Form S-4
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2012

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.*

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   72-1375844   4400

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

(985) 727-2000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Todd M. Hornbeck

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

(985) 727-2000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

With Copies to:

R. Clyde Parker, Jr., Esq.

Winstead PC

1100 JPMorgan Chase Tower

600 Travis Street

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 650-8400

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, please check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer              x   Accelerated filer    ¨
Non-accelerated filer                ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company    ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

per Unit(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee(1)(2)

5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020

  $375,000,000   100%   $375,000,000   $42,975

Guarantees of 5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020(3)

  —     —     —     —  

 

 

(1) Represents the maximum principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2020 that may be issued pursuant to the exchange offer described in this registration statement. The registration fee was calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f) at the statutory rate of $114.60 per $1,000,000 of securities registered.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate registration fee is required with respect to the guarantees of the Series B notes registered hereby.
(3) The notes being registered will be guaranteed by all of our existing and future domestic significant restricted subsidiaries.

 

 

The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

* Includes existing domestic significant restricted subsidiaries guaranteeing the securities being registered hereby, which are also registrants. Information about these additional registrants appears on the following page.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

(Exact name of Additional Registrant as Specified in its Charter)(1)

   (State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
     (Primary
Standard
Industrial
Classification
Code Number)
     I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
 

Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

HOS-IV, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

HOS Port, LLC

     Delaware         4400         72-1375844   

 

(1) The address for each subsidiary guarantor registrant is 103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300, Covington, Louisiana 70433.


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion. Dated June 12, 2012.

Prospectus

 

LOGO   

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

$375,000,000

Offer to Exchange

5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020

with Issuance Registered under the Securities Act of 1933

for

5.875% Series A Senior Notes due 2020

 

 

Terms of the Exchange Offer:

 

 

We are offering to exchange up to $375,000,000 in principal amount of our 5.875% Series B Senior notes due 2020 for our outstanding 5.875% Series A Senior notes due 2020. The issuance of the Series B notes has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Series B notes are tradable without restriction under the federal securities laws and have terms that are substantially identical to the terms of the Series A notes.

 

 

We will exchange all Series A notes that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw before the exchange offer expires for an equal principal amount of Series B notes.

 

 

The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2012, unless extended. We do not currently intend to extend the exchange offer.

 

 

Tenders of Series A notes may be withdrawn at any time before the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

 

The exchange of Series B notes for Series A notes should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

 

 

Each broker-dealer that receives Series B notes in connection with this exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Series B notes. If a broker-dealer acquired Series A notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities, such broker-dealer may use this prospectus, as supplemented or amended, in connection with resales of Series B notes.

The Series B Notes:

 

 

Maturity. The Series B notes will mature on April 1, 2020.

 

 

Interest Payments. Interest on the Series B notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2012, and will accrue from March 16, 2012, the date of issuance of the Series A notes.

 

 

Ranking; Guarantees. The Series B notes will be senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our senior debt and senior to any subordinated debt. The Series B notes will initially be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our domestic, significant subsidiaries. The guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with all of the senior debt of our subsidiary guarantors. The Series B notes and guarantees will be effectively subordinated to any secured debt, to the extent of the fair value of the assets securing such debt, and to any indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

 

 

Optional Redemption. We may, at our option, redeem all or part of the Series B notes from time to time at the redemption prices and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus.

 

 

Change of Control. If we undergo a change of control, we may be required to offer to purchase notes from holders.

 

 

Listing. We do not intend to list the Series B notes on any securities exchange or arrange for them to be quoted on any quotation system.

 

 

See the “Description of Series B Notes” section beginning on page 30 for more information about the Series B notes to be issued in this exchange offer.

 

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider before participating in the exchange offer.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2012


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Glossary of terms

     i   

About this prospectus

     iii   

Where you can find more information

     iii   

Incorporation of certain documents by reference

     iv   

Forward-looking statements

     v   

Prospectus Summary

     1   

Risk Factors

     18   

Exchange Offer

     22   

Use of Proceeds

     29   

Capitalization

     30   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     31   

Description of Certain Indebtedness

     32   

Description of Series B Notes

     35   

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

     74   

Plan of Distribution

     75   

Legal Matters

     76   

Experts

     76   


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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Hornbeck” refer to Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. We have included below the definitions for certain terms used in this prospectus:

“average dayrate” means, when referring to OSVs or MPSVs, average revenue per day, which includes charter hire, crewing services and net brokerage revenues, based on the number of days during the period that the OSVs or MPSVs, as applicable, generated revenue; and, when referring to double-hulled tank barges, the average revenue per day, including time charters, brokerage revenue, revenues generated on a per-barrel-transported basis, demurrage, shipdocking and fuel surcharge revenue, based on the number of days during the period that the tank barges generated revenue. For purposes of tank barge brokerage arrangements, this calculation excludes that portion of revenue that is equal to the cost of in-chartering third-party equipment paid by customers;

“AHTS” means anchor-handling towing supply;

“cabotage laws” laws pertaining to the privilege of operating vessels in the navigable waters of a nation;

“coastwise trade” means the transportation of merchandise or passengers by water, or by land and water, between points in the United States, either directly or via a foreign port;

“conventional” means, when referring to OSVs, vessels that are at least 30 years old, are generally less than 200’ in length or carry less than 1,500 deadweight tons of cargo when originally built and primarily operate, when active, on the continental shelf;

“deepwater” means offshore areas, generally 1,000’ to 5,000’ in depth;

“Deepwater Horizon incident” means the subsea blowout and resulting oil spill at the Macondo well site in the GoM in April 2010 and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig;

“deep-well” means a well drilled to a true vertical depth of 15,000’ or greater, regardless of whether the well was drilled in the shallow water of the Outer Continental Shelf or in the deepwater or ultra-deepwater;

“DOI” means U.S. Department of the Interior and all its various sub-agencies, including effective October 1, 2011 the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”), which handles offshore leasing, resource evaluation, review and administration of oil and gas exploration and development plans, renewable energy development, National Environmental Policy Act analysis and environmental studies, and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”), which is responsible for the safety and enforcement functions of offshore oil and gas operations, including the development and enforcement of safety and environmental regulations, permitting of offshore exploration, development and production activities, inspections, offshore regulatory programs, oil spill response and newly formed training and environmental compliance programs; BOEM and BSEE being successor entities to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (“BOEMRE”), which effective June 2010 was the successor entity to the Minerals Management Service;

“domestic public company OSV peer group” includes SEACOR Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CKH), GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (NYSE:GLF) and Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW);

“DP-1,” “DP-2” and “DP-3” mean various classifications of dynamic positioning systems on new generation vessels to automatically maintain a vessel’s position and heading;

“DWT” means deadweight tons;

“effective dayrate” means the average dayrate multiplied by the average utilization rate;

 

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“EIA” means the U.S. Energy Information Administration;

“flotel” means on-vessel accommodations services, such as lodging, meals and office space;

“GoM” means the U.S. Gulf of Mexico;

“high-specification” or “high-spec” means, when referring to new generation OSVs, vessels with cargo-carrying capacity of greater than 2,500 DWT (i.e., 240 class OSV notations or higher), and dynamic-positioning systems with a classification of DP-2 or DP-3; and, when referring to jack-up drilling rigs, rigs capable of working in 400-ft. of water depth or greater, with hook-load capacity of 2,000,000 lbs. or greater, with cantilever reach of 70-ft. or greater; and minimum quarters capacity of 150 berths or more and dynamic-positioning systems with a classification of DP-2 or DP-3;

“IHS-Petrodata” means the division of IHS Inc. focused on providing data, information, and market intelligence to the offshore energy industry;

“IRM” means inspection, repair and maintenance, also known as “IMR,” or inspection, maintenance and repair, depending on regional preference;

“Jones Act” means the U.S. cabotage law known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, as amended;

“long-term contract” means a time charter of one year or longer in duration;

“Macondo” means the well site location in the deepwater GoM where the Deepwater Horizon incident occurred;

“MPSV” means a multi-purpose support vessel;

“MSRC” means the Marine Spill Response Corporation;

“new generation” means, when referring to OSVs, modern, deepwater-capable vessels subject to the regulations promulgated under the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, which was adopted by the United States and made effective for all U.S.-flagged vessels in 1992 and foreign-flagged equivalent vessels;

“notes” refers to both the Series A notes and the Series B notes unless stated otherwise herein.

“OSV” means an offshore supply vessel, also known as a “PSV,” or platform supply vessel, depending on regional preference;

“PEMEX” means Petroleos Mexicanos;

“Petrobras” means Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.;

“ROV” means a remotely operated vehicle;

“Series A notes” refers to the 5.875% Series A Senior Notes due 2020 that were issued by us on March 16, 2012;

“Series B notes” refers to the 5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020 offered by us in this prospectus and issuable in the exchange offer;

“spot contract” means a time charter of less than one year in duration;

“stacked vessel” means a vessel that has been removed from service to reduce operating costs due to a lack of adequate marketing opportunities, whereby its crew is removed and limited maintenance is performed on the vessel;

“TTB” means ocean-going tugs and tank barges; and

“ultra-deepwater” means offshore areas, generally more than 5,000’ in depth.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or Commission. In making your decision to participate in this exchange offer, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed after that date.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act. The reports and documents that we file with the Commission are available free of charge at the Commission’s website named below, as well as at our website at http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com under the caption “Investors”. Information on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, related to the Series B notes offered by this prospectus. As allowed by Commission rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. The complete registration statement and the documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement are available to the public over the Internet at the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. If you have a question on any contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the exhibits for a more complete description of the matter involved. You may also read and copy any document we have filed with or furnished to the Commission at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our Commission filings are also available on the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

This prospectus “incorporates by reference” certain information that we file with the Commission under the Exchange Act. This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to these filings. The information we incorporate by reference is considered a part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or considered to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be considered to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is or is considered to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.

We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed with the Commission:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, including information specifically incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 21, 2012, filed on April 26, 2012;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012; and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 21, March 6, March 21, April 4 and May 4, 2012.

In addition, we incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until we have sold all of the notes to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. We will provide free copies of any of those documents, the indenture or the registration rights agreement, if you write or telephone us at: Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., 103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300, Covington, Louisiana 70433, (985) 727-2000 (attention James O. Harp, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer). In order to obtain timely delivery of such documents, holders of outstanding notes must request this information no later than five business days prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer for the outstanding Series A notes.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts, such as statements regarding assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections about future events or conditions. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the appearance in such a statement of words like “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “remain,” “should” or “will” or other comparable words or the negative of such words. The accuracy of the Company’s assumptions, expectations, beliefs and projections depends on events or conditions that change over time and are thus susceptible to change based on actual experience, new developments and known and unknown risks. The Company gives no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct and does not undertake any duty to update them. The Company’s actual future results might differ from the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus for a variety of reasons, which include:

 

   

the effect of the regulatory slow-down in the pace of issuing drilling permits and plan approvals in the GoM;

 

   

the Company’s inability to successfully complete our OSV Newbuild Program #5 discussed in this prospectus on-time and on-budget, which involves the construction and integration of highly complex vessels and systems;

 

   

the Company’s inability to successfully market the vessels being constructed in the OSV Newbuild Program #5;

 

   

an oil spill or other significant event in the United States or another offshore drilling region that could have a broad impact on deepwater and other offshore energy exploration and production activities, such as the suspension of activities or significant regulatory responses;

 

   

the imposition of laws or regulations that result in reduced exploration and production activities or that increase the Company’s operating costs or operating requirements, including any such laws or regulations that may arise as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident in the GoM or the resulting drilling moratoria and regulatory reforms, as well as the outcome of pending litigation brought by environmental groups challenging recent exploration plans approved by the DOI;

 

   

less than anticipated success in marketing and operating the Company’s MPSVs;

 

   

bureaucratic, administrative or operating barriers that delay vessels chartered in foreign markets from going on-hire or result in contractual penalties imposed by foreign customers;

 

   

renewed weakening of demand for the Company’s services;

 

   

unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions or non-renewals of vessel charters or failures to finalize commitments to charter vessels;

 

   

industry risks;

 

   

further reductions in capital spending budgets by customers;

 

   

a material reduction of Petrobras’ announced plans for exploration and production activities in Brazil;

 

   

declines in oil and natural gas prices;

 

   

further increases in operating costs;

 

   

the inability to accurately predict vessel utilization levels and dayrates;

 

   

unanticipated difficulty in effectively competing in or operating in international markets;

 

   

less than anticipated subsea infrastructure demand activity in the GoM and other markets;

 

   

the level of fleet additions by the Company and its competitors that could result in over-capacity;

 

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economic and political risks;

 

   

weather related risks;

 

   

the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including vessel personnel for active, unstacked and newly constructed vessels;

 

   

regulatory risks;

 

   

the repeal or administrative weakening of the Jones Act, including any changes in the interpretation of the Jones Act related to the U.S. citizenship qualification;

 

   

drydocking delays and cost overruns and related risks;

 

   

vessel accidents or pollution incidents resulting in lost revenue or expenses that are unrecoverable from insurance policies or other third parties;

 

   

unexpected litigation and insurance expenses; and

 

   

fluctuations in foreign currency valuations compared to the U.S. dollar and risks associated with expanded foreign operations, such as non-compliance with or the unanticipated effect of tax laws, customs laws, immigration laws, or other legislation that result in higher than anticipated tax rates or other costs or the inability to repatriate foreign-sourced earnings and profits.

In addition, the Company’s future results may be impacted by adverse economic conditions, such as inflation, deflation, or lack of liquidity in the capital markets, that may negatively affect it or parties with whom it does business resulting in their non-payment or inability to perform obligations owed to the Company, such as the failure of customers to fulfill their contractual obligations or the failure by individual banks to provide expected funding under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize in a way that negatively impacts the Company, or should the Company’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in its forward-looking statements, and its business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Additional factors that you should consider are set forth in detail in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and the reports incorporated herein by reference, which can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com, as well as filings the Company will make with the Commission in the future.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This prospectus summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read all of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, including our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, to gain a fuller understanding of our business and the exchange offer and the terms of the notes, as well as some of the other considerations that may be important to you, before deciding whether to participate in the exchange offer. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus to determine whether to participate in the exchange offer.

Hornbeck Offshore

We are a leading provider of marine transportation services to exploration and production, oilfield service, offshore construction and U.S. military customers. Since our establishment, we have primarily focused on providing innovative, technologically advanced marine solutions to meet the evolving needs of the deepwater and ultra-deepwater energy industry in domestic and, more recently, foreign locations. Throughout our history, we have expanded our fleet of vessels primarily through a series of new vessel construction programs, as well as through acquisitions of existing vessels.

We operate two business segments in the marine industry. Our Upstream segment owns and operates one of the youngest and largest fleets of U.S.-flagged, new generation OSVs and MPSVs. Together, these vessels support the deep-well, deepwater and ultra-deepwater requirements of the offshore oil and gas industry. Such requirements include oil and gas exploration, development, production, construction, installation, IRM, well-stimulation and other enhanced oil recovery activities. Since 2006, we have also developed a specialized application of our new generation OSVs for use by the U.S. military. Our Downstream segment owns and operates a fleet of ocean-going tugs and double-hulled tank barges that transport petroleum products, primarily in the Northeastern U.S. and the GoM. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our Upstream and our Downstream segments contributed 98% and 2% to our operating income, respectively.

Since 2007, we have expanded our new generation fleet from 25 OSVs focused in the GoM to 51 OSVs and four MPSVs operating in three core geographic markets, the GoM, Brazil and Mexico, and in other select international regions. As discussed below, in November 2011 we announced our fifth OSV newbuild program, which, when completed, would increase our OSV count to at least 67 vessels assuming no divestitures of vessels we currently own. We believe we are one of the top three operators of new generation OSVs in each of our three core markets and one of the top five operators of such equipment worldwide based on DWT. Our fleet is among the youngest in the industry, with an average vessel age of approximately eight years compared to our domestic public company OSV peer group average vessel age of 13 years. All of our OSVs have enhanced capabilities that allow us to more effectively support the premium drilling equipment required for deep-well, deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling and to provide specialty services. In contrast to conventional OSVs, our vessels have dynamic positioning systems, greater fuel efficiency and speed, more cargo space, better safety characteristics, greater transit range and higher-volume transfer rates for liquid mud and dry bulk materials. These features are essential to the efficient servicing of complex offshore drilling projects given the typical size, depth and location of such projects.

We believe that our reputation for safety and technologically superior vessels, combined with our size and scale relative to our OSV peer group, enhance our ability to compete for work awarded by large international oil and gas producers, who are among our primary customers. Approximately 80% of our total Upstream forward contracted revenue is currently with major oil companies, national oil companies, and the U.S. government. These customers demand a high level of safety and technological advancements to meet the more stringent regulatory standards adopted following the Deepwater Horizon incident. As our customers’ needs and

 

 

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requirements become more demanding, we expect that smaller vessel operators may struggle to meet these standards, which may lead to an increase in acquisition activity within our industry.

Although all of our Upstream vessels are physically capable of operating in both domestic and international waters, approximately 85% are qualified under the Jones Act to engage in the U.S. coastwise trade. Foreign owned, flagged, built or crewed vessels are restricted in their ability to conduct U.S. coastwise trade and are typically excluded from such trade in the GoM. Of the publicly traded OSV peer group, we own the largest fleet of U.S.-flagged, new generation OSVs, which we believe offers us a competitive advantage in the GoM.

Industry Update

Following is a summary of the underlying macroeconomic trends that we believe are impacting our industry worldwide and that have always served as our investment thesis for our business model:

 

   

Oil and natural gas are the predominant fuel sources of our energy-driven economy.

 

   

World oil consumption is projected to increase through 2030, driven particularly by economies in emerging markets.

 

   

Alternate fuels are not likely to displace oil and natural gas as a major energy source in the near future.

 

   

Oil and natural gas reservoirs are subject to depletion based on the prevailing production decline curve.

 

   

The replacement of existing oil and natural gas reserves requires the drilling of new wells.

 

   

Oil companies are increasingly searching for large deposits of hydrocarbons offshore.

 

   

The steady trend in offshore drilling is toward deeper waters and/or deeper well depths.

 

   

Deepwater exploratory success drives a commensurate increase in subsea production infrastructure.

 

   

Deeper waters tend to be farther removed from the shore-based logistics chain.

 

   

Deeper wells require more drill pipe and exponentially greater liquid and dry bulk volumes.

 

   

Subsea infrastructure requires inspection, repair and maintenance on a continuous basis.

 

   

New generation OSVs and MPSVs are well-suited to support all of these demand drivers.

With our large and growing multi-class fleet of increasingly larger and more versatile vessels, we are positioned to take advantage of these macro-trends.

OSV Market

The OSV market is expanding globally. Generally, offshore exploration and production activities are increasingly focused on deep wells (as defined by total well depth rather than water depth), whether on the Outer Continental Shelf or in the deepwater or ultra-deepwater. These types of wells require high-specification equipment and have resulted in an on-going newbuild cycle for drilling rigs and for high-spec OSVs. As a result of the projected deepwater drilling activity levels worldwide, there were 73 floating rigs under construction or on order on April 30, 2012 and, as of that date, there were options outstanding to build 23 additional floating rigs and 19 units announced but yet to be contracted with shipyards. In addition, on that date, there were 83 high-spec jack-up rigs under construction or on order worldwide, and there were options outstanding to build 28 additional high-spec jack-up rigs and three units announced but not yet contracted with shipyards. Each drilling rig working on a deep-well or deepwater project typically requires more than one OSV to service it. The number of OSVs required per rig is dependent on many factors, including the type of activity being undertaken and the location of the rig. For example, based on the historical data for the number of floating rigs and OSVs working, we believe that two to four OSVs per rig are required in the GoM and even more OSVs are necessary per rig in Brazil where

 

 

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greater logistical challenges result in longer vessel turnaround times to service drill sites. Typically, during the initial drilling stage, more OSVs are required to supply drilling mud, drill pipe and other materials than at later stages of the drilling cycle. In addition, more OSVs are generally required the farther a drilling rig is located from shore. Under normal weather conditions, the transit time to deepwater drilling rigs in the GoM and Brazil can typically range from six to 24 hours for a new generation vessel. Moreover, in Brazil, transit times for a new generation vessel to some of the newer, more logistically remote deepwater drilling rig locations are more appropriately measured in days, not hours. In addition to drilling rig support, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration and production activities will result in the expansion of other specialty-service offerings for our vessels. These markets include subsea construction support, installation, IRM work, and life-of-field services, which include well-stimulation, workovers and decommissioning.

