EXHIBIT 10.1
31 JULY ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LEASING & CAPITAL, LLC
CANYON OFFSHORE LTD
====================================
LEASE WITH PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT
====================================
[FRESHFIELDS BRUCKHAUS ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LOGO]
CONTENTS
PAGE
----
1. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.......................................... 1
2. LEASE AGREEMENT............................................... 1
3. ACCEPTANCE.................................................... 2
4. TERM OF LEASE; RENTALS........................................ 2
5. NET LEASE; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES........................... 2
6. USE, MAINTENANCE, LOCATION.................................... 3
7. LOSS AND DAMAGE............................................... 4
8. INSURANCE..................................................... 4
9. INDEMNITIES................................................... 5
10. RETURN OF UNITS............................................... 6
11. END OF TERM PURCHASE.......................................... 6
12. EARLY TERMINATION............................................. 6
13. LESSEE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS......................... 7
14. PERSONAL PROPERTY............................................. 7
15. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.......................................... 7
16. ASSIGNMENT.................................................... 10
17. FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA...................................... 10
18. INSPECTION; NON-INTERFERENCE.................................. 11
19. OTHER CHARGES; APPLICATION.................................... 11
20. MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 11
21. COUNTERPARTS.................................................. 13
22. CONTRACT (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999................... 13
THIS LEASE WITH PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT is made on 31 July 2003
BETWEEN:
(1) BANC OF AMERICA LEASING & CAPITAL, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company having an office at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ (LESSOR); and
(2) CANYON OFFSHORE LTD (Company number SC210524) a company incorporated
under the laws of Scotland whose registered office is at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (LESSEE).
WHEREAS:
(A) The Lessor has agreed to purchase the Units from the Lessee pursuant to a
purchase agreement;
(B) The Lessor has agreed to hire the Units to the Lessee and the Lessee has
agreed to take the Units on hire from the Lessor in accordance with and subject
to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
1.1 Completion of the lease contemplated by this Agreement shall be conditional
upon the following conditions having been fulfilled:
(a) the ownership of the Units having been transferred from the Lessee to
the Lessor pursuant to a sale and purchase agreement of even date
herewith (the SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT);
(b) the Lessor having received evidence satisfactory to Lessor that Lessee
is taking the required steps to ensure due compliance with the
provisions of this Agreement as to insurance;
(c) the Lessor having received the following legal opinions, in each case
in satisfactory form and substance to the Lessor, acting reasonably:
(i) A legal opinion from Freshfields Bruckhaus ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, in
relation to the laws of England; and
(ii) A legal opinion in relation to the Lessee from Ledingham
Chalmers in relation to the laws of Scotland; and
(d) The Lessor having received guarantees, in a form acceptable to the
Lessor, from Cal Dive International, Inc. and Canyon Offshore, Inc.
guaranteeing the obligations of the Lessee under the Agreement.
2. LEASE AGREEMENT
2.1 Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Lessor shall lease to Lessee,
and Lessee shall lease from Lessor, the items of personal property (collectively
with all attachments and accessories thereto, the UNITS as defined below).
2.2 The Units, which have a cost to Lessor (LESSOR'S COST) in the aggregate of
$12,000,000, inclusive of taxes, shipping, installation and other related
expenses, if any (SOFT COSTS), are as follows:
LESSOR'S COST
(INCL. SOFT COSTS)
QUANTITY DESCRIPTION SERIAL NO. ($)
--------- ---------------------------- ------------ ------------------
1 Remote Controlled Vehicle Triton XLS-1 4,000,000
1 Technicorp-Coflexip Trencher T750-01 8,000,000
System
EQUIPMENT TOTAL: 12,000,000
PAYMENT TOTAL: 13,030,453.80
3. ACCEPTANCE
3.1 Lessee acknowledges and represents that the Units:
(a) have been delivered to and received and inspected by Lessee;
(b) are in good operating order, repair, condition and appearance;
(c) are of the manufacture, design and capacity selected by Lessee and are
suitable for the purposes for which the Units are leased, and are
acceptable and satisfactory to Lessee;
(d) do not require any additions or modifications to make them suitable for
use, other than ancillary modifications or additions normally made by
lessees of similar assets, and are available for use and lease by
Lessee and Lessor; and
(e) have been irrevocably accepted as "Units" leased by Lessee under this
Agreement.
