Trico Marine Services, Inc. Reports 2008 Second Quarter Results -- Includes Acquisition of DeepOcean and CTC Marine


HOUSTON, July 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Trico Marine Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRMA) (the "Company" or "Trico") today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2008, which includes the effect of the approximate $690 million acquisition of DeepOcean and CTC Marine. DeepOcean is among the world's largest providers of subsea services, including inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR), survey and light construction support. CTC Marine operates the world's largest fleet of marine trenching vehicles providing trenching, cable laying and subsea installation services. On a consolidated basis, giving effect only to the portion of the second quarter during which Trico owned DeepOcean and CTC Marine, the Company reported a quarterly net loss of $3.0 million, or $0.20 loss per share (diluted), after giving effect to non-cash charges totaling $4.0 million, net of taxes, or $0.27 earnings per share (diluted).

The second quarter net loss and loss per share included net pre-tax non-cash charges totaling $5.9 million as a result of accounting for the derivative component of the 6.5% convertible senior notes and a terminated DeepOcean foreign currency swap instrument. Net income without the effect of these charges would have been $1.0 million or $0.07 earnings per share (diluted). The table attached to this release sets forth our second quarter of 2008 financial results, including the charge discussed above, and provides a reconciliation of our adjusted net income to our net loss as recorded under U.S. GAAP.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Compofelice, commented, "DeepOcean and CTC Marine transform Trico into a technology-driven service-based company with over three quarters of our pro forma revenue mix coming from subsea and trenching services and approximately one quarter coming from our towing and supply division. Growth in the subsea services market for the foreseeable short and long-term future, I believe, is significant and sustainable. We currently have both a very substantial backlog at DeepOcean and CTC Marine, respectively, as well as 89% of our revenue stream in our towing and supply division under term contracts at good rates. The subsea services division, to continue to operate under the DeepOcean brand name, operates a fleet of 14 vessels with an average age of seven years. Our trenching division, to continue to operate under the CTC Marine brand name, operates a fleet of five vessels with an average age of five years. This is a meaningful change in our asset base."

During the second quarter, within the subsea services and trenching divisions, Trico signed new deepwater, subsea and trenching contracts at attractive rates, including one with StatoilHydro providing a new, 5-year agreement for IMR, and a 5-year contract for construction support for Pemex in Mexico. In addition, Trico took delivery of two new vessels during the quarter: the Edda Flora, a 95-meter, multipurpose DP II vessel built for IMR, ROV operations and light construction support, and the Volantis, a 107-meter multipurpose DP II vessel capable of trenching and ROV launch/recovery with a carousel for flex pipe and fiberoptic cable. The Edda Flora will commence work for StatoilHydro in the third quarter of 2008.

In the towing and supply division, late in the second quarter, Trico mobilized two AHTS vessels out of the weaker than anticipated spot market in the North Sea to term contracts: one at very attractive rates in Brazil and one at attractive rates with Gazflot in the Baltic Sea. Trico secured additional term contracts with StatoilHydro offshore Ireland for two more AHTS vessels. As a result, Trico's exposure to spot market rates in the North Sea has been reduced.

Summary Results

Other than the non-cash charges discussed above, the financial results for the second quarter are also impacted by the effect of converting DeepOcean and CTC Marine's financials to U.S. GAAP and purchase price adjustments related to the acquisition. Revenues for our towing and supply segment for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 were $54.6 million, a $2.2 million decrease compared to the first quarter of 2008, attributable to lower spot AHTS rates and utilization in the North Sea, partially offset by increased rates and utilization for our supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Operating costs, including classification and dry docking expenses, were in line with management's expectations for the quarter. For the period May 16, 2008 through June 30, 2008, revenues for our subsea services segment were $34.2 million. For that same period, revenues for our trenching segment were $15.5 million.

In July 2008 (through July 18, 2008), AHTS day rates averaged $36,241, an increase of 10% over average rates in the second quarter, with utilization increasing from 78% to 88%. PSV day rates averaged $17,168 with utilization of 98%, OSV day rates averaged $7,560 with utilization of 84%, and SPSV day rates averaged $21,766 with utilization of 80%. Our GOM OSV average day rate exceeded an average of $8,800 with over 98% utilization.

As of June 30, 2008, the Company had a total of $167 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and a total debt position of $908 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 24, 2008, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties. Individuals who wish to participate in the conference call should dial (888) 256-9128, access code 2395840, in the United States or (913) 312-1482, access code 2395840, from outside the country.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 7, 2008, starting approximately 1 hour after the completion of the call, and can be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112 access code 2395840 (international calls should use (719) 457-0820, access code 2395840).

About Trico Marine

Trico Marine is an integrated provider of subsea and trenching services and marine support vessels. Trico Marine recently increased its subsea market presence through its acquisition of DeepOcean, a recognized market leader in the provision of high quality subsea services including, IMR, survey and construction support, subsea intervention and decommissioning, marine trenching and the laying and burying of subsea cable. DeepOcean controls a well equipped fleet of 14 vessels and operates a fleet of modern ROVs and trenching equipment. Trico Marine also continues to provide a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry through use of its diversified fleet of vessels including the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment, and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities. Trico Marine is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has a global presence with operations in the North Sea, West Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asia as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information about Trico Marine Services, Inc. visit us on the web at www.tricomarine.com.