Our operations are conducted in three core markets comprised of the GoM, Brazil and Mexico. Descriptions of these core markets are included below.

Gulf of Mexico

The Deepwater Horizon incident, which occurred at the Macondo well in April 2010, and the federal government’s subsequent domestic drilling moratorium and de facto regulatory moratorium contributed to a major reduction in drilling activity in the GoM. Beginning in late-2011, the pace of drilling activity in the GoM has improved. Although the GoM has not fully recovered, it continues to be considered a world-class basin by exploration and production companies. The EIA estimates that the GoM contains 68 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent utilizing existing technologies. Despite the drilling moratorium and the subsequent period of permitting uncertainty, according to IHS-Petrodata, the number of floating rigs available in the GoM region is currently 34 and remains unchanged from the pre-Macondo level of 34, because the 15 floaters that either left the region or were stacked, have since been replaced by 15 similar or more advanced rigs. During the first ten months of 2011, there was a gradual improvement in the number of incremental deepwater well permits issued per month, which increased from two in January 2011 to a high of 17 in October 2011. Permit approvals slowed again late in the fourth quarter of 2011. In January of 2012, the rate of deepwater drilling permit approvals was less than half of the average approval rate over the pre-Macondo five-year period. However, BSEE issued 26 deepwater permits in February 2012, which is believed to be the highest number of permits issued in a single month since early 2006, and 16 deepwater permits in April 2012. We anticipate that the pace of permit issuance will be uneven for some time to come. Of the 34 rigs available in the GoM, 26 were actively drilling as of April 30, 2012. For the five pre-Macondo years of 2005 through 2009, the historical average level of floating rigs actively drilling was 29 rigs with a peak of 35 rigs. We expect that floating rig growth in the GoM will continue to be driven by demand in the deepwater and ultra-deepwater, primarily in water depths greater than 3,000 feet.

Due to a limited supply of high-spec U.S.-flagged vessels in the GoM and a substantial increase in deepwater drilling permits issued in September and October 2011 and February and April 2012, we observed improvement in dayrates and utilization for our vessels commencing late in the third quarter of 2011, which continued through the first quarter of 2012. Leading-edge spot market OSV dayrates in the GoM for our 240 and 265 class DP-2 equipment have been in the $30,000 to $36,000 range, which are roughly double the levels experienced in early 2011. Whether these rates can be sustained will depend, among other things, on the future pace of permitting in the GoM. Since February 2011, we have reactivated 12 new generation OSVs that were stacked in response to the drilling moratorium. Fleetwide effective, or utilization-adjusted, dayrates for our new generation OSVs increased about $5,800, or 47%, from $12,396 for the first quarter of 2011 to $18,182 for the first quarter of 2012. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we had an average stacked new generation OSV fleet of 4.2 vessels compared to 14.4 vessels for the same period in 2011. We now have only three DP-1 new generation OSVs stacked. Given the recent improvement in market conditions, our three remaining stacked new generation OSVs are expected to be re-activated for service in the GoM during the third quarter of 2012, provided that we are able to re-crew such vessels and complete any required drydocking activities within that timeframe.

 

 

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Brazil

Brazil is experiencing a dramatic increase in activity related to its deepwater and large pre-salt oilfield basins. This increase in activity is driven primarily by the state-owned oil company, Petrobras, and other producers, including BP p.l.c., Chevron Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes and Royal Dutch Shell plc. Petrobras has publicly announced plans to spend approximately $128 billion on exploration and production activities from 2011 through 2015 and has stated that its offshore supply vessel needs could increase from approximately 290 in 2010 to nearly 480 in 2015. Brazilian operators plan to add five new floating rigs by the end of 2012. Since the beginning of 2010, we have increased our presence in Brazil from zero to a high of 14 vessels. Currently, we have 12 vessels working in Brazil under long-term contracts for Petrobras. We expect to continue to actively bid additional vessels into Brazil. Despite the emerging importance of Brazil as a long-term deepwater drilling market, we are experiencing high operating costs as well as regulatory complexity and bureaucratic inefficiency there, which impact our ability to generate operating margins commensurate with those we have historically generated in the GoM. Moreover, Petrobras is the single largest consumer of our services in Brazil and, for 2011, the Company overall.

Mexico

The primary customer in the Mexican market is the state-owned oil company, PEMEX. The Cantarell field, which according to the EIA is PEMEX’s largest offshore oil field, has declined from approximately 2.14 million barrels per day to 500,000 barrels per day. In 2010, 54% of Mexico’s total crude oil production came from the Cantarell field and the Ku-Maloob-Zaap field, both of which are located in the Bay of Campeche. In its July 2011 Outlook, PEMEX highlighted that 60% of its prospective resources, or 29.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent, are in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. However, in order to develop this resource, PEMEX will likely need to tap the expertise of non-Mexican international oil companies. Under Article 27 of the Mexican constitution, private persons or companies (other than the state-owned PEMEX) are not allowed to carry out the exploration for petroleum, and solid, liquid, or gaseous hydrocarbons. As a result, while we believe that Mexico could develop into a large market for deepwater activity, we do not expect this to occur until the Mexican government has found a solution to their constitutional constraints. Currently, there are four floating rigs and 24 jack-up rigs drilling offshore Mexico. PEMEX has announced that there are no plans to add another floating rig, however three more high-spec jack-up rigs will be added.

We began working in Mexico in 2002 and currently have seven vessels working there under long-term contracts and one vessel working under a spot contract. We will continue to actively bid additional vessels into Mexico as tenders are issued by PEMEX.

Our Competitive Strengths

Technologically advanced multi-class fleet of upstream vessels. Over the past 14 years, we have assembled a multi-class fleet of 51 new generation OSVs and four MPSVs comprised of 12 discrete vessel designs capable of servicing a broad array of our customers’ needs throughout the life cycle of a field, from exploratory drilling to decommissioning. These vessels incorporate sophisticated technologies and are designed specifically to operate safely in complex and challenging environments. These technologies include dynamic positioning, roll reduction systems and controllable pitch thrusters, which allow our vessels to maintain position with minimal variance, and our unique cargo handling systems, which permit high volume transfer rates of liquid mud and dry bulk materials. Our vessels offer our customers a compelling value proposition because of their fuel efficiency, larger size requiring fewer trips, advanced mud handling systems, and larger weather windows which result in less drilling rig downtime. As a result, we believe that we earn higher average dayrates and maintain higher utilization rates than our competitors due to the superior capabilities of our OSVs, our track record of safe and reliable performance and the collaborative efforts of our in-house design team in providing marine solutions to our customers.

 

 

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Young OSV fleet. We believe that we operate one of the youngest fleets of U.S.-flagged OSVs. While the average age of the industry’s conventional 180’ U.S.-flagged OSV fleet is over 30 years, the average age of our 51-vessel OSV fleet is approximately eight years. Upon the completion of construction of the first 16 vessels of our fifth OSV newbuild program, discussed below, at the end of 2014, we project that the weighted-average age, based on DWT, of our 67-vessel OSV fleet will be seven years. Newer vessels generally experience less downtime and require significantly less maintenance and scheduled drydocking costs compared to older vessels. We believe that our operation of new, technologically advanced OSVs gives us a competitive advantage in obtaining long-term contracts for our vessels and in attracting and retaining crews.

Commitment to safety and quality. As part of our commitment to safety and quality, we have voluntarily pursued and received certifications and classifications that are not generally held by other companies in our industry. Safety is an increasingly important consideration for oil and gas operators due to the environmental and regulatory sensitivity associated with offshore drilling and production activity, particularly in the post-Macondo operating environment. We believe that customers recognize our commitment to safety and sound environmental practices and that our strong reputation and performance history provide us with a competitive advantage.

Leading presence in our core markets. Out of 139 companies that own and operate new generation OSVs worldwide, we believe that we are the fourth largest and that we are one of the top three operators of new generation OSVs, based on DWT, in each of our three core markets, which constitute 43% of the global supply. Our 44 U.S.-flagged OSVs comprise the second largest fleet of technologically advanced, new generation OSVs qualified for work in the U.S. GoM. As of April 30, 2012, 24 of our 44 U.S.-flagged OSVs (including three stacked vessels that we plan to reactivate during the third quarter of 2012) and all of our MPSVs operate in that area. We also operate 12 OSVs offshore Brazil and eight OSVs offshore Mexico. We believe that having scale in our core markets benefits our customers and provides us with operating efficiencies.

Successful track record of vessel construction and acquisitions. Our company has designed its operations and management systems in contemplation of additional growth through new vessel construction and acquisitions. Our management team has significant naval architecture, marine engineering and shipyard experience. We believe that our history of designing and managing the construction of 37 new generation vessels in our Upstream segment and eight vessels in our Downstream segment should provide us with the experience and ability to achieve an on-time, on-budget performance for our fifth OSV newbuild program discussed below. To date, we have successfully completed and integrated multiple acquisitions involving 70 vessels and have sold 35 vessels. We regularly consider possible acquisitions of single vessels, vessel fleets, and businesses that strategically complement our existing operations to enable us to grow our business.

Experienced management team with proven track record. Our executive management team has an average of 28 years of domestic and international marine transportation industry-related experience. We believe that our team has successfully demonstrated its ability to grow our fleet through new construction and strategic acquisitions and to secure profitable contracts for our vessels in both favorable and unfavorable market conditions in domestic and foreign markets.

Our Strategy

Apply existing and develop new technologies to meet our customers’ vessel needs. Our new generation OSVs and MPSVs are designed to meet the higher capacity and performance needs of our clients’ increasingly more complex drilling and production programs. In addition, our proprietary double-hulled tank barges were designed to maximize transit speed, improve cargo through-put rates and enhance crew safety features. We are committed to applying existing and developing new technologies to maintain a technologically advanced fleet that will enable us to continue to provide a high level of customer service and meet the developing needs of our customers. For example, in the immediate aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident at the Macondo well, we were able to utilize the versatility of our diversified fleet through our involvement in every major

 

 

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category of marine spill response and relief effort. This led to our two 370 class MPSVs being designated as dual-service spill response vessels by the Marine Spill Response Corporation (“MSRC”) for the GoM, which has assisted our customers in obtaining drilling permits.

Expand fleet through newbuilds and strategic acquisitions. We plan to expand our fleet, as market conditions warrant, through construction of new vessels, retrofitting of certain vessels and strategic acquisitions. The 300 class vessels that we are building as part of our fifth OSV newbuild program, discussed below, will complement our multi-class fleet offering by adding vessels on the high-end of the equipment spectrum. These high-spec vessels are well-suited to service the substantial number of deep and ultra-deepwater drilling rigs that are currently under construction and expected to deliver over the next several years. In addition, we believe that acquisition opportunities are likely to arise in the Upstream segment. We intend to use our expertise and experience to evaluate and execute strategic acquisitions where the opportunity exists to expand our service offerings in our core markets and create or enhance long-term client relationships.

Pursue optimal mix of long-term and short-term contracts. We seek to balance our portfolio of customer contracts by entering into both long-term and short-term charters. Long-term charters, which contribute to higher utilization rates, provide us with more predictable cash flow. Some of our long-term charters contain annual dayrate escalation provisions designed to allow us to keep pace with cost inflation. Short-term charters provide the opportunity to benefit from increasing dayrates in favorable market cycles as well as to offset rising operating costs. We plan our mix of long-term and spot market contracts with respect to our OSVs based on anticipated market conditions in our core markets. We typically seek to maintain sufficient long-term contract coverage to meet our debt service and other fixed obligations, such as recertification related drydocking charges.

Leverage our geographic presence in our three core markets. We have strategically chosen to focus our efforts in three core geographic markets, the GoM, Brazil, and Mexico. While the GoM has and will continue to be a priority for us, we have recently expanded our presence in each of Brazil and Mexico as we anticipate long-term growth in those markets. We have maintained our Jones Act coastwise trade endorsements for over 65% of our vessels operating abroad. Given the relatively close proximity of these markets, we are able to readily move such vessels among them. We believe this will allow us to conduct a more thorough on-going alternative analysis for vessel deployments among such markets and, thus, better manage our portfolio of contracts to enhance dayrates and utilization over time as contracting opportunities arise. Currently, we have nearly 45% of our active OSV fleet located in Brazil and Mexico. In addition, we own a Brazilian entity licensed in Brazil as a navigation company (EBN), which we expect will allow us to streamline our operations and reduce costs in the future. In order to enhance our competitiveness in Mexico, we have re-flagged, or placed under Mexican registry, five of our older new generation U.S.-flagged vessels. We may re-flag additional vessels for use in our Mexican and Brazilian operations as market conditions warrant. Practically all of our fleet that is not in Brazil or Mexico is still in the GoM, which will allow us to benefit from our substantial operating leverage in the next up-cycle.

Maintain diversified service-offering. In addition to expanding our geographic footprint, our market strategy has been to diversify our revenue mix by adding many oilfield and non-oilfield specialty niche services. Our vessels have been adapted to operate in a host of oilfield specialty configurations, such as flotel services, extended-reach well testing, seismic, deepwater well stimulation, other enhanced oil recovery activities, high-pressure pumping, deep-well mooring, ROV subsea construction, installation, IRM work and decommissioning services. We have also ventured into diverse non-oilfield specialty services such as military applications, fiber-optic cable-lay, and oceanographic research. Our Downstream business also complements our Upstream segment by providing additional revenue and geographic diversification.

 

 

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Recent Developments

OSV Newbuild Program #5

In November 2011, we entered into contracts for the construction of 16 U.S.-flagged 300 class DP-2 OSVs with fixed-price options, subject to certain adjustments based on specified formulas, to construct 48 additional such vessels, which we refer to as our OSV Newbuild Program #5. The total purchase price for the first 16 vessels currently committed under this newbuild program is approximately $720.0 million, excluding capitalized construction period interest. These vessels will be funded with a portion of the proceeds from our equity offering in November 2011, other cash on hand, projected free cash flow from operations and, if necessary, available capacity under our currently undrawn $300 million revolving credit facility. Delivery of the first 16 vessels is expected to occur on various dates during 2013 and 2014. Upon the completion of construction of the first 16 vessels of this newbuild program at the end of 2014, we project that the weighted-average age, based on DWT, of our 67-vessel OSV fleet will be seven years. These new OSVs are particularly well-suited for the increased demands of deepwater and ultra-deepwater customers for high-spec vessels, while maintaining an overall size that maximizes efficiency from an operating cost perspective. The vessels will be built in the U.S., which qualifies them for coastwise trade in the GoM under the Jones Act; however, we expect them to service the anticipated increase in deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling activity in all three of our core markets. The 300 class DP-2 design features 6,000 DWT and 20,000 barrels of liquid mud carrying capacity. The length and high load capacity of these vessels make them ideal candidates for conversion into deepwater construction service and IRM work. We expect our 300 class vessels to offer double the DWT and more than double the liquid mud barrel-capacity of our 240 class OSVs, which we believe should allow them to command higher dayrates commensurate with their increased size and capabilities.

Redemption of Remaining 6.125% Notes

On April 30, 2012, in accordance with the Notice of Redemption that was sent to the record holder of the 6.125% notes due 2014, we redeemed the remaining balance of $47,795,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% notes at a redemption price of $1,010.21 per $1,000 principal amount, or an aggregate of approximately $48,283,000, plus accrued interest.

We were formed as a Delaware corporation in 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at 103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300, Covington, Louisiana 70433, and our telephone number is (985) 727-2000. Our website address is http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

 

 

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SUMMARY OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

In connection with the offering of the Series A notes, we entered into an exchange registration rights agreement, or registration rights agreement, with the initial purchasers in the offering in which we agreed to complete an exchange offer within 210 days after the date we issued the Series A notes, offering holders of Series A notes the opportunity to exchange their Series A notes for Series B notes in a registered exchange offer under the Securities Act. Holders of Series A notes should read the discussion under the headings “Summary of the Terms of the New Series B Notes” beginning on page 11 and “Description of Series B Notes” beginning on page 35 for further information regarding the Series B notes and resales of the Series B notes.

 

Exchange Offer

We are offering to exchange Series B notes for Series A notes. Series A notes may be exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000. We will exchange Series B Notes for all outstanding Series A notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

Expiration Time and Date

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2012, unless we decide to extend it. No extension will continue beyond                     , 2012.

 

Condition to the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may waive. A minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding Series A notes being tendered is not a condition to the exchange offer.

 

Procedures for Tendering Series A Notes

To participate in the exchange offer, you must follow the procedures established by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, for tendering the Series A notes. These automated tender offer program procedures require that the exchange agent receive, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer, a computer generated message known as an “agent’s message” that is transmitted through DTC’s automated tender offer program and that DTC confirm that:

 

   

DTC has received your instructions to exchange your Series A notes, and

 

   

you agree to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.

 

  For more information on tendering your Series A notes, please refer to the sections in this prospectus entitled “Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer,” and “—Procedures for Tendering.”

 

Resale of Series B Notes

Except as provided below, we believe that the Series B notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided that:

 

   

the Series B notes are being acquired in the ordinary course of business,

 

   

you are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Series B notes issued to you in the exchange offer,

 

 

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you are not our affiliate, and

 

   

you are not a broker-dealer tendering outstanding Series A notes acquired directly from us for your account.

 

  Our belief is based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission, as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties that are not related to us. The Commission has not considered this exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter, and we cannot assure you that the Commission would make similar determinations with respect to this exchange offer. If any of these conditions are not satisfied, or if our belief is not accurate, and you transfer any Series B notes issued to you in the exchange offer without delivering a resale prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or without an exemption from registration of your Series B notes from those requirements, you may incur liability under the Securities Act. We will not assume, nor will we indemnify you against, any such liability. Each broker-dealer that receives Series B notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding Series A notes, where the outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Series B notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

None.

 

Withdrawal of Tenders

You may withdraw your tender of Series A notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer, but you must follow the withdrawal procedures described in “Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders.”

 

Acceptance and Delivery

If you fulfill all conditions required for proper acceptance of Series A notes, we will accept all Series A notes that you properly tender in the exchange offer on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will return to you without expense any Series A note that we do not accept for exchange, or with respect to which all conditions for acceptance have not been met, as promptly as practicable after the expiration date. We will deliver the Series B notes as promptly as practicable after the expiration date and acceptance of the Series A notes for exchange.

 

Fees and Expenses

We will bear all expenses incident to the exchange offer.

 

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds for the issuance of the Series B notes. We have filed the exchange offer registration statement to meet our obligation under the registration rights agreement.

 

Failure to Exchange

If you do not exchange your Series A notes in this exchange offer, you will no longer be able to require us to register the Series A notes under the Securities Act, except in limited circumstances provided under the registration rights agreement. In addition, you will not be

 

 

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able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer the Series A notes unless we have registered the Series A notes under the Securities Act, or unless you resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration requirements of or in a transaction not subject to the Securities Act.

 

Tax Considerations

The exchange of Series B notes for Series A notes in the exchange offer should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see the discussion under “Material United Stated Federal Income Tax Consequences” for more information regarding the tax consequences to you of the exchange offer.

 

Exchange Agent

We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, additional copies of this prospectus or the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

By Registered or Certified Mail:

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9303-121

PO Box 1517

Minneapolis, MN 55480

By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9303-121

Sixth & Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55479

In Person by Hand Only:

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

12th Floor—Northstar East Building

Corporate Trust Operations

608 Second Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

By Facsimile:

(For Eligible Institutions only):

fax. (612) 667-6282

Attn. Bondholder Communications

For Information or Confirmation by

Telephone: (800) 344-5128, Option 0

Attn. Bondholder Communications

 

 

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SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE NEW SERIES B NOTES

The Series B notes will be substantially identical to the Series A notes except that the issuance of the Series B notes will be registered under the Securities Act and the Series B notes will not have restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act, registration rights or provisions for payment of additional interest as liquidated damages. The Series B notes will evidence the same debt as the Series A notes, and the same indenture that governs the Series A notes will govern the Series B notes offered by this prospectus.

 

Securities Offered

$375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B notes.

 

Maturity

April 1, 2020.

 

Interest Payment Dates

We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2012. Interest will accrue from March 16, 2012.

 

Guarantees

All of our domestic, significant subsidiaries will guarantee the Senior B notes on a senior, unsecured basis.