4. TERM OF LEASE; RENTALS
4.1 The term of the Lease for any Unit is for a Base Term of sixty (60) months,
beginning on 1 August 2003 (the BASE DATE).
4.2 Base Rent shall be payable in arrears in sixty (60) consecutive
installments of $217,174.23 each.
5. NET LEASE; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
5.1 The lease consitituted by this Agreement (the LEASE) is a net lease. All
costs, expenses and other liabilities associated with the Units shall be borne
solely by Lessee.
5.2 Lessee's obligation to pay rent and all other obligations under the Lease
are absolute and unconditional, and not subject to any abatement, deferment,
reduction, withholding, setoff, defense, counterclaim or recoupment for any
reason whatsoever. To the extent that the Lessee may be required by law to make
any payment subject to the deduction or withholding tax it shall increase the
amount payable to ensure that the amount received by the Lessor is the amount
that the Lessor would have been entitled to receive had there been no such
Page 2
deduction or withholding. If the Lessee becomes obliged to pay any such
deduction or withholding, the Lessor shall in good faith take such action as may
be reasonable for it to take in order to avoid or limit the deduction or
withholding including, without limitation, transferring, at the cost of the
Lessee, its rights to receive amounts which are subject to that withholding or
deduction to any entity located in the United Kingdom.
5.3 The Lease shall not terminate, except as expressly provided herein, nor
shall the obligations of Lessee be affected, by reason of any defect or damage
to, or any destruction, loss, theft, forfeiture, governmental requisition or
obsolescence of any Unit, regardless of cause.
5.4 Lessee acknowledges that Lessor is not a merchant or manufacturer, or agent
of any such person, or engaged in the sale or distribution of the Units, and has
not made, and does not hereby make, any representation or warranty as to
merchantability, performance, condition, fitness or suitability for Lessee's
purpose of any of the Units, or make any other representation or warranty with
respect to the Units.
5.5 Lessor shall not be liable to the Lessee for, nor shall Lessee's
obligations under the Lease be affected by, any loss, claim, liability, cost,
damage or expense of any kind caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or
indirectly, by any Unit, or by any inadequacy of the Unit for any purpose, or by
any defect in, the use or maintenance of, any repairs, servicing or adjustments
of, or any interruption or loss of service or use of, any Unit, or any loss of
business, profits, consequential or other damage of any nature.
5.6 Lessor hereby transfers and assigns to Lessee, to the extent allowable by
law, for and during the lease term, a non-exclusive interest in the Unit
warranties, if any, of the manufacturer, and hereby authorizes Lessee, when
there exists no Event of Default, to enforce such warranties and to obtain at
its own expense the customary services furnished by the manufacturer in
connection with the Units.
6. USE, MAINTENANCE, LOCATION
USE
6.1 Lessee shall use, operate, protect and maintain the Units in good operating
order, repair, condition and appearance, and in compliance with all applicable
insurance policies, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and manufacturer's
recommended procedures, and shall maintain comprehensive records regarding the
Units.
6.2 The Units shall be used solely for commercial or business purposes, and not
for any consumer, personal, home, or family purpose, and shall not be abandoned.
Lessee shall not, through modifications, alterations or otherwise, impair the
value or originally intended function of any Unit without Lessor's prior
consent.
MAINTENANCE
6.3 Any replacement or substitution of parts, improvements, upgrades, or
additions to the Units made by Lessee shall become subject to the Lease and
title shall vest in Lessor, except that if no Event of Default exists, Lessee
may at its expense remove improvements or additions provided by Lessee that can
be readily removed without impairing the value and function of the Unit.
OWNERSHIP
Page 3
6.4 If requested by Lessor, Lessee shall cause each Unit to be plainly marked
to disclose Lessor's ownership, as specified by Lessor.
LOCATION
6.5 Except where the Units are in fact in use by Lessee in the ordinary course
of its business at other locations, the Units will be located at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (the LOCATION OFFICE).
