GulfMark Offshore Reports Sharp Rise in Revenue and Net Income


HOUSTON, Nov. 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (Nasdaq:GMRK) today announced record net income for both the third quarter and the nine months ending September 30, 2006. Net income for the third quarter was $39.9 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, including a $6.6 million gain on the sale of a vessel. Quarterly revenue of $75.8 million reached an all time high, exceeding the level set in the prior quarter. Operating income for the third quarter of $44.4 million was also a new record. When compared to the second quarter of 2006, net income more than tripled while revenues increased over thirty percent. The improvements were directly related to improved day rates and increased vessel utilization in both the North Sea and Southeast Asia regions. The previously announced sale of the Highland Patriot, a vessel which had been operating in our Southeast Asia Region, contributed $0.32 per diluted share to the record results. Excluding the gain on the sale of the vessel, net income would have been $33.3 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, nearly 2.5 times the previous high set in the second quarter of 2006.

Comparing the 2006 third quarter results to the same quarter in 2005, when net income was $13.0 million or $0.63 per diluted share on revenue of $53.0 million, net income more than tripled and revenue increased forty-three percent. The $22.8 million increase in revenue in 2006 over the same quarter in 2005 was attributable to improvements in day rates of $18.2 million, utilization of $2.2 million, currency exchange of $1.8 million and the full quarter effect of our recent new builds of $1.9 million. Partially offsetting the rise in revenue was a decrease of $1.3 million related to the termination of the bareboat leased vessel at the beginning of 2006, and the vessel sale.

Bruce Streeter, President and COO, stated: "The outstanding quarterly performance is the direct result of being strategically positioned to take full advantage of a strong market and having been prepared for the anticipated seasonal impact. During the quarter, we had extremely high utilization and dry-docked only two vessels. We believed that we would have a very strong market during the quarter and completed as much of the dry-dock schedule as possible early in the year to increase the number of vessels available for the spot market during this active period. In the longer term perspective, we believe this quarter has demonstrated the significant increase in earnings power from our previous newbuilding program.

The gain on sale of the Highland Patriot is also noteworthy as it is indicative of the unrecognized value of our assets which we believe is frequently overlooked. It is important to appreciate that the quarter reflects the earnings potential of our growing fleet. To the extent we operate vessels in the short term or spot market, and as that market changes, margins on some vessels can change significantly as evidenced by the operating results this quarter. The timing of maintenance and resulting changes in utilization will also have an impact on our results in future quarters. Our view is that a large part of the future growth of GulfMark will come from our current new construction program as these vessels join the fleet. We believe the current and planned changes in our fleet will provide a better mix of equipment to meet the market opportunities in the future. All in all, this was a great quarter with a very satisfying result and we look forward to the balance of the year as well as 2007."

At September 30, 2006 GulfMark had working capital of $74.0 million, including $42.4 million in cash. The Company had total debt of $240.9 million, consisting of $159.5 million of senior notes, $80.9 million outstanding under the new credit facility and $0.5 million related to the Aker Joint Venture capital contribution for the construction of the second Aker PSV09 vessel.

GulfMark will hold a conference call to discuss the earnings with analysts, investors and other interested parties at 11:30 A.M. EST/10:30 A.M. CST on Thursday, November 2, 2006. Those interested in participating in the conference call should call 877/381-5943 (706/679-4543, if outside the U.S. and Canada) 5 minutes in advance of the start time and ask for the GulfMark 3rd Quarter Earnings conference. The conference call will also be available via audio web cast and podcast at http://www.investorcalendar.com. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available for 4 days, starting approximately 2 hours after the completion of the call, and can be accessed by dialing 800/642-1687 (international calls should use 706/645-9291) and entering access code 9729409.

GulfMark and its subsidiaries provide marine transportation services to the energy industry through a fleet of sixty (60) offshore support vessels, primarily in the North Sea, offshore Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: price of oil and gas and their effect on industry conditions; industry volatility; fluctuations in the size of the offshore marine vessel fleet in areas where GulfMark operates; changes in competitive factors; delay or cost overruns on construction projects and other material factors that are described from time to time in the GulfMark's filings with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Consequently, the forward-looking statements contained herein should not be regarded as representations that the projected outcomes can or will be achieved.