 

Ranking

The Senior B notes will be senior, unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness incurred by us in the future. The indenture governing the notes permits us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, subject to certain conditions. The Series B notes and subsidiary guarantees will be effectively subordinated to our secured indebtedness and that of our subsidiary guarantors, including any indebtedness under our $300.0 million revolving credit facility, to the extent of the fair value of our assets and those of our subsidiaries collateralizing such indebtedness, and to any indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

 

Optional Redemption

We may, at our option, redeem all or a part of the Series B notes at any time on or after April 1, 2016 at the redemption prices described in this prospectus. At any time before April 1, 2016, we may also redeem all or a part of the Series B notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Series B notes plus the make whole premium described in this prospectus. In addition, prior to April 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Series B notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at the redemption price specified in this prospectus.

 

Change of Control

If we experience a change of control, any noteholder may require us to repurchase all or a part of its Series B notes for cash at 101% of the principal amount of such Series B notes.

 

Certain Covenants

The indenture for the Series B notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limits our ability and that of certain of our subsidiaries to:

 

   

pay dividends or make other distributions,

 

 

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purchase equity interests or redeem subordinated indebtedness early,

 

   

incur additional indebtedness,

 

   

create liens on our assets to secure debt,

 

   

sell assets or merge or consolidate with another company, and

 

   

enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

 

  All of these limitations will be subject to a number of important qualifications.

 

Covenant Termination

Once the Series B notes are rated investment grade by either Moody’s or S&P and no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture governing the Series B notes, we and our subsidiaries will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. See “Description of Series B Notes—Covenant Termination.”

 

No Existing Public Market

The Series B notes will be transferable without restriction under U.S. federal securities laws, but there is currently no public market for the Series B notes. We can provide no assurance that any market for the Series B notes will develop or, if a market does develop, that it will offer any significant opportunity for liquidity.

 

Governing Law

New York.

 

Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

Risk Factors

You should read carefully “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of this prospectus for certain considerations relevant to your participation in the exchange offer.

For further information regarding the Series B notes, see “Description of Series B Notes.”

 

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Our summary historical consolidated financial information as of and for the periods ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is derived from our audited historical consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Our summary historical consolidated financial information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012 is derived from our unaudited historical consolidated financial statements. The data should be read in conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)   2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  

Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenues

  $ 338,970      $ 432,084      $ 385,948      $ 420,804      $ 381,627      $ 72,267      $ 119,973   

Operating expenses

    126,876        164,532        161,188        196,771        211,201        41,622        59,209   

Depreciation and amortization(1)

    35,169        52,002        93,369        77,055        81,587        20,601        20,999   

General and administrative expenses

    32,857        37,155        30,844        36,774        35,363        9,864        11,126   

Gain on sale of assets

    1,859        8,402        1,147        2,025        1,539        559        8   

Operating income

    145,927        186,797        101,694        112,229        55,015        739        28,647   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (5,193

Interest income

    18,414        1,525        482        528        829        179        553   

Interest expense

    21,299        8,331        21,024        55,183        59,649        14,916        13,932   

Other income (expenses)(2)

    (43     190        (597     344        442        (4     105   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    142,999        180,181        80,555        57,918        (3,363     (14,002     10,180   

Income tax expense (benefit)

    51,782        64,379        30,155        21,502        (802     (4,966     3,873   

Net income (loss)

    91,217        115,802        50,400        36,416        (2,561     (9,036     6,307   

Basic earnings (loss) per share

  $ 3.55      $ 4.48      $ 1.94      $ 1.38      $ (0.09   $ (0.34   $ 0.18   

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $ 3.45      $ 4.29      $ 1.87      $ 1.34      $ (0.09   $ (0.34   $ 0.18   

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 173,552      $ 20,216      $ 51,019      $ 126,966      $ 356,849      $ 136,506      $ 452,615   

Working capital

    214,266        66,069        85,736        162,156        401,216        162,505        448,684   

Property, plant, and equipment, net

    956,558        1,405,340        1,602,663        1,606,121        1,605,785        1,597,396        1,635,691   

Total assets

    1,265,399        1,595,743        1,786,348        1,878,425        2,136,346        1,875,030        2,278,052   

Total short-term debt(3)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          47,766   

Total long-term debt(4)

    484,076        618,519        746,674        758,233        770,648        761,253        849,093   

Total stockholders’ equity

    606,147        736,900        797,063        841,877        1,072,988        833,161        1,079,271   

Statement of Cash Flows Data:

             

Net cash provided by (used in):

             

Operating activities

  $ 138,550      $ 206,832      $ 183,244      $ 131,013      $ 63,735      $ 15,381      $ 26,436   

Investing activities

    (442,032     (487,293     (263,050     (56,987     (62,299     (5,900     (44,865

Financing activities

    2,710        127,109        110,590        1,866        228,830        42        113,815   

Other Financial Data (unaudited):

             

EBITDA(5)

  $ 181,053      $ 238,989      $ 194,466      $ 189,628      $ 137,044      $ 21,336      $ 44,558   

Capital expenditures

    447,915        505,105        273,646        61,643        73,638        7,955        44,873   

 

 

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    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)   2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  

Other Operating Data (unaudited):

             

Offshore Supply Vessels:

             

Average number of new gen OSVs(6)

    29.0        36.4        43.2        49.9        51.0        51.0        51.0   

Average number of active new gen OSVs(7)

    29.0        36.4        39.2        42.4        41.8        36.6        46.8   

Average new gen OSV fleet capacity(DWT)

    67,739        84,892        105,858        124,965        128,190        128,190        128,190   

Average new gen OSV vessel capacity(DWT)

    2,341        2,329        2,448        2,507        2,514        2,514        2,514   

Average new gen OSV utilization rate(8)

    93.3     95.4     79.9     71.6     71.5     59.0     81.1

Effective new gen OSV utilization rate(9)

    93.3     95.4     88.0     84.3     87.2     82.2     88.6

Average new generation OSV dayrate(10)

  $ 21,505      $ 22,939      $ 21,348      $ 21,561      $ 21,121      $ 21,011      $ 22,419   

Effective dayrate(11)

  $ 20,064      $ 21,884      $ 17,057      $ 15,438      $ 15,102      $ 12,396      $ 18,182   

Double-hulled Tank Barges(12):

             

Average number of tank barges(13)

    6.5        8.8        9.0        9.0        9.0        9.0        9.0   

Average fleet capacity (barrels)(13)

    719,354        872,347        884,621        884,621        884,621        884,621        884,621   

Average barge capacity (barrels)

    109,943        98,824        98,291        98,291        98,291        98,291        98,291   

Average utilization rate(8)

    92.4     85.0     71.5     80.5     88.1     82.3     85.4

Average dayrate(14)

  $ 23,026      $ 21,806      $ 21,138      $ 17,502      $ 17,557      $ 16,377      $ 17,271   

Effective dayrate(11)

  $ 21,276      $ 18,535      $ 15,114      $ 14,089      $ 15,468      $ 13,478      $ 14,749   

 

(1) In June 2009, we recorded a pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charge of $25.8 million related to ten single-hulled tank barges and six ocean-going tugs. This impairment charge is reflected in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company’s amortization expense for such period includes a $0.9 million pre-tax non-cash charge for the write-off of remaining goodwill associated with our Downstream segment. Effective January 1, 2007, we modified our assumptions regarding estimated salvage values for our marine equipment. Salvage values for marine equipment are estimated to range between 5% and 25% of the originally recorded cost, depending on vessel type. For the year ended December 31, 2007, this change in estimated salvage values resulted in an increase in operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share of approximately $6.2 million, $4.0 million and $0.15, respectively.
(2) Represents other operating income and expenses, including equity in income from investments and foreign currency transaction gains or losses.
(3) Represents the remaining balance of our 6.125% senior notes due 2014 that were redeemed on April 30, 2012 and excludes original issue discount associated with our 6.125% senior notes in the amount of $29 as of March 31, 2012.
(4) Excludes original issue discount associated with our 6.125% senior notes in the amount of $453, $398, $341, $279, $215 and $264 as of December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and as of March 31, 2011, respectively. Excludes original issue discount associated with our 8.000% senior notes in the amount of $6,980, $6,305, $5,571, $6,127 and $5,377, as of December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and as of March 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Also, excludes original issue discount associated with our 1.625% convertible senior notes in the amount of $65,471, $56,083, $46,005, $35,183, $23,566, $32,356 and $20,530, as of December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and as of March 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
(5) See our discussion of EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure immediately following these footnotes.
(6) We owned 51 new generation OSVs as of March 31, 2012. Our average number of new generation OSVs for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 reflect the deliveries of multiple vessels under our fourth OSV newbuild program. During 2008, 2009 and 2010, we placed in service, four OSVs, eight OSVs and four OSVs, respectively. Our average number of new generation OSVs for the year ended December 31, 2007 includes ten new generation OSVs that were acquired in August 2007. Excluded from this data are ten conventional OSVs that were also acquired in August 2007, nine of which have been sold on various dates in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Our remaining conventional OSV, which is stacked, is considered a non-core asset.

 

 

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(7) In response to weak market conditions, we elected to stack certain of our new generation OSVs on various dates in 2009 and 2010. Based on improved market conditions, we had re-activated 12 new generation OSVs by March 31, 2012. We also plan to reactivate the remaining three new generation vessels during the third quarter of 2012, provided that we are able to re-crew such vessels and complete any required drydocking activities within that timeframe. Active new generation OSVs represent vessels that are immediately available for service during each respective period.
(8) Average utilization rates are average rates based on a 365-day year. Vessels are considered utilized when they are generating revenues.
(9) Effective utilization rate is based on a denominator comprised only of vessel-days available for service by the active fleet, which excludes the impact of stacked vessel days.
(10) Average new generation OSV dayrates represent average revenue per day, which includes charter hire, crewing services and net brokerage revenues, based on the number of days during the period that the OSVs generated revenue.
(11) Effective dayrate represents the average dayrate multiplied by the average utilization rate for the respective periods.
(12) Other operating data for tugs and tank barges reflects only the results from our double-hulled tank barges as our single-hulled tank barges are considered non-core assets and are marketed for sale. Our active Downstream fleet is comprised of nine double-hulled barges and nine ocean-going tugs.
(13) The averages for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 include the Energy 6506, Energy 6507 and Energy 6508, three double-hulled tank barges delivered under our second TTB newbuild program in August 2007, November 2007, and March 2008, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, our double-hulled tank barge fleet consisted of nine vessels.
(14) Average dayrates represent average revenue per day, including time charters, brokerage revenue, revenues generated on a per-barrel-transported basis, demurrage, shipdocking and fuel surcharge revenue, based on the number of days during the period that the tank barges generated revenue. For purposes of brokerage arrangements, this calculation excludes that portion of revenue that is equal to the cost paid by customers of in-chartering third-party equipment.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We disclose and discuss EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure in our public releases, including quarterly earnings releases, investor conference calls and other filings with the Commission and in this prospectus. We define EBITDA as earnings (net income) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Our measure of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, which may limit their usefulness as comparative measures.

We view EBITDA primarily as a liquidity measure and, as such, we believe that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to this measure is cash flows provided by operating activities. Because EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA is widely used by investors and other users of our financial statements as a supplemental financial measure that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, we believe provides additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ability to service debt, pay deferred taxes and fund drydocking charges and other maintenance capital expenditures. We also believe the disclosure of EBITDA helps investors meaningfully evaluate and compare our cash flow generating capacity from quarter to quarter and year to year.

EBITDA is also a financial metric used by management (i) as a supplemental internal measure for planning and forecasting overall expectations and for evaluating actual results against such expectations; (ii) as a significant criteria for annual incentive cash bonuses compensation paid to our executive officers and other shore-based employees; (iii) to compare to the EBITDA of other companies when evaluating potential acquisitions; and (iv) to assess our ability to service existing fixed charges and incur additional indebtedness.

 

 

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The following table provides the detailed components of EBITDA as we define that term for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively (in thousands).

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  

Components of EBITDA:

              

Net income (loss)

   $ 91,217      $ 115,802      $ 50,400      $ 36,416      $ (2,561   $ (9,036   $ 6,307   

Interest, net:

              

Debt obligations

     21,299        8,331        21,024        55,183        59,649        14,916        13,932   

Interest income

     (18,414     (1,525     (482     (528     (829     (179     (553
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest, net

     2,885        6,806        20,542        54,655        58,820        14,737        13,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     51,782        64,379        30,155        21,502        (802     (4,966     3,873   

Depreciation

     22,950        33,498        69,461        58,509        60,960        15,209        15,082   

Amortization

     12,219        18,504        23,908        18,546        20,627        5,392        5,917   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 181,053      $ 238,989      $ 194,466      $ 189,628      $ 137,044      $ 21,336      $ 44,558   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table reconciles EBITDA to cash flows provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively (in thousands).

 

    Year Ended December 31,     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
    2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  

EBITDA Reconciliation to GAAP measure:

             

EBITDA

  $ 181,053      $ 238,989      $ 194,466      $ 189,628      $ 137,044      $ 21,336      $ 44,558   

Cash paid for deferred drydocking charges

    (19,812     (19,773     (19,234     (22,510     (19,704     (5,202     (8,159

Cash paid for interest

    (22,644     (24,981     (24,201     (44,178     (43,811     (10,318     (14,756

Cash paid for taxes

    (4,799     (6,119     (15,520     (2,809     (1,272     (376     (532

Changes in working capital

    (986     15,406        41,117        4,317        (14,027     6,450        (2,124

Stock-based compensation expense

    7,390        10,815        8,704        8,710        6,525        2,201        2,250   

Loss of early extinguishment of debt

    —          —          —          —          —          —          5,193   

Changes in other, net

    (1,652     (7,505     (2,088     (2,145     (1,020     1,290        6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

  $ 138,550      $ 206,832      $ 183,244      $ 131,013      $ 63,735      $ 15,381      $ 26,436   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In addition, we also make certain adjustments to EBITDA for loss on early extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense and interest income to compute ratios used in certain financial covenants of our revolving credit facility with various lenders. We believe that these ratios are a material component of certain financial covenants in such credit agreements and failure to comply with the financial covenants could result in the acceleration of indebtedness or the imposition of restrictions on our financial flexibility.

 

 

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The following table provides certain detailed adjustments to EBITDA, as defined in our revolving credit facility for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively (in thousands).

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
     2007      2008      2009      2010      2011      2011      2012  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 5,193   

Stock-based compensation expense

     7,390         10,815         8,704         8,710         6,525         2,201         2,250   

Interest income

     18,414         1,525         482         528         829         179         553   

Set forth below are the material limitations associated with using EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure compared to cash flows provided by operating activities.

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect the future capital expenditure requirements that may be necessary to replace our existing vessels as a result of normal wear and tear;

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect the interest, future principal payments and other financing-related charges necessary to service the debt that we have incurred in acquiring and constructing our vessels;

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect the deferred income taxes that we will eventually have to pay once we are no longer in an overall tax net operating loss carryforward position, as applicable; and

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect changes in our net working capital position.

Management compensates for the above-described limitations in using EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure by only using EBITDA to supplement our GAAP results.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

The following information describes certain significant risks and uncertainties inherent in our business. Some of these risks are described below and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in our other public filings, and you should take these risks into account in evaluating us or any investment decision involving us or in deciding whether to participate in the exchange offer. This section does not describe all risks applicable to us, our industry or our business, and it is intended only as a summary of certain material risks. You should carefully consider such risks and uncertainties, together with the other information contained herein and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. If any of such risks and uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be harmed substantially and could differ materially from the plans, projections and other forward-looking statements included elsewhere herein or in the documents incorporated herein by reference.

Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer and the Series B Notes

If you do not properly tender your Series A notes, you will continue to hold securities issued in a transaction that was not registered under the Securities Act and thus will be subject to significant restrictions on transfer.

We will only issue Series B notes in exchange for Series A notes that you timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should timely tender the Series A notes and carefully follow the instructions for tendering such Series A notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent is required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of Series A notes.

If you do not exchange your Series A notes for Series B notes pursuant to the exchange offer, the Series A notes you hold will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions under the Securities Act. In general, you may not offer or sell the Series A notes except under an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not plan to register the Series A notes under the Securities Act unless our registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the Series A notes requires us to do so. Further, if you continue to hold any Series A notes after the exchange offer is consummated, you may have difficulty selling them because there will be fewer Series A notes outstanding.

If an active trading market does not develop for the Series B notes, you may be unable to sell the Series B notes or to sell the Series B notes at a price satisfactory to you.

The Series B notes will be new securities for which there currently is no established trading market. Although we are registering the issuance of the Series B notes under the Securities Act, we do not intend to apply for listing of the Series B notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the Series B notes in any automated dealer quotation system. In addition, although we believe that the initial purchasers of the Series A notes intend to make a market in the Series B notes after the exchange offer, the initial purchasers may stop making

a market at any time. Finally, if a large number of holders of Series A notes do not tender Series A notes or tender Series A notes improperly, the limited number of Series B notes that would be issued and outstanding after we consummate the exchange offer could adversely affect the development of a market for the Series B notes.

Your right to receive payments on the Series B notes will be effectively junior to our future indebtedness to the extent it is secured by our assets or is owed by our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The Series B notes will effectively rank behind any secured indebtedness we may incur, to the extent of the value of the assets that secure such indebtedness, including current and future borrowings under our $300 million revolving credit facility. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors or the creditors of our guarantor

 

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subsidiaries in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding relating to us, our guarantor subsidiaries or our respective property, the holders of our secured debt will be entitled to be paid in cash, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt, before any payment may be made with respect to the Series B notes.

In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding relating to us, our subsidiaries or our respective properties, holders of the Series B notes will participate with our trade creditors and all other holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness in the assets remaining. In any of these cases, we may not have sufficient funds to pay all of our creditors, and holders of the Series B notes may receive less, ratably, than the holders of secured debt.

In addition, the Series B notes will effectively rank behind any debt of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, unless they guarantee our debt or debt of our guarantor subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2011, our non-guarantor subsidiaries had no debt outstanding.

We and our subsidiaries are not fully prohibited from incurring substantially more debt, and such debt will be effectively senior to the Series B notes to the extent it is secured by our assets.

We have a five-year $300.0 million secured revolving credit facility with zero drawn as of March 31, 2012. We have outstanding $229.5 million of 1.625% convertible senior notes governed by an indenture dated November 13, 2006, or the 1.625% indenture, and $244.6 million of 8.000% senior notes governed by an indenture dated August 17, 2009, or the 8.000% indenture. Under the terms of the credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility, the 1.625% indenture, the 8.000% indenture and the indenture governing the Series B notes, we and our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness (including secured indebtedness) in the future. All or substantially all of our future borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be effectively senior to the Series B notes to the extent of the assets securing any such borrowings. If we add new debt to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the related risks that we and they now face could intensify.

We are a holding company and will rely on our subsidiaries for funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the Series B notes.

We conduct all of our activities through our subsidiaries. We will depend on those subsidiaries for dividends and other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the Series B notes. The ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us may be restricted by, among other things, their credit facilities and applicable state corporation or similar statutes and other laws and regulations. Currently, there are no significant restrictions on our ability or the ability of any guarantor subsidiary to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by such means as a dividend or loan, except for certain restrictions contained in our revolving credit facility restricting the payment of dividends by our two principal subsidiaries.

We cannot assure you that the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries will be sufficient to enable us to pay principal or interest on the Series B notes when due.

Although the occurrence of specific change of control events affecting us will permit you to require us to repurchase your Series B notes, we may not be able to repurchase your Series B notes.

If a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture governing the Series B notes) occurs, we will be required to offer to purchase your Series B notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Our revolving credit facility contains default provisions relating to the acceleration of indebtedness upon a change of control. If a purchase offer obligation arises under the indenture governing the Series B notes, a similar obligation would likely arise with respect to our outstanding 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026. If a Change of Control offer were required under the indenture governing the

 

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Series B notes, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of all debt, including your Series B notes, that we are required to purchase or repay.

In a recent decision, the Chancery Court of Delaware raised the possibility that a change of control put right occurring as a result of a failure to have “continuing directors” comprising a majority of a board of directors may be unenforceable on public policy grounds.

A court may avoid or subordinate a guarantee of the Series B notes by our subsidiaries to the extent the guarantee is determined to be a fraudulent conveyance.

