the
Guarantors may assign any of its obligations hereunder.

4.9.  Severability.  It is the intention and  agreement of the  Guarantors,  the
Agents and the Banks that the obligations of the Guarantors  under this Guaranty
shall be valid and  enforceable  against the  Guarantors  to the maximum  extent
permitted by  applicable  law.  Accordingly,  if any  provision of this Guaranty
creating  any  obligation  of any  Guarantor  shall be declared to be invalid or
unenforceable  in any respect or to any extent,  it is the stated  intention and
agreement  of the  Guarantors,  the Agents and the Banks that any balance of the
obligation created by such provision and all other obligations of such Guarantor
to the Agent and the Banks created by other  provisions  of this Guaranty  shall
remain valid and enforceable.  Likewise, if by final order, a court of competent
jurisdiction  shall  declare  any sums  which  the  Agents  or the  Banks may be
otherwise  entitled to collect from the Guarantors  under this Guaranty to be in
excess  of  those  permitted  under  any law  (including  any  federal  or state
fraudulent  conveyance  or  like  statute  or rule  of  law)  applicable  to the
obligations under this Guaranty, it is the stated intention and agreement of the
Guarantors,  the  Agents  and the  Banks  that all sums not in  excess  of those
permitted under such applicable law shall remain fully collectible by the Agents
and the Banks from the Guarantors.

4.10.  Limitation on Guaranty.  Notwithstanding  anything else set forth in this
Section 4, it is understood  and agreed by the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors,  the
Agents  and  the  Banks  that  the  maximum  liability  of  Seabulk  Transmarine
Partnership,  Ltd.  under  the  Guaranty  shall  be  limited  to  sixty-six  and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the fair market value, from time to time, of the
United States Flag Vessel The Seabulk America, Official No. 961357.

5.       FEES.

5.1. Closing Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, on the
Closing  Date,  for the  account of each Bank,  a closing  fee in the amount set
forth opposite such Bank's name on Schedule 5.1 hereto.

5.2.  Agency Fee. The  Borrower  shall pay to the  Administrative  Agent and the
Syndication Agent an Agency fee as provided in the Agency Fee Letter.

6.       CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.



<PAGE>



6.1      Funds for Payments.

         6.1.1.  Payments to  Administrative  Agent.  All payments of principal,
interest,  commitment  fees, and any other amounts due hereunder or under any of
the other Loan  Documents  shall be made to the  Administrative  Agent,  for the
respective  accounts of the Banks and the Agents, at the Administrative  Agent's
Head Office or at such other  location  in the New York,  New York area that the
Administrative  Agent  may  from  time  to  time  designate,  in  each  case  in
immediately available funds.

         6.1.2. No Offset, etc. All payments by the Borrower hereunder and under
any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and
free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts,  duties,
charges,  fees,  deductions,  withholdings,  compulsory  loans,  restrictions or
conditions of any nature now or hereafter  imposed or levied by any jurisdiction
or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless
the Borrower is compelled by law to make such deduction or  withholding.  If any
such  obligation is imposed upon the Borrower with respect to any amount payable
by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,  the Borrower will pay
to the  Administrative  Agent,  for the account of the Banks or (as the case may
be) the Agents, on the date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder or
under such other Loan Document,  such  additional  amount in Dollars as shall be
necessary to enable the Banks or the Agents to receive the same net amount which
the  Banks  or the  Agents  would  have  received  on such  due date had no such
obligation been imposed upon the Borrower. The Borrower will deliver promptly to
the  Administrative  Agent certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or
other  charges  deducted  from or paid  with  respect  to  payments  made by the
Borrower hereunder or under such other Loan Document.

         6.1.3.  Receipt of Funds By  Administrative  Agent. The Borrower agrees
that, on each day on which a payment is due  hereunder  with respect to any Loan
or under any Note, it will deliver to the  Administrative  Agent, not later than
12:00 noon (New York time), the amount so due on such day.

6.2.  Computations.  All  computations of interest on the Base Rate Loans and of
commitment  fees and other fees hereunder  shall be based on a 365/366-day  year
and paid for the actual number of days elapsed.  All computations of interest on
the  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans  shall be based on a 360-day  year and paid for the
actual number of days elapsed. Except as otherwise provided in the definition of
the term  "Interest  Period" with respect to Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  whenever a
payment  hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents becomes due on a day
that is not a Business  Day, the due date for such payment  shall be extended to
the next  succeeding  Business  Day,  and  interest  shall  accrue  during  such
extension.  The  outstanding  amount of the Loans as reflected on the  Revolving
Credit Note Records from time to time shall be considered correct and binding on
the Borrower unless within five (5) Business Days after receipt of any notice by
the  Administrative  Agent or any of the Banks of such outstanding  amount,  the
Administrative Agent or such Bank shall notify the Borrower to the contrary.

6.3.  Inability  to  Determine  Eurodollar  Rate.  In the  event,  prior  to the
commencement  of any Interest  Period  relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
Administrative  Agent shall  determine or be notified by the Required Banks that
adequate and  reasonable  methods do not exist for  ascertaining  the Eurodollar
Rate that would otherwise determine the rate of interest to be applicable to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan during any Interest Period, the Administrative  Agent shall
forthwith  give notice of such  determination  (which  shall be  conclusive  and
binding on the Borrower  and the Banks) to the  Borrower and the Banks.  In such
event (i) any Loan Request or Conversion Request with respect to Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be  automatically  withdrawn  and shall be deemed a request for Base
Rate Loans, (ii) each Eurodollar Rate Loan will  automatically,  on the last day
of the then current Interest Period relating  thereto,  become a Base Rate Loan,
and (iii) the  obligations of the Banks to make  Eurodollar  Rate Loans shall be
suspended until the  Administrative  Agent or the Required Banks determines that
the circumstances giving rise to such


<PAGE>



suspension no longer exist,  whereupon the Administrative  Agent or, as the case
may be, the  Administrative  Agent upon the  instruction of the Required  Banks,
shall so notify the Borrower and the Banks.

6.4. Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any present or
future  law,  regulation,  treaty  or  directive  or in  the  interpretation  or
application  thereof  shall make it  unlawful  for any Bank to make or  maintain
Eurodollar   Rate  Loans,   such  Bank  shall  forthwith  give  notice  of  such
circumstances  to the  Borrower  and  the  other  Banks  and  thereupon  (i) the
commitment  of such  Bank to make  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans or  convert  Loans of
another Type to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended and (ii) such
Bank's Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any,
shall be  converted  automatically  to Base  Rate  Loans on the last day of each
Interest Period  applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans or within such earlier
period as may be required by law. The Borrower hereby agrees promptly to pay the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank, upon demand by such Bank, any
additional  amounts  necessary to compensate such Bank for any costs incurred by
such Bank in making any conversion in accordance with this ss.6.4, including any
interest  or fees  payable by such Bank to lenders  of funds  obtained  by it in
order to make or maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder.

6.5.  Additional  Costs,  etc. If any present or future  applicable  law,  which
expression,  as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations thereunder
and  interpretations  thereof by any competent  court or by any  governmental or
other  regulatory  body or  official  charged  with  the  administration  or the
interpretation thereof and requests, directives, instructions and notices at any
time or from time to time hereafter made upon or otherwise issued to any Bank or
the Administrative Agent by any central bank or other fiscal,  monetary or other
authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall:

         (a)      subject any Bank or the Administrative Agent to any tax, levy,
                  impost,  duty,  charge,  fee,  deduction or withholding of any
                  nature with respect to this Credit  Agreement,  the other Loan
                  Documents,  such Bank's  Commitment  or the Loans  (other than
                  taxes  based upon or measured by the income or profits of such
                  Bank or the Administrative Agent), or

         (b)      materially change the basis of taxation (except for changes in
                  taxes on income or  profits)  of  payments  to any Bank of the
                  principal of or the interest on any Loans or any other amounts
                  payable  to any Bank or the  Administrative  Agent  under this
                  Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or

         (c)      impose or  increase  or render  applicable  (other than to the
                  extent  specifically  provided  for  elsewhere  in this Credit
                  Agreement)   any   special   deposit,   reserve,   assessment,
                  liquidity,  capital  adequacy  or other  similar  requirements
                  (whether or not having the force of law)  against  assets held
                  by,  or  deposits  in or for the  account  of, or loans by, or
                  letters of credit  issued by, or  commitments  of an office of
                  any Bank, or

         (d)      impose  on any  Bank or the  Administrative  Agent  any  other
                  conditions  or  requirements   with  respect  to  this  Credit
                  Agreement,  the other Loan Documents,  the Loans,  such Bank's
                  Commitment,  or any  class of  loans,  letters  of  credit  or
                  commitments   of  which  any  of  the  Loans  or  such  Bank's
                  Commitment  forms  a  part,  and  the  result  of  any  of the
                  foregoing is

(i)  to increase  the cost to any Bank of making,  funding,  issuing,  renewing,
     extending or maintaining any of the Loans or such Bank's Commitment, or



<PAGE>



(ii) to reduce the amount of  principal,  interest,  or other amount  payable to
     such Bank or the  Administrative  Agent hereunder on account of such Bank's
     Commitment or any of the Loans, or

(iii)to require such Bank or the Administrative  Agent to make any payment or to
     forego any  interest  or other sum payable  hereunder,  the amount of which
     payment or foregone interest or other sum is calculated by reference to the
     gross amount of any sum  receivable or deemed  received by such Bank or the
     Administrative  Agent from the Borrower  hereunder,  then, and in each such
     case, the Borrower will,  upon demand made by such Bank or (as the case may
     be) the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time and as often
     as the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Bank or the  Administrative
     Agent such additional amounts as will be sufficient to compensate such Bank
     or the Administrative Agent for such additional cost, reduction, payment or
     foregone interest or other sum.

6.6. Capital Adequacy.  If after the date hereof any Bank or the  Administrative
Agent  determines  that (i) the  adoption of or change in any law,  governmental
rule,  regulation,  policy,  guideline or  directive  (whether or not having the
force of law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies
or any  change  in the  interpretation  or  application  thereof  by a court  or
governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) compliance by such
Bank or the Administrative Agent or any corporation controlling such Bank or the
Administrative  Agent  with  any law,  governmental  rule,  regulation,  policy,
guideline  or  directive  (whether  or not  having the force of law) of any such
entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of reducing the return on such
Bank's or the  Administrative  Agent's commitment with respect to any Loans to a
level below that which such Bank or the Administrative Agent could have achieved
but for such  adoption,  change or compliance  (taking into  consideration  such
Bank's or the  Administrative  Agent's then  existing  policies  with respect to
capital adequacy and assuming full utilization of such entity's  capital) by any
amount deemed by such Bank or (as the case may be) the  Administrative  Agent to
be material,  then such Bank or the Administrative Agent may notify the Borrower
of such fact.  To the extent that the amount of such  reduction in the return on
capital is not reflected in the Base Rate, the Borrower  agrees to pay such Bank
or (as the  case  may be)  the  Administrative  Agent  for  the  amount  of such
reduction in the return on capital as and when such reduction is determined upon
presentation by such Bank or (as the case may be) the Administrative  Agent of a
certificate in accordance with ss.6.7 hereof. Each Bank shall allocate such cost
increases among its customers in good faith and on an equitable basis.

6.7.  Certificate.  A certificate  setting forth any additional  amounts payable
pursuant to ss.ss.6.5 or 6.6 and a brief  explanation  of such amounts which are
due, submitted by any Bank or the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due and owing.

6.8. Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold each Bank
harmless  from  and  against  any  loss,  cost  or  expense  (including  loss of
anticipated profits) that such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of (i)
default by the Borrower in payment of the principal amount of or any interest on
any Eurodollar  Rate Loans as and when due and payable,  including any such loss
or expense  arising  from  interest  or fees  payable by such Bank to lenders of
funds  obtained  by it in order to maintain  its  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans,  (ii)
default by the Borrower in making a borrowing or  conversion  after the Borrower
has given (or is deemed to have given) a Loan  Request or a  Conversion  Request
relating  thereto in accordance with ss.2.6 or ss.2.7 or (iii) the making of any
payment of a Eurodollar  Rate Loan or the making of any  conversion  of any such
Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the


<PAGE>



applicable  Interest  Period with respect  thereto,  including  interest or fees
payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain any
such Loans.

6.9.     Interest After Default.

         6.9.1. Overdue Amounts.  Overdue principal and (to the extent permitted
by applicable  law) interest on the Loans and all other overdue  amounts payable
hereunder  or  under  any  of the  other  Loan  Documents  shall  bear  interest
compounded  monthly  and  payable  on demand  at a rate per  annum  equal to two
percent  (2%) above the Base Rate until such amount shall be paid in full (after
as well as before judgment).

         6.9.2.  Amounts Not Overdue.  During the continuance of a Default or an
Event of Default the principal of the Revolving  Credit Loans not overdue shall,
until  such  Default  or Event of Default  has been  cured or  remedied  or such
Default or Event of Default has been waived by the  Required  Banks  pursuant to
ss.27, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) two percent
(2%) above the rate of interest  otherwise  applicable to such Revolving  Credit
Loans  pursuant  to ss.2.5 and (ii) the rate of interest  applicable  to overdue
principal pursuant to ss.6.9.1.