 Statement of Operations (unaudited)    
 -----------------------------------
                                      Three Months Ended
                         ---------------------------------------------
                         Sept. 30,         June 30,          Sept. 30,
                           2006              2006              2005
                         --------          --------          --------
 Revenues                $ 75,831          $ 58,433          $ 53,048
 Direct operating                                         
  expenses                 23,450            22,493            20,044
 Drydock expense            1,507             3,580             1,497
 Bareboat charter                                         
  expense                      --                --             1,056
 General and                                              
  administrative                                          
  expenses                  6,126             6,228             4,684
 Depreciation                                             
  expense                   7,033             7,355             7,260
 Gain on sale of                                          
  assets                   (6,640)               --                --
                         --------          --------          --------
  Operating Income         44,355            18,777            18,507
                                                          
 Interest expense          (3,797)           (4,134)           (4,657)
 Interest income              134               265                78
 Foreign currency                                         
  gain (loss) and                                         
  other                       373              (814)              162
                         --------          --------          --------
 Income before                                            
  income taxes             41,065            14,094            14,090
 Income tax                                               
  provision                (1,213)           (1,060)           (1,058)
                         --------          --------          --------
  NET INCOME             $ 39,852          $ 13,034          $ 13,032
                         ========          ========          ========
                                                          
 Earnings per share:
 -------------------
  Basic                  $   1.96          $   0.64          $   0.65
  Diluted                $   1.91          $   0.63          $   0.63
                                                          
 Weighted average                                         
  common shares            20,300            20,224            20,046
 Weighted average                                         
  diluted common                                          
  shares                   20,855            20,740            20,723
 


 Operating Statistics                      Three Months Ended
 --------------------          --------------------------------------- 
                                Sept. 30,        June 30,      Sept. 30,
                                  2006            2006          2005
                               ---------        -------       --------
 Revenues by Region (000's)
 -------------------------
  North Sea based fleet         $62,523         $45,806       $42,187
  Southeast Asia based                                    
   fleet                          7,741           6,100         4,613
  Americas based fleet            5,567           6,527         6,248
                                                          
 Rates Per Day Worked  
 --------------------                                   
  North Sea based fleet         $23,366         $17,977       $16,149
  Southeast Asia based                                    
   fleet                          7,094           6,260         5,808
  Americas based fleet           10,809          10,964        10,294
                                                          
 Overall Utilization  
 -------------------                                    
  North Sea based fleet            96.9%           93.7%         93.2%
  Southeast Asia based                                    
   fleet                           99.1%           92.7%         88.0%
  Americas based fleet             95.9%          100.0%         98.0%
                                                          
 Average Owned/Chartered                                  
   Vessels         
 ----------------------                                       
  North Sea based fleet            31.0            30.3          31.0
  Southeast Asia based                                    
   fleet                           11.9            11.7          10.0
  Americas based fleet              6.0             6.7           7.0
                                -------         -------       -------
   Total                           48.9            48.7          48.0
                                =======         =======       =======
                                                          
 Drydock Activity(a) 
 -------------------                                     
  North Sea based fleet               2               6             2
  Southeast Asia based                                    
   fleet                             --               2             2
  Americas based fleet               --              --             0
                                -------         -------       -------
   Total                              2               8             4
                                =======         =======       =======
                                                          
  Expenditures (000's)          $ 1,507         $ 3,580       $ 1,497
                                =======         =======       =======
                                                  


                        At October 26, 2006       At October 26, 2005
                       ---------------------    ---------------------
                        2006(c)      2007(d)     2005(c)      2006(d)
                       --------     --------    --------    ---------
 Forward Contract
  Cover(b)
 ----------------
  North Sea based
   fleet                 93%          64%          91%           60%
  Southeast Asia
   based fleet           92%          22%          77%            9%
  Americas based
   fleet                100%          86%         100%           93%
                       --------     --------    --------    ---------
    Total                93%          56%          89%           53%
                       ========     ========    ========    =========

 (a) Represents number of completed drydocks in period.
 (b) Forward contract cover represents number of days vessels are 
     under contract or option by customers divided by total calendar 
     days vessels are available for charter hire.
 (c) Represents remaining period (10/27-12/31).
 (d) Represents full year (1/1-12/31).