Our obligations under the Series B notes will be guaranteed on a general unsecured basis by our domestic, significant subsidiaries. Various fraudulent conveyance laws have been enacted for the protection of creditors and may be used by a court to subordinate or avoid any guarantee issued by one or more of our subsidiaries. It is also possible that under certain circumstances a court could hold that the direct obligations of a subsidiary would be superior to the obligations under its guarantee of the Series B notes. Generally, if a court determines that

 

   

any of our subsidiaries guaranteed our obligations with the intent of hindering, delaying or otherwise defrauding a creditor or did not receive fair consideration or a reasonably equivalent value for issuing the guarantee; and

 

   

the subsidiary was insolvent or engaged or about to engage in activity that could render it insolvent

the court may avoid or subordinate the guarantee in favor of the subsidiary’s other obligations. A subsidiary may be considered insolvent if the sum of its debts is greater than its assets, at a fair valuation, or the present fair salable value of its assets is less than the amount required to pay the probable liability on its aggregate existing debts and liabilities as they become absolute and matured. We can give no assurance regarding the standards a court would use to determine whether a subsidiary was solvent at the relevant time or whether a guarantee would be otherwise avoided or subordinated. In rendering opinions in connection with the notes, our counsel will not express any opinion as to the effect of federal or state fraudulent transfer and conveyance laws on the enforceability of a subsidiary guarantee. If a subsidiary guarantee is avoided as a fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other reason, a holder of Series B notes would not have any claim against such subsidiary, but would be a creditor solely of the Company and the remaining guarantor subsidiaries.

Many of the covenants contained in the indenture governing the Series B notes will terminate if the Series B notes are rated investment grade by either Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s and no default has occurred and is continuing.

Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the Series B notes will terminate if the Series B notes are rated investment grade by either Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s and no default has occurred and is continuing. These covenants will not be restored if the Series B notes are later rated below investment grade. These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock, incur debt and enter into certain other transactions. Termination of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted while these covenants were in force. See “Description of Series B Notes—Covenant Termination.”

Restrictions contained in the indenture governing the Series B notes, the indenture governing our 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and in the agreement governing our revolving credit facility may limit our ability to obtain additional financing and to pursue other business opportunities.

Covenants contained in the indentures governing the Series B notes, our 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and in the agreement governing our revolving credit facility require us to meet certain financial tests, which may limit or otherwise restrict:

 

   

our flexibility in operating, planning for, and reacting to changes, in our business;

 

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our ability to dispose of assets, withstand current or future economic or industry downturns and compete with others in our industry for strategic opportunities; and

 

   

our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, including our newbuild programs, acquisitions, general corporate and other purposes.

A trading market for the Series B notes may not develop.

The Series B notes are a new issue of securities. There is no active public trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on a securities exchange. Even after consummation of the exchange offer, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the Series B notes or that the Series B notes offered in the exchange offer will trade as one class with the Series A notes. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the Series B notes and the market prices quoted for the Series B notes may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for high yield securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects, or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a consequence, an active trading market may not develop for your Series B notes, you may not be able to sell your Series B notes, or, even if you can sell your Series B notes, you may not be able to sell them at an acceptable price.

 

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EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer

In connection with the issuance of the Series A notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement. Under the registration rights agreement, we agreed to:

 

   

file within 90 days after the issuance of the Series A notes a registration statement with the Commission with respect to a registered offer to exchange each Series A note for a Series B note having terms substantially identical to the Series A notes;

 

   

use our reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act within 210 days after the issuance of the Series A notes;

 

   

upon effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement, commence the exchange offer and use reasonable best efforts to issue, not later than 30 days after such registration statement is declared effective, the Series B notes in exchange for all Series A notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn during the exchange offer; and

 

   

keep the exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days.

We have fulfilled the agreements described in the first two of the preceding bullet points and are offering eligible holders of the Series A notes the opportunity to exchange their Series A notes for Series B notes registered under the Securities Act. Holders are eligible, if they are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission, from participating in this exchange offer and if they make various representations to us. The Series B notes will be substantially identical to the Series A notes, except that the Series B notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, registration rights or payment of additional interest as liquidated damages.

We have agreed in certain circumstances to file and use our reasonable best efforts to cause the Commission to declare effective a shelf registration statement to cover resales of outstanding Series A notes by holders thereof who satisfy certain conditions relating to the provision of information in connection with the shelf registration statement. We are required to file the shelf registration statement if:

 

   

prior to the consummation of the exchange offer, existing Commission interpretations are changed such that the Series B notes would not be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act;

 

   

the exchange offer is not completed within 240 days following the issuance of the Series A notes; or

 

   

the exchange offer is not available to any holder.

If obligated to file the shelf registration statement, we will use reasonable best efforts to file the shelf registration statement with the Commission on or prior to 30 days after such filing obligation arises, to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to 120 days after such shelf registration statement is filed and to keep the shelf registration statement effective for up to two years.

We have also agreed, with certain exceptions, to pay additional interest to holders of the applicable notes upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

   

if we fail to file an exchange offer or shelf registration statement with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing;

 

   

if a required exchange or shelf registration statement is not declared effective on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness;

 

   

if the exchange offer is not consummated within 30 days after the initial effective date of the exchange offer registration statement; or

 

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if the exchange offer or shelf registration statement is declared effective but thereafter is withdrawn by us or becomes subject to a stop order of the Commission suspending its effectiveness without being succeeded immediately by another effective registration statement.

Each of the events described above is a “registration default” and we must pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest from the occurrence of a registration default until all then existing registration defaults have been cured.

The rate of additional interest will be 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a registration default, and such rate will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all registration defaults have been cured, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.0% per annum. We are required to pay such additional interest on regular interest payment dates in the same manner as other interest is paid on the outstanding notes. Such additional interest will be in addition to any other interest payable from time to time with respect to the outstanding notes.

Upon the effectiveness of this registration statement, the consummation of the exchange offer, the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement or the effectiveness of a succeeding registration statement as required under the registration rights agreement, as the case may be, the accrual of additional interest will cease.

To exchange your Series A notes for transferable Series B notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make the following representations:

 

   

you will acquire any Series B notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution of the Series B notes;

 

   

you are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in the distribution of the Series B notes;

 

   

if you are a broker-dealer that will receive Series B notes for your own account in exchange for Series A notes, you acquired those notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of such Series B notes; and

 

   

you are not our “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

In addition, if your outstanding Series A notes are included in a shelf registration statement, we may require you to provide information about yourself and your intended method of distribution to be used in connection with the shelf registration statement as may be required to comply with the Securities Act. A holder who sells Series A notes under the shelf registration statement generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers. Such a holder will also be subject to the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a holder, including indemnification obligations.

The description of the registration rights agreement contained in this section is a summary only. For more information, you should review the provisions of the registration rights agreement that we filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Resale of Series B Notes

Based on no-action letters issued by the staff of the Commission to third parties, we believe that Series B notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act if:

 

   

you are not our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act;

 

   

you acquire such Series B notes in the ordinary course of your business; and

 

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you do not intend to participate in a distribution of the Series B notes.

Because, however, we have not obtained a no-action letter in connection with the exchange offer for the Series B notes, we cannot assure you that the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to this exchange offer.

If you tender your Series A notes in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the Series B notes, you

 

   

cannot rely on such interpretations by the Commission staff; and

 

   

must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction.

Unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available, any distribution of Series B notes should be covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. This registration statement should contain the selling security holder’s information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of Series B notes only as specifically described in this prospectus. Only broker-dealers that acquired the Series A notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives Series B notes for its own account in exchange for Series A notes, where such Series A notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge by way of the letter of transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the Series B notes. Please read the section captioned “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding the transfer of Series B notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

Subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any Series A notes properly tendered and not withdrawn before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will issue Series B notes in principal amount equal to the principal amount of Series A notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Series A notes may be tendered only for Series B notes and only in integral multiples of $1,000. The exchange offer is not otherwise conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of Series A notes being tendered for exchange.

As of the date of this prospectus, $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Series A notes are outstanding. This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of Series A notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of Series A notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreement, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission. Series A notes that you do not tender for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest. These Series A notes will be entitled to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture relating to the notes and certain provisions of the registration rights agreement.

We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered Series A notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with the applicable provisions of the registration rights agreement. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the Series B notes from us.

If you tender Series A notes in the exchange offer, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Series A notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the

 

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exchange offer. It is important that you read the section labeled “—Fees and Expenses” for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

We will return any Series A notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to the tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Expiration Date

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2012, unless, in our sole discretion, we extend it. No extension will continue beyond                     , 2012.

Extensions, Delays in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment

We expressly reserve the right, at any time or various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open to a date no later than                     , 2012. We may delay acceptance of any Series A notes by giving oral or written notice of such extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all Series A notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange.

If we extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We will notify the registered holders of Series A notes of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

If any of the conditions described below under “—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” have not been satisfied, we reserve the right

 

   

to delay accepting for exchange any Series A notes;

 

   

to extend the exchange offer; or

 

   

to terminate the exchange offer,

by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice to the registered holders of Series A notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine material, we will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. The supplement will be distributed to the registered holders of the Series A notes. Depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, we will extend the exchange offer if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during such period.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

We will not be required to accept for exchange or to exchange any Series B notes for any Series A notes if the exchange offer, or participation in the exchange offer by a holder of Series A notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission. In addition, we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting Series A notes for exchange in the event of such a potential violation.

We will not be obligated to accept for exchange the Series A notes of any holder that has not made to us the representations described under “—Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer, “—Procedures for Tendering” and “Plan of Distribution” and such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable Commission rules, regulations or interpretations to allow us to use an appropriate form to register the Series B notes under the Securities Act.

 

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We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any Series A notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to the exchange offer specified above. We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the Series A notes as promptly as practicable.

These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of these rights, this failure will not mean that we have waived our rights. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.

In addition, we will not accept for exchange any Series A notes tendered, and will not issue Series B notes in exchange for any such Series A notes, if at such time any stop order has been threatened or is in effect with respect to the registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, or the qualification of the indenture relating to the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Procedures for Tendering

In order to participate in the exchange offer, you must properly tender your outstanding Series A notes to the exchange agent as described below. It is your responsibility to properly tender your outstanding Series A notes. We have the right to waive any defects. However, we are not required to waive defects and are not required to notify you of defects in your exchange.

If you have any questions or need help in exchanging your Series A notes, please call the exchange agent whose address and phone number are set forth in “Prospectus Summary—The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent.”

All of the outstanding Series A notes were issued in book-entry form, and all of the outstanding notes are currently represented by global certificates held for the account of DTC. We have confirmed with DTC that the outstanding notes may be tendered using the Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, instituted by DTC. The exchange agent will establish an account with DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the commencement of the exchange offer and DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing DTC to transfer their outstanding Series A notes to the exchange agent using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an “agent’s message” to the exchange agent. The agent’s message will state that DTC has received instructions from the participant to tender outstanding Series A notes and that the participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.

By using the ATOP procedures to exchange outstanding Series A notes, you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. However, you will be bound by its terms just as if you had signed it.

There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the Series A notes.

Determinations Under the Exchange Offer

We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered outstanding Series A notes and withdrawal of tendered outstanding Series A notes. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any outstanding Series A notes not properly tendered or any outstanding Series notes our acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defect, irregularity or condition of tender as to particular outstanding Series A notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, all defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding Series A notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Although we intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of

 

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outstanding Series A notes, neither the exchange agent, us nor any other person will incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of outstanding Series A notes will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any outstanding Series A notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder as soon as practicable following the expiration date.

When We Will Issue Series B Notes

In all cases, we will issue Series B notes in exchange for Series A notes that we have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer, as promptly as practicable after expiration of the exchange offer, only after the exchange agent timely receives, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date:

 

   

a book-entry confirmation of transfer of such Series A notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC; and

 

   

a properly transmitted agent’s message.

Return of Series A Notes Not Accepted or Exchanged

If we do not accept any tendered Series A notes for exchange or if Series A notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or non-exchanged Series A notes will be returned without expense to their tendering holder. Such non-exchanged Series A notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will occur as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Your Representations to Us

By agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

   

you will acquire any Series B notes that you receive in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution of the Series B notes;

 

   

you are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in the distribution of the Series B notes;

 

   

if you are a broker-dealer that will receive Series B notes for your own account in exchange for Series A notes, you acquired those Series A notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of such Series B notes; and

 

   

you are not our “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Withdrawal of Tenders

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. For a withdrawal to be effective, you must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC’s ATOP system. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with withdrawn Series A notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.

We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal. Our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any Series A notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.

Any Series A notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the outstanding Series A notes. This crediting will take place as

 

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soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn Series A notes by following the procedures described under “—Procedures for Tendering” above at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

Fees and Expenses

We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail. We may make additional solicitation by telegraph, facsimile, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer. They include:

 

   

Commission registration fees;

 

   

fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee;

 

   

accounting and legal fees and printing costs; and

 

   

related fees and expenses.

Transfer Taxes

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Series B notes for Series A notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Series B notes for Series A notes under the exchange offer.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

If you do not exchange your Series A notes for Series B notes under the exchange offer, you will remain subject to the existing restrictions on transfer of the Series A notes. In general, you may offer or sell the Series A notes only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if the offer or sale is exempt from the registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the Series A notes under the Securities Act.

Accounting Treatment

We will record the Series B notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the Series A notes. This carrying value is the aggregate principal amount of the Series A notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer.

Other

Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

We may in the future seek to acquire untendered Series A notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any Series A notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered Series A notes.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Series B notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the Series B notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive Series A notes in a like principal amount. The form and terms of the Series B notes are identical in all respects to the form and terms of the Series A notes, except the Series B notes do not include certain transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, grant any registration rights or provide for payment of additional interest as liquidated damages. Series A notes surrendered in exchange for the Series B notes will be retired and cancelled and will not be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the Series B notes will not result in any change in our outstanding indebtedness.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our actual capitalization as of March 31, 2012. You should read this table in conjunction with other sections of this prospectus and any documents that are incorporated by reference, including our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

 

     As of
March 31,
2012
 

(In thousands, except per share data)

   Actual  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 452,615   
  

 

 

 

Debt:

  

Revolving credit facility due 2016

   $ —     

8.000% senior notes due 2017, net of original issue discount of $5,377(1)

     244,623   

5.875% senior notes due 2020

     375,000   

6.125% senior notes due 2014, net of original issue discount of $29(2)

     47,766   

1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026, net of original discount of $20,530(3)

     229,470   
  

 

 

 

Total debt

     896,859   
  

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

  

Preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —     

Common stock: $0.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, 35,296 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

     353   

Additional paid-in capital

     649,237   

Retained earnings

     429,380   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     301   
  

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,079,271   
  

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 1,976,130   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) $250 million aggregate principal amount.
(2) On April 30, 2012, the remaining 6.125% senior notes were redeemed.
(3) The notes initially bear interest at a fixed rate of 1.625% per year, declining to 1.375% beginning on November 15, 2013.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing fixed charges into earnings. For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as income from continuing operations plus fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest (whether expensed or capitalized) and amortization of debt expenses. The table below sets forth the calculation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

     Year ended December 31,    

Three
Months
Ended

March 31,

 
(In thousands, except for ratio data)    2007      2008      2009      2010      2011     2012  

Total interest cost:

                

Interest expense

   $ 21,299       $ 8,331       $ 21,024       $ 55,183       $ 59,649      $ 13,932   

Capitalized interest

     11,478         28,332         23,842         3,695         401        1,492   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest cost (fixed charges)

   $ 32,777       $ 36,663       $ 44,866       $ 58,878       $ 60,050      $ 15,424   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income (loss)

   $ 142,999       $ 180,181       $ 80,555       $ 57,918       $ (3,363   $ 10,180   

Interest expense

     21,299         8,331         21,024         55,183         59,649        13,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings

   $ 164,298       $ 188,512       $ 101,579       $ 113,101       $ 56,286      $ 24,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2)

     5.0x         5.1x         2.3x         1.9x         (3     1.6x   

 

(1) We retrospectively applied a new accounting rule set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board adopted effective January 1, 2009 regarding our 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026. This new requirement states that the liability and equity components of a convertible debt instrument that may be settled in cash upon conversion be accounted for separately so that an entity’s accounting will reflect additional non-cash interest expense to match the non-convertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods.
(2) During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $25.8 million related to ten single-hulled tank barges and six ocean-going tugs and a $0.9 million non-cash charge for the write-off of remaining goodwill associated with our Downstream segment. Excluding these non-cash charges, our ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.9x for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(3) Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1.0 for the year ended December 31, 2011. To achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1.0, we would have had to generate additional earnings of approximately $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

Long-Term Debt

1.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2026

On November 13, 2006, pursuant to the 1.625% indenture, we issued $250 million of 1.625% convertible notes. The 1.625% convertible notes bear interest at an annual rate of 1.625%, declining to 1.375% beginning on November 15, 2013, payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The 1.625% convertible notes mature on November 15, 2026, but on November 15, 2013, November 15, 2016 and November 15, 2021, holders of the 1.625% convertible notes may require us to purchase their notes for cash at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after November 15, 2013, the 1.625% convertible notes are redeemable at par (plus accrued and unpaid interest) by us at our option.

The 1.625% convertible notes are convertible into shares of our common stock based on the applicable conversion rate only under the following circumstances:

 

   

during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter), if the closing price of our shares of common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is more than 135% of the conversion price per share, which is $1,000 divided by the then applicable conversion rate;

 

   

prior to November 15, 2013, during the five business day period after a 10 consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 1.625% convertible notes for each day of that period was less than 95% of the product of the closing price for our shares of common stock for each day of that period and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of $1,000 principal amount of the 1.625% convertible notes;

 

   

if the 1.625% convertible notes have been called for redemption; or

 

   

upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions, as defined by the convertible note agreement.

The initial conversion rate of 20.6260 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which corresponds to a conversion price of approximately $48.48 per share, is based on the last reported sale price of our common shares on The New York Stock Exchange of $35.26 on November 7, 2006. As of June 4, 2012, our closing share price was $32.54.

In connection with the sale of the 1.625% convertible notes, we are a party to convertible note hedge transactions with respect to our common stock with Jefferies & Company, Inc., JPMorgan Chase and AIG-FP Structured Finance (Cayman) Limited, or the counterparties. Each of the convertible note hedge transactions involved the purchase of call options with exercise prices equal to the conversion price of the 1.625% convertible notes, and are intended to mitigate dilution to our stockholders upon the potential future conversion of the 1.625% convertible notes. Under the convertible note hedge transactions, the counterparties are required to deliver to us the number of shares of our common stock that we are obligated to deliver to the holders of the 1.625% convertible notes with respect to the conversion. The convertible note hedge transactions cover approximately the same number of shares of our common stock underlying the 1.625% convertible notes, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, at a strike price of approximately $48.48 per share of common stock. The convertible note hedge transactions expire at the close of trading on November 15, 2013, which is the date that the 1.625% convertible notes are first putable by the convertible noteholders, although the counterparties will have ongoing obligations with respect to 1.625% convertible notes properly converted on or prior to that date of which the counterparty has been timely notified.

We also entered into separate warrant transactions, whereby we sold to the counterparties warrants to acquire approximately the same number of shares of our common stock underlying the 1.625% convertible notes, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, at a strike price of $62.59 per share of common stock, which

 

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represented a 77.5% premium over the closing price of our shares of common stock on November 7, 2006. The warrants are exercisable over a period of 30 trading days beginning on February 13, 2014. If the counterparties exercise the warrants, we will have the option to settle in cash or shares of our common stock equal to the difference between the then market price and strike price. The convertible note hedge and warrant transactions are separate and legally distinct instruments that bind us and the counterparties and have no binding effect on the holders of the 1.625% convertible notes.

The 1.625% convertible notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and are general unsecured, senior obligations of ours, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, including any outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, our outstanding 8.000% notes and the notes, and senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness that may be incurred by us in the future.

If the holders of the 1.625% convertible notes exercise the conversion provisions of the 1.625% convertible notes, we may need to remit the principal balance of the 1.625% convertible notes to them in cash as discussed below. Upon conversion, a holder will receive, in lieu of common stock, an amount of cash equal to the lesser of (i) the principal amount of the convertible note, or (ii) the conversion value, determined in the manner set forth in the indenture governing the 1.625% convertible notes, of a number of shares equal to the conversion rate. If the conversion value exceeds the principal amount of the convertible note on the conversion date, we will also deliver, at our election, cash or common stock or a combination of cash and common stock with respect to the conversion value upon conversion. If conversion occurs in connection with a change of control, we may be required to deliver additional shares of our common stock by increasing the conversion rate with respect to such 1.625% convertible notes.