6.6 Except as otherwise provided in clause 6.5, Lessee shall not change the
location or base of any Unit without Lessor's prior consent. Lessee shall notify
Lessor at least 30 days before changing the location of its registered office or
the Location Office.
7. LOSS AND DAMAGE
7.1 If any Unit suffers any occurance of, any damage to or loss, theft,
confiscation or destruction (a CASUALTY) on or after the Base Date, Lessee
shall, if the Casualty is damage that is reparable in the judgement of Lessor,
at its own expense promptly place the same in good repair, condition or working
order, and if the Unit is lost, stolen, confiscated, destroyed or damaged beyond
repair (TOTAL LOSS), on the rent payment date following such occurrence (or, if
none, within 30 days) pay Lessor the Balance Due therefor, together with all
other amounts owing under this Agreement with respect to the Unit. The BALANCE
DUE for each Unit is, after the Base Date the sum of:
(a) the present value, as of such payment date, of the entire unpaid
balance of all Base Rent for such Unit that would otherwise have
accrued under the Lease from such payment date to the end of its Base
Term; and
(b) the present value, as of such payment date, of the Purchase Amount
therefor as specified in clause 12, in the case of sub-clauses (a) and
(b), discounted at the implicit rate for the Lease reasonably
determined by Lessor,
Upon such payment:
(i) the Lease of such Unit shall terminate and Lessee thereupon
shall become entitled to possession of such Unit; and
(ii) Lessee shall become entitled to proceeds of insurance
maintained by Lessee.
If less than all Units suffer Total Loss, the remaining Base Rent shall be
reduced as reasonably calculated by Lessor and notified to Lessee.
8. INSURANCE
8.1 Lessee, at its own expense, shall keep each Unit insured against all risks
for the value of the Unit and in no event for less than the Balance Due for the
Unit, and shall maintain public liability insurance against such risks and for
such amounts as Lessor may require. All such insurance shall:
(a) be in such form and with such companies as Lessor shall approve;
(b) specify Lessor and Lessee as insureds; and
Page 4
(c) shall provide that such insurance may not be cancelled as to Lessor or
altered in any way that would affect the interest of Lessor without at
least 30 days' prior written notice to Lessor (10 days' in the case of
nonpayment of premium).
8.2 All insurance shall:
(a) be primary, without right of contribution from any other insurance
carried by Lessor;
(b) contain waiver of subrogation and "breach of warranty" provisions
satisfactory to Lessor;
(c) provide that all amounts payable by reason of loss or damage to the
Units shall be payable solely to Lessor, unless Lessor otherwise
agrees; and
(d) contain such other endorsements as Lessor may reasonably require.
Lessee shall provide Lessor with evidence satisfactory to Lessor of the
required insurance promptly upon any renewal of any required policy.
9. INDEMNITIES
9.1 Lessee shall indemnify Lessor, its successors and assigns and their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates (INDEMNIFIED
PERSONS) against all claims, liabilities, losses and expenses whatsoever
(except those directly and primarily caused by the Indemnified Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct), including reasonable attorneys' fees and
allocated costs of internal counsel, in any way relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Units or the Lease at any
time, or the ordering, acquisition, rejection, installation, possession,
maintenance, use, ownership, condition, destruction, return, or disposition of
the Units, including such matters based in negligence and strict liability in
tort, environmental liability, statutory liability, or infringement.
9.2 Lessee shall pay or reimburse Lessor and its successors and assigns on
demand for, and indemnify and hold harmless Lessor from, all taxes,
assessments, fees and other governmental charges paid or required to be paid by
Lessor or Lessee in any way arising out of or related to the Units or the
Lease, before, during or after the lease term, including foreign, Federal,
state, county, and municipal fees, taxes and assessments, and property,
value-added, sales, use, gross receipts, excise, stamp and documentary taxes,
and all related penalties, fines, additions to tax, and interest charges
(together, IMPOSITIONS), excluding only Federal and state taxes based on
Lessors net income, unless such taxes are in lieu of any Imposition Lessee
would otherwise be required to pay hereunder. Lessee shall timely pay any
Imposition for which Lessee is primarily responsible under law and any other
Imposition not payable or not paid by Lessor, but Lessee shall have no
obligation to pay any such Imposition that Lessee is contesting in good faith
and by appropriate legal proceedings, the nonpayment of which does not, in the
opinion of Lessor, result in a material risk of adverse effect on the title,
property, use, disposition or other rights of Lessor with respect to the Units.