 Statement of Operations (unaudited)   
 -----------------------------------
                                            Nine Months Ended
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   September 30,         September 30,
                                       2006                   2005
                                    ----------             ----------
 Revenues                           $ 181,939             $  152,454
 Direct operating expenses             67,727                 60,236
 Drydock expense                        7,843                  6,656
 Bareboat charter expense                 --                   2,819
 General and administrative                             
  expenses                             18,255                 14,387
 Depreciation expense                  21,449                 21,714
 Gain on sale of assets                (6,640)                   --
                                    ----------             ----------
  Operating Income                     73,305                 46,642
                                                        
 Interest expense                     (12,229)               (14,190)
 Interest income                          564                    309
 Foreign currency loss and                              
  other                                    70                   (306)
                                    ----------             ----------
 Income before income taxes            61,710                 32,455
 Income tax provision                  (2,561)                (2,242)
                                    ----------             ----------
  NET INCOME                         $ 59,149               $ 30,213
                                    ==========             ==========
                                                        
 Earnings per share:                                    
 ------------------                                     
 Basic                                 $ 2.93                 $ 1.51
 Diluted                               $ 2.84                 $ 1.46
                                                        
 Weighted average common                                
  shares                               20,220                 20,028
 Weighted average diluted                               
  common shares                        20,841                 20,699



 Operating Statistics                       Nine Months Ended                     
 --------------------              ------------------------------------
                                   September 30,          September 30,
                                        2006                  2005
                                     ----------            ---------
 Revenues by Region (000's)
 --------------------------
  North Sea based fleet              $ 144,151             $ 121,116
  Southeast Asia based                                     
   fleet                                18,818                13,860
  Americas based fleet                  18,970                17,478
                                                           
 Rates Per Day Worked
 --------------------                                      
  North Sea based fleet               $ 18,829              $ 16,152
  Southeast Asia based                                     
   fleet                                 6,539                 5,742
  Americas based fleet                  11,046                11,614
                                                           
 Overall Utilization
 --------------------                                       
  North Sea based fleet                   94.2%                 91.4%
  Southeast Asia based                                     
   fleet                                  92.1%                 90.7%
  Americas based fleet                    98.3%                 95.7%
                                                           
 Average Owned/Chartered                                   
   Vessels            
 -----------------------                                       
  North Sea based fleet                   30.5                  30.8
  Southeast Asia based                                     
   fleet                                  11.5                  10.0
  Americas based fleet                     6.6                   5.9
                                     ----------            ---------
   Total                                  48.6                  46.7
                                     ==========            =========
                                                           
 Drydock Activity(a)  
 -------------------                                     
  North Sea based fleet                     12                    9
  Southeast Asia based                                     
   fleet                                     4                    2
  Americas based fleet                       1                    3
                                     ----------            -------- 
   Total                                    17                   14
                                     ==========            =========
  Expenditures  (000's)               $  7,843              $ 6,656
                                     ==========            =========
                                                   
 (a)Represents number of completed drydocks in period.




                                        As of               As of  
 Balance Sheet Data (unaudited)        Sept. 30,           Dec. 31,
  ($000)                                 2006                2005
 ------------------------------      -----------           ---------    
  Cash                                 $ 42,376            $ 24,190
  Working capital                        73,992              34,941
  Vessel and equipment, net             516,725             485,417
  Construction in Progress               37,587              25,029
  Total assets                          699,450             613,915
  Long term debt                        240,939             247,685
  Shareholders' equity                  412,365             320,096


                                   -------------        ------------- 
                                    Nine Months          Nine Months 
                                       Ended                Ended
 Cash Flow Data (unaudited)           Sept. 30,           Sept. 30,
  ($000)                                2006                 2005
 --------------------------        -------------        -------------
  Cash flow from operating          
   activities                          $ 55,587            $ 35,990
  Cash flow used in investing       
   activities                           (26,603)            (10,753)
  Cash flow used in financing       
   activities                           (14,589)            (25,012)


            

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