J Keith Lousteau News

Tidewater Inc. announced that Quinn P. Fanning has joined Tidewater as Executive Vice President. Mr. Fanning will report to Chairman, President and CEO Dean Taylor and is expected to assume the duties of Chief Financial Officer of Tidewater upon the retirement of J. Keith Lousteau, which as previously announced, is anticipated on September 30, 2008. Fanning joins Tidewater following more than 20 years within the financial services industry. Most recently, Fanning was a Managing Director with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which he joined in 1996. In his 12-year investment banking career, he primarily focused on the energy industry, particularly the oilfield services and midstream/pipeline sectors.

Tidewater has noted that its executive vice president and CFO, Ken C. Tamblyn, will retire on August 31. Following a 20-year career as a partner with the accounting firm KPMG, Tamblyn joined the company as CFO in 1986. J. Keith Lousteau, Tidewater's senior vice president and treasurer was appointed Tamblyn's successor. A 23-year veteran of the company, Lousteau will assume the position of CFO. Tidewater also promoted Joseph M. Bennett, the company controller to the additional position of vice president.

Tidewater has noted that its executive vice president and CFO, Ken C. Tamblyn will retire on August 31. Following a 20-year career as a partner with the accounting firm KPMG, Tamblyn joined the company as CFO in 1986. J. Keith Lousteau, Tidewater's senior vice president and treasurer was appointed Tamblyn's successor. A 23-year veteran of the company, Lousteau will assume the position of CFO. Tidewater also promoted Joseph M. Bennett, the company controller to the additional position of vice president.

Tidewater Inc. announced 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.

Tidewater Inc. has signed contracts with two Far East shipyards for the construction of eight vessels as part of Tidewater's new build program announced in January 2000. It has also announced that its subsidiary, Quality Shipyard L.L.C., will build a total of four vessels. The $305 million in new build commitments falls on the heels of Tidewater's recent purchase of eight similar vessels from The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd. The eight vessels to be built outside the United States will be comprised of five large 280-ft. anchor handling towing supply vessels with greater than 20,000 hp and three 260-ft. platform supply vessels. The four vessels being built at Quality Shipyard will be similar platform supply vessels and will be built to full Jones Act compliance.

Tidewater Inc. signed contracts to build a total of 12 new vessels for $305 million, electing to build eight vessels at two Far East shipyards and four at its subsidiary, Quality Shipyard L.L.C. The $305 million in new build commitments - which fulfills its January 2000-announced plan to spend $300 million upgrading its fleet - falls on the heels of Tidewater's recent purchase of eight similar vessels from The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd. The eight vessels to be built outside the U.S. will be comprised of five large 280-ft. anchor handling towing supply vessels with greater than 20,000 hp and three 260-ft. platform supply vessels. The four vessels being built at Quality Shipyard will be similar platform supply vessels and will be built to full Jones Act compliance.