8.000% Senior Notes Due 2017

On August 17, 2009, pursuant to the 8.000% indenture, we issued $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.000% notes. The 8.000% notes mature on September 1, 2017 and require semi-annual interest payments at a fixed interest rate of 8.000% per year on March 1 and September 1 of each year until maturity. No principal payments are due until maturity.

The 8.000% notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with other existing and future senior indebtedness, including indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, our 1.625% convertible notes and the notes, and senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness that may be incurred by us in the future. The 8.000% notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. We may, at our option, redeem all or part of the 8.000% notes from time to time at specified redemption prices and subject to certain conditions required by the 8.000% indenture.

Series A Notes Due 2020

On March 16, 2012, we issued $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series A notes in a private placement. The Series A notes have substantially identical terms as the Series B notes described in “Description of Series B Notes,” except that the Series A notes have certain transfer restrictions under the Securities Act, registration rights and provide for payment of additional interest as liquidated damages.

Revolving Credit Facility

On November 2, 2011, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date, increase the borrowing base, decrease the interest rate and modify certain covenants. Under the amended facility, the maturity was extended to November 2, 2016. The borrowing base was increased from $250 million to $300 million and the revolving credit facility includes an accordion feature that allows, under certain conditions, for the expansion of the borrowing base up to an aggregate of $500 million, subject to additional lender commitments. As amended, the facility is secured by a mortgage on 23 new generation OSVs and associated personality.

 

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The revolving credit facility is available for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, additional newbuild and conversion programs and other capital expenditures. As of March 31, 2012, there were no outstanding balances under the revolving credit facility and $0.9 million posted in letters of credit, which results in $299.1 million of credit immediately available under such facility.

In addition, the amended facility allows us to use such facility as a funding source to re-pay our 1.625% convertible notes, provided that we maintain certain minimum liquidity levels as defined by the credit agreement. Additionally, if the 1.625% convertible notes remain outstanding on April 30, 2013, we are required to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level until after the redemption or refinancing of the 1.625% convertible notes.

With the revolving credit facility, we have the option of borrowing at a variable rate of interest equal to either (i) the greater of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5% of 1% or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR; plus in each case an applicable margin. The applicable margin for each base rate is determined by a pricing grid, which is based on our leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility, as amended. The applicable LIBOR margin for the amended revolving credit facility ranges from 200 to 300 basis points. Unused commitment fees are payable quarterly at the annual rate of 37.5 to 50.0 basis points of the unused portion of the borrowing base of the new revolving credit facility, based on the defined leverage ratio.

The credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility, the 8.000% indenture and the indenture governing the notes impose certain operating and financial restrictions on us. Such restrictions affect, and in many cases limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make capital expenditures, redeem equity, create liens, sell assets and make dividend or other restricted payments.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SERIES B NOTES

On March 16, 2012, we issued $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2020, or the Series A notes, under an indenture among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, or the Trustee, dated March 16, 2012, or the Indenture. We are offering to exchange up to $375,000,000 in principal amount of our 5.875% senior notes due 2020, or the Series B notes, for a like amount of our outstanding Series A notes in this Exchange Offer. The Series B notes will be identical to the Series A notes except that they will not have registration rights and will not be eligible for additional interest.

This description assumes that all outstanding Series A notes will be exchanged for Series B notes in the Exchange Offer. Except as the context otherwise requires, the term “notes” means all 5.875% senior notes due 2020 issued by us pursuant to the Indenture, including the outstanding Series A notes, the Series B notes and any additional notes that we may issue from time to time under the Indenture. The terms of the notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or Trust Indenture Act.

General

This “Description of Series B Notes” is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of notes and the Indenture. As this description is only a summary, you should refer to the Indenture for a complete description of the obligations of the Company and your rights.

For purposes of this description, references to the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., but not any of its subsidiaries. You will find the definitions of some of the other capitalized terms used in this description under the heading “—Certain Definitions.” Only registered holders of notes will have rights under the Indenture, and all references to “holders” in this “Description of Series B Notes” are to registered holders of notes.

The notes:

 

   

will be general unsecured obligations of the Company;

 

   

will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

   

will be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain circumstances may be represented by notes in certificated form;

 

   

will rank equally in right of payment to all existing and any future senior indebtedness of the Company, including our outstanding 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026, but are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness;

 

   

will rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of the Company; and

 

   

will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by certain Subsidiaries of the Company.

The Indenture covers $375.0 million of Series A notes and/or Series B notes. The Indenture also provides the Company the flexibility of issuing additional Series A notes or Series B notes in the future in an unlimited amount; however, any issuance of such additional notes would be subject to the covenant described in the first paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”

Any Series A notes that remain outstanding after the completion of the Exchange Offer, together with the Series B notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer and any additional notes issued in the future, will be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

 

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Initially, not all of the Company’s existing Subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. Furthermore, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees,” in the future one or more of its Subsidiaries may not guarantee the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor Subsidiaries, the non-guarantor Subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Company. The non-guarantor Subsidiaries have no outstanding Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness). Such non-guarantor Subsidiaries generated 1.0% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and held less than 2.0% of its consolidated assets as of December 31, 2011.

As of the date of the Indenture, all of the Company’s Subsidiaries will be “Restricted Subsidiaries.” However, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Future Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” the Company will be permitted to designate certain of its Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the Indenture. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

The notes will mature on April 1, 2020. Interest on the notes will:

 

   

accrue at the rate of 5.875% per annum;

 

   

accrue from the date of issuance or the most recent interest payment date;

 

   

be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1, commencing on October 1, 2012;

 

   

be payable to the holders of record on the March 15 and September 15 immediately preceding the related interest payment dates; and

 

   

be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes

If a holder has given wire transfer instructions to the paying agent, the Company will pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that holder’s notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on notes will be made at the office or agency of the paying agent within the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of holders.

Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes

The Trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. The Company may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

Transfer and Exchange

A holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the Indenture. The registrar and the Trustee may require a holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of notes. No service charge will be imposed by the Company, the Trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantees

The Company’s payment obligations under the notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”) by all of the Company’s current Significant Subsidiaries. In the future, certain Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company will be required to guarantee the notes under the circumstances described under “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.”

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are general unsecured obligations of such Guarantor, ranking equally in right of payment with all other current or future senior indebtedness of such Guarantor, including any borrowings under the Credit Facility, and senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness incurred by such Guarantor in the future. The Subsidiary Guarantees will be effectively subordinated, however, to all current and future secured obligations of the Guarantors, including any borrowings under the Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the assets collateralizing such obligations.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance and fraudulent transfer and similar laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

The Indenture provides that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all of substantially all of its assets in one or more related transactions to, another Person (other than the Company or another Guarantor), whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor, unless:

(1) the transaction results in the release of the Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the next succeeding paragraph;

(2) (a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if other than such Guarantor) executes a supplement to the Indenture assuming all of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee and delivers an Opinion of Counsel in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (c) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture.

The Indenture provides that, in the event of a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation) of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, or a sufficient amount of its Capital Stock so that the Guarantor no longer qualifies as a Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that such disposition does not violate the covenant described under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.” In addition, in the event the Board of Directors designates a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, then such Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, provided that such designation is conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture. All Subsidiary Guarantees will be released also upon Legal Defeasance as described below under the caption “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or upon satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as described below under the caption “—Satisfaction and Discharge.” Furthermore, a Subsidiary Guarantee of any Guarantor (other than a Significant Subsidiary) will be released upon the release or discharge of its guarantee of all other Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary, except a release or discharge by, or as a result of payment under, such guarantee, as described under “—Certain covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees”.

 

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Optional Redemption

At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may redeem the notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Make Whole Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

The notes are also redeemable at the Company’s option on or after April 1, 2016, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     102.938 %

2017

     101.469 %

2018 and thereafter

     100.000 %

Further, prior to April 1, 2015, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of notes originally issued at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, provided that

(a) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes originally issued remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and

(b) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of each such Qualified Equity Offering.

Selection and Notice

If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee considers fair and appropriate (or, in the case of notes in global form, the Trustee will select notes for redemption based on the method of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection); provided, however, that no notes of $2,000 or less may be redeemed in part.

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as described below under the caption “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as described below under the caption “—Satisfaction and Discharge”.

Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at our discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of a Qualified Equity Offering or other offering, be given prior to the completion of such offering.

If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption.

 

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Mandatory Redemption

Except as set forth below under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders,” the Company is not required to repurchase the notes or to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

Change of control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each holder’s notes at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of repurchase.

Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each holder of notes and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the date specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

On or before the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful,

(a) accept for payment all notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

(b) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions thereof so tendered and

(c) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company.

The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes (or, if all the notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided, however, that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction. In addition, the Company could enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that could affect the Company’s capital structure or the value of the notes, but that would not constitute a Change of Control. The occurrence of a Change of Control may result in a default under the Credit Facility and give the lenders thereunder the right to require the Company to repay all outstanding obligations thereunder. The Company’s ability to repurchase notes following a Change of Control may also be limited by the Company’s then existing financial resources.

The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with

 

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the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption of all outstanding notes has been given pursuant to the Indenture as described above under “—Optional Redemption,” unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

A “Change of Control” will be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(a) the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition (other than by merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,

(b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company,

(c) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation, but excluding the effect of any voting arrangement pursuant to any agreement among the Company and any stockholders of the Company as in effect on the Issue Date) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or

(d) the first day on which more than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors;

provided, however, that a transaction in which the Company becomes a Subsidiary of another Person (other than a Person that is an individual) shall not constitute a Change of Control if

(1) the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction “beneficially own” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company immediately following the consummation of such transaction and

(2) immediately following the consummation of such transaction, no “person” (as such term is defined above), other than such other Person (but including the holders of the Equity Interests of such other Person), “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined above), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company.

For purposes of this definition, a time charter of, bareboat charter or other contract for, marine vessels to customers in the ordinary course of business shall not be deemed to be a “lease” under clause (a) above.

Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors who

(a) was a member of the Board of Directors on the Issue Date or

(b) was nominated for election to the Board of Directors with the approval of, or whose election to the Board of Directors was ratified by, at least two-thirds of the directors who were members of the Board of Directors on the Issue Date or who were so elected to the Board of Directors thereafter.

The definition of Change of Control includes an event by which the Company sells, assigns, transfers, leases, conveys or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all”, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the Company to repurchase such notes as a result of a disposition of less than all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as whole, may be uncertain.

If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of

 

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Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of the notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

Asset sales. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (excluding for this purpose an Event of Loss) unless

(a) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in accordance with the definition of such term, the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and

(b) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date, on a cumulative basis, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided, however, that the amount of

(1) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or Equity Interests pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability,

(2) Liquid Securities, and

(3) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted within 180 days by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received)

shall each be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision.

Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (including, without limitation, an Event of Loss), the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds to

(a) to permanently repay Senior Debt or

(b) to acquire (including by way of a purchase or construction of assets or purchase of Capital Stock, merger, consolidation or otherwise) Productive Assets, provided that if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a binding agreement to acquire such Productive Assets within such 365-day period, but the consummation of the transactions under such agreement has not occurred within such 365-day period, and the agreement has not been terminated, then the 365-day period will be extended to 18 months to permit such consummation; provided, however, if such consummation does not occur, or such agreement is terminated within such 18-month period, then the Company may apply, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to apply, within 90 days after the end of the 18-month period or the effective date of such termination, whichever is earlier, such Net Proceeds as provided in clauses (a) and (b) of this paragraph, provided, further, that progress payments under contracts for the construction or conversion of vessels shall be deemed to be payments for the purchase of assets under this covenant.

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce outstanding revolving credit borrowings, including borrowings under the Credit Facility, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

 

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When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20 million, the Company will be required to make an offer to all holders of notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to repurchase, or to offer to repurchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to repurchase the maximum principal amount of notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding.

To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to repurchase, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to repurchase, the Trustee will select the notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of notes in global form, the Trustee will select notes for repurchase based on the method of DTC that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection). Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or suffer to exist any agreement (other than any agreement governing the Credit Facility) that would place any restriction of any kind (other than pursuant to law or regulation) on the ability of the Company to make an Asset Sale Offer. The agreement governing the Credit Facility may contain prohibitions of certain events, including events that would constitute a Change of Control or an Asset Sale. In addition, the exercise by the holders of notes of their right to require the Company to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale could cause a default under these other agreements, even if the Change of Control or Asset Sale itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchases on the Company. Finally, the Company’s ability to pay cash to the holders of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by the Company’s then existing financial resources.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of the notes as a result of an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sales provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

Certain Covenants

Restricted Payments. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,

(a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company);

(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

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(c) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, except a payment of interest or a payment of principal at Stated Maturity; or

(d) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the 2004 Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (b), (c), (d), (f), (g) and (h), but including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (a) and (e), of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of the following (the “Restricted Payments Basket”):

(A) 50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2004 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus

(B) subject to clause (b) of the next succeeding paragraph, 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds, and the fair market value of any property other than cash, received by the Company since January 1, 2004 from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or of Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company that have been converted into, or exchanged for, such Equity Interests (other than any such Equity Interests, Disqualified Stock or convertible debt securities sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or convertible debt securities that have been converted into, or exchanged for, Disqualified Stock), plus

(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the 2004 Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (1) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (2) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment, plus

(D) in the event that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, the lesser of (1) an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investments in such Subsidiary previously made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the date of such redesignation and (2) the amount of such Investments, plus

(E) $20 million.

As of December 31, 2011, after taking into account the effect of the provisions above, the amount of the Restricted Payments Basket approximated $664.0 million.

The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

(a) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at said date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

 

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(b) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, other Equity Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock), provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded from clause (3) (B) of the preceding paragraph;

(c) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(d) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries, and if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, to minority holders of the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution;

(e) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company held by any employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that the aggregate price paid for all such purchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $500,000 in any calendar year;

(f) the acquisition of Equity Interests by the Company in connection with the exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights by way of cashless exercise or in connection with the satisfaction of withholding tax obligations;

(g) in connection with an acquisition by the Company or by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the return to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting a portion of the purchase price consideration in settlement of indemnification claims; and

(h) the purchase by the Company of fractional shares of Equity Interests arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations or business combinations.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date that asset(s) or securities are proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment, except that the fair market value of any non-cash dividend made within 60 days after the date of declaration shall be determined as of such declaration date. The fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment will be determined in the manner contemplated by the definition of the term “fair market value,” and the results of such determination will be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment (other than a Restricted Payment permitted by clause (b), (c), (d), (f), (g) or (h) of the preceding paragraph), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this “Restricted Payments” covenant were computed.

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur” or an “incurrence”) any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Disqualified Stock; provided, however, that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness, and the Company may issue Disqualified Stock, in each case if the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is

 

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issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0 at the time such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued (such time being called the “Incurrence Time”), in each case as determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock had been issued or incurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

The preceding provisions will not apply to the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any of the following Indebtedness:

(a) Indebtedness under the Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (1) $350.0 million and (2) 20% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available;

(b) Existing Indebtedness;

(c) Hedging Obligations;

(d) Indebtedness represented by the Series A notes, the Series B notes or any Subsidiary Guarantees;

(e) intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that (1) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the obligee is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the notes and (2) if a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the obligee is neither the Company nor a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations of such Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and (2)(i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, shall be deemed to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as of the date such issuance, sale or other transfer is not permitted by this clause (e);

(f) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, including guarantees or obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed) or other forms of security or credit enhancement supporting performance obligations under service contracts, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(g) the guarantee by the Company of Indebtedness of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;

(h) Permitted Refinancing Debt incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund Indebtedness that was incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or clause (b), (d) or (h) of the second paragraph of this covenant; and

(i) Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness; and

(j) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount that, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (j) and then outstanding, will not exceed the greater of (1) $50 million and (2) 2.5% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available.

The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness which by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) is subordinated to any other Indebtedness of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) made expressly subordinate to the notes

 

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or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the same extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated pursuant to subordination provisions that are most favorable to the holders of any other Indebtedness of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness solely by virtue of being unsecured.

For purposes of determining compliance with this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (j) of the second paragraph, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph, of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this covenant, and such item of Indebtedness will be treated as having been incurred pursuant to such category. There will be no restrictions in the Indenture on the ability of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to incur Indebtedness or issue preferred stock.

Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or assume any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except Permitted Liens, to secure:

(a) any Indebtedness of the Company, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the notes are equally and ratably secured, until such time as such Indebtedness is no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens), or

(b) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, its Subsidiary Guarantee is equally and ratably secured, until such time as such Indebtedness is no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens);

provided, however, that if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Lien securing such Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be, with the same relative priority as such Indebtedness has with respect to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees.

The incurrence of secured Indebtedness by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is subject to further limitations on the incurrence of Indebtedness as described under “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to do any of the following:

(a) (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the priority of any preferred stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to pay dividends or make any other distributions on Capital Stock),

(b) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or

(c) transfer any of its assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) the Credit Facility or Existing Indebtedness, each as in effect on the Issue Date,

(2) the Indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees,

(3) applicable law,

 

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(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person or the assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred,

(5) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices,

(6) by reason of customary provisions restricting the transfer of copyrighted or patented materials consistent with industry practice,

(7) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the property so acquired,

(8) customary provisions in any agreement creating any Hedging Obligations permitted under the Indenture,

(9) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any Indebtedness referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (4) above, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced or

(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. The Company may not consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more related transactions to another Person unless

(a) the Company is the survivor or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made (the “Successor Company”) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,

(b) the Successor Company (if other than the Company) assumes all the obligations of the Company under the notes and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee,

(c) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists,

(d) except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, immediately after giving pro forma effect to the transaction as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either

(1) the Successor Company may incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” or

(2) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of the Successor Company is no less than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction;

provided, however, that this clause (d) shall no longer be effective if the Terminated Covenants terminate as described under “—Covenant Termination” below;

(e) if the Company is not the Successor Company in such transaction, each Guarantor (unless it is the Successor Company, in which case clause (b) above will apply) confirms by supplemental indenture in a

 

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form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that its Subsidiary Guarantee will apply to the Successor Company’s obligations in respect of the Indenture and the notes and that its Subsidiary Guarantee will continue to be in effect; and

(f) the Company or the Successor Company (if it is not the Company) delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the Indenture.

Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all”, there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the assets of the Company.

Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(a) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if there is no such comparable transaction, on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and

(b) the Company delivers to the Trustee

(1) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a) above and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors and

(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm that is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, qualified to render such opinion and is independent with respect to the Company, provided that such opinion will not be required with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving either (i) shipyard contracts that are awarded following a competitive bidding process and approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or (ii) an Affiliate in which an unrelated third person owns Voting Stock in excess of that owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

provided, however, that the following shall be deemed not to be Affiliate Transactions:

(A) any employment agreement or other employee compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(B) transactions between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(C) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture;

(D) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 outstanding at any one time;

 

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(E) indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by bylaw or statutory provisions;

(F) maintenance in the ordinary course of business of customary benefit programs or arrangements for officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including without limitation vacation plans, health and life insurance plans, deferred compensation plans, retirement or savings plans and similar plans;

(G) registration rights or similar agreements with officers, directors or significant shareholders of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(H) issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) by the Company; and

(I) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to directors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or any Affiliate.

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees. If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, after the Issue Date, acquires or creates another Significant Subsidiary or if any other Restricted Subsidiary becomes such, then such Significant Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by executing a supplement to the Indenture and delivering it to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; provided, however, this requirement shall not apply to a Significant Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary. If, after the Issue Date, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including a Foreign Subsidiary) that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Indebtedness of a Domestic Subsidiary, then that Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering it to the Trustee within ten Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed such Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the preceding, any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) shall be unconditionally released upon the release or discharge of its guarantee of all other Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary, except a release or discharge by, or as a result of payment under, such guarantee.