Lessee shall furnish on Lessor's request proof of payment of any Imposition
paid by Lessee.
10. VAT
All sums set out in the Agreement shall be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT
chargeable on the supply or supplies for which such sums are the consideration
for VAT purposes.
Page 5
11. RETURN OF UNITS
11.1 Upon any termination or expiration of the lease term with respect to any
Unit (subject to any Lessee purchase of the Unit pursuant to clause 12), Lessee
shall, at its own expense, prepare and adequately protect the Unit for shipment
and either surrender it to Lessor in place or, if instructed by Lessor, ship the
Unit to Lessor, freight and insurance pre-paid, at a place reasonably designated
by Lessor, in the condition required under clause 6 hereof and able to be put
into immediate service and to perform at manufacturer's rated levels (if any),
together with all related manuals, documents and records.
11.2 If Lessee does not so surrender or return a Unit to Lessor in accordance
with clause 11.1 above, in addition to all other rights and remedies available,
at Lessor's election, such Unit shall continue to be subject to all the terms
and conditions of the Lease, with rent and other charges continuing to accrue
and be payable under the Lease with respect to such Unit until it is so
surrendered or returned to Lessor, except that Base Rent shall accrue, payable
on demand, at the rate of 150% of the rate applicable in the last period for
which Base Rent was payable.
12. END OF TERM PURCHASE
At the end of the original Base Term, or within 15 days thereafter, Lessee shall
purchase the Units "as is and where is", without representations or warranties
of any kind, express or implied, for the cash amount of one dollar ($1.00)
(PURCHASE AMOUNT).
13. EARLY TERMINATION
13.1 Upon any rent payment date relating to a Lease, and no less than 30 days'
irrevocable notice to Lessor, from and after the expiry of one-half of the
applicable Base Term, provided no Event of Default exists, Lessee shall have the
option to terminate the Lease with respect to all and not less than all Units
covered thereby by purchasing the Units "as is and where is" without warranties
or representations of any kind, express or implied, for a purchase price equal
to the Balance Due plus all other amounts owing with respect to the Units, plus
early termination charges in the amount set forth in clause 13.2 below. The
purchase price of the Units and any early termination charge shall be paid in
immediately available funds at the time of exercising such option.
13.2 Upon any termination of the Lease before the expiration of the Base Term,
due to the exercise of any early termination option, a Casualty or a default, in
addition to all other amounts to be paid by Lessee, Lessee shall pay Lessor:
(a) if termination occurs from and including the Base Date to and including
the first anniversary of the Base Date, an amount equal to 5% times the
Balance Due;
(b) if termination occurs from the day following the first anniversary of
the Base Date to and including the second anniversary of the Base Date,
an amount equal to 4% times the Balance Due;
(c) if termination occurs from the day following the second anniversary of
the Base Date to and including the third anniversary of the Base Date,
an amount equal to 3% times the Balance Due;
(d) if termination occurs from the day following the third anniversary of
the Base Date to and including the fourth anniversary of the Base Date,
an amount equal to 2% times the Balance Due; and
Page 6
(e) if termination occurs from the day following the fourth anniversary of
the Base Date to and including the date of expiration of the Base Term,
an amount equal to 1% times the Balance Due.
14. LESSEE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS.
14.1 Lessee represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(a) Lessee has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and all other documents contemplated hereby, which are,
or upon signing, will be, binding on Lessee and do not contravene any
other instrument or agreement to which Lessee is party.
(b) There has been no material adverse change in the operations, business,
properties or condition (financial or otherwise) (MATERIAL ADVERSE
CHANGE) of Lessee or any Guarantor since 31 March 2003. There is not
pending against Lessee any litigation, proceeding, dispute or claim
that may result in a Material Adverse Change as to Lessee or that may
call into question or impair Lessee's legal or other ability to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Lease.
(c) The operation and maintenance of any Unit in the ordinary course by
Lessee do not require the entry into any software or other intellectual
property rights agreement with any licensor or other person, except as
disclosed to Lessor in writing prior to the Base Date.