6.10.  Replacement of Banks.  If any Bank (an "Affected  Bank") (i) makes demand
upon the Borrower for (or if the Borrower is otherwise  required to pay) amounts
pursuant to ss.ss.6.5 or 6.6, (ii) is unable to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate
Loans as a result of a condition  described  in ss.6.4 or (iii)  defaults in its
obligation to make Loans in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement  (such
Bank being referred to as a "Defaulting  Bank"), the Borrower may, within ninety
(90) days of receipt of such  demand,  notice (or the  occurrence  of such other
event  causing the Borrower to be required to pay such  compensation  or causing
ss.6.4  to be  applicable),  or  default,  as the  case  may be,  by  notice  (a
"Replacement  Notice")  in  writing to the  Agents  and such  Affected  Bank (A)
request  the  Affected  Bank to  cooperate  with the  Borrower  in  obtaining  a
replacement bank  satisfactory to the Agents and the Borrower (the  "Replacement
Bank");  (B)  request  the  non-Affected  Banks to acquire and assume all of the
Affected Bank's Loans and Commitment as provided herein,  but none of such Banks
shall be under an  obligation  to do so; or (C)  designate  a  Replacement  Bank
reasonably  satisfactory to the Agents.  If any  satisfactory  Replacement  Bank
shall be  obtained,  and/or if any one or more of the  non-Affected  Banks shall
agree to acquire and assume all of the  Affected  Bank's  Loans and  Commitment,
then such  Affected  Bank shall assign,  in  accordance  with ss.20,  all of its
Commitment,  Loans,  Notes and other rights and obligations under this Agreement
and all other Loan Documents to such Replacement Bank or non-Affected  Banks, as
the case may be, in exchange for payment of the principal amount so assigned and
all  interest  and fees  accrued  on the  amount  so  assigned,  plus all  other
Obligations then due and payable to the Affected Bank; provided,  however,  that
(i) such assignment shall be without  recourse,  representation  or warranty and
shall be on terms and conditions  reasonably  satisfactory to such Affected Bank
and such  Replacement Bank and/or  non-Affected  Banks, as the case may be, (ii)
prior to any such assignment, the Borrower shall have paid to such Affected Bank
all amounts properly demanded and unreimbursed under ss.ss.6.5, 6.6 and 6.7, and
(iii) no such  assignment  shall be effective  (A) while any Default or Event of
Default shall have  occurred and be  continuing or (B) until the Borrower  shall
have  paid the  Administrative  Agent an  administration  fee of  $3,000 if such
Replacement  Bank is not  already a Bank under this Credit  Agreement.  Upon the
effective date of such assignment, the Borrower shall issue replacement Notes to
such  Replacement Bank and/or  non-Affected  Banks, as the case may be, and such
institution  shall become a "Bank" for all purposes under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.



<PAGE>



7.       GUARANTIES.

(a)  The Obligations shall be guaranteed  pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty.
     The Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative  Agent, cause each
     of its  Subsidiaries  acquired or formed after the Closing  Date,  no later
     than  thirty  (30)  days  after  the   acquisition  or  formation  of  such
     Subsidiary,  to (i)  execute  and  deliver  to  each of the  Banks  and the
     Administrative  Agent a guaranty which is  substantially in the form of the
     Guaranty  and which is  satisfactory  to the  Banks and the  Administrative
     Agent in all respects and (ii) execute and deliver to each of the Banks and
     the  Administrative  Agent all other documents and instruments,  including,
     without limitation,  corporate  authority documents and legal opinions,  as
     the  Administrative  Agent may  reasonably  request in connection  with the
     delivery of such guaranty.  The Borrower shall deliver to the Banks and the
     Administrative  Agent an  updated  Schedule  8.18 upon the  acquisition  or
     formation of any Subsidiary.

(b)  In the event that, at any time, (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether
     now existing or formed  after the date hereof,  which is not a Guarantor (a
     "Non-Guarantor  Subsidiary")  acquires,  in any manner (including,  without
     limitation,  through  (A)  an  Investment  by  the  Borrower  or any of its
     Subsidiaries  in  such  Non-Guarantor  Subsidiary,  (B) a  merger  of  such
     Non-Guarantor Subsidiary with another Person, or (C) the transfer of assets
     from another Subsidiary of the Borrower to such Non-Guarantor  Subsidiary),
     any assets with a net book value in excess of $100,000, other than stock or
     other equity interests in any Person which is a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
     or (ii) if such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary shall have any business operations
     or activities (other than the ownership of such stock or equity interests),
     or (iii) if such Non-Guarantor  Subsidiary shall become liable with respect
     to any indebtedness in excess of $10,000 (other than indebtedness  owing to
     the Borrower or a Guarantor), the Borrower shall immediately (x) inform the
     Administrative  Agent  and the  Banks  of such  occurrence  and (y)  unless
     otherwise  agreed to in writing  by the  Administrative  Agent,  cause such
     Non-Guarantor  Subsidiary  to (1)  execute and deliver to each of the Banks
     and the  Administrative  Agent  a  guaranty  of the  Obligations  which  is
     substantially  in the form of the Guaranty and which is satisfactory to the
     Banks and the  Administrative  Agent in all  respects  and (2)  execute and
     deliver  to each  of the  Banks  and the  Administrative  Agent  all  other
     documents  and  instruments,   including,  without  limitation,   corporate
     authority  documents and legal opinions,  as the  Administrative  Agent may
     reasonably  request  in  connection  with the  delivery  of such  guaranty;
     provided,  that  (I)  with  respect  to the  Subsidiaries  of the  Borrower
     organized under the laws of the Marshall  Islands,  the Borrower shall have
     thirty  (30) days  from the  Closing  Date to cause  such  Subsidiaries  to
     deliver a guaranty as provided in  thisss.7(b)  and (II) the  provisions of
     thisss.7(b) shall not apply to Seabulk Chemical Carriers,  Inc., so long as
     it shall be  contractually  prohibited  from  delivering  a guaranty of the
     Obligations.

8.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The Borrower and each Guarantor  represents
and warrants to the Banks and the Agents as follows:

8.1.     Corporate Authority.

     8.1.1.  Incorporation;   Good  Standing.  Each  of  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries  (i) is a corporation or limited  partnership,  as the case may be,
duly organized, validly existing and in good


<PAGE>



standing under the laws of its state of incorporation or organization,  (ii) has
all  requisite  corporate or limited  partnership  power to own its property and
conduct its business as now conducted and as presently  contemplated,  and (iii)
is in good standing as a foreign  corporation or a foreign limited  partnership,
as the case may be, and is duly  authorized to do business in each  jurisdiction
where such  qualification is necessary except where a failure to be so qualified
would not have a materially adverse effect on the business,  assets or financial
condition of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

         8.1.2. Authorization.  The execution,  delivery and performance of this
Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents to which the Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby (i) are within the corporate or limited  partnership,  as the
case may be,  authority of such Person,  (ii) have been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate or limited  partnership,  as the case may be,  proceedings,
(iii) do not  conflict  with or result in any  breach  or  contravention  of any
provision of law,  statute,  rule or  regulation to which the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or
permit  applicable  to the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  and (iv) do not
conflict with any provision of the corporate  charter,  bylaws,  or  partnership
agreement of, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon, the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries.

         8.1.3.  Enforceability.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Credit
Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents  to which the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries is or is to become a party will result in valid and legally binding
obligations  of such  Person  enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with  the
respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof,  except as enforceability is
limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or other laws
relating to or affecting  generally the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights and
except to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific  performance or
injunctive  relief is subject to the  discretion  of the court  before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.

8.2.  Governmental  Approvals.  The execution,  delivery and  performance by the
Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries is or is to become a
party and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby do not require the
approval or consent of, or filing  with,  any  governmental  agency or authority
other than those already obtained.

8.3.  Title to Properties;  Leases.  Except as indicated on Schedule 8.3 hereto,
the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  own  all of the  assets  reflected  in the
consolidated  balance  sheet  of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  as at the
Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except  property and assets sold
or otherwise  disposed of in the ordinary  course of business  since that date),
subject to no rights of others,  including any  mortgages,  leases,  conditional
sales agreements, title retention agreements, liens or other encumbrances except
Permitted Liens.

8.4.     Financial Statements.

         8.4.1.  Fiscal  Year,  Fiscal  Quarters.  The  Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries  has a fiscal year which is the twelve months ending on December 31
of each calendar year and fiscal quarters ending on March 31, June 30, September
30, and December 31 of each calendar year.

         8.4.2.  Financial  Statements.  There has been furnished to each of the
Banks a consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  as at
the Balance Sheet Date, and a  consolidated  statement of income of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended,  certified by Ernst & Young
LLP. Such balance sheet and statement of income have been prepared in accordance
with


<PAGE>



generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and fairly  present  the  financial
condition  of the  Borrower as at the close of business on the date  thereof and
the  results  of  operations  for the  fiscal  year  then  ended.  There  are no
contingent  liabilities  of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  as of such
date involving  material amounts,  known to the officers of the Borrower,  which
were not disclosed in such balance sheet and the notes related thereto.

8.5.     No Material Changes, etc.; Solvency.

(a)  Since the  Balance  Sheet Date there has  occurred  no  materially  adverse
     change in the condition (financial or otherwise), operations,  performance,
     properties,  or prospects of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries as shown on
     or  reflected  in the  consolidated  balance  sheet of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, or the consolidated statement of
     income for the fiscal year then ended,  other than  changes in the ordinary
     course of business that have not had any  materially  adverse effect either
     individually or in the aggregate on the business or financial  condition of
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  Since the Balance Sheet Date, the
     Borrower has not made any Distribution, except as permitted underss.10.4.

(b)  The Borrower and each of the Guarantors  (before and after giving effect to
     the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  and  the  other  Loan
     Documents) (i) is solvent, (ii) has assets having a fair value in excess of
     its  liabilities,  (iii) has  assets  having a fair  value in excess of the
     amount  required to pay its  liabilities  on  existing  debts as such debts
     become absolute and matured, and (iv) has, and expects to continue to have,
     access to adequate  capital for the conduct of its business and the ability
     to pay its  debts  from  time to  time  incurred  in  connection  with  the
     operation of its business as such debts mature.

8.6.  Franchises,  Patents,  Copyrights,  etc.  Each  of the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries possesses all franchises,  patents,  copyrights,  trademarks, trade
names,  licenses and permits,  and rights in respect of the foregoing,  adequate
for the conduct of its business  substantially  as now  conducted  without known
conflict with any rights of others.

8.7.  Litigation.  Except  as set forth in  Schedule  8.7  hereto,  there are no
actions, suits,  proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or threatened
against the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  before any court,  tribunal or
administrative agency or board that, if adversely  determined,  might, either in
any  case or in the  aggregate,  materially  adversely  affect  the  properties,
assets,  financial condition or business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or
materially impair the right of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  considered as
a whole, to carry on business  substantially as now conducted by them, or result
in any substantial  liability not adequately covered by insurance,  or for which
adequate  reserves are not maintained on the  consolidated  balance sheet of the
Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  or which  question the validity of this Credit
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto or thereto.

8.8. No Materially Adverse Contracts,  etc. Except as disclosed on Schedule 8.8,
neither the  Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to any  charter,
corporate or other legal restriction,  or any judgment,  decree,  order, rule or
regulation  that has or is expected in the future to have a  materially  adverse
effect on the business,  assets or financial condition of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to
any  contract  or  agreement  that has or is  expected,  in the  judgment of the
Borrower's  officers,  to have any materially  adverse effect on the business of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.


<PAGE>



8.9. Compliance with Other Instruments,  Laws, etc. Neither the Borrower nor any
of its  Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of its charter  documents,
bylaws, or any agreement or instrument to which it may be subject or by which it
or any of its properties may be bound or any decree, order,  judgment,  statute,
license,  rule or  regulation,  in any of the  foregoing  cases in a manner that
could  result in the  imposition  of  substantial  penalties or  materially  and
adversely affect the financial condition, properties or business of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries.

8.10. Tax Status.  The Borrower and its  Subsidiaries (i) have made or filed all
federal and state  income and all other tax  returns,  reports and  declarations
required by any jurisdiction to which any of them is subject, (ii) have paid all
taxes and other  governmental  assessments and charges shown or determined to be
due on such returns,  reports and declarations,  except those being contested in
good  faith and by  appropriate  proceedings  and (iii)  have set aside on their
books  provisions  reasonably  adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods
subsequent to the periods to which such returns,  reports or declarations apply.
There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing
authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Borrower know of no basis
for any such claim.

8.11. No Event of Default.  No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is 
continuing.

8.12.  Holding Company and Investment Company Acts. Neither the Borrower nor any
of its  Subsidiaries  is a "holding  company",  or a  "subsidiary  company" of a
"holding company",  or an affiliate" of a "holding  company",  as such terms are
defined  in  the  Public  Utility  Holding  Company  Act of  1935;  nor is it an
"investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal underwriter" of
an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940.

8.13.  Absence of Financing  Statements,  etc.  Except with respect to Permitted
Liens, there is no financing  statement,  security agreement,  chattel mortgage,
real estate  mortgage,  vessel mortgage or other document filed or recorded with
any filing  records,  registry or other public  office,  that purports to cover,
affect or give  notice of any  present or  possible  future lien on, or security
interest in, any assets or property of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
or any rights relating thereto.