Conduct of Business. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in the conduct of any business other than the marine transportation and logistics business and such other businesses as are complementary or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

Reports. Whether or not the Company is required to do so by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company will file with the Commission within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and, within 15 days of filing, or attempting to file, the same with the Commission, furnish to the holders of the notes and the Trustee

(a) all quarterly and annual financial and other information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company’s certified independent accountants, and

(b) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

The public availability of such reports on either the Commission’s website or the Company’s website will be deemed to satisfy the Company’s obligations to furnish such reports.

If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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In addition, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the holders of the notes, prospective purchasers of the notes and securities analysts, upon their request, the information, if any, required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d) (4) under the Securities Act.

Future Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The preceding covenants (including calculation of financial ratios and the determination of limitations on the incurrence of Indebtedness) may be affected by the designation by the Company of any existing or future Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or by the redesignation by the Company of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default. For purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the time of such designation (except to the extent they qualify as Permitted Investments). All such outstanding Investments will be deemed to constitute Investments in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the net book value of such Investments at the time of such designation and (b) the fair market value of such Investments at the time of such designation. Such designation will only be permitted if such Restricted Payments would be permitted at such time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the Company may also redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if such redesignation complies with the requirements of the Indenture described in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”. If the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments calculated for purposes of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Restricted Payments” above includes an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this paragraph, then the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments will be reduced by the lesser of (a) an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investments previously made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) the amount of such Investments.

Any designation or redesignation pursuant to this covenant by the Board of Directors will be evidenced by the filing with the Trustee of a Board Resolution giving effect to such action and evidencing the valuation of any Investment relating thereto (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such action and valuation complied with the preceding requirements.

Covenant Termination

Once the notes have achieved an Investment Grade Rating and no Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders” and under the following headings under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:

 

   

“—Restricted Payments,”

 

   

“—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,”

 

   

“—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries,”

 

   

“—Transactions with Affiliates,”

 

   

“—Conduct of Business” and

 

   

“—Future Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.”

 

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(collectively, the “Terminated Covenants”) and any provisions of the notes inconsistent with the elimination of the Terminated Covenants; provided, however, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain subject to the provisions of the Indenture described above under the following headings under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:

 

   

“—Liens,”

 

   

“—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” (except to the extent set forth in that covenant),

 

   

“—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees” and

 

   

“—Reports.”

There can be no assurance that the notes will ever achieve or maintain an Investment Grade Rating.

Events of Default and Remedies

Each of the following constitutes an Event of Default:

(a) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the notes;

(b) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the notes;

(c) failure by the Company to comply with the provisions described under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders” or “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”

(d) failure by the Company for 60 days (or 120 days in the case of the “Reports” covenant) after notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the notes, provided that, with respect to the obligation to file certain reports within the time periods specified in the “Reports” covenant, it shall not be an Event of Default if such filing is made within 120 days after the end of such time period specified;

(e) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which default

(1) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”) or

(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and

(3) in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25 million or more and

provided, further, that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 10 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;

(f) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(g) failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Subsidiary Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee against a Guarantor for any reason other than as provided in the Indenture; and

(h) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.

 

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If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the preceding, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived. Holders of the notes may not enforce the Indenture or the notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from holders of the notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of premium or interest on the notes.

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of the notes may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the notes unless:

(1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the Trustee to pursue such remedy;

(3) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of indemnity; and

(5) holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

The Company will be required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company will be required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of the obligations of itself and the Guarantors discharged with respect to the outstanding notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”) except for

(a) the rights of holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of and premium and interest on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below,

 

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(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of transfer or exchange of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust,

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith and

(d) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events) described under “—Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance,

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and premium and interest on the outstanding notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the notes are being defeased to Stated Maturity or to a particular redemption date,

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit or the grant of Liens securing such borrowings) or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit,

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound,

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the holders of notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others and

(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

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If the Company exercises either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, any Liens securing the notes that were created pursuant to the requirements of the “Liens” covenant will be released.

Amendment and Waiver

Except as provided below, the Indenture or the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing non-payment default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the notes may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for notes).

Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver,

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”),

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note,

(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration),

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the notes,

(f) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of notes to receive payments of principal of or any premium or interest on the notes (except as permitted in clause (g) hereof),

(g) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”),

(h) alter the ranking of the notes relative to other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantee relative to other Indebtedness of the Guarantors, in either case in a manner adverse to the holders, or

(i) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes; to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder (provided that any change to conform the Indenture to this prospectus will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights); to secure the notes pursuant to the requirements of the “Liens” covenant; to add any additional Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture; or to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of any notes for or as an inducement to

 

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any consent, waiver or amendment of any terms or provisions of the Indenture or the notes, unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all holders of the notes which so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:

(a) either:

(1) all notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or

(2) all notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(c) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under the Indenture; and

(d) the Company has delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Concerning the Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, serves as trustee, registrar and paying agent under the Indenture. Such bank currently serves in the same capacities with respect to the Company’s 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026 and may serve as trustee under a subordinated and a senior debt indenture under the Company’s existing “shelf” registration statements. Such bank also serves as a lender and the administrative agent under the Credit Facility.

The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it be a creditor of the Company or any Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. In case an Event of Default occurs (which is not cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such

 

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provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Governing Law

The Indenture provides that it, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Additional Information

Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture without charge by contacting Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., 103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300, Covington, Louisiana 70433, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, telephone (985) 727-6802.

Book-entry, Delivery and Form

The notes will be issued in the form of a global note, or the Global Note. The Global Note will be:

 

   

deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and

 

   

registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a Direct Participant as described below.

Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its Direct or Indirect Participants, including, if applicable, those of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”), which may change from time to time.

The Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee in limited circumstances. Beneficial interests in the Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated notes only in limited circumstances. See “—Depository Procedures with Respect to Global Note—Transfers of Interests in Global Note for Certificated Notes.”

Depository Procedures with Respect to Global Note

DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Direct Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Direct Participants through electronic book-entry changes to accounts of the Direct Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other organizations such as the initial purchasers. Certain of such Direct Participants (or their representatives), together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial relationship with, a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Direct Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Direct Participants or the Indirect Participants.

DTC has also advised the Company that pursuant to procedures established by it,

(a) upon deposit of the Global Note, DTC will credit the accounts of Direct Participants designated by the initial purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global Note that have been allocated to them by the initial purchasers and

 

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(b) ownership of such interests in the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Direct Participants) or by the Direct Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respects to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Note).

Investors in the Global Note may hold their interests therein directly through DTC, if they are Direct Participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations that are Direct Participants in such system, including Euroclear or Clearstream. Euroclear Bank N.V./S.A. will act initially as depository for Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A. will act initially as depository for Clearstream (each a “Nominee” of Euroclear and Clearstream, respectively.). Therefore, they will each be recorded on DTC’s records as the holders of all ownership interests held by them on behalf of Euroclear and Clearstream, respectively. Euroclear and Clearstream must maintain on their own records the ownership interests, and transfers of ownership interests by and between, their own customers’ securities accounts. DTC will not maintain such records. All ownership interests in the Global Note, including those of customers’ securities accounts held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain persons take physical delivery in a definitive, certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Note to such persons may be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of its Direct Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and others, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.

Except as described in “—Transfers of Interests in Global Note for Certificated Notes” below, owners of interests in the Global Note will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive Certificated Notes and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.

DTC has also advised the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of interests in securities such as the Global Note (including principal and interest) held by it or its nominee, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Direct Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security such as the Global Note as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the Direct Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of the notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts for customers registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of the Direct Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or the Company. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be responsible or liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Global Note, and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of the Global Note for all purposes.

The Global Note will trade in DTC’s Same-day Funds Settlement System and, therefore, transfers between Direct Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in immediately available funds. Transfers between Indirect Participants (other than Indirect Participants who hold an interest in the notes through Euroclear or Clearstream) who hold an interest through a Direct Participant will be effected in accordance with the procedures of such Direct Participant but generally will settle in immediately available funds. Transfers between and among Indirect Participants who hold interests in the notes through Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

 

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Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers with respect to the Global Note between the Direct Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Indirect Participants who hold interests in the notes through Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected by Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s Nominee through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be; however, delivery of instructions relating to cross-market transactions must be made directly to Euorclear or Clearstream and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such systems. Indirect Participants who hold interests in the notes through Euroclear and Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s Nominees. Euroclear and Clearstream will, if the transaction meets their settlement requirements, deliver instructions to their respective Nominees to deliver or receive interests on Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s behalf in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and make or receive payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement applicable to DTC.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of an Indirect Participant who holds an interest in the notes through Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in the Global Note from a Direct Participant in DTC will be credited and any such crediting will be reported to Euroclear or Clearstream during the European business day for Euroclear or Clearstream immediately following the settlement date of DTC in New York. Although recorded in DTC’s accounting records as of DTC’s settlement date in New York, Euroclear and Clearstream customers will not have access to the cash amount credited to their accounts as a result of a sale of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note to a DTC Participant until the European business day for Euroclear and Clearstream immediately following DTC’s settlement date.

DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Noteholder only at the direction of one or more Direct Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Note are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Direct Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Indenture, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Note (without the direction of one or more of its Direct Participants) for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such Certificated Notes to its Direct Participants. See “—Transfer of Interests in the Global Note for Certificated Notes.”

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Note among Direct Participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility or liability for the performance by DTC, its Direct Participants or Indirect Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations, including maintaining, supervising or reviewing the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note.

Transfers of Interests in Global Note for Certificated Notes. The Global Note may be exchanged for definitive notes in registered, certificated form without interest coupons (“Certificated Notes”) if (a) DTC (1) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, or (b) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default and DTC notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note for Certificated Notes. In any such case, upon surrender by the Direct and Indirect Participants of their interests in such Global Note, Certificated Notes will be issued to each person that such Direct and Indirect Participants and DTC identify to the Trustee as being the beneficial owner of the related notes.

Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any beneficial interest in any Global Note will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by DTC on behalf of such Direct or Indirect Participants (in accordance with DTC’s customary procedures).

In all cases described herein, such Certificated Notes will bear the restrictive legend referred to in “Transfer restrictions”, unless the Company determines otherwise in compliance with the Indenture.

 

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Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be responsible or liable for any delay by the holder of any Global Note or DTC in identifying the beneficial owners of notes, and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of the Global Note or DTC for all purposes.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment. Payments in respect of the notes represented by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the holder of such Global Note. With respect to Certificated Notes, the Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in the manner indicated above under “—Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes.” The Company expects that secondary trading in the Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

The information in this section concerning DTC, Euorclear and Clearstream and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for its accuracy.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person (a) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) assumed in connection with acquisitions of assets from such Person. Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or the date of the related acquisition of assets from such Person.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means an “affiliate” of such Person, as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Asset Sale” means

(a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (a “disposition”) of any assets or rights (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and leaseback), excluding dispositions in the ordinary course of business (provided that the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and the provisions described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sales covenant),

(b) the issue or sale by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, and

(c) any Event of Loss,

whether, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, provided that such transaction or series of related transactions (1) involves assets or rights having a fair market value in excess of $10 million or (2) results in the payment of net proceeds (including insurance proceeds from an Event of Loss) in excess of $10 million. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this definition, the following transactions will be deemed not to be Asset Sales:

(A) a disposition of obsolete or excess equipment or other assets;

(B) a disposition of assets (including Equity Interests) by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(C) a disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(D) disposition of assets (including Equity Interests) that constitutes a Permitted Investment or Restricted Payment that is permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments;”

(E) any charter or lease of any equipment or other assets entered into in the ordinary course of business and with respect to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof is the lessor or Person granting the charter, except any such charter or lease that provides for the acquisition of such assets by the lessee during or at the end of the term thereof for an amount that is less than the fair market value thereof at the time the right to acquire such assets occurs; and

(F) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of equipment or other assets for equipment or other assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

The fair market value of any non-cash proceeds of a disposition of assets and of any assets referred to in the preceding clauses (E) and (F) of this definition shall be determined in the manner contemplated in the definition of the term “fair market value”, the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Issue Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

Capital Stock” means

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock,

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Cash Equivalents” means

(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition,

(b) certificates of deposit and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case with or issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development having capital and surplus in excess of $300 million and whose long-term debt securities are rated at least A3 by Moody’s and at least A- by S&P,

(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b) above,

 

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(d) commercial paper having a rating of at least P-1 from Moody’s or at least A-1 from S&P and in each case maturing within 270 days after the date of acquisition,

(e) deposits available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial bank not meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b) above, provided all deposits referred to in this clause (e) are made in the ordinary course of business and do not exceed $5 million in the aggregate at any one time, and

(f) money market mutual funds substantially all of the assets of which are of the type described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d).

Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, to the extent deducted or excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(a) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale,

(b) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(c) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and

(d) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period; provided, however, that the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to each of the following transactions as if each such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period:

(a) any incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, purchase or redemption by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings) subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event occurred for which the calculation of the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”);

(b) any acquisition that has been made by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or approved and expected to be consummated within 30 days of the Calculation Date, including, in each case, through a merger or consolidation, and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date;

(c) any delivery to, or acquisition by, such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any newly constructed vessel (or vessels), whether constructed by such Person or otherwise (including, but not limited to offshore supply vessels, offshore service vessels, multi-purpose support vessels, crewboats, fast supply vessels, anchor handling and towing supply vessels, tankers, tugs and tank barges), usable in the normal course of business of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, that is (or are) subject to a Qualified Services Contract; and

(d) any other transaction that may be given pro forma effect in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as in effect from time to time;

provided further, however, that (1) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded and (2) the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to discontinued operations, as

 

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determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Consolidated Interest Expense will not be obligations of the referent Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date. For purposes of clause (c) of this definition, the amount of Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to such vessel (or vessels) shall be calculated in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of such Person and shall include in the calculation of the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio the revenues to be earned pursuant to the Qualified Services Contract relating to such vessel (or vessels), taking into account, where applicable, only contractual minimum amounts, and the estimated expenses related thereto. Such estimated expenses shall be based on the expenses of the most nearly comparable vessel in such Person’s fleet or, if no such comparable vessel exists, then on the industry average for expenses of comparable vessels; provided, however, in determining the estimated expenses attributable to such new vessel (or vessels), the calculation shall give effect to the interest expense attributable to the incurrence, assumption or guarantee of any Indebtedness relating to the construction, delivery or acquisition of such new vessel (or vessels) in accordance with clause (a) of this definition. Notwithstanding the preceding, in any calculation of Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio based on the preceding clause (c), the pro forma inclusion of Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to such Qualified Services Contract for the four-quarter reference period shall be reduced by the actual Consolidated Cash Flow from such new vessel (or vessels) previously earned and accounted for in the actual results for the four-quarter reference period.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of

(a) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations but excluding (i) amortization of debt issuance costs and (ii) any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or original issue discount or other charges in connection with redeeming or otherwise retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity, to the extent that any of such nonrecurring charges constitutes consolidated interest expense) and

(b) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that

(a) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof,

(b) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders,

(c) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including, without limitation those resulting from the application of FASB ASC Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, shall be excluded and

(d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded.

 

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In addition, notwithstanding the preceding, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or original issue discount or other charges in connection with redeeming or otherwise retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the sum of the amounts that would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as the total assets of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and after deducting therefrom,

(a) to the extent otherwise included, unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, organization or development expenses and other intangible items and

(b) the aggregate amount of liabilities of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries which may be properly classified as current liabilities (including tax accrued as estimated), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Credit Facility” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2011 among certain Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Comerica Bank, DNB Bank ASA, Capital One, N.A., Whitney Bank and Amegy Bank N.A., as lenders, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, in each case as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, replaced, refinanced or restructured from time to time, whether by the same or any other agent or agents, lender or group of lenders, whether represented by one or more agreements and whether one or more Subsidiaries are added or removed as borrowers or guarantors thereunder or as parties thereto.

Customary Recourse Exceptions” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction, and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

Default” means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures (excluding any maturity as a result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the notes mature or are redeemed or retired in full; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof (or of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) have the right to require the issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock (or such security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) upon the occurrence of any of the events constituting an Asset Sale or a Change of Control shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provides that the issuer thereof will not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (or any such security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) pursuant to such provisions prior to compliance by the Company with the provisions of the Indenture described under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales,” as the case may be.

 

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Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,

(a) any damage to such asset that results in an insurance settlement with respect thereto on the basis of a total loss or a constructive or compromised total loss or

(b) the confiscation, condemnation or requisition of title to such asset by any government or instrumentality or agency thereof.

Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Facility) in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid, but shall not include any Indebtedness that is repaid with the proceeds of the Series A notes.

The term “fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or Investment, the fair market value of such asset or Investment at the time of the event requiring such determination, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, or, with respect to any asset or Investment in excess of $50 million (other than cash or Cash Equivalents), as determined by a reputable appraisal firm that is, in the judgment of the disinterested members of such Board of Directors, qualified to perform the task for which such firm has been engaged and independent with respect to the Company.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was not formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and that conducts substantially all of its operations outside the United States.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.

Guarantor” means each of:

(a) Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC, HOS-IV, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC and HOS Port, LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company;

(b) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture; and

(c) their respective successors and assigns,

in each case until such Guarantor ceases to be such in accordance with the Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under

(a) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements,

(b) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates and

(c) any foreign currency futures contract, option or similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in foreign currency rates,

in each case to the extent such obligations are incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person and not for speculative purposes.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of (1) borrowed money including, without limitation, any guarantee thereof, or (2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement

 

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agreements in respect thereof) or banker’s acceptances or representing Capital Lease Obligations or the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property, or representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any of the preceding indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that any accrued expense or trade payable of such Person shall not constitute Indebtedness. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be

(a) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness that does not require current payments of interest, and

(b) the principal amount thereof, in the case of any other Indebtedness (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder).

Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute or be deemed “Indebtedness”:

(i) any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness;

(ii) any obligations arising from agreements of a Person providing for indemnification, guarantees, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, contingent payment obligations based on a final financial statement or performance of acquired or disposed of assets or similar obligations (other than guarantees of Indebtedness), in each case, incurred or assumed by such Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets (including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise);

(iii) obligations with respect to letters of credit in support of trade obligations or incurred in connection with public liability insurance, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions and other social security benefits other than in respect of employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; and

(iv) repayment or reimbursement obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct payment liability or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other party to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment liability to such lender or other party shall, to the extent otherwise applicable, constitute Indebtedness.

Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who is not a QIB.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees by the referent Person of, and Liens on any assets of the referent Person securing, Indebtedness or other obligations of other Persons), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that the following shall not constitute Investments:

(a) extensions of trade credit or other advances to customers on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices or otherwise in the ordinary course of business,

 

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(b) Hedging Obligations and

(c) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business.

If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

Issue Date” means the first date on which the notes are issued under the Indenture.

Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an Equity Interest that constitutes a significant portion of the Equity Interests of such Person.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement) or any assignment (or agreement to assign) any right to income or profits from any asset by way of security.

Liquid Securities” means equity securities (1) of any master limited partnership or any other entity engaged principally in the business of providing marine transportation or logistics services (or any other business that is reasonably complementary or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), (2) that are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market and (3) as to which (a) the holder is not subject to any restrictions on sale or transfer (including any volume restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other restrictions imposed by the Securities Act to the extent such restrictions would prevent the sale of such securities within 365 days following the applicable Asset Sale), (b) a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale thereof is in effect, or (c) the Company or a Subsidiary is entitled to registration rights under the Securities Act.

Make Whole Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the excess, if any, of (1) the present value at such redemption date of (A) the redemption price of the Note at April 1, 2016 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above under the caption “—Optional Redemption”) and (B) all required interest payments due on the Note during the period from such redemption date through April 1, 2016 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points over (2) the principal amount of the Note, if greater.

The term “merger” includes a compulsory share exchange, a conversion of a corporation into another business entity and any other transaction having effects substantially similar to a merger under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however,

(a) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with

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(2) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and

(b) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss).

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of (without duplication)

(a) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, sales commissions, recording fees, title transfer fees, title insurance premiums, appraiser fees and costs incurred in connection with preparing such asset for sale) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof,

(b) taxes paid or estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements),

(c) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness (other than under the Credit Facility) secured by a Lien on the assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and

(d) any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such assets, until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness

(a) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries

(1) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or is otherwise directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), except with regard to Customary Recourse Exceptions or

(2) constitutes the lender,

(b) no default with respect to which (including any rights the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) the holders of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity and

(c) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Obligations” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.

Pari Passu Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales, Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries the terms of which require the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to apply such Net Proceeds to offer to repurchase such Indebtedness.