15. PERSONAL PROPERTY
15.1 The Units shall remain personal property at all times, notwithstanding the
manner in which they may be attached or affixed to realty, and title shall at
all times continue in Lessor. Lessee shall obtain and record such instruments
and take such steps as may be necessary:
(a) to prevent any person from acquiring any right or lien in or on any
Unit, whether by reason of such Unit being deemed to be attached to
real or other property, or otherwise; and
(b) to ensure Lessor's right of access to and removal of the Unit, in
accordance with the Lease.
16. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
16.1 Each of the following is an EVENT OF DEFAULT hereunder:
(a) Lessee fails to pay within ten days of the day when due any installment
of rent or other sum owing by Lessee under the Lease;
(b) Lessee fails to maintain insurance in respect of any Unit as required
herein, or sells, leases, subleases, assigns, conveys, encumbers, or
suffers to exist any lien or charge against, any Unit without Lessor's
prior consent or any Unit is subjected to levy, seizure or attachment;
(c) Lessee fails to perform and comply with any other covenant or
obligation under any other Lease, or any progress payment, assignment,
security or other agreement related to the Lease or Unit (together,
RELATED AGREEMENTS) and, if curable, such failure continues for 30 days
after written notice thereof by Lessor to Lessee;
Page 7
(d) any representation, warranty or other written statement made to Lessor
in connection with this Agreement, the Lease, Related Agreement, or any
guarantee, by Lessee or any person providing such guarantee
(GUARANTOR), including financial statements, proves to have been
incorrect in any material respect when made;
(e) Lessee:
(i) enters into any merger or consolidation with, or
sells or transfers all, substantially all or any
substantial portion of its assets to, or enters into
any partnership or joint venture other than in the
ordinary course of business with, any entity;
(ii) dissolves, liquidates or ceases or suspends the
conduct of business, or ceases to maintain its
existence; or
(iii) enters into or suffers any transaction or series of
transactions as a result of which Lessee is directly
or indirectly controlled by persons or entities not
affiliates of Lessee as of the date of this
Agreement;
(f) any of the following occurs in respect of the Lessee or a Guarantor:
(i) it is, or is deemed for the purposes of any law to
be, unable to pay its debts as they fall due or
insolvent;
(ii) a duly authorised officer of the Lessee or a
Guarantor, as the case may be, admits its inability
to pay its debts as they fall due;
(iii) the aggregate value of its assets is less than the
aggregate value of its liabilities (taking into
account its contingent and prospective liabilities);
(iv) it suspends making payments on any class of its debts
or a duly authorised officer of the Lessee or a
Guarantor, as the case may be, announces intention to
do so;
(v) by reason of its actual or anticipated financial
difficulties, it commences negotiations with one or
more classes of its creditors with a view to
rescheduling any of its indebtedness; or
(vi) a moratorium is declared by it or by any court in
respect of any of its indebtedness.