8.14. Certain  Transactions.  Except for arm's length  transactions  pursuant to
which the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  makes  payments in the ordinary
course of  business  upon  terms no less  favorable  than the  Borrower  or such
Subsidiary could obtain from third parties, none of the officers,  directors, or
employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is presently a party to any
transaction  with  the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  for
services  as  employees,  officers  and  directors),   including  any  contract,
agreement or other  arrangement  providing for the  furnishing of services to or
by,  providing for rental of real or personal  property to or from, or otherwise
requiring payments to or from any officer,  director or such employee or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,  partnership,  trust or other entity
in which any officer,  director, or any such employee has a substantial interest
or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

8.15.             Employee Benefit Plans.

         8.15.1.  In General.  Each  Employee  Benefit Plan and each  Guaranteed
Pension  Plan has been  maintained  and operated in  compliance  in all material
respects with the provisions of ERISA and, to the extent  applicable,  the Code,
including but not limited to the  provisions  thereunder  respecting  prohibited
transactions  and the bonding of  fiduciaries  and other  persons  handling plan
funds as required by ss.412 of ERISA.  The Borrower has heretofore  delivered to
the Administrative  Agent the most recently completed annual report,  Form 5500,
with all required attachments,  and actuarial statement required to be submitted
under ss.103(d) of ERISA, with respect to each Guaranteed Pension Plan.


<PAGE>



8.15.2.  Terminability  of Welfare Plans. No Employee  Benefit Plan, which is an
employee  welfare  benefit plan within the meaning of ss.3(1) or  ss.3(2)(B)  of
ERISA, provides benefit coverage subsequent to termination of employment, except
as required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA or the applicable  state insurance laws.
The Borrower may terminate each such Plan at any time (or at any time subsequent
to the expiration of any applicable  bargaining  agreement) in the discretion of
the Borrower without liability to any Person other than for claims arising prior
to termination.

8.15.3.  Guaranteed  Pension Plans. Each  contribution  required to be made to a
Guaranteed  Pension Plan, whether required to be made to avoid the incurrence of
an accumulated funding deficiency, the notice or lien provisions of ss.302(f) of
ERISA, or otherwise,  has been timely made. No waiver of an accumulated  funding
deficiency or extension of  amortization  periods has been received with respect
to any Guaranteed Pension Plan, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
is  obligated  to or has posted  security in  connection  with an amendment to a
Guaranteed  Pension  Plan  pursuant to ss.307 of ERISA or  ss.401(a)(29)  of the
Code. No liability to the PBGC (other than required insurance  premiums,  all of
which have been paid) has been  incurred by the Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate
with  respect to any  Guaranteed  Pension  Plan and there has not been any ERISA
Reportable  Event  (other  than  an  ERISA  Reportable  Event  as to  which  the
requirement of 30 days notice has been waived),  or any other event or condition
which presents a material risk of termination of any Guaranteed  Pension Plan by
the PBGC. Based on the latest  valuation of each Guaranteed  Pension Plan (which
in each case occurred within twelve months of the date of this  representation),
and on the actuarial  methods and assumptions  employed for that valuation,  the
aggregate  benefit  liabilities of all such Guaranteed  Pension Plans within the
meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA did not exceed the aggregate  value of the assets of
all such  Guaranteed  Pension Plans,  disregarding  for this purpose the benefit
liabilities  and assets of any Guaranteed  Pension Plan with assets in excess of
benefit liabilities.

8.15.4.  Multiemployer  Plans.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred  any  material  liability   (including   secondary  liability)  to  any
Multiemployer  Plan as a result of a complete  or partial  withdrawal  from such
Multiemployer  Plan  under  ss.4201  of ERISA or as a result of a sale of assets
described in ss.4204 of ERISA.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
been  notified that any  Multiemployer  Plan is in  reorganization  or insolvent
under and  within  the  meaning  of ss.4241 or ss.4245 of ERISA or is at risk of
entering  reorganization or becoming  insolvent,  or that any Multiemployer Plan
intends to terminate or has been terminated under ss.4041A of ERISA.

8.16.             Use of Proceeds.

     8.16.1.  General.  The  proceeds  of the  Loans  shall be used for  working
capital and general corporate purposes and to finance Permitted Acquisitions.

         8.16.2.  Regulations  U and X. No portion of any Loan is to be used for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock" as
such  terms are used in  Regulations  U and X of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.

         8.16.3.  Ineligible Securities.  No portion of the proceeds of any Loan
is to be used for the purpose of (a) knowingly  purchasing,  or providing credit
support for the purchase of, Ineligible  Securities from a Section 20 Subsidiary
during  any period in which such  Section 20  Subsidiary  makes a market in such
Ineligible Securities, (b) knowingly purchasing, or providing credit support for
the purchase of, during the  underwriting  or placement  period,  any Ineligible
Securities being underwritten or privately placed by a Section 20 Subsidiary, or
(c) making, or providing credit support for the making of, payments of principal
or interest on  Ineligible  Securities  underwritten  or  privately  placed by a
Section


<PAGE>



20 Subsidiary and issued by or for the benefit of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
or other Affiliate of the Borrower.

8.17.  Environmental  Compliance.  None of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any
operator  of the Real  Estate or any  operations  thereon  is in  violation,  or
alleged  violation,  of any  judgment,  decree,  order,  law,  license,  rule or
regulation  pertaining to environmental  matters,  including without limitation,
those   arising   under  the  Resource   Conservation   and  Recovery  Act,  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 as
amended,  the Superfund  Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal
Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or
any state or local statute,  regulation,  ordinance, order or decree relating to
health,  safety or the environment  (hereinafter  "Environmental  Laws"),  which
violation  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  environment  or the
business,  assets  or  financial  condition  of  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries.

8.18. Subsidiaries, etc. All Subsidiaries,  direct and indirect, of the Borrower
are listed on Schedule 8.18 hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 8.18 hereto,
neither the Borrower nor any  Subsidiary of the Borrower is engaged in any joint
venture or partnership with any other Person.

8.19. Concerning the Vessels. Each Vessel operated in the coastwise trade of the
United  States of America is operated in  accordance  with the  Shipping  Act of
1916, as amended and in effect and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  Each
Vessel  is   maintained   and  operated  in  compliance   with  all   applicable
Environmental Laws.

8.20.  Disclosure.  None of  this  Credit  Agreement  or any of the  other  Loan
Documents  contains any untrue  statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact (known to the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in the case of
any document or  information  not  furnished  by it or any of its  Subsidiaries)
necessary  in order to make the  statements  herein or therein  not  misleading.
There  is no  fact  known  to the  Borrower  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  which
materially  adversely  affects,  or which is reasonably  likely in the future to
materially  adversely  affect,  the  business,  assets,  financial  condition or
prospects  of the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  exclusive  of effects
resulting  from  changes in general  economic  conditions,  legal  standards  or
regulatory conditions.

9.       AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS.

The Borrower and each of the  Guarantors  covenants  and agrees that, so long as
any  Loan or Note is  outstanding  or any Bank  has any  obligation  to make any
Loans:

9.1. Punctual Payment.  The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or cause to be
paid the principal and interest on the Loans,  the  commitment  fees, the Agency
fees and all other amounts  provided for in this Credit  Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries is a party, all
in  accordance  with the terms of this  Credit  Agreement  and such  other  Loan
Documents.

9.2.  Maintenance  of  Office.  The  Borrower  will,  and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to,  maintain  its  chief  executive  office  in Fort  Lauderdale,
Florida,  or at such other place in the United States of America as the Borrower
or such  Subsidiary  shall  designate upon written notice to the  Administrative
Agent, where notices,  presentations and demands to or upon the Borrower or such
Subsidiary  in  respect  of the Loan  Documents  to which the  Borrower  or such
Subsidiary is a party may be given or made.

9.3.  Records and Accounts.  The Borrower  will (i) keep,  and cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to keep,  true and accurate  records and books of account in which
full, true and correct entries will be made in


<PAGE>



accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate
accounts and  reserves for all taxes  (including  income  taxes),  depreciation,
depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties and the properties of
its  Subsidiaries,  contingencies,  and other  reserves,  and (iii) at all times
engage  Ernst & Young  LLP or other  independent  certified  public  accountants
satisfactory to the  Administrative  Agent as the independent  certified  public
accountants of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  and will not permit more than
thirty  (30)  days to  elapse  between  the  cessation  of such  firm's  (or any
successor firm's) engagement as the independent  certified public accountants of
the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  and the  appointment  in such  capacity of a
successor firm as shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

9.4.  Financial  Statements,  Certificates  and  Information.  The Borrower will
deliver to each of the Banks:

(a)  as soon as practicable,  but in any event not later than one hundred twenty
     (120)  days  after  the  end of  each  fiscal  year  of the  Borrower,  the
     consolidated  balance  sheet of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  and the
     consolidating  balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  each as
     at the end of such year, and the related  consolidated  statement of income
     and  consolidated  statement  of cash flow and  consolidating  statement of
     income and consolidating statement of cash flow for such year, each setting
     forth in comparative  form the figures for the previous fiscal year and all
     such  statements to be in reasonable  detail,  prepared in accordance  with
     generally  accepted  accounting  principles,   and  all  such  consolidated
     statements to be certified without qualification by Ernst & Young LLP or by
     other  independent   certified  public  accountants   satisfactory  to  the
     Administrative Agent;

(b)  as soon as  practicable,  but in any event not later than  forty-five  (45)
     days after the end of each of the fiscal  quarters of the Borrower,  copies
     of the  unaudited  consolidated  balance  sheet  of the  Borrower  and  its
     Subsidiaries and the unaudited  consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries,  each as at the end of such quarter,  and the related
     consolidated  statement of income and  consolidated  statement of cash flow
     and consolidating  statement of income and consolidating  statement of cash
     flow for the portion of the  Borrower's  fiscal year then  elapsed,  all in
     reasonable  detail and  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
     accounting  principles,  together  with a  certification  by the  principal
     financial  or  accounting  officer  of the  Borrower  that the  information
     contained  in such  financial  statements  fairly  presents  the  financial
     position of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries on the date thereof (subject
     to year-end adjustments);

(c)  as soon as practicable,  but in any event within thirty (30) days after the
     end of each month in each fiscal year of the  Borrower,  unaudited  monthly
     consolidated  financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
     such month and unaudited monthly consolidating  financial statements of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries  for such month,  each prepared in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles;

(d)  simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in
     subsections  (a) and (b) above,  a  statement  certified  by the  principal
     financial or accounting  officer of the Borrower in substantially  the form
     of Exhibit C hereto (the  "Compliance  Certificate")  and setting  forth in
     reasonable  detail  computations  evidencing  compliance with the covenants
     contained in ss.11 and (if applicable)  reconciliations  to reflect changes
     in generally accepted accounting principles since the Balance Sheet Date;



<PAGE>



(e)  contemporaneously  with  the  filing  or  mailing  thereof,  copies  of all
     material of a  financial  nature  filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission or sent to the equity holders or debt holders of the Borrower;

(f)  as soon as the same  become  available  and in any  event  not  later  than
     January 31 of each year,  an annual  business  plan of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis for such fiscal year and  financial
     projections for the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis
     for the next  succeeding  three (3) fiscal years,  including  statements of
     income and cash flow and balance sheets and the assumptions underlying such
     plan, all such  statements to be in reasonable  detail and certified by the
     chief  financial  officer of the Borrower as a  reasonable  forecast of the
     anticipated  financial  condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
     consolidated  basis and  business  segment  basis in respect of such fiscal
     years; and

(g)  from time to time such  other  financial  data and  information  (including
     accountants',  management letters) as the Administrative  Agent or any Bank
     may reasonably request.

9.5.     Notices.

         9.5.1.  Defaults.  The Borrower will promptly notify the Administrative
Agent and each of the Banks in writing of the occurrence of any Default or Event
of  Default.  If any Person  shall  give any notice or take any other  action in
respect of a claimed default  (whether or not  constituting an Event of Default)
under  this  Credit  Agreement  or any other  note,  evidence  of  Indebtedness,
indenture or other  obligation to which or with respect to which the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or obligor, whether as principal,  guarantor,
surety or otherwise, the Borrower shall forthwith give written notice thereof to
the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks,  describing the notice or action
and the nature of the claimed default.

         9.5.2.  Environmental Events. The Borrower will promptly give notice to
the Administrative  Agent and each of the Banks (i) of any material violation of
any  Environmental  Law that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  reports in
writing or is  reportable  by such  Person in writing  (or for which any written
report  supplemental to any oral report is made) to any federal,  state or local
environmental  agency and (ii) upon  becoming  aware  thereof,  of any  inquiry,
proceeding,  investigation,  or other action, including a notice from any agency
of  potential   environmental   liability,   of  any  federal,  state  or  local
environmental  agency or board,  that has the potential to materially  adversely
affect the  assets,  liabilities,  financial  conditions  or  operations  of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         9.5.3. Notice of Litigation and Judgments.  The Borrower will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the  Administrative  Agent and
each of the Banks in writing  within  fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of any
litigation or  proceedings  threatened in writing or any pending  litigation and
proceedings  affecting the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or to which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party involving an uninsured
claim against the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  that could reasonably be
expected  to have a  materially  adverse  effect on the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries   and  stating  the  nature  and  status  of  such   litigation  or
proceedings. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give
notice to the  Administrative  Agent and each of the Banks, in writing,  in form
and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of any
judgment not covered by insurance,  final or otherwise,  against the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $1,000,000.