The Trico Marine Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5229

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be "forward looking statements." Actual events may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There are a number of important factors involving risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. A description of risks and uncertainties relating to Trico Marine Services, Inc. and its industry and other factors, which could affect the Company's results of operations or financial condition, are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Trico undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report.



                     Trico Marine Services, Inc.
                  Consolidated Statements of Income
                             (Unaudited)
          (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                         Three Months Ended June 30, 2008      Three
                      --------------------------------------   Months
                       Towing                                  Ended
                        and      Subsea                       March 31,
                       Supply   Services  Trenching   Total     2008
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

 Three Months Ended
  June 30, 2008
 ------------------
 Revenues             $ 54,585  $ 34,243  $ 15,464  $104,292  $ 59,175

 Operating expenses:
 Direct vessel
  expenses and subsea
  service costs         32,119    25,457    13,270    70,846    32,994
 General and
  administrative
  expenses              11,322     1,350     2,268    14,940    10,767
 Depreciation and
  amortization           6,549     4,564     2,960    14,073     6,747
 (Gain) loss on sale 
  of assets                 91        --        --        91    (2,837)
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Operating income
  (loss)                 4,504     2,872    (3,034)    4,342    11,504
                                                    --------  --------

 Interest income                                       3,271     1,578
 Interest expense, net
  of capitalized
  amounts                                             (6,176)     (223)
 Foreign exchange gain                                   309     1,267
 Other loss, net                                      (5,247)     (100)
                                                    --------  --------
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes and
  noncontrolling
  interest in
  consolidated
  subsidiary                                          (3,501)   14,026
 Income tax benefit                                     (859)    2,284
                                                    --------  --------
 Loss before
  noncontrolling
  interest in
  consolidated
  subsidiary                                          (2,642)   11,742
                                                    --------  --------
 Noncontrolling
  interest in (income)
  loss of consolidated
  subsidiary                                            (363)     (841)
                                                    --------  --------
 Net income (loss)                                  $ (3,005)   10,901
                                                    ========  ========

 Earnings Per Common
  Share
  Basic                                             $  (0.20) $   0.76
                                                    ========  ========
  Diluted                                           $  (0.20) $   0.73
                                                    ========  ========

 Average Shares Outstanding
  Basic                                               14,815    14,411
                                                    ========  ========
  Diluted                                             14,815    14,919
                                                    ========  ========

            TRICO MARINE SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Vessel Metrics
   (Dollars in thousands, except utilization and number of vessel
                              amounts)

                                 Three     Three      Six       Six
                                 Months    Months    months    months
                      Month of   ended     ended     ended     ended
                        July    June 30,  March 31, June 30,  June 30,
                        2008      2008      2008      2008      2007
                      --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Average Day Rates:

 Towing and Supply
  AHTSs(1)            $ 36,241  $ 32,983  $ 39,373  $ 36,345  $ 34,100
  PSVs                  17,168    17,486    17,959    17,721    18,164
  OSVs                   7,560     7,252     7,163     7,209     9,322
  Crew/Line              7,502     6,168     5,879     6,017     5,651




 Subsea
  SPSVs                 21,766    21,941    18,709    20,160    16,199

 Utilization:

 Towing and Supply
  AHTSs(1)                  88%       78%       87%       82%       83%
  PSVs                      98%       92%       91%       91%       93%
  OSVs                      84%       82%       77%       79%       72%
  Crew/Line                 58%       76%       54%       63%       79%

 Subsea
  SPSVs                     80%       77%       94%       85%       91%

 Average Number of
  Vessels:

 Towing and Supply
  AHTSs(1)                 6.0       6.0       6.0       6.0       6.0
  PSVs                     7.0       7.0       7.0       7.0       7.0
  OSVs                    38.0      38.0      38.2      38.1      39.2
  Crew/Line                4.0       4.6       7.0       5.8       7.5

 Subsea
  SPSVs                     5.0       5.0       5.0       5.0       5.0

 (1) Anchor handling, towing and supply vessels.


 The following table sets forth the Company's net loss for the second 
 quarter of 2008, including the non cash charges discussed in the 
 press release text included above, and provides a reconciliation of 
 the Company's adjusted net income to its net loss as recorded under 
 U.S. GAAP:

              (In thousands, except for per share data)

                                      Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                      --------------------------------
                                                    Diluted earnings
                                        Results     (loss) per share
                                        -------     ----------------

 Net loss, as reported                  $ (3,005)       $  (0.20)
 Adjustments:
  Impact of financial derivatives          5,877            0.40
  Tax effect                              (1,879)          (0.13)
                                        --------        --------
 Non-GAAP adjusted net income           $    993        $   0.07
                                        --------        --------


            

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