Tidewater, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides offshore supply vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of fleet of offshore marine service vessels. The company offers services to support various phases of offshore exploration, development, and production, including towing of and anchor handling of mobile drilling rigs and equipments; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; assisting in offshore construction activities; and various specialized services, such as pipe laying, cable laying, and three dimensional seismic work. In addition, it operates two shipyards in Houma, Louisiana, which construct, modify, and repair vessels. As of March 31, 2007, Tidewater operated a fleets of approximately 463 vessels, including 48 stacked vessels, 29 vessels withdrawn from service, and 13 vessels operated pursuant to joint venture or other agreements. It primarily operates in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, and areas offshore Australia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Trinidad, Venezuela, and West Africa. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.