<PAGE>



9.6.     Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties; Etc.

(a)  The Borrower  will do or cause to be done all things  necessary to preserve
     and keep in full force and effect its corporate or limited partnership,  as
     the  case  may be,  existence,  rights  and  franchises  and  those  of its
     Subsidiaries.

(b)  The  Borrower  (i)  will  cause  all of its  properties  and  those  of its
     Subsidiaries  used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business
     of its Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and
     working order and supplied with all necessary equipment, (ii) will cause to
     be made all necessary  repairs,  renewals,  replacements,  betterments  and
     improvements  thereof,  all  as in the  judgment  of  the  Borrower  may be
     necessary so that the business  carried on in  connection  therewith may be
     properly and  advantageously  conducted at all times,  and (iii) will,  and
     will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily in the
     businesses now conducted by them and in related  businesses;  provided that
     nothing in thisss.9.6  shall prevent the Borrower  from  discontinuing  the
     operation and  maintenance  of any of its properties or any of those of its
     Subsidiaries  if such  discontinuance  is, in the judgment of the Borrower,
     desirable  in the conduct of its or their  business  and that do not in the
     aggregate  materially adversely affect the business of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

9.7.  Insurance.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect to
its properties and business  against such casualties and  contingencies as shall
be in accordance  with the general  practices of  businesses  engaged in similar
activities in similar geographic areas and in amounts, containing such terms, in
such forms and for such periods as may be reasonable  and prudent and reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

9.8. Taxes.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly
pay and  discharge,  or cause to be paid and  discharged,  before the same shall
become overdue,  all taxes,  assessments and other governmental  charges imposed
upon it and its real properties,  sales and activities,  or any part thereof, or
upon  the  income  or  profits  therefrom,  as well  as all  claims  for  labor,
materials,  or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a lien or charge upon
any of its property;  provided that any such tax,  assessment,  charge,  levy or
claim need not be paid if the  validity or amount  thereof  shall  currently  be
contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings  and if the Borrower or such
Subsidiary  shall have set aside on its books  adequate  reserves  with  respect
thereto;  and provided  further that the  Borrower  and each  Subsidiary  of the
Borrower  will  pay all such  taxes,  assessments,  charges,  levies  or  claims
forthwith  upon the  commencement  of proceedings to foreclose any lien that may
have attached as security therefor.

9.9.  Inspection of Properties  and Books.  The Borrower shall permit the Banks,
through  the  Administrative  Agent  or  any  of  the  Banks'  other  designated
representatives,  to visit and inspect any of the  properties of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, to examine the books of account of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (and to make copies thereof and extracts therefrom), and to discuss
the affairs,  finances and accounts of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  with,
and to be  advised  as to the  same  by,  its and  their  officers,  all at such
reasonable  times  and  intervals  as the  Administrative  Agent or any Bank may
reasonably request.

9.10. Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  comply  with (i) in all  material
respects,   the  applicable  laws  and  regulations  wherever  its  business  is
conducted,  including all Environmental Laws, (ii) the provisions of its charter
documents and by-laws,  (iii) all agreements and  instruments by which it or any
of its properties may be


<PAGE>



bound  and  (iv)  all  applicable  decrees,   orders,  and  judgments.   If  any
authorization,  consent, approval, permit or license from any officer, agency or
instrumentality  of any government  shall become  necessary or required in order
that the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries may fulfill any of its obligations
hereunder  or any of the other  Loan  Documents  to which the  Borrower  or such
Subsidiary  is a party,  the Borrower  will,  or (as the case may be) will cause
such Subsidiary to,  immediately  take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps
within  the  power  of  the   Borrower  or  such   Subsidiary   to  obtain  such
authorization,   consent,   approval,   permit  or  license   and   furnish  the
Administrative Agent and the Banks with evidence thereof.

9.11.  Employee  Benefit  Plans.  The Borrower will (i) promptly upon filing the
same with the  Department of Labor or Internal  Revenue  Service upon request of
the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of the most
recent actuarial statement required to be submitted under ss.103(d) of ERISA and
Annual  Report,  Form 5500,  with all required  attachments,  in respect of each
Guaranteed  Pension Plan and (ii) promptly upon receipt or dispatch,  furnish to
the  Administrative  Agent any  notice,  report or demand  sent or  received  in
respect of a Guaranteed  Pension Plan under  ss.ss.302,  4041, 4042, 4043, 4063,
4065,  4066 and 4068 of ERISA,  or in respect  of a  Multiemployer  Plan,  under
ss.ss.4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245 of ERISA.

9.12.  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower  will use the proceeds of the Loans solely
for working  capital and general  corporate  purposes  and to finance  Permitted
Acquisitions.

9.13.  Concerning  the Vessels;  Citizenship.  The Borrower will, and will cause
each  of its  Subsidiaries  to  operate  each  Vessel  in  compliance  with  all
applicable governmental rules, regulations and requirements,  including, without
limitation,  the  Shipping  Act of  1916,  as  amended  and in  effect,  and all
Environmental Laws. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary owning a
Vessel  engaging  in the  coastwise  trade of the United  States of America  to,
remain a "citizen of the United  States"  within the meaning of Section 2 of the
Shipping Act, 1916, as amended,  for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade
of the United States of America.

9.14.  Further  Assurances.  The  Borrower  will,  and  will  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries  to,  cooperate  with the  Banks and the  Administrative  Agent and
execute  such   further   instruments   and   documents  as  the  Banks  or  the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to carry out to their satisfaction
the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Credit  Agreement  and the other  Loan
Documents.

10.      CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS.

The Borrower and each  Guarantor  covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan
or Note is outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans:

10.1.  Restrictions on Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries  to, create,  incur,  assume,  guarantee or be or remain
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness other than:

10.2  Indebtedness  to the Banks and the  Agents  arising  under any of the Loan
Documents;

(b)  endorsements  for  collection,  deposit or  negotiation  and  warranties of
     products  or  services,  in each case  incurred in the  ordinary  course of
     business;



<PAGE>



(c)  Indebtedness  incurred in connection  with the  acquisition  after the date
     hereof of any real or personal  property by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
     or under any Capitalized Lease,  provided that the aggregate amount of such
     Indebtedness does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the fair market value
     (determined  in good faith by the  Borrower)  of the  property  so acquired
     (except that,  with respect to not more than  $15,000,000  of  Indebtedness
     permitted  pursuant  to this  clause (c),  such  Indebtedness  may be in an
     amount  up  to  one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of  the  fair  market  value
     (determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the property so acquired) and
     provided further that the aggregate  principal amount of such  Indebtedness
     of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  shall not exceed the aggregate amount
     of $100,000,000 at any one time;

(d)  Indebtedness  existing  on the date  hereof  and listed  and  described  on
     Schedule 10.1 hereto;

(e)  Indebtedness  of a  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  owing to the  Borrower or
     another Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

(f)  additional  unsecured  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower  incurred  after  the
     Closing Date so long as no Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred
     and be continuing or would result therefrom.

10.2.  Restrictions on Liens.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its  Subsidiaries to, (i) create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or
to exist any lien, encumbrance,  mortgage,  pledge, charge, restriction or other
security  interest  of any  kind  upon  any of its  property  or  assets  of any
character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon the income or profits
therefrom; (ii) transfer any of such property or assets or the income or profits
therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of  Indebtedness
or  performance  of any other  obligation  in priority to payment of its general
creditors; (iii) acquire, or agree or have an option to acquire, any property or
assets upon conditional sale or other title retention or purchase money security
agreement,  device or arrangement;  or (iv) suffer to exist for a period of more
than thirty (30) days after the same shall have been  incurred any  Indebtedness
or claim or demand against it that if unpaid might by law or upon  bankruptcy or
insolvency,  or  otherwise,  be given any priority  whatsoever  over its general
creditors;  provided that the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries may create or
incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist:

(a)  liens in favor of the Borrower on all or part of the assets of Subsidiaries
     of the Borrower securing Indebtedness owing by Subsidiaries of the Borrower
     to the Borrower;

(b)  liens to secure taxes,  assessments and other government charges in respect
     of obligations not overdue or liens to secure claims for labor, material or
     supplies in respect of obligations not overdue;

(c)  deposits  or pledges  made in  connection  with,  or to secure  payment of,
     workmen's compensation,  unemployment insurance,  old age pensions or other
     social security obligations;

(d)  liens in respect of  judgments  or awards  that have been in force for less
     than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not
     levied  thereunder  or in respect of which the Borrower or such  Subsidiary
     shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for
     review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained
     pending such appeal or review;


<PAGE>



(e)  liens or claims of carriers,  warehousemen,  mechanics,  ship repairers and
     materialmen, and other like liens, in existence less than 120 days from the
     date of creation thereof in respect of obligations which are either (i) not
     overdue or (ii) being contested in good faith by the Borrower;

(f)  encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements,  rights of way, zoning
     restrictions,  restrictions  on the use of real  property  and  defects and
     irregularities  in the title  thereto,  landlord's or lessor's  liens under
     leases to which the  Borrower or a  Subsidiary  of the Borrower is a party,
     and other minor liens or  encumbrances  none of which in the opinion of the
     Borrower interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the
     ordinary  conduct of the  business of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,
     which defects do not  individually  or in the  aggregate  have a materially
     adverse  effect on the  business  of the  Borrower  individually  or of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

(g)  liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 10.2 hereto; and

(h)  purchase money security interests in or purchase money mortgages on real or
     personal  property  acquired after the date hereof to secure purchase money
     Indebtedness  of the type and amount  permitted by ss.10.1(c),  incurred in
     connection with the acquisition of such property,  which security interests
     or  mortgages  cover only the real or personal  property  so  acquired  and
     secure only the debt incurred to acquire such  property as permitted  under
     ss.10.1(c) and liens on the assets subject to Capitalized  Leases permitted
     under ss.10.1(c).

10.3.  Restrictions on  Investments.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to remain outstanding any
Investment except Investments in:

(a)  marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of America
     that mature within one (1) year from the date of purchase by the Borrower;

(b)  demand  deposits,  certificates  of deposit,  bankers  acceptances and time
     deposits  of  United   States  banks  having  total  assets  in  excess  of
     $1,000,000,000;

(c)  securities  commonly  known as  "commercial  paper" issued by a corporation
     organized  and existing  under the laws of the United  States of America or
     any state  thereof  that at the time of  purchase  have been  rated and the
     ratings  for which are not less  than  "P1" if rated by  Moody's  Investors
     Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's") and not less than "A1" if rated by Standard and
     Poor's  Rating  Group  ("S&P");  provided  that  such  Investment  in  such
     commercial paper otherwise  permitted  hereunder shall be permitted if such
     commercial  paper is rated either (i) not less than "P 2" by Moody's and "A
     1" by S&P or (ii) not less than "A 2" by S&P and "P 1" by Moody's;

(d)  Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 10.3 hereto;

(e)  Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by ss.10.1(e) so long as
     such entities remain Subsidiaries of the Borrower and Guarantors hereunder;

(f)  Investments  consisting of the Guaranty and  Investments by the Borrower in
     Subsidiaries of the Borrower;



<PAGE>



(g)  Investments  consisting of promissory  notes  received as proceeds of asset
     dispositions permitted by ss.10.5.2;

(h)  Investments in Permitted Acquisitions; and

(i)  Investments  consisting  of loans and  advances  to  employees  for moving,
     entertainment,  travel and other similar expenses in the ordinary course of
     business not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

10.4.             Distributions.

         (a)      The Borrower will not make any Distributions; provided that so
                  long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
                  be  continuing  or  would  result  from  the  making  of  such
                  Distribution,  the Borrower may make Distributions  consisting
                  of  dividends  on its Class A Common  Stock and Class B Common
                  Stock in an aggregate  amount in any fiscal year not to exceed
                  fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal
                  year.

         (b)      The  Borrower  shall  not,  and  shall not  permit  any of its
                  Subsidiaries  to, create or permit to exist any restriction on
                  the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to pay dividends
                  to the Borrower.

10.5.             Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.

         10.5.1.  Mergers and Acquisitions.  The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to any merger or consolidation
except the merger or  consolidation  of one or more of the  Subsidiaries  of the
Borrower  with and into the  Borrower,  with the  Borrower  being the  surviving
corporation of such merger or  consolidation,  or the merger or consolidation of
two or more  Subsidiaries  of the  Borrower;  provided  that,  in each case,  no
Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing,  or would
result from such merger or  consolidation.  The Borrower  will not, and will not
permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  effect  any  asset  acquisition  or stock
acquisition,  other than (i) Permitted  Acquisitions and (ii) the acquisition of
assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

         10.5.2.  Disposition  of Assets.  The  Borrower  will not, and will not
permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, become a party to or agree to or effect any
disposition of assets,  other than (a) the sale of inventory and the disposition
of  assets  no  longer  used or useful  in the  business  or  operations  of the
Borrower,  in each case in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practices; (b) the transfer of assets from any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the
Borrower or to another Subsidiary of the Borrower; and (c) other dispositions of
assets  not  otherwise  permitted  pursuant  to the  foregoing  clauses  of this
ss.10.5.2,  provided  that the  aggregate  fair  market  value of the  assets so
disposed of in any period of twelve  (12)  consecutive  months  shall not exceed
$10,000,000.