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness:

(a) of an acquired Person prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of having been acquired and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition; or

 

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(b) of a Person that was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in contemplation of such merger or consolidation,

provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto, either (1) the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test described under “—Certain covenants—Incurrence of indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock” or (2) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for the Company would be greater than the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

Permitted Investments” means

(a) any Investment in the Company (including, without limitation, any acquisition of the notes) or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

(b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents,

(c) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person if as a result of such Investment

(1) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or

(2) such Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

(d) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from

(1) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” or

(2) a disposition of assets that does not constitute an Asset Sale,

(e) Investments in a Person engaged principally in the business of providing marine transportation or logistics services or other businesses reasonably complementary or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, provided that the aggregate amount of all such Investments at any one time outstanding pursuant to this clause (e) in Persons that are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company shall not exceed the greater of

(1) $50.0 million and

(2) 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available,

(f) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of any debts owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or upon the foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, in each case as to any debt owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, that arose in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and

(g) any Investment in a Person to the extent that such Investment was made or entered into in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

Permitted Liens” means

(a) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (a) of the second paragraph of the covenant entitled “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”,

 

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(b) Liens in favor of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(c) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to its contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any property other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(d) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to its contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any other property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(e) Liens securing the performance of tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety, appeal, return-of-money or performance bonds, government contracts, insurance obligations or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, or Liens securing reimbursement undertakings respecting letters of credit supporting any such obligations,

(f) Liens securing Hedging Obligations,

(g) Liens existing on the Issue Date,

(h) Liens securing Non-Recourse Debt,

(i) any interest or title of a lessor under a Capital Lease Obligation or an operating lease,

(j) Liens arising by reason of deposits necessary to obtain standby letters of credit in the ordinary course of business,

(k) Liens on real or personal property or assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company thereof to secure Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of

(1) financing all or any part of the purchase price of such property or assets incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 120 days after, completion of the acquisition of such property or assets or

(2) financing all or any part of the cost of construction or improvement of any such property or assets,

provided that the amount of any such financing shall not exceed the amount expended in the acquisition of, or the construction or improvement of, such property or assets and such Liens shall not extend to any other property or assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than any accounts and contracts associated therewith, accessions thereto, and upgrades and proceeds thereof),

(l) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any Indebtedness referred to in clauses (c), (d), (g) and (k) above and in this clause (l),

(m) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that does not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding the greater of (1) $50 million and (2) 2.5% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available,

(n) Liens on assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that were substituted or exchanged as collateral for other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are referred to in any of the preceding clauses (c), (d) and (k) of this definition, provided that the fair market value of the substituted or exchanged assets substantially approximates, at the time of the substitution or exchange, the fair market value of the other assets so referred to,

(o) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceeding that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment has not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated has not expired,

(p) rights of banks to set off deposits against Indebtedness owed to said banks,

 

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(q) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries securing the Company’s or any such Restricted Subsidiary’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of any such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business,

(r) legal or equitable Liens deemed to exist by reason of negative pledge covenants and other covenants or undertakings of a like nature, and

(s) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that

(a) the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of, plus premium, if any, and accrued interest on, the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith),

(b) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded,

(c) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be, on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded and

(d) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;

provided, however, that a Restricted Subsidiary may guarantee Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company, whether or not such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; provided further, however, that if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the notes, such guarantee shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent.

Productive Assets” means

(a) Vessels or other assets (other than assets that would be classified as current assets in accordance with GAAP) of the kind used or usable by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the business of providing marine transportation or logistics services (or any other business that is reasonably complementary or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), or

(b) Interests in any Joint Venture engaged in such a business.

Qualified Equity Offering” means

(a) any sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company for cash pursuant to an underwritten offering registered under the Securities Act or

(b) any other sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company for cash,

 

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in each case so long as such sale does not result in a Change of Control.

Qualified Services Contract” means, with respect to any newly constructed or converted offshore supply vessel, offshore service vessel (including, without limitation, any crewboat, fast supply vessel, multi-purpose service vessel, and anchor-handling towing supply (AHTS) vessel), tug, double-hulled tank barge and double-hulled tanker delivered to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any such newly constructed or converted vessel constructed or converted for a third party and then acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries within 365 days of such vessel’s original delivery date, a contract that the Board of Directors of the Company, acting in good faith, designates as a “Qualified Services Contract” pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, which contract:

(a) provides for services to be performed by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries involving the use of such vessel or a charter (bareboat or otherwise) of such vessel by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case for a minimum period of at least one year; and

(b) provides for a fixed or minimum dayrate or fixed or minimum volume or freight rates (including, if applicable, lay time and demurrage) for such vessel.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Senior Debt” means

(a) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under the Credit Facility and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

(b) all Indebtedness under the notes, the 6.125% senior notes due 2014, 8.000% senior notes due 2017 and 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026, and any Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

(c) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of the indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(d) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (a) through (c).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

(1) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or

(2) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the indenture.

For the avoidance of doubt, “Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to its rating agency business.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

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Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person,

(a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof),

(b) any partnership (1) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (2) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) and

(c) any other Person whose results for financial reporting purposes are consolidated with those of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date in respect to the notes, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date, or if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 1, 2016; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 1, 2016 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

2004 Issue Date” means November 23, 2004, the initial date of issuance of the Company’s 6.125% senior notes due 2014.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution and any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary only to the extent that such Subsidiary at the time of such designation

(a) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt,

(b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding does not violate the terms of the Indenture described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Transactions with Affiliates,” and

(c) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation

(1) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or

(2) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” the Company shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if:

(A) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and

 

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(B) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Voting Stock” of a Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing

(a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying

(1) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by

(2) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by

(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person to the extent that

(a) all of the outstanding Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and Capital Stock held by other statutorily required minority shareholders) shall at the time be owned directly or indirectly by such Person or

(b) such Restricted Subsidiary is organized in a foreign jurisdiction and is required by the applicable laws and regulations of such foreign jurisdiction or its governmental agencies, authorities or state-owned businesses to be partially owned by the government of such foreign jurisdiction or individual or corporate citizens of such foreign jurisdiction in order for such Restricted Subsidiary to transact business in such foreign jurisdiction, provided that such Person, directly or indirectly, owns the remaining Capital Stock in such Restricted Subsidiary and, by contract or otherwise, controls the management and business of such Restricted Subsidiary to substantially the same extent as if such Restricted Subsidiary were a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230, PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE RELIED UPON, AND CANNOT BE RELIED UPON, BY HOLDERS OF NOTES FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH HOLDERS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”); (B) SUCH DISCUSSION IS WRITTEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN; AND (C) PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF NOTES SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.

The following discussion is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences relative to the exchange of the Series A notes for the Series B notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis for all potential tax effects. The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury Regulations, Internal Revenue Service rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, or may be subject to different interpretations, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different than discussed in the following discussion. Such consequences may adversely affect a holder of Series B notes. Some holders, including financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or persons who hold the notes as part of a hedge, conversion transaction, straddle or other risk reduction transaction may be subject to special rules not discussed below. The discussion does not consider the effect of any applicable foreign, state, local or other tax laws or estate or gift tax considerations.

The exchange of the Series A notes for the Series B notes pursuant to the exchange offer should not be a taxable event to the holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a holder should not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of a Series B note for a Series A note, and the holder should have the same basis and holding period in the Series B notes as it had in the Series A notes immediately before the exchange.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that you may transfer Series B notes issued under the exchange offer in exchange for the Series A notes if:

 

   

you acquire the Series B notes in the ordinary course of your business; and

 

   

you are not engaged in, do not intend to engage in and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of such Series B notes.

You may not participate in the exchange offer if you are:

 

   

our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; or

 

   

a broker-dealer that acquired outstanding notes directly from us.

Each broker-dealer that receives Series B notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Series B notes. To date, the staff of the Commission has taken the position that broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to transactions involving an exchange of securities such as this exchange offer, other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Series A notes, with the prospectus contained in this registration statement. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Series B notes received in exchange for Series A notes where such Series A notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of up to 180 days after the effective date of this registration statement or until such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Series A notes, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer as it may reasonably request for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until such date, all dealers effecting transactions in new Series B notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

If you wish to exchange Series B notes for your Series A notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described in “Exchange Offer-Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer” and “—Procedures for Tendering-Your Representations to Us” in this prospectus. As indicated in the letter of transmittal, you will be deemed to have made these representations by tendering your Series A notes in the exchange offer. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer who receives Series B notes for your own account in exchange for Series A notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge, in the same manner, that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale by you of such Series B notes.

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Series B notes by broker-dealers. Series B notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market:

 

   

in negotiated transactions;

 

   

through the writing of options on the new Series B notes or a combination of such methods of resale;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of resale; and

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.

Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Series B notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Series B notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Series B notes

 

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may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer other than agency fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of the notes and will indemnify the holders of the outstanding notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the legality of the Series B notes will be passed on for us by Winstead PC, Houston, Texas. R. Clyde Parker, Jr., a shareholder in Winstead PC, is a nonvoting, advisory director appointed by our board of directors, owns 105,100 shares of our common stock and has options to acquire 12,125 shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. appearing in Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20—Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Delaware General Corporation Law, under which we are incorporated, authorizes the indemnification of directors and officers under the circumstances described below. To the extent one of our present or former directors or officers is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described below, the Delaware General Corporation Law requires that such person be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. Article Eight of our Certificate of Incorporation requires indemnification of our directors and officers to the extent permitted by law. Section 6.10 of our Bylaws provides for, and sets forth the procedures for obtaining, such indemnification. These provisions may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, we maintain insurance which insures our directors and officers against certain liabilities.

The Delaware General Corporation Law gives us the power to indemnify each of our officers and directors against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding by reason of such person being or having been one of our directors, officers, employees or agents, or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at our request. To be entitled to such indemnification, such person must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interest and, if a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. The Delaware General Corporation Law also gives us the power to indemnify each of our officers and directors against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of such person being or having been one of our directors, officers, employees or agents, or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at our request, except that we may not indemnify such person with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person was adjudged to be liable to us in the absence of a determination by the court that, despite the adjudication of liability, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. To be entitled to such indemnification, such person must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interest.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. These agreements provide rights that are consistent with but more detailed than those provided under Delaware Law and our Bylaws. The indemnification agreements are not intended to deny or otherwise limit third-party derivative suits against us or our directors or officers, but if a director or officer is entitled to indemnity or contribution under the indemnification agreement, the financial burden of the third-party suit would be borne by us, and we would not benefit from derivative recoveries against the director or officer. Such recoveries would accrue to the benefit of us but would be offset by our obligations to the director of officer under the indemnification agreement.

 

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Item 21—Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

      

Description of Exhibit

  1.1      Underwriting Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2011 among Barclays Capital Inc., JP Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Global Hunter Securities, LLC, Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C., Pritchard Capital Partners LLC, Simmons and Company International, Capital One Southcoast, Inc., CIS Capital Markets LLC, Howard Weil Incorporated, IBERIA Capital Partners, L.L.C. and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2011).
  1.2      Purchase Agreement dated March 2, 2012 by and among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC, HOS-IV, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC and HOS Port, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2012).
  3.1      Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005).
  3.2      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 20, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated September 19, 2003, Registration No. 333-108943).
  3.3      Fourth Restated Bylaws of the Company adopted June 30, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).
  4.1      Specimen stock certificate for the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated March 25, 2004, Registration No. 001-32108).
  4.2      Rights Agreement dated as of June 18, 2003 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit A the Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the form of Right Certificate and as Exhibit C the form of Summary of Rights to Purchase Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2003).
  4.3      Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of March 5, 2004 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003).
  4.4      Second Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of September 3, 2004 by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services, LLC as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form 8-A/A filed September 3, 2004, Registration No. 001-32108).
  4.5      Indenture dated as of November 13, 2006 by and among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (including form of 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.6      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).

 

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  4.7      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc and Bear, Stearns International Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.8      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and AIG-FP Structured Finance (Cayman) Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.9      Indenture dated as of August 17, 2009 by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (as Trustee), including table of contents and cross-reference sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 18, 2009).
  4.10      Specimen 8% Series B Senior Note due 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated September 29, 2009, Registration No. 333-162197).
  4.11      Indenture, dated March 16, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., as issuer, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21, 2012).
  4.12      Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2012, among, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Well Fargo Securities, LLC, Comerica Securities, Inc., DNB Markets, Inc. and Capital One Southcoast, Inc., Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and the guarantors party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
March 21, 2012).
  4.13      First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (to the indenture governing the 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
  4.14      First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (to the indenture governing the 8.000% Senior Notes due 2017) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
*4.15      Specimen 144A Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020
*4.16      Specimen Regulation S Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020
*4.17      Specimen 5.875% Series B Senior Note due 2020
*5      Opinion of Winstead PC
10.1      Facilities Use Agreement effective January 1, 2006, and incorporated Indemnification Agreement and amendments thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006).
10.2      Director & Advisory Director Compensation Policy, effective January 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
10.3      Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan dated as of July 10, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 2007).

 

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10.4      Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective May 2, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2006).
10.5      Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective May 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.6      Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective June 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2010).
10.7      Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.8      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.9      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.10      Amendment to Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.11      Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.12      Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.13      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.14      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.15      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.16      Employment Agreement dated effective January 1, 2011 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011).
10.17      Change in Control Agreement dated effective August 5, 2008 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008).
10.18      Change in Control Agreement dated effective August 5, 2008 by and between John S. Cook and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008).

 

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10.19      Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.20      Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between John S. Cook and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.21      Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility dated effective September 27, 2006 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Comerica Bank, as syndication agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2006).
10.22      First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and Second Amendment to Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of November 4, 2009 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed November 6, 2009).
10.23      Second Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility dated as of March 14, 2011 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
10.24      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2011, by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011).
10.25      Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.26      Form of Executive Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.27      Form of Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.28      Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.29      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.30      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2008).
10.31      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.32      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009).
10.33      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009).

 

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  10.34
     Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010).
  10.35      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  10.36      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Bear, Stearns International Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  10.37      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and AIG-FP Structured Finance (Cayman) Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  10.38**      Vessel Construction Agreement dated November 14, 2011 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and VT Halter Marine, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.39      Form of Amended Appendix A to Employment Agreements for Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4s to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.40      Consulting Agreement dated February 14, 2012 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Larry D. Hornbeck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.41      Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2012 by HOS Port, LLC, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
*12      Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
*21      Subsidiaries of the Company.
*23.1      Consent of Winstead PC (contained in Exhibit 5)
*23.2      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
*24      Powers of Attorney (set forth on page S-1)
*25      Statement of Eligibility of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

 

* Filed herewith.
** Confidential treatment previously requested and granted with respect to certain portions, which portions were omitted and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Compensatory plan or arrangement under which executive officers or directors of the Company may participate.

 

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Item 22—Undertakings

(a) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the Registration Statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the Registration Statement or prospectus that was part of the Registration Statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(b) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of a Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake as follows: that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the undersigned undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

(d) The undersigned Registrants undertake that every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (c) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an

 

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amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 20 above, or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(f) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(g) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Covington, the State of Louisiana, on June 12, 2012.

 

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.

By:

 

/S/    TODD M. HORNBECK

  Todd M. Hornbeck
  President and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL THESE MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Todd M. Hornbeck and James O. Harp, Jr., and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 (b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    TODD M. HORNBECK

(Todd M. Hornbeck)

   Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer, and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  June 12, 2012

/s/    JAMES O. HARP, JR.

(James O. Harp, Jr.)

   Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer
  June 12, 2012

/s/    LARRY D. HORNBECK

(Larry D. Hornbeck)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    BRUCE W. HUNT

(Bruce W. Hunt)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    STEVEN W. KRABLIN

(Steven W. Krablin)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    PATRICIA B. MELCHER

(Patricia B. Melcher)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    KEVIN O. MEYERS

(Kevin O. Meyers)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    JOHN T. RYND

(John T. Rynd)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    Bernie W. Stewart

(Bernie W. Stewart)

   Director   June 12, 2012

/s/    NICHOLAS L. SWYKA, JR.

(Nicholas L. Swyka, Jr.)

   Director   June 12, 2012

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each of the registrants below has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Covington, the State of Louisiana, on June 12, 2012.

Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC

Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC

Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC

Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC

HOS-IV, LLC

Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC

HOS Port, LLC

 

By:

 

/s/    TODD M. HORNBECK

  Todd M. Hornbeck
  Sole Manager, President and
  Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons on behalf of each of the above-referenced registrants and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    TODD M. HORNBECK

(Todd M. Hornbeck)

   President, Chief Executive Officer, and
Sole Manager (Principal Executive
Officer)
  June 12, 2012

/s/    JAMES O. HARP, JR.

(James O. Harp, Jr.)

   Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
  June 12, 2012

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

      

Description of Exhibit

  1.1      Underwriting Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2011 among Barclays Capital Inc., JP Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Global Hunter Securities, LLC, Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C., Pritchard Capital Partners LLC, Simmons and Company International, Capital One Southcoast, Inc., CIS Capital Markets LLC, Howard Weil Incorporated, IBERIA Capital Partners, L.L.C. and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2011).
  1.2      Purchase Agreement dated March 2, 2012 by and among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC, HOS-IV, LLC, Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC and HOS Port, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2012).
  3.1      Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005).
  3.2      Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 20, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated September 19, 2003, Registration No. 333-108943).
  3.3      Fourth Restated Bylaws of the Company adopted June 30, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).
  4.1      Specimen stock certificate for the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated March 25, 2004, Registration No. 001-32108).
  4.2      Rights Agreement dated as of June 18, 2003 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent, which includes as Exhibit A the Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the form of Right Certificate and as Exhibit C the form of Summary of Rights to Purchase Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2003).
  4.3      Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of March 5, 2004 between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003).
  4.4      Second Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of September 3, 2004 by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services, LLC as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form 8-A/A filed September 3, 2004, Registration No. 001-32108).
  4.5      Indenture dated as of November 13, 2006 by and among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (including form of 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.6      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.7      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc and Bear, Stearns International Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).


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  4.8      Confirmation of OTC Warrant Confirmation dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and AIG-FP Structured Finance (Cayman) Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
  4.9      Indenture dated as of August 17, 2009 by and among the Company, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (as Trustee), including table of contents and cross-reference sheet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 18, 2009).
  4.10      Specimen 8% Series B Senior Note due 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated September 29, 2009, Registration No. 333-162197).
  4.11      Indenture, dated March 16, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., as issuer, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21, 2012).
  4.12      Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2012, among, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Well Fargo Securities, LLC, Comerica Securities, Inc., DNB Markets, Inc. and Capital One Southcoast, Inc., Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and the guarantors party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21, 2012).
  4.13      First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (to the indenture governing the 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
  4.14      First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2012 among Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (to the indenture governing the 8.000% Senior Notes due 2017) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
*4.15      Specimen 144A Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020
*4.16      Specimen Regulation S Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020
*4.17      Specimen 5.875% Series B Senior Note due 2020
*5      Opinion of Winstead PC
10.1      Facilities Use Agreement effective January 1, 2006, and incorporated Indemnification Agreement and amendments thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006).
10.2      Director & Advisory Director Compensation Policy, effective January 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
10.3      Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan dated as of July 10, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 2007).
10.4      Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective May 2, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2006).
10.5      Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective May 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.6      Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc Incentive Compensation Plan, dated effective June 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2010).


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10.7      Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.8      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.9      Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007).
10.10      Amendment to Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.11      Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.12      Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective May 12, 2008 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008).
10.13      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Senior Employment Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between Todd M. Hornbeck and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.14      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective
December 31, 2009 by and between Carl G. Annessa and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.15      Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between James O. Harp, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.16      Employment Agreement dated effective January 1, 2011 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011).
10.17      Change in Control Agreement dated effective August 5, 2008 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008).
10.18      Change in Control Agreement dated effective August 5, 2008 by and between John S. Cook and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008).
10.19      Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between Samuel A. Giberga and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.20      Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated effective December 31, 2009 by and between John S. Cook and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009).
10.21      Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility dated effective September 27, 2006 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Comerica Bank, as syndication agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2006).


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10.22      First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and Second Amendment to Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of November 4, 2009 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 6, 2009).
10.23      Second Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility dated as of March 14, 2011 by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
10.24      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2011, by and among the Company and two of its subsidiaries, Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC and Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, each of the lenders and guarantors signatory thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011).
10.25      Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.26      Form of Executive Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.27      Form of Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.28      Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
10.29      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.30      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.31      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008).
10.32      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009).
10.33      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Time Vesting) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009).
10.34      Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executive Officers (Performance Based) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010).
10.35      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
10.36      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Bear, Stearns International Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).
10.37      Confirmation of OTC Convertible Note Hedge dated as of November 7, 2006 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and AIG-FP Structured Finance (Cayman) Limited, as supplemented on November 9, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006).