(g) any corporate action, legal proceedings or other formal procedure is
taken or commenced in relation to:
(i) the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any
indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration
or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement,
scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Lessee or
a Guarantor other than (A) in connection with a
solvent reconstruction, the terms of which have been
previously approved by the Lenders (such approval not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (B) in
respect of any petition or application for the
winding-up, administration, dissolution or any other
insolvency procedure where it is proved to the
satisfaction of the Lessor, acting reasonably, to be
frivolous and/or vexatious and which is being
Page 8
contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings by the Lessee or, as the case may be, a
Guarantor;
(ii) a composition, assignment or arrangement with any
creditor of the Lessee or a Guarantor;
(iii) the appointment of a liquidator, trustee in
bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager,
receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or
similar officer (in each case, whether out of court
or otherwise) in respect of the Lessee or a Guarantor
or any of its assets; or its respective assets other
than in the case of any such proposed or actual
appointment, which is proved to the satisfaction of
the Lessor, acting reasonably, to be frivolous and/or
vexatious and which is being contested in good faith
and by appropriate proceedings by the Lessee or, as
the case may be, a Guarantor; or
(iv) the enforcement of any security over any assets of
the Lessee or a Guarantor,
(h) any procedure or circumstance analogous to those in (f) and (g) above
is commenced or arises in any jurisdiction;
(i) any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution or
any analogous event affects any asset or assets of the Lessee or a
Guarantor provided that there shall be no Event of Default if it is
proved within fifteen (15) business days, to the satisfaction of the
Lessor, acting reasonably, that such process is frivolous and/or
vexatious and which is being contested in good faith and, if necessary,
by appropriate proceedings by the Lessee or, as the case may be, a
Guarantor;
(j) any payment default or other event of default occurs under any other
bilateral or multi-lateral lease, or credit, or other agreement or
instrument to which Lessee and Lessor or any affiliate of Lessor are
now or hereafter party, provided that any applicable grace period has
lapsed;
(k) any payment default or other event of default occurs under any other
lease, or credit, or other agreement or instrument or any combination
thereof to which Lessee is now or hereafter party and under which there
is outstanding (on a present value basis for all future rent in the
case of leases), owing or committed an aggregate amount greater than
$5,000,000;
(l) the repudiation of or breach or default under any guarantee relating to
the Agreement; or
(m) the occurrence of any event described in clauses (e), (j) or (k) of
this clause 16.1 with reference to "any Guarantor" in lieu of "Lessee".
16.2 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and in addition to all other
rights and remedies provided herein or under law, all of which rights and
remedies are cumulative and not exclusive, Lessor may:
(a) proceed by appropriate court action or actions, either at law or in
equity, to enforce performance by Lessee of the applicable covenants
under the Lease; and
(b) terminate the Lease, whereupon:
(i) Lessee's right to retain possession and use of the
Units shall cease;
Page 9
(ii) the aggregate Balance Due, together with all other
amounts owing under the Leases shall be immediately
due and payable; and
(iii) Lessor may pursue any and all remedies available to
it under applicable law.
(c) recover from Lessee all fees and costs of legal counsel reasonably and
properly incurred by the Lessor in any way relating to this Agreement,
the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Units and the Lease.
16.3 The exercise or partial exercise of, or failure to exercise, any remedy
shall not restrict Lessor from further exercise of that remedy or any other
remedy otherwise available. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lessee
waives any right to require Lessor to sell, release or otherwise use or dispose
of any Units or otherwise mitigate Lessor's damages, or that may otherwise limit
or modify any of Lessor's rights or remedies.
17. ASSIGNMENT
17.1 Lessor (and any subsequent assignee) may assign or transfer any or all of
Lessors interest in this Agreement, Unit or rentals therefrom without notice to
Lessee. Lessee agrees that the rights of any assignee shall not be affected by
any breach or default of Lessor or of any prior assignee. Lessee further agrees
that:
(a) no such assignee shall be required to assume any of the obligations of
Lessor under this Agreement except the obligation in respect of the
application of any insurance monies received by such assignee, as
provided above, and the obligation of noninterference as provided
below; and
(b) any assignee expressly assuming the obligations of Lessor shall
thereupon be responsible for Lessor's duties under this Agreement
accruing after any such assignment and Lessor shall be released from
such duties. Lessor may disclose to any potential or actual assignee or
transferee any information regarding Lessee, any Guarantor and their
affiliates.
17.2 Lessee shall not assign, pledge, hypothecate or in any way dispose of all
or any part of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, or enter into any
sublease of any Unit, without Lessor's prior consent.
18. FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
18.1 During the term of this Agreement Lessee shall:
(a) maintain books and records in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in its country of incorporation (GAAP) and
prudent business practice;
(b) promptly and in no event later than 120 days after each fiscal year end
furnish Lessor:
(i) annual audited financial statements of Cal Dive
International, Inc. together with an unqualified
opinion of an independent auditor;
(ii) annual accounts of Lessee,
each prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; and
Page 10
(c) at Lessor's request, furnish Lessor all other financial information and
reports reasonably requested by Lessor at any time, including quarterly
or other interim financial statements of Lessee and of any Guarantor.
18.2 Lessee shall furnish such other information as Lessor may reasonably
request at any time concerning Lessee, any Guarantor and their respective
affairs, or any Unit. Lessee shall promptly notify Lessor of any Event of