10.6. Sale and Leaseback.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary of the Borrower  shall sell or transfer any property
owned by it in order then or  thereafter  to lease such  property or lease other
property that the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower  intends to use for
substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred.

10.7.  Compliance with  Environmental  Laws. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) use any of the Real Estate or any portion
thereof for the handling, processing, storage


<PAGE>



or disposal of hazardous  substances,  (ii) cause or permit to be located on any
of the Real Estate any underground tank or other underground  storage receptacle
for hazardous substances,  (iii) generate any hazardous substances on any of the
Real Estate, (iv) conduct any activity at any Real Estate, on any Vessel, or use
any Real  Estate  or any  Vessel in any  manner  so as to cause a release  (i.e.
releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting,  escaping,  leaching,  disposing or dumping) or threatened release of
hazardous  substances  on, upon or into the Real  Estate or from any Vessel,  if
such activity or release could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the environment or the business,  assets or financial condition of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (v) otherwise conduct any activity at any
Real  Estate or use any Real  Estate or operate  any  Vessel in any manner  that
would violate any  Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate or such Vessel in
violation of any Environmental Law.

10.8.  Trust  Securities.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries  to, amend,  supplement or otherwise modify the terms of any of the
Trust  Securities or prepay,  redeem or repurchase any of the Trust  Securities;
provided,  that the  Borrower and any of its  Subsidiaries  may redeem the Trust
Securities  so long as (i)  immediately  after,  and after giving effect to such
redemption, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
and (ii) on the date of such redemption the average sale price of the Borrower's
Class A Common Stock on The Nasdaq  National  Market is at least $2.00 above the
"conversion  price" relating to the conversion of the Trust  Securities into the
Class A Common  Stock of the  Borrower,  as such  conversion  price is  adjusted
pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.

10.9. Employee Benefit Plans. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate will

         (a)      engage in any "prohibited  transaction"  within the meaning of
                  ss.406 of ERISA or ss.4975 of the Code which could result in a
                  material   liability   for   the   Borrower   or  any  of  its
                  Subsidiaries; or

         (b)      permit any  Guaranteed  Pension Plan to incur an  "accumulated
                  funding  deficiency",  as such  term is  defined  in ss.302 of
                  ERISA, whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or

         (c)      fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an extent
                  which,  or terminate any  Guaranteed  Pension Plan in a manner
                  which, could result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance
                  on the  assets  of  the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries
                  pursuant to ss.302(f) or ss.4068 of ERISA; or

         (d)      amend any Guaranteed  Pension Plan in circumstances  requiring
                  the  posting  of  security  pursuant  to  ss.307  of  ERISA or
                  ss.401(a)(29) of the Code; or

         (e)      permit or take any action which would result in the  aggregate
                  benefit  liabilities (with the meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA) of
                  all  Guaranteed  Pension  Plans  exceeding  the  value  of the
                  aggregate assets of such Plans,  disregarding for this purpose
                  the  benefit  liabilities  and  assets  of any such  Plan with
                  assets in excess of benefit liabilities.

10.10.  Business  Activities.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through Subsidiaries
or otherwise)  in any type of business  other than the  businesses  conducted by
them on the Closing Date and in related businesses.

10.11. Fiscal Year; Fiscal Quarters.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of it Subsidiaries  to, change the date of the end of its fiscal year or any
of its fiscal quarters from that set forth in ss.8.4.1.


<PAGE>



10.12. Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its  Subsidiaries to, engage in any transaction with any Affiliate (other
than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract,
agreement or other  arrangement  providing for the  furnishing of services to or
by,  providing for rental of real or personal  property to or from, or otherwise
requiring  payments to or from any such  Affiliate  or, to the  knowledge of the
Borrower, any corporation,  partnership, trust or other entity in which any such
Affiliate  has a  substantial  interest or is an officer,  director,  trustee or
partner,  on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable
on an arm's-length basis in the ordinary course of business.

11. FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER. The Borrower covenants and agrees that,
so long as any Loan or Note is  outstanding  or any Bank has any  obligation  to
make any Loans:

11.1.  Leverage  Ratio.  The  Borrower  will  not  permit  the  Leverage  Ratio,
determined  at the  end of  each  fiscal  quarter  of the  Borrower,  to  exceed
4.25:1.00.

11.2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Debt Service
Coverage Ratio, determined at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to
be less than 2.5:1.0.

11.3. Indebtedness to Tangible Net Worth Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
ratio of (a) Consolidated  Total  Indebtedness to (b) Consolidated  Tangible Net
Worth, at any time, to exceed 1.50:1.0.

12.  CLOSING  CONDITIONS.  The  obligations  of the  Banks to make  the  initial
Revolving  Credit Loans shall be subject to the  satisfaction  of the  following
conditions precedent on or prior to September 30, 1997:

12.1. Loan  Documents.  Each of the Loan Documents shall have been duly executed
and  delivered by the  respective  parties  thereto,  shall be in full force and
effect  and shall be in form and  substance  satisfactory  to each of the Banks.
Each Bank shall have received a fully executed copy of each such document.

12.2.  Certified  Copies of  Charter  Documents.  Each of the Banks  shall  have
received from the Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries a copy,  certified by a
duly  authorized  officer of such Person to be true and  complete on the Closing
Date, of each of (i) its charter or other  incorporation  documents as in effect
on such date of certification, and (ii) its by-laws as in effect on such date.

12.3. Corporate, Action. All corporate action necessary for the valid execution,
delivery and  performance by the Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries  of this
Credit  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents to which it is or is to become a
party  shall  have  been  duly  and  effectively  taken,  and  evidence  thereof
satisfactory to the Banks shall have been provided to each of the Banks.

12.4. Incumbency Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received from
the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries an incumbency certificate, dated as of
the Closing Date,  signed by a duly  authorized  officer of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary,  and  giving  the name and  bearing  a  specimen  signature  of each
individual  who shall be  authorized:  (i) to sign, in the name and on behalf of
each of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, each of the Loan Documents to which the
Borrower or such Subsidiary is or is to become a party;  (ii) in the case of the
Borrower,  to make Loan  Requests  and  Conversion  Requests;  and (iii) to give
notices and to take other action on its behalf under the Loan Documents.

     12.5.Certificates  of  Insurance.   The  Administrative  Agent  shall  have
     received (i) a  certificate  of  insurance  from an  independent  insurance
     broker dated as of the Closing Date, identifying insurers, types


<PAGE>



of insurance,  insurance limits, and policy terms, and otherwise  describing the
insurance  obtained in accordance with the provisions  hereof and (ii) certified
copies of all policies  evidencing  such  insurance  (or  certificates  therefor
signed by the insurer or an agent authorized to bind the insurer).

12.6. Opinion of Counsel. Each of the Banks and the Agents shall have received a
favorable legal opinion  addressed to the Banks and the Agents,  dated as of the
Closing Date, in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the Banks and the Agents,
from (a) Gene Douglas,  Esq.,  counsel to the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries and
(b) Bingham, Dana & Gould LLP, counsel to the Agents.

12.7. Payment of Fees. The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent,
for the account of the Banks or the Agents, as appropriate,  the fees to be paid
on the Closing Date.

12.8.  Payoff  Letter.  The  Administrative  Agent shall have  received a payoff
letter  from the agents and  lenders  party to the  Existing  Credit  Agreement,
indicating  the  amount  of  the  loan  obligations  of  the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries to such agents and lenders to be discharged on the Closing Date and
an  acknowledgment  by such agents and lenders  that upon  receipt of such funds
they will forthwith execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent or caused to
be executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing all termination
statements  and  mortgage  discharges  and take  such  other  actions  as may be
necessary  to  discharge  all  vessel  mortgages,  deeds of trust  and  security
interests granted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in favor or for the
benefit of such agents or such lenders.

     13. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.  The obligations of the Banks to make any
     Loan  whether on or after the  Closing  Date,  shall also be subject to the
     satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

13.1. Representations True; No Event of Default. Each of the representations and
warranties of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  contained in this Credit
Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or in any document or instrument  delivered
pursuant to or in connection with this Credit  Agreement shall be true as of the
date as of which  they were made and shall also be true at and as of the time of
the making of such Loan,  with the same effect as if made at and as of that time
(except to the extent of changes  resulting from  transactions  contemplated  or
permitted  by this  Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  and to the
extent that such  representations  and warranties relate expressly to an earlier
date) and no Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be continuing
or would result from the making of such Loan.

13.2.  No  Legal  Impediment.  No  change  shall  have  occurred  in any  law or
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Bank would make it illegal for such Bank to make such Loan.

13.3. Governmental Regulation.  Each Bank shall have received such statements in
substance  and form  reasonably  satisfactory  to such Bank as such  Bank  shall
require for the purpose of compliance  with any  applicable  regulations  of the
Comptroller  of the Currency or the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve
System.

13.4.  Proceedings  and  Documents.  All  proceedings  in  connection  with  the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents  incident  thereto shall be satisfactory in substance and in
form to the Banks  and to the  Agents  and the  Administrative  Agent's  Special
Counsel,  and the Banks,  the Agents and such  counsel  shall have  received all
information and such counterpart  originals or certified or other copies of such
documents as the Agents may reasonably request.



<PAGE>



14.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.

14.1.  Events  of  Default  and  Acceleration.  If any of the  following  events
("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both is
required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall occur:

(a)  the  Borrower  shall fail to pay any  principal  of the Loans when the same
     shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of maturity or any
     accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;

(b)  the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall fail to pay any interest on
     the Loans,  the commitment fee, the Agency fee, or other sums due hereunder
     or under any of the other Loan Documents, within three (3) Business Days of
     when the same shall become due and  payable,  whether at the stated date of
     maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for
     payment;

(c)  the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall fail to comply with any of
     their covenants contained in ss.ss.9.5, 9.6(a), 9.7, 9.12, 9.13, 10 or 11;

(d)  the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall fail to perform any term,
     covenant  or  agreement  contained  herein  or in  any of  the  other  Loan
     Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in this ss.14.1) for thirty
     (30) days  after  written  notice  of such  failure  has been  given to the
     Borrower by an Agent;

(e)  any  representation  or warranty of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
     in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in any other
     document or instrument  delivered  pursuant to or in  connection  with this
     Credit  Agreement  shall prove to have been false in any  material  respect
     upon the date when made or deemed to have been made or repeated;

(f)  the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall default in the payment when
     due of any  principal  of or  interest  on any  Indebtedness  in  excess of
     $1,000,000,  or any event  specified in any note,  agreement,  indenture or
     other document  evidencing or securing any such Indebtedness shall occur if
     the effect of such event is to cause,  or (with the giving of notice or the
     lapse of time or both) to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness
     (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such  holder or  holders) to cause such
     Indebtedness  to become  due,  or to be prepaid in full prior to its stated
     maturity;  or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  shall default in the
     payment when due of any amount in excess of $1,000,000 under any Derivative
     Transaction;  or any event specified in any Derivative Transaction to which
     the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party shall occur if the effect of such
     event is to cause,  or (with  the  giving of notice or the lapse of time or
     both) to permit,  termination  or  liquidation  payments in respect of such
     Derivative Transaction in excess of $1,000,000 to become due;

(g)  the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall make an assignment  for the
     benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its inability to pay or generally
     fail to pay its debts as they mature or become  due,  or shall  petition or
     apply for the  appointment of a trustee or other  custodian,  liquidator or
     receiver of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or of any substantial
     part of the  assets of the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or shall
     commence  any case or other  proceeding  relating to the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries under any


<PAGE>



                  bankruptcy,    reorganization,     arrangement,    insolvency,
                  readjustment  of debt,  dissolution  or liquidation or similar
                  law of any jurisdiction,  now or hereafter in effect, or shall
                  take any action to authorize or in  furtherance  of any of the
                  foregoing,  or if any such  petition or  application  shall be
                  filed or any such case or other  proceeding shall be commenced
                  against  the  Borrower  or  any of its  Subsidiaries  and  the
                  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  shall  indicate  its
                  approval thereof,  consent thereto or acquiescence  therein or
                  such  petition or  application  shall not have been  dismissed
                  within forty-five (45) days following the filing thereof;

(h)  a decree  or order  is  entered  appointing  any such  trustee,  custodian,
     liquidator  or  receiver  or  adjudicating  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its
     Subsidiaries  bankrupt or  insolvent,  or  approving a petition in any such
     case or other  proceeding,  or a decree or order for  relief is  entered in
     respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in an involuntary
     case under federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted;

(i)  there shall remain in force,  undischarged,  unsatisfied and unstayed,  for
     more than  thirty  days,  whether or not  consecutive,  any final  judgment
     against  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries   that,  with  other
     outstanding final judgments,  undischarged,  against the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries exceeds in the aggregate $1,000,000;

(j)  the holders of all or any part of the Trust Securities shall accelerate the
     maturity of all or any part of the Trust Securities or the Trust Securities
     shall  be  prepaid,  redeemed  or  repurchased  in  whole or in part or any
     default or event of default under the Trust Securities shall occur;

(k)  if any of the Loan  Documents  shall be cancelled,  terminated,  revoked or
     rescinded or any action at law, suit or in equity or other legal proceeding
     to cancel,  revoke or rescind any of the Loan Documents  shall be commenced
     by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto or
     any  of  their  respective   stockholders,   or  any  court  or  any  other
     governmental  or regulatory  authority or agency of competent  jurisdiction
     shall make a  determination  that,  or issue a judgment,  order,  decree or
     ruling  to the  effect  that,  any  one or more of the  Loan  Documents  is
     illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with the terms thereof;

(l)  the Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  incurs any liability to the PBGC or a
     Guaranteed  Pension  Plan  pursuant  to Title  IV of ERISA in an  aggregate
     amount  exceeding  $1,000,000  or the  Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  is
     assessed  withdrawal   liability  pursuant  to  Title  IV  of  ERISA  by  a
     Multiemployer   Plan  requiring   aggregate   annual   payments   exceeding
     $1,000,000,  or any of the  following  occurs with  respect to a Guaranteed
     Pension  Plan:  (i) an  ERISA  Reportable  Event,  or a  failure  to make a
     required installment or other payment (within the meaning ofss.302(f)(1) of
     ERISA), provided that the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable
     discretion  that such event (A) could be expected to result in liability of
     the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to the PBGC or such  Guaranteed
     Pension  Plan in an aggregate  amount  exceeding  $1,000,000  and (B) could
     constitute  grounds for the termination of such Guaranteed  Pension Plan by
     the PBGC, for the  appointment by the  appropriate  United States  District
     Court of a trustee to administer  such  Guaranteed  Pension Plan or for the
     imposition of a lien in favor of such Guaranteed  Pension Plan; or (ii) the
     appointment  by a United States  District  Court of a trustee to administer
     such  Guaranteed  Pension  Plan;  or (iii) the  institution  by the PBGC of
     proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or


<PAGE>



(m)  a Change of Control shall have occurred;  then,  and in any such event,  so
     long as the same may be continuing,  the Administrative Agent may, and upon
     the  request  of the  Required  Banks  shall,  by notice in  writing to the
     Borrower  declare all amounts owing with respect to this Credit  Agreement,
     the Notes and the other Loan  Documents  to be,  and they  shall  thereupon
     forthwith become, immediately due and payable without presentment,  demand,
     protest  or other  notice of any kind,  all of which are  hereby  expressly
     waived by the Borrower;  provided that in the event of any Event of Default
     specified  inss.ss.14.1(g)  or  14.1(h),  all  such  amounts  shall  become
     immediately  due and payable  automatically  and without any requirement of
     notice from the Administrative Agent or any Bank.

14.2.  Termination of  Commitments.  If any one or more of the Events of Default
specified in  ss.14.1(g) or ss.14.1(h)  shall occur,  any unused  portion of the
credit  hereunder  shall  forthwith  terminate  and each of the  Banks  shall be
relieved of all further obligations to make Loans to the Borrower.  If any other
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent
may and,  upon the  request  of the  Required  Banks,  shall,  by  notice to the
Borrower,  terminate the unused portion of the credit  hereunder,  and upon such
notice being given such unused portion of the credit  hereunder  shall terminate
immediately  and each of the Banks shall be relieved of all further  obligations
to make Loans. No termination of the credit hereunder shall relieve the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the Obligations.

14.3.  Remedies.  In case any one or more of the  Events of  Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing,  and whether or not the Banks shall have accelerated
the  maturity of the Loans  pursuant to ss.14.1,  each Bank,  if owed any amount
with  respect to the Loans or other  Obligations,  may  proceed  to protect  and
enforce  its  rights  by suit in  equity,  action  at law or  other  appropriate
proceeding,  whether for the specific  performance  of any covenant or agreement
contained  in  this  Credit  Agreement  and  the  other  Loan  Documents  or any
instrument  pursuant  to which  the  Obligations  to such  Bank  are  evidenced,
including  as  permitted  by  applicable  law  the  obtaining  of the  ex  parte
appointment  of a  receiver,  and,  if such  amount  shall have  become  due, by
declaration  or otherwise,  proceed to enforce the payment  thereof or any other
legal or equitable right of such Bank. No remedy herein  conferred upon any Bank
or the  Administrative  Agent  or the  holder  of any  Note  is  intended  to be
exclusive of any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative  and
shall be in addition to every other remedy  given  hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of law.

15.      AGREEMENT OF THE BANKS.

Each of the Banks  agrees  with each other Bank that if such Bank shall  receive
from the Borrower or any Guarantor, whether by voluntary payment,  counterclaim,
cross action, enforcement of the claim evidenced by the Notes held by, such Bank
by  proceedings  against the Borrower or any Guarantor at law or in equity or by
proof  thereof  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  liquidation,  receivership  or
similar proceedings,  or otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of
the Note or Notes held by, such Bank any amount in excess of its ratable portion
of the payments  received by all of the Banks with respect to the Notes held by,
all of the Banks, such Bank will make such disposition and arrangements with the
other Banks with  respect to such  excess,  either by way of  distribution,  pro
tanto  assignment  of claims,  subrogation  or otherwise as shall result in each
Bank receiving in respect of the Notes held by it, its proportionate  payment as
contemplated by this Credit Agreement;  provided that if all or any part of such
excess payment is thereafter  recovered  from such Bank,  such  disposition  and
arrangements  shall be rescinded  and the amount  restored to the extent of such
recovery, but without interest.

16.      THE AGENTS.


<PAGE>



16.1.  Authorization.

(a)  Each Agent is authorized to take such action on behalf of each of the Banks
     and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder and under any of the other
     Loan Documents and any related documents delegated to such Agent,  together
     with such  powers as are  reasonably  incident  thereto,  provided  that no
     duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or therein shall be
     implied to have been assumed by either Agent.

(b)  The  relationship  between  each  Agent and each of the Banks is that of an
     independent   contractor.   The  use  of  the  terms   "Agent",   "Agents",
     "Administrative Agent", and "Syndication Agent" is for convenience only and
     such terms are used to describe,  as a form of convention,  the independent
     contractual  relationship between the Agents and each of the Banks. Nothing
     contained in this Credit  Agreement nor the other Loan  Documents  shall be
     construed  to  create  an  agency,  trust or other  fiduciary  relationship
     between the Agents and any of the Banks.

(c)  As an  independent  contractor  empowered by the Banks to exercise  certain
     rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities  hereunder and under
     the other Loan Documents,  each Agent is nevertheless a "representative" of
     the Banks,  as that term is defined in Article 1 of the Uniform  Commercial
     Code,  for  purposes of actions for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents
     with respect to all collateral security and guaranties  contemplated by the
     Loan  Documents.  Such  actions  include  the  designation  of an  Agent as
     "secured  party",  "mortgagee" or the like on all financing  statements and
     other documents and instruments, whether recorded or otherwise, relating to
     the  attachment,  perfection,  priority  or  enforcement  of  any  security
     interests,  mortgages or deeds of trust in collateral  security intended to
     secure the payment or  performance of any of the  Obligations,  all for the
     benefit of the Banks and the Agents.

16.2.  Employees and Agents.  Each Agent may exercise its powers and execute its
duties by or through  employees or agents and shall be entitled to take,  and to
rely on, advice of counsel  concerning all matters  pertaining to its rights and
duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each Agent may
utilize the  services of such Persons as such Agent in its sole  discretion  may
reasonably  determine,  and all reasonable fees and expenses of any such Persons
shall be paid by the Borrower.

16.3. No  Liability.  Neither  Agent nor any of their  respective  shareholders,
directors,  officers or employees nor any other Person  assisting  them in their
duties  nor any  agent or  employee  thereof,  shall be liable  for any  waiver,
consent or approval given or any action taken,  or omitted to be taken,  in good
faith by it or them  hereunder or under any of the other Loan  Documents,  or in
connection herewith or therewith,  or be responsible for the consequences of any
oversight or error of judgment whatsoever,  except that each Agent or such other
Person,  as the  case  may be,  may be  liable  for  losses  due to its  willful
misconduct or gross negligence.

16.4.             No Representations.

         16.4.1.  General.  Neither Agent shall be responsible for the execution
or validity or enforceability  of this Credit  Agreement,  the Notes, any of the
other Loan Documents or any instrument at any time constituting,  or intended to
constitute,  collateral  security  for the  Notes,  or for the value of any such
collateral security or for the validity, enforceability or collectability of any
such amounts owing with respect to the Notes, or for any recitals or statements,
warranties or representations  made herein or in any of the other Loan Documents
or in any certificate or instrument hereafter furnished to it by or on


<PAGE>



behalf of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or be bound to ascertain or
inquire as to the  performance  or observance  of any of the terms,  conditions,
covenants or agreements herein or in any instrument at any time constituting, or
intended to constitute,  collateral  security for the Notes or to inspect any of
the  properties,  books or records of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries.
Neither Agent shall be bound to ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or
request  delivered to it by the Borrower or any holder of any of the Notes shall
have been duly authorized or is true,  accurate and complete.  Neither Agent has
made nor does it now make any representations or warranties, express or implied,
nor does it assume  any  liability  to the  Banks,  with  respect  to the credit
worthiness  or financial  condition of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries.
Each Bank  acknowledges  that it has,  independently  and without  reliance upon
either Agent or any other Bank, and based upon such information and documents as
it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own credit  analysis and decision to enter
into this Credit Agreement.

         16.4.2.  Closing  Documentation,   etc.  For  purposes  of  determining
compliance  with the conditions set forth in ss.12,  each Bank that has executed
this  Credit  Agreement  shall be  deemed  to have  consented  to,  approved  or
accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document and matter either sent, or made
available,  by an  Agent to such  Bank  for  consent,  approval,  acceptance  or
satisfaction,  or  required  thereunder  to be  consented  to or  approved by or
acceptable or satisfactory to such Bank,  unless an officer of such Agent active
upon the Borrower's  account shall have received  notice from such Bank prior to
the Closing Date  specifying  such Bank's  objection  thereto and such objection
shall not have been withdrawn by notice to such Agent to such effect on or prior
to the Closing Date.

16.5.             Payments.

         16.5.1.  Payments to Administrative Agent. A payment by the Borrower to
the  Administrative  Agent  hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents for the
account of any Bank shall constitute a payment to such Bank. The  Administrative
Agent agrees  promptly to  distribute to each Bank such Bank's pro rata share of
payments  received  by the  Administrative  Agent for the  account  of the Banks
except as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein  or in any of the  other  Loan
Documents.

         16.5.2.  Distribution  by  Agents.  If in the  opinion  of an Agent the
distribution of any amount received by it in such capacity hereunder,  under the
Notes or under any of the other Loan Documents might involve it in liability, it
may refrain from making  distribution until its right to make distribution shall
have  been  adjudicated  by a court  of  competent  jurisdiction.  If a court of
competent jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by
an Agent is to be repaid,  each Person to whom any such distribution  shall have
been made shall either repay to such Agent its proportionate share of the amount
so  adjudged  to be repaid or shall pay over the same in such manner and to such
Persons as shall be determined by such court.

         16.5.3.  Delinquent  Banks.  Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary
contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,  any Bank
that fails (i) to make available to the Administrative  Agent its pro rata share
of any Loan or (ii) to comply  with the  provisions  of ss.15  with  respect  to
making  dispositions  and arrangements  with the other Banks,  where such Bank's
share of any payment received,  whether by setoff or otherwise,  is in excess of
its pro rata share of such payments due and payable to all of the Banks, in each
case as, when and to the full extent  required by the  provisions of this Credit
Agreement,  shall be deemed delinquent (a "Delinquent Bank") and shall be deemed
a Delinquent Bank until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent
Bank shall be deemed to have  assigned  any and all  payments due to it from the
Borrower,  whether on account of outstanding Loans, interest, fees or otherwise,
to the remaining nondelinquent Banks for application to, and reduction of, their
respective pro rata shares of all outstanding  Loans. The Delinquent Bank hereby
authorizes  the  Administrative   Agent  to  distribute  such  payments  to  the
nondelinquent Banks in proportion to their


<PAGE>



respective pro rata shares of all outstanding  Loans. A Delinquent Bank shall be
deemed  to have  satisfied  in full a  delinquency  when and if,  as a result of
application  of  the  assigned   payments  to  all  outstanding   Loans  of  the
nondelinquent  Banks,  the Banks'  respective pro rata shares of all outstanding
Loans have returned to those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and
without giving effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.

16.6.  Holders of Notes.  Each Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as
the absolute owner or purchaser  thereof for all purposes  hereof until it shall
have been  furnished  in  writing  with a  different  name by such payee or by a
subsequent holder, assignee or transferee.

16.7.  Indemnity.  The Banks ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold harmless
each Agent and its affiliates  from and against any and all claims,  actions and
suits  (whether  groundless or  otherwise),  losses,  damages,  costs,  expenses
(including  any  expenses  for which such Agent or such  affiliate  has not been
reimbursed  by the  Borrower  as required by ss.17),  and  liabilities  of every
nature and  character  arising out of or related to this Credit  Agreement,  the
Notes,  or any of the other Loan Documents or the  transactions  contemplated or
evidenced  hereby  or  thereby,  or such  Agent's  actions  taken  hereunder  or
thereunder,  except to the extent that any of the same shall be directly  caused
by such Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence.

16.8. Agents as Banks. In its individual  capacity,  each of Citibank,  N.A. and
BankBoston, N.A. shall have the same obligations and the same rights, powers and
privileges  in  respect to its  Commitment  and the Loans made by it, and as the
holder of any of the Notes, as it would have were it not also an Agent.

16.9. Resignation. Either Agent may resign at any time by giving sixty (60) days
prior  written  notice  thereof  to the  Banks and the  Borrower.  Upon any such
resignation,  the  Required  Banks  shall have the right to appoint a  successor
Agent.  Unless  a  Default  or Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing, such successor Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower.
If no successor  Agent shall have been so  appointed  by the Required  Banks and
shall have accepted such appointment  within thirty (30) days after the retiring
Agent's giving of notice of resignation,  then the retiring Agent may, on behalf
of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a financial  institution
having a rating  of not  less  than A or its  equivalent  by  Standard  & Poor's
Corporation.  Upon the  acceptance of any  appointment  as Agent  hereunder by a
successor  Agent,  such successor  Agent shall  thereupon  succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the  retiring  Agent  shall be  discharged  from its duties and  obligations
hereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation, the provisions of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents  shall continue in effect for its benefit
in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting
as Agent.

16.10.  Notification of Defaults and Events of Default.  Each Bank hereby agrees
that,  upon  learning of the  existence of a Default or an Event of Default,  it
shall  promptly  notify the Agents  thereof.  Each Agent hereby agrees that upon
receipt of any notice  under this  ss.16.10 it shall  promptly  notify the other
Banks of the existence of such Default or Event of Default.

17.      EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION.

17.1. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) the reasonable costs of producing
and reproducing  this Credit  Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and the other
agreements  and  instruments  mentioned  herein,  (ii) any taxes  (including any
interest and penalties in respect  thereto)  payable by the Agents or any of the
Banks  (other  than taxes based upon any Agent's or any Bank's net income) on or
with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this Credit  Agreement  (the
Borrower hereby agreeing to indemnify


<PAGE>



each  Agent and each Bank with  respect  thereto),  (iii) the  reasonable  fees,
expenses and disbursements of the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel and any
local  counsel  to the  Agents  incurred  in  connection  with the  preparation,
execution, delivery,  syndication,  administration or interpretation of the Loan
Documents and other instruments  mentioned herein,  each closing hereunder,  any
amendments,  modifications,  approvals, consents or waivers hereto or hereunder,
or the  cancellation of any Loan Document upon payment in full in cash of all of
the  Obligations and the termination of the Commitments or pursuant to any terms
of such Loan Document providing for such cancellation,  (iv) the fees,  expenses
and  disbursements  of each of the Agents or any of its  affiliates  incurred by
such Agent or such affiliate in connection  with the  preparation,  syndication,
administration  or  interpretation  of the Loan Documents and other  instruments
mentioned herein, (v) all reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses (including without
limitation  reasonable  attorneys'  fees  and  costs,  which  attorneys  may  be
employees  of  any  Bank  or  Agent,  and  reasonable  consulting,   accounting,
appraisal,  investment  banking  and  similar  professional  fees  and  charges)
incurred  by any Bank or  Agent in  connection  with (A) the  enforcement  of or
preservation  of rights under any of the Loan Documents  against the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or the administration  thereof after the occurrence of a
Default  or Event of  Default  and (B) any  litigation,  proceeding  or  dispute
whether  arising  hereunder  or  otherwise,  in any way related to any Bank's or
Agent's  relationship  with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (vi) all
reasonable  fees,  expenses and  disbursements  of any Bank or Agent incurred in
connection with UCC searches and obtaining vessel abstracts from the Coast Guard
National Vessel Documentation Center.

16.7.  Indemnification.  The Borrower  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Agents, their affiliates and the Banks and their respective directors, officers,
employees and representatives  from and against any and all claims,  actions and
suits  whether  groundless  or  otherwise,  and  from  and  against  any and all
liabilities,  losses, damages and expenses of every nature and character arising
out  of  this  Credit  Agreement  or  any of the  other  Loan  Documents  or the
transactions contemplated hereby including,  without limitation,  (i) any actual
or proposed  use by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  of the proceeds of
any of the Loans, (ii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  entering into or
performing  this Credit  Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents or (iii)
with  respect  to  the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  and  their  respective
properties  and assets,  the violation of any  Environmental  Law, the presence,
disposal,  escape, seepage, leakage, spillage,  discharge,  emission, release or
threatened release of any hazardous substances or any action,  suit,  proceeding
or investigation  brought or threatened with respect to any hazardous substances
(including,  but not limited to, claims with respect to wrongful death, personal
injury or damage to property), in each case including,  without limitation,  the
reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel and allocated  costs of internal
counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation,  litigation or other
proceeding. In litigation, or the preparation therefor, the Banks and the Agents
and their  affiliates  shall be  entitled to select  their own  counsel  and, in
addition to the  foregoing  indemnity,  the Borrower  agrees to pay promptly the
reasonable  fees and  expenses of such  counsel.  If, and to the extent that the
obligations of the Borrower under this ss.17.2 are unenforceable for any reason,
the Borrower  hereby agrees to make the maximum  contribution  to the payment in
satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.

17.3.  Survival.  The covenants contained in this ss.17 shall survive payment or
satisfaction  in full  of all  other  Obligations  and  the  termination  of the
Commitments.

18.      TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

18.1.   Sharing  of  Information  with  Section  20  Subsidiary.   The  Borrower
acknowledges that from time to time financial  advisory,  investment banking and
other  services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its
Subsidiaries,  in  connection  with this Credit  Agreement  or  otherwise,  by a
Section 20 Subsidiary.  The Borrower,  for itself and each of its  Subsidiaries,
hereby authorizes (a) such


<PAGE>



Section 20  Subsidiary  to share  with each Agent and each Bank any  information
delivered  to  such  Section  20  Subsidiary  by  the  Borrower  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries,  and (b) each  Agent and each Bank to share  with such  Section 20
Subsidiary any information  delivered to such Agent or such Bank by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries  pursuant to this Credit Agreement,  or in connection
with the  decision  of such Bank to enter into this Credit  Agreement;  it being
understood,  in each case,  that any such Section 20 Subsidiary  receiving  such
information  shall be bound by the  confidentiality  provisions  of this  Credit
Agreement. Such authorization shall survive the payment and satisfaction in full
of all of Obligations.

18.2.  Confidentiality.  Each of the Banks and the Agents  agrees,  on behalf of
itself  and  each  of  its  affiliates,   directors,   officers,  employees  and
representatives,   to  use  reasonable  precautions  to  keep  confidential,  in
accordance with their customary procedures for handling confidential information
of the same nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices,  any
non-public information supplied to it by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Credit  Agreement  that is  identified  by such Person as being
confidential  at the time  the same is  delivered  to the  Banks or the  Agents,
provided that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure of any such  information
(a) after  such  information  shall have  become  public  other  than  through a
violation of this ss.18, (b) to the extent required by statute, rule, regulation
or judicial process,  (c) to counsel for any of the Banks or the Agents,  (d) to
bank examiners or any other regulatory  authority having  jurisdiction  over any
Bank or the Agents, or to auditors or accountants,  (e) to an Agent, any Bank or
any Section 20  Subsidiary,  (f) in connection  with any litigation to which any
one or more of the Banks, the Agents or any Section 20 Subsidiary is a party, or
in connection with the enforcement of rights or remedies  hereunder or under any
other Loan  Document,  (g) to a Subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank as provided
in ss.18.1 or (h) to any assignee or  participant  (or  prospective  assignee or
participant)  so long as such assignee or participant  agrees to be bound by the
provisions of ss.20.6.

18.3. Prior Notification.  Unless  specifically  prohibited by applicable law or
court  order,  each of the  Banks  and the  Agents  shall,  prior to  disclosure
thereof,  notify  the  Borrower  of any  request  for  disclosure  of  any  such
non-public  information by any  governmental  agency or  representative  thereof
(other than any such request in connection  with an examination of the financial
condition  of such  Bank by such  governmental  agency)  or  pursuant  to  legal
process.

18.4.  Other.  In no event shall any Bank or Agent be  obligated  or required to
return  any  materials  furnished  to it or any  Section  20  Subsidiary  by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. The obligations of each Bank and each Agent
under this ss.18 shall  supersede and replace the  obligations  of such Bank and
each Agent under any confidentiality  letter in respect of this financing signed
and  delivered  by such  Bank or such  Agent to the  Borrower  prior to the date
hereof  and  shall  be  binding  upon  any  assignee  of,  or  purchaser  of any
participation or interest in any of the Loans.

19.      SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.

All covenants,  agreements,  representations  and warranties made herein, in the
Notes,  in any of the other Loan  Documents or in any  documents or other papers
delivered  by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  pursuant
hereto  shall be deemed to have been  relied  upon by the Banks and the  Agents,
notwithstanding  any investigation  heretofore or hereafter made by any of them,
and shall survive the making by the Banks of any of the Loans and shall continue
in full force and effect so long as any amount due under this  Credit  Agreement
or the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents remains  outstanding or any Bank
has any  obligation  to make  any  Loans,  and for such  further  time as may be
otherwise expressly specified in this Credit Agreement. All statements contained
in any  certificate or other paper delivered to any Bank or Agent at any time by
or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries


<PAGE>



pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall
constitute  representations  and  warranties by the Borrower or such  Subsidiary
hereunder.

20.      ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

20.1.  Conditions to Assignment by Banks.  Except as provided herein,  each Bank
may assign to one or more Eligible  Assignees all or a portion of its interests,
rights and obligations  under this Credit Agreement  (including all or a portion
of its Commitment Percentage and Commitment and the same portion of the Loans at
the time  owing to it and the Notes  held by it);  provided  that (i) either (a)
such  assignment is to another Bank or an affiliate of the assigning Bank or (b)
an Agent and,  unless a Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing,  the  Borrower  shall have given its prior  written  consent to such
assignment,  which  consent will not be  unreasonably  withheld,  (ii) each such
assignment  shall be of a  constant,  and not a varying,  percentage  of all the
assigning Bank's rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement,  (iii) each
assignment  shall be in a minimum  amount of  $10,000,000  or a larger  integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iv) the parties to such assignment
shall  execute and deliver to the  Administrative  Agent,  for  recording in the
Register (as hereinafter defined),  an Assignment and Acceptance,  substantially
in the form of Exhibit D hereto (an "Assignment and Acceptance"),  together with
any Notes subject to such assignment. Upon such execution,  delivery, acceptance
and recording,  from and after the effective  date specified in each  Assignment
and  Acceptance,  which  effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days
after the execution thereof, (i) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto
and, to the extent provided in such  Assignment and Acceptance,  have the rights
and obligations of a Bank  hereunder,  and (ii) the assigning Bank shall, to the
extent provided in such assignment and upon payment to the Administrative  Agent
of the registration fee referred to in ss.20.3, be released from its obligations
under this Credit Agreement.

20.2.  Certain  Representations  and  Warranties;   Limitations;  Covenants.  By
executing  and  delivering  an  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows:

(a)  other  than  the  representation  and  warranty  that it is the  legal  and
     beneficial  owner of the interest being assigned  thereby free and clear of
     any adverse claim, the assigning Bank makes no  representation or warranty,
     express or  implied,  and  assumes no  responsibility  with  respect to any
     statements,  warranties or  representations  made in or in connection  with
     this Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
     genuineness,  sufficiency or value of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
     Documents or any other instrument or document  furnished pursuant hereto or
     the  attachment,  perfection  or  priority  of  any  security  interest  or
     mortgage;

(b)  the  assigning  Bank makes no  representation  or  warranty  and assumes no
     responsibility  with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower and
     its  Subsidiaries  or any other Person  primarily or secondarily  liable in
     respect of any of the Obligations,  or the performance or observance by the
     Borrower and its  Subsidiaries or any other Person primarily or secondarily
     liable in respect  of any of the  Obligations  of any of their  obligations
     under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other
     instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto;

(c)  such  assignee  confirms  that  it has  received  a  copy  of  this  Credit
     Agreement,  together  with copies of the most recent  financial  statements
     referred to in ss.8.4 and ss.9.4 and such other  documents and  information
     as it has deemed  appropriate to make its own credit  analysis and decision
     to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;


<PAGE>



(d)  such assignee will,  independently  and without reliance upon the assigning
     Bank,  the  Agents  or any  other  Bank  and  based on such  documents  and
     information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,  continue to make its
     own credit  decisions  in taking or not  taking  action  under this  Credit
     Agreement;

(e)  such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee;

(f)  such  assignee  appoints and  authorizes  the Agents to take such action as
     agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Credit Agreement
     and the other Loan  Documents  as are  delegated to the Agents by the terms
     hereof or thereof,  together with such powers as are reasonably  incidental
     thereto;

(g)  such assignee  agrees that it will perform in  accordance  with their terms
     all of the  obligations  that by the  terms of this  Credit  Agreement  are
     required to be performed by it as a Bank; and

(h)  such  assignee  represents  and warrants  that it is legally  authorized to
     enter into such Assignment and Acceptance.

20.3.  Register.  The  Administrative  Agent  shall  maintain  a  copy  of  each
Assignment  and  Acceptance  delivered to it and a register or similar list (the
"Register")  for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the
Commitment  Percentage  of, and principal  amount of the Revolving  Credit Loans
owing to the Banks  from time to time.  The  entries  in the  Register  shall be
conclusive,  in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower,  the Agents and
the Banks may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank
hereunder  for all  purposes of this Credit  Agreement.  The  Register  shall be
available for  inspection by the Borrower and the Banks at any  reasonable  time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  Upon each such recordation,
the assigning Bank agrees to pay to the Administrative  Agent a registration fee
in the sum of $3,500.

20.4. New Notes.  Upon its receipt of an Assignment  and Acceptance  executed by
the  parties  to such  assignment,  together  with  each  Note  subject  to such
assignment,  the Administrative Agent shall (i) record the information contained
therein in the Register, and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and
the Banks (other than the assigning  Bank).  Within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of such notice,  the  Borrower,  at its own expense,  shall  execute and
deliver to the  Administrative  Agent, in exchange for each surrendered  Note, a
new Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to the amount
assumed by such Eligible  Assignee  pursuant to such  Assignment  and Acceptance
and,  if the  assigning  Bank  has  retained  some  portion  of its  obligations
hereunder,  a new Note to the order of the assigning  Bank in an amount equal to
the amount retained by it hereunder.  Such new Notes shall provide that they are
replacements  for the  surrendered  Notes,  shall be in an  aggregate  principal
amount equal to the aggregate  principal amount of the surrendered  Notes, shall
be  dated  the  effective  date of such  Assignment  and  Acceptance  and  shall
otherwise be in  substantially  the form of the assigned Notes.  Within five (5)
days of issuance of any new Notes  pursuant to this ss.20.4,  the Borrower shall
deliver an opinion of counsel,  addressed to the Banks and the Agents,  relating
to the due  authorization,  execution  and  delivery  of such new  Notes and the
legality,   validity  and  binding  effect   thereof,   in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to the Banks. The surrendered Notes shall be cancelled and returned
to the Borrower.

20.5. Participations.  Each Bank may sell participations to one or more banks or
other entities in all or a portion of such Bank's rights and  obligations  under
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents;  provided that (i) each such
participation  shall be in an amount of not less than $5,000,000,  (ii) any such
sale or participation shall not affect the rights and duties of the selling Bank
hereunder to


<PAGE>



the Borrower and (iii) the only rights  granted to the  participant  pursuant to
such  participation   arrangements  with  respect  to  waivers,   amendments  or
modifications  of the Loan  Documents  shall be the rights to  approve  waivers,
amendments or  modifications  that would reduce the principal of or the interest
rate on any Loans,  extend the term or increase the amount of the  Commitment of
such Bank as it relates to such participant, reduce the amount of any commitment
fees to which such  participant  is entitled or extend any  regularly  scheduled
payment date for principal or interest.

20.6.  Disclosure.  The Borrower agrees that in addition to disclosures  made in
accordance with standard and customary  banking  practices any Bank may disclose
information obtained by such Bank pursuant to this Credit Agreement to assignees
or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder; provided that
such assignees or  participants  or potential  assignees or  participants  shall
agree  (i) to treat in  confidence  such  information  unless  such  information
otherwise becomes public  knowledge,  (ii) not to disclose such information to a
third  party,  except as required by law or legal  process and (iii) not to make
use  of  such  information  for  purposes  of  transactions  unrelated  to  such
contemplated assignment or participation.

20.7. Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower. If any assignee Bank
is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee Bank shall have no right
to vote as a Bank  hereunder  or  under  any of the  other  Loan  Documents  for
purposes  of  granting  consents  or  waivers or for  purposes  of  agreeing  to
amendments or other  modifications  to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes
of making requests to the  Administrative  Agent pursuant to ss.14.1 or ss.14.2,
and the  determination  of the  Required  Banks  shall for all  purposes of this
Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents be made without  regard to such
assignee  Bank's interest in any of the Loans. If any Bank sells a participating
interest  in any of the  Loans to a  participant,  and such  participant  is the
Borrower  or an  Affiliate  of the  Borrower,  then such  transferor  Bank shall
promptly notify the Administrative  Agent of the sale of such  participation.  A
transferor  Bank shall have no right to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of
the other Loan  Documents  for  purposes of granting  consents or waivers or for
purposes of agreeing to amendments or modifications to any of the Loan Documents
or for  purposes of making  requests  to the  Administrative  Agent  pursuant to
ss.14.1 or ss.14.2 to the extent that such  participation is beneficially  owned
by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower,  and the  determination of the
Required  Banks shall for all  purposes of this Credit  Agreement  and the other
Loan Documents be made without regard to the interest of such transferor Bank in
the Loans to the extent of such participation.

20.8. Miscellaneous  Assignment Provisions.  Any assigning Bank shall retain its
rights to be indemnified pursuant to ss.17 with respect to any claims or actions
arising  prior  to the  date of such  assignment.  If any  assignee  Bank is not
incorporated  under  the laws of the  United  States  of  America  or any  state
thereof,  it shall,  prior to the date on which any interest or fees are payable
hereunder or under any of the other Loan  Documents for its account,  deliver to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to its exemption from
deduction or  withholding  of any United States  federal  income  taxes.  If any
Reference Bank transfers all of its interest,  rights and obligations under this
Credit  Agreement,  the  Administrative  Agent shall, in  consultation  with the
Borrower and with the consent of the Borrower  and the Required  Banks,  appoint
another Bank to act as a Reference Bank  hereunder.  Anything  contained in this
ss.20 to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  any Bank may at any time pledge all or
any portion of its interest and rights  under this Credit  Agreement  (including
all or any  portion  of its Notes) to any of the twelve  Federal  Reserve  Banks
organized  under ss.4 of the  Federal  Reserve  Act, 12 U.S.C.  ss.341.  No such
pledge or the  enforcement  thereof  shall  release  the  pledgor  Bank from its
obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents.

20.9.  Assignment by Borrower.  The Borrower shall not assign or transfer any of
its rights or  obligations  under any of the Loan  Documents  without  the prior
written consent of each of the Banks.


<PAGE>



21.      NOTICES, ETC.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, all notices and
other  communications  made or  required  to be given  pursuant  to this  Credit
Agreement  or the Notes  shall be in  writing  and shall be  delivered  in hand,
mailed by United  States  registered  or  certified  first class  mail,  postage
prepaid,  sent by overnight  courier,  or sent by facsimile or and  confirmed by
delivery via courier or postal service, addressed as follows:

         (a)      if to the Borrower, at 2200 Eller Drive, Building 27, P.O. Box
                  13038,  Fort Lauderdale,  FL 33316,  Attention:  Gene Douglas,
                  Vice  President  - Legal &  General  Counsel,  Telecopier  No.
                  954-527-1772,  or at such  other  address  for  notice  as the
                  Borrower  shall last have  furnished  in writing to the Person
                  giving the notice;

         (b)      if to the  Administrative  Agent,  at 399 Park Avenue,  Global
                  Shipping Division,  8th Floor, New York, NY 10043,  Telecopier
                  No.  212-793-3588,  or such  other  address  for notice as the
                  Administrative  Agent shall last have  furnished in writing to
                  the Person giving the notice;

         (c)      if to the Syndication  Agent,  at 100 Federal Street,  Boston,
                  Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Victor Garcia, Vice President,
                  Telecopier No. 617-434-1955,  or such other address for notice
                  as the Syndication  Agent shall last have furnished in writing
                  to the Person giving the notice; and

         (d)      if to any Bank, at such Bank's address set forth on Schedule 1
                  hereto,  or such other  address  for notice as such Bank shall
                  have last  furnished  in  writing  to the  Person  giving  the
                  notice.

Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made and to
have become effective (i) if delivered by hand,  overnight  courier or facsimile
to a  responsible  officer of the party to which it is directed,  at the time of
the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and (ii) if
sent by registered or certified  first-class mail, postage prepaid, on the third
Business Day following the mailing thereof.

22.      GOVERNING LAW.

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE  SPECIFICALLY  PROVIDED  THEREIN,
EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENTS ARE  CONTRACTS  UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED
BY THE  LAWS OF SAID  STATE  OF NEW  YORK  (EXCLUDING  THE  LAWS  APPLICABLE  TO
CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). EACH OF THE BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR AGREES THAT
ANY SUIT FOR THE  ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CREDIT  AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS  MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY  FEDERAL
COURT  SITTING  THEREIN AND CONSENTS TO THE  NONEXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF SUCH
COURT AND  SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE  BORROWER  OR
SUCH GUARANTOR BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS  SPECIFIED IN ss.21.  EACH OF THE BORROWER
AND EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE
TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH  COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN
AN INCONVENIENT COURT.



<PAGE>



23.      HEADINGS.

The captions in this Credit  Agreement are for convenience of reference only and
shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.

24.      COUNTERPARTS.

This  Credit  Agreement  and any  amendment  hereof may be  executed  in several
counterparts  and by each  party on a separate  counterpart,  each of which when
executed and delivered  shall be an original,  and all of which  together  shall
constitute  one  instrument.  In proving  this Credit  Agreement it shall not be
necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the
party against whom enforcement is sought.

25.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.

The Loan Documents and any other  documents  executed in connection  herewith or
therewith  express the entire  understanding  of the parties with respect to the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Neither this Credit  Agreement nor any term
hereof may be changed, waived,  discharged or terminated,  except as provided in
ss.27.

26.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

Each party  hereto  hereby  waives its right to a jury trial with respect to any
action or claim  arising  out of any  dispute  in  connection  with this  Credit
Agreement,  the  Notes  or  any of the  other  Loan  Documents,  any  rights  or
obligations  hereunder  or  thereunder  or the  performance  of which rights and
obligations.  Except as prohibited by law, the Borrower  hereby waives any right
it may have to claim or recover in any  litigation  referred to in the preceding
sentence  any  special,  exemplary,  punitive  or  consequential  damages or any
damages  other  than,  or in addition  to,  actual  damages.  The  Borrower  (i)
certifies  that no  representative,  agent or attorney of any Bank or the Agents
has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Bank or the Agents would not,
in the event of  litigation,  seek to enforce  the  foregoing  waivers  and (ii)
acknowledges  that the Agents and the Banks have been induced to enter into this
Credit  Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents  to which it is a party by,  among
other things, the waivers and certifications contained herein.

27.      CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.

Any consent or approval  required or  permitted  by this Credit  Agreement to be
given by the Banks  may be given,  and any term of this  Credit  Agreement,  the
other Loan Documents or any other instrument  related hereto or mentioned herein
may be amended,  and the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any terms of this Credit Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or
such other  instrument or the continuance of any Default or Event of Default may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or  prospectively)  with, but only with, the written consent of the Borrower and
the written consent of the Required Banks.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the
rate of interest on the Notes (other than interest accruing pursuant to ss.6.9.2
following the effective  date of any waiver by the Required Banks of the Default
or Event of Default  relating  thereto),  the amount of the  Commitments  of the
Banks, and the amount of commitment fee hereunder may not be changed without the
written  consent of the Borrower and the written  consent of each Bank  affected
thereby;  the  Maturity  Date  and the  date of any  payment  of any  principal,
interest or fees hereunder may not be postponed  without the written  consent of
each Bank  affected  thereby;  this ss.27,  each other  provision  hereof  which
specifies the number or percentage of Banks required to make any determinations,
consent to any matter,


<PAGE>



or waive  any  rights  hereunder  or to modify  any  provision  hereof,  and the
definition of Required Banks may not be amended  without the written  consent of
all of the Banks;  and the amount of the Agency fee and ss.16 may not be amended
without the written consent of each of the Agents.  No waiver shall extend to or
affect  any  obligation  not  expressly  waived or impair  any right  consequent
thereon.  No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Agents or
any Bank in exercising  any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise
be prejudicial  thereto.  No notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle
the  Borrower  to  other  or  further  notice  or  demand  in  similar  or other
circumstances.

28.      SEVERABILITY.

The  provisions of this Credit  Agreement are severable and if any one clause or
provision  hereof shall be held invalid or  unenforceable in whole or in part in
any  jurisdiction,  then such invalidity or  unenforceability  shall affect only
such clause or provision,  or part thereof, in such jurisdiction,  and shall not
in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction,  or any
other clause or provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned have duly executed this Credit Agreement as
of the date first set forth above.


HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED


By:
Title:


SEABULK  TRANSMARINE  PARTNERSHIP,  LTD.,  as Guarantor  By its general  partner
Seabulk Tankers, Ltd.
         By its general partner Hvide Marine
         Transport, Incorporated



By:
Title:


SEABULK OFFSHORE LTD., as Guarantor By its general partner Seabulk Tankers Ltd.
         By its general partner Hvide Marine Transport, Incorporated


By:
Title:


HVIDE MARINE TRANSPORT, INCORPORATED, as Guarantor




<PAGE>



By:
Title:
SEABULK TANKERS, LTD., as Guarantor
By its general partner Hvide Marine Transport, Incorporated



By:
Title:


SEABULK OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, INC., as Guarantor



By:
Title:


SEABULK OFFSHORE INTERNATIONAL, INC., as Guarantor



By:
Title:


SEABULK OCEAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, as Guarantor



By:
Title:


SUN STATE MARINE SERVICES, INC., as Guarantor



By:
Title:




<PAGE>



CITIBANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent



By:
Title:


BANKBOSTON, N.A., individually and as Syndication Agent



By:
Title:


BNY FINANCIAL CORPORATION



By:
Title:


HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK



By:
Title:


AMSOUTH BANK



By:
Title:





<PAGE>


FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE



By:
Title:

SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED



By:
Title:




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