Table of Contents
  10.38**      Vessel Construction Agreement dated November 14, 2011 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and VT Halter Marine, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.39      Form of Amended Appendix A to Employment Agreements for Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4s to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.40      Consulting Agreement dated February 14, 2012 by and between Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and Larry D. Hornbeck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011).
  10.41      Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2012 by HOS Port, LLC, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 2012).
*12      Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
*21      Subsidiaries of the Company.
*23.1      Consent of Winstead PC (contained in Exhibit 5)
*23.2      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
*24      Powers of Attorney (set forth on page S-1)
*25      Statement of Eligibility of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

* Filed herewith.
** Confidential treatment previously requested and granted with respect to certain portions, which portions were omitted and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Compensatory plan or arrangement under which executive officers or directors of the Company may participate.
Specimen 144A Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note

Exhibit 4.15

(Face of Note)

144A GLOBAL NOTE

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.

5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020

 

No. 000001    $372,985,000
   CUSIP NO. 440543AJ5

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of Three Hundred Seventy-Two Million Nine Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($372,985,000) or such other amount as may be endorsed on the Schedule of Exchanges of Notes attached hereto on April 1, 2020.

Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1

Record Dates: March 15 and September 15

 

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.
By:   /s/ James O. Harp, Jr.
Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication:This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By: /s/ Martin G. Reed                                                                                                  

      Authorized Signatory

Date of Authentication: March 16, 2012


(Back of Note)

5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

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THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), ONLY (ATO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (BPURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (CFOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERAS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (DPURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (ETO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTORWITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (FPURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D), (EOR (FTO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

 

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1. Interest. Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.875% per annum from March 16, 2012 until maturity, including if applicable, Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2012, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year of twelve 30 day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in New York, New York or, at the option of the Company, payments of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to a Paying Agent. Such payments shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The principal of the Notes shall be payable only upon surrender of any Note at the specified offices of any Paying Agent.

If the due date for payment of the principal in respect of any Note is not a Business Day at the place in which it is presented for payment, the Holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next succeeding Business Day at such place and shall not be entitled to any further interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Registrar and Paying Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in New York, New York, which on the date of the Indenture is located at 45 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10006. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

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4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 16, 2012 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§77aaa 77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date (as defined in the Indenture).

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Make Whole Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption.

(b) At any time on or after April 1, 2016, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     102.938

2017

     101.469

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

(c) Further, prior to April 1, 2015, the Company may redeem on any one or more occasions Notes representing up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, provided that (a) Notes representing at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (b) such redemption shall occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of each such Qualified Equity Offering.

(d) The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

 

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6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be required to repurchase the Notes or to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. PUT OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes, it is required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to purchase all or any portion (equal to minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall give notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20,000,000, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase, or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes in global form, the Trustee will select Notes for repurchase based on the method of the Depository that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection), in any case with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased). Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be

 

6


redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of a Qualified Equity Offering or other offering, be given prior to the completion of such offering.

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to secure the Notes, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder (provided that any change to conform the Indenture to the final offering memorandum of the Company relating to the Series A Notes will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights), to add any additional Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, or to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with any of the then applicable provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days (or 120 days in the case of any covenant or other agreement in Section 4.03 of the Indenture) after it receives written notice to observe or perform any other then applicable covenant or other agreement in the Indenture or the

 

7


Notes, subject to the proviso set forth in Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness, including any extension thereof (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates at least $25,000,000, and provided, further, that if such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid within a period of 10 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, an Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as said rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25,000,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Subsidiary Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee for any reason other than as provided in the Indenture; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by written notice, declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to a payment obligation on the Notes) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

13. DEFEASANCE. The Notes are subject to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance upon the terms and conditions specified in Article 8 of the Indenture.

14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

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15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or shareholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

18. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, certain Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of even date with the Indenture, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

19. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
(Insert Assignee’s Soc. Sec. or Tax I.D. no.)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
(Print or Type Assignee’s Name, Address and Zip Code.)
and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Date:                                                                              

Your Signature:                                                                                              

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature

Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

¨    Section 4.10    ¨    Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                                                                                  

Your Signature:                                                                                                                   

            (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification

No.:                                                             

Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

The following exchanges, redemptions, repurchases and transfers of interests of a part of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange, Etc.

   Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note
   Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note
   Principal Amount of
this Global Note
following such

decrease (or increase)
   Signature of authorized
signatory of Trustee

 

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NOTATION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

Subject to Section 10.06 of the Indenture, each Guarantor has jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company under the Notes or under the Indenture, that: (a) the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal of, and premium, if any, and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on, the Notes and all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture or under the Notes will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other payment Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under the Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Subsidiary Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors under the Indenture in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Company. The Guarantors have agreed that their Obligations under the Indenture shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, has waived diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Note Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor has agreed that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby has waived, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture. Each Guarantor further has agreed that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of

 

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acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees. The terms of Article 10 of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. The Subsidiary Guarantees are subject to release as and to the extent provided in Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Indenture.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and final payment of all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred in the Indenture upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

For purposes hereof, each Guarantor’s liability under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited in amount as provided in Section 10.06 of the Indenture.

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

ENERGY SERVICES PUERTO RICO, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRANSPORTATION, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE OPERATORS, LLC

HOS-IV, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, LLC

HOS PORT, LLC

By:  

/s/ James O. Harp, Jr.

Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

14

Specimen Regulation S Global 5.875% Series A Senior Note

Exhibit 4.16

(Face of Note)

REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.

5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020

 

No. 000002    $2,015,000
   CUSIP NO. U44070AD9

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of Two Million Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($2,015,000) or such other amount as may be endorsed on the Schedule of Exchanges of Notes attached hereto on April 1, 2020.

Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1

Record Dates: March 15 and September 15

 

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.
By:   /s/ James O. Harp, Jr.            
Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

By: /s/ Martin G. Reed                                             
      Authorized Signatory
Date of Authentication: March 16, 2012


(Back of Note)

5.875% Series A Senior Note due 2020

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

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THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S, ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (BPURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERAS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTORWITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

3


1. Interest. Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.875% per annum from March 16, 2012 until maturity, including if applicable, Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2012, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year of twelve 30 day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in New York, New York or, at the option of the Company, payments of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to a Paying Agent. Such payments shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The principal of the Notes shall be payable only upon surrender of any Note at the specified offices of any Paying Agent.

If the due date for payment of the principal in respect of any Note is not a Business Day at the place in which it is presented for payment, the Holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next succeeding Business Day at such place and shall not be entitled to any further interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.

 

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3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Registrar and Paying Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in New York, New York, which on the date of the Indenture is located at 45 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10006. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 16, 2012 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§77aaa 77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date (as defined in the Indenture).

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Make Whole Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption.

(b) At any time on or after April 1, 2016, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     102.938

2017

     101.469

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

(c) Further, prior to April 1, 2015, the Company may redeem on any one or more occasions Notes representing up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, provided that (a) Notes representing at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (b) such redemption shall occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of each such Qualified Equity Offering.

 

5


(d) The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be required to repurchase the Notes or to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. PUT OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes, it is required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to purchase all or any portion (equal to minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall give notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20,000,000, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase, or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes in global form, the Trustee will select Notes for repurchase based on the method of the Depository that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection), in any case with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased). Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

 

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8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of a Qualified Equity Offering or other offering, be given prior to the completion of such offering.

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to secure the Notes, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder (provided that any change to conform the Indenture to the final offering memorandum of the Company relating to the Series A Notes will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights), to add any additional Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, or to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with any of the then applicable provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days (or 120 days in the case of any covenant or other agreement in Section 4.03 of the Indenture) after it receives written notice to observe or perform any other then applicable covenant or other agreement in the Indenture or the Notes, subject to the proviso set forth in Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness, including any extension thereof (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates at least $25,000,000, and provided, further, that if such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid within a period of 10 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, an Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as said rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25,000,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Subsidiary Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee for any reason other than as provided in the Indenture; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by written notice, declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to a payment obligation on the Notes) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

8


13. DEFEASANCE. The Notes are subject to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance upon the terms and conditions specified in Article 8 of the Indenture.

14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or shareholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

18. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, certain Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of even date with the Indenture, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

19. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
(Insert Assignee’s Soc. Sec. or Tax I.D. no.)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
(Print or Type Assignee’s Name, Address and Zip Code.)
and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
 
Date:                                                                                  

Your Signature:                                                                                                                  

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature

Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

¨   Section 4.10    ¨    Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                                                                                              

Your Signature:                                                                                                                  

              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification

No.:                                                                                                                                                     

Signature

Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

The following exchanges, redemptions, repurchases and transfers of interests of a part of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange, Etc.

   Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note
   Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note
   Principal Amount of
this Global Note following
such decrease (or increase)
   Signature of authorized
signatory of Trustee

 

12


NOTATION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

Subject to Section 10.06 of the Indenture, each Guarantor has jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company under the Notes or under the Indenture, that: (a) the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal of, and premium, if any, and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on, the Notes and all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture or under the Notes will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other payment Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under the Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Subsidiary Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors under the Indenture in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Company. The Guarantors have agreed that their Obligations under the Indenture shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, has waived diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Note Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor has agreed that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby has waived, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture. Each Guarantor further has agreed that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of

 

13


acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees. The terms of Article 10 of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. The Subsidiary Guarantees are subject to release as and to the extent provided in Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Indenture.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and final payment of all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred in the Indenture upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

For purposes hereof, each Guarantor’s liability under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited in amount as provided in Section 10.06 of the Indenture.

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

ENERGY SERVICES PUERTO RICO, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRANSPORTATION, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE OPERATORS, LLC

HOS-IV, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, LLC

HOS PORT, LLC

By:   /s/ James O. Harp, Jr.
Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

14

Specimen 5.875% Series B Senior Note

Exhibit 4.17

GLOBAL NOTE

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.

5.875% Series B Senior Note due 2020

 

No. 000003     $_______________

CUSIP NO._______

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________ Dollars ($__________) or such other amount as may be endorsed on the Schedule of Exchanges of Notes attached hereto on April 1, 2020.

Interest Payment Dates:  April 1 and October 1

Record Dates:  March 15 and September 15

 

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, INC.
By:    
Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

1


TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Notes referred

to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Date of Authentication: ___________________________

 

2


(Back of Note)

5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

3


1.    Interest. Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.875% per annum from March 16, 2012 until maturity, including if applicable, Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2012, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year of twelve 30 day months.

2.    METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in New York, New York or, at the option of the Company, payments of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to a Paying Agent. Such payments shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The principal of the Notes shall be payable only upon surrender of any Note at the specified offices of any Paying Agent.

If the due date for payment of the principal in respect of any Note is not a Business Day at the place in which it is presented for payment, the Holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next succeeding Business Day at such place and shall not be entitled to any further interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.

3.    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Registrar and Paying Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in New York, New York, which on the date of the Indenture is located at 45 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10006. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

4


4.    INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 16, 2012 (“Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§77aaa 77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date (as defined in the Indenture).

5.    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a)    At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Make Whole Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption.

(b)    At any time on or after April 1, 2016, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2016

     102.938

2017

     101.469

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

(c)    Further, prior to April 1, 2015, the Company may redeem on any one or more occasions Notes representing up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, provided that (a) Notes representing at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Notes originally issued after the Issue Date but excluding any Series B Notes for purposes of calculating such amount) remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (b) such redemption shall occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of each such Qualified Equity Offering.

(d)    The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

 

5


6.    MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be required to repurchase the Notes or to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7.    PUT OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a)    If there is a Change of Control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes, it is required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to purchase all or any portion (equal to minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall give notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b)    If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20,000,000, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase, or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes in global form, the Trustee will select Notes for repurchase based on the method of the Depository that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection), in any case with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased). Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

8.    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a

 

6


redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of a Qualified Equity Offering or other offering, be given prior to the completion of such offering.

9.    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10.    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11.    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to secure the Notes, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder (provided that any change to conform the Indenture to the final offering memorandum of the Company relating to the Series A Notes will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights), to add any additional Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, or to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

12.    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with any of the then applicable provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days (or 120 days in the case of any covenant or other agreement in Section 4.03 of the Indenture) after it receives written notice to observe or perform any other then applicable covenant or other agreement in the Indenture or the Notes, subject to the

 

7


proviso set forth in Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness, including any extension thereof (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates at least $25,000,000, and provided, further, that if such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid within a period of 10 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, an Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as said rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25,000,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Subsidiary Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee for any reason other than as provided in the Indenture; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by written notice, declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to a payment obligation on the Notes) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

13.    DEFEASANCE. The Notes are subject to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance upon the terms and conditions specified in Article 8 of the Indenture.

 

8


14.    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

15.    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or shareholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

16.    AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

17.    ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

18.    ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, certain Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of even date with the Indenture, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

19.    CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Insert Assignee’s Soc. Sec. or Tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or Type Assignee’s Name, Address and Zip Code.)

and irrevocably appoint

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

Date: ______________________________

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:

¨        Section 4.10                                 ¨         Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $___________

Date: ______________________________

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification No.:

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution that is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (“SEMP”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, SEMP or MSP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

The following exchanges, redemptions, repurchases and transfers of interests of a part of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange, Etc.

  Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of
this Global Note
  Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of
this Global Note
  Principal Amount of
this Global Note
following such
decrease (or increase)
  Signature of authorized
signatory of Trustee

.

 

12


NOTATION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

Subject to Section 10.06 of the Indenture, each Guarantor has jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company under the Notes or under the Indenture, that: (a) the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal of, and premium, if any, and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on, the Notes and all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture or under the Notes will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other payment Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under the Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Subsidiary Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors under the Indenture in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Company. The Guarantors have agreed that their Obligations under the Indenture shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, has waived diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Note Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor has agreed that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby has waived, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture. Each Guarantor further has agreed that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as


provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees. The terms of Article 10 of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. The Subsidiary Guarantees are subject to release as and to the extent provided in Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Indenture.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and final payment of all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred in the Indenture upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

For purposes hereof, each Guarantor’s liability under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited in amount as provided in Section 10.06 of the Indenture.

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

ENERGY SERVICES PUERTO RICO, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRANSPORTATION, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE OPERATORS, LLC

HOS-IV, LLC

HORNBECK OFFSHORE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, LLC

HOS PORT, LLC

By:    
Name:   James O. Harp, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Opinion of Winstead PC

Exhibit 5

[WINSTEAD PC LETTERHEAD]

June 12, 2012

Board of Directors

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300

Covington, Louisiana 70433

Members of the Board of Directors:

We have acted as counsel to Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of (i) $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020 of the Company (the “Exchange Notes”) to be offered and issued by the Company under an Indenture dated as of March 16, 2012 by and among the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and (ii) the guarantees (the “Guarantees”) of certain subsidiaries of the Company listed in the Registration Statement as guarantors of the Exchange Notes (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).

We have examined the Indenture, the form of global Series B note issued under the Indenture and such statutes, corporate records and documents of the Company and of the Subsidiary Guarantors, certificates of corporate officials of the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of public officials and such other instruments and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the opinions expressed herein.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and other statements set forth herein, we are of the opinion that (i) upon issuance thereof in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Exchange Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (ii) the Guarantees of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will constitute valid and legally binding obligations, enforceable against the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

The opinions expressed above assume that the Exchange Notes issued under the Indenture have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture upon exchange for the 5.875% Series A Senior Notes due 2020 as provided for therein.

Except as otherwise stated below, the opinions expressed herein are based upon, and limited to, the laws of the states of Texas and New York and of the United States and the Delaware General Corporation Law. The reference and limitation to “Delaware General Corporation Law” includes the statutory provisions and all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws. We do not undertake to provide any opinion as to any matter or to advise any person with respect to any events or changes occurring subsequent to the date of this letter.


Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

June 12, 2012

Page 2

The opinions expressed in this letter are provided as legal opinions only and not as any guaranties or warranties of the matters discussed herein, and such opinions are strictly limited to the matters stated herein, and no other opinions may be implied.

We are aware that we are referred to under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent to such use of our name therein and the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ WINSTEAD PC

WINSTEAD PC

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing fixed charges into earnings. For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as income from continuing operations plus fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest (whether expensed or capitalized) and amortization of debt expenses. The table below sets forth the calculation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

     Year ended December 31,    

Three
Months
Ended

March 31,

 
(In thousands, except for ratio data)    2007      2008      2009      2010      2011     2012  

Total interest cost:

                

Interest expense

   $ 21,299       $ 8,331       $ 21,024       $ 55,183       $ 59,649      $ 13,932   

Capitalized interest

     11,478         28,332         23,842         3,695         401        1,492   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest cost (fixed charges)

   $ 32,777       $ 36,663       $ 44,866       $ 58,878       $ 60,050      $ 15,424   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income (loss)

   $ 142,999       $ 180,181       $ 80,555       $ 57,918       $ (3,363   $ 10,180   

Interest expense

     21,299         8,331         21,024         55,183         59,649        13,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings

   $ 164,298       $ 188,512       $ 101,579       $ 113,101       $ 56,286      $ 24,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2)

     5.0x         5.1x         2.3x         1.9x         (3     1.6x   

 

(1) We retrospectively applied a new accounting rule set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board adopted effective January 1, 2009 regarding our 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2026. This new requirement states that the liability and equity components of a convertible debt instrument that may be settled in cash upon conversion be accounted for separately so that an entity’s accounting will reflect additional non-cash interest expense to match the non-convertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods.
(2) During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $25.8 million related to ten single-hulled tank barges and six ocean-going tugs and a $0.9 million non-cash charge for the write-off of remaining goodwill associated with our Downstream segment. Excluding these non-cash charges, our ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.9x for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(3) Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1.0 for the year ended December 31, 2011. To achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1.0, we would have had to generate additional earnings of approximately $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Subsidiaries of the Company

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

 

Subsidiary Name

  

State or Country

of Incorporation

Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC

   Delaware

Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC

   Delaware

Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC

   Delaware

Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC

   Delaware

HOS-IV, LLC

   Delaware

Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC

   Delaware

HOS Port, LLC

   Delaware
<![CDATA[Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP]]>

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and the related Prospectus of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. for the registration of $375,000,000 of 5.875% Series B Senior Notes, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 29, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

June 12, 2012

Statement of Eligibility of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Exhibit 25

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or   (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)   Identification No.)
 
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota   57104
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   72-1375844
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

(Exact name of Additional Registrant as Specified in its Charter)(1)

   (State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
     I.R.S.  Employer
Identification
Number
 

Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Operators, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

Hornbeck Offshore Trinidad & Tobago, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

HOS-IV, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

Energy Services Puerto Rico, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

HOS Port, LLC

     Delaware         72-1375844   

 

103 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300  
Covington, Louisiana   70433
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

5.875% Series B Senior Notes due 2020

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.                 Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits.                 List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**
Exhibit 3.    See Exhibit 2
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.


* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784-06.
** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated March 3, 2004 of file number 022-28721.
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated May 26, 2005 of file number 333-125274.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 6th day of June, 2012.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Martin G. Reed
Martin G. Reed
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

June 6, 2012

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

Very truly yours,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Martin G. Reed
Martin G. Reed
Vice President


Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2012, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 17,216   

Interest-bearing balances

        49,902   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        0   

Available-for-sale securities

        204,705   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        834   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        24,346   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        28,995   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     710,355      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     15,934      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        694,421   

Trading Assets

        50,280   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,788   

Other real estate owned

        4,449   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        579   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        106   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,276   

Other intangible assets

        23,076   

Other assets

        53,844   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,181,817   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 852,986   

Noninterest-bearing

     223,944      

Interest-bearing

     629,042      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        66,906   

Noninterest-bearing

     2,118      

Interest-bearing

     64,788      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        10,453   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        11,665   


     Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

Trading liabilities

     20,434   

Other borrowed money

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     38,145   

Subordinated notes and debentures

     18,384   

Other liabilities

     37,006   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,055,979   

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0   

Common stock

     519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     99,458   

Retained earnings

     19,264   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     5,478   

Other equity capital components

     0   
  

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

     124,719   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     1,119   
  

 

 

 

Total equity capital

     125,838   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

   $ 1,181,817   
  

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Timothy J. Sloan

EVP & CFO    

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf

   Directors

Avid Modjtabai

  

Michael Loughlin