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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
_____________________
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 4, 2000
TIDEWATER INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C> <C>
Delaware 1-6311 72-0487776
(State of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
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<S> <C>
601 Poydras Street, Suite 1900 70130
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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(504) 568-1010
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On December 4, 2000, the Company issued the following press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIDEWATER ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT REORGANIZATION
New Orleans, LA. December 4, 2000. Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) announced today
that, effective immediately, Cliffe F. Laborde, Larry T. Rigdon and Dean E.
Taylor have been promoted to the level of Executive Vice President. Each will
report directly to William C. O'Malley, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Cliffe F. Laborde will continue as General Counsel of the company. His
responsibilities will also include Corporate Administration, Information
Technology, Employee Benefits, Insurance and Human Resource Management,
including recruiting, personnel, training and vessel crewing, all on a worldwide
basis. He will also assume responsibility for overseeing management of Quality
Shipyards.
Larry T. Rigdon will continue his full operations responsibilities for the
United States Gulf of Mexico, California and Alaska. He will remain the co-chair
of Tidewater's new construction program, begun in January of this year, along
with Chief Financial Officer Keith Lousteau. Rigdon's additional
responsibilities will now include heading Tidewater's Engineering Division as
well as offshore towing operations, all Far East operations including Singapore,
Malaysia and Indonesia, Australia, the Arabian Gulf, Egypt and the Caspian Sea.
Rigdon will also be responsible for coordinating U.S. domestic sales.
Dean E. Taylor will continue with full operations responsibilities in
Brazil, Mexico, Trinidad and Venezuela. New areas of responsibility will
include Angola, West Africa, Nigeria, and the North Sea. Taylor will also have
responsibility for coordinating all International Sales activities.
After distinguished careers with Tidewater, Richard M. Currence and William
C. Hightower will begin to transition to retirement. Each will continue in
Tidewater's employ through the next two and a half years, and will provide
consulting services, as needed, with reduced travel and work requirements.
O'Malley said, "Dick and Bill should take immense pride in their respective
roles over many years in leading Tidewater to its preeminent status as the
world-wide leader in providing marine equipment to the offshore petroleum
industry."
J. Keith Lousteau was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in August upon
the retirement of Ken Tamblyn. He will continue to report directly to O'Malley
with responsibility for Finance, Treasury and Tax. As noted, Lousteau will
share new construction responsibility with Rigdon.
Tidewater Inc. owns and operates over 570 vessels, the world's largest fleet of
vessels serving the international offshore energy industry.
Contact: Keith Lousteau - (504) 568-1010
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
TIDEWATER INC.
By: /s/ Cliffe F. Laborde
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Cliffe F. Laborde
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Date: December 4, 2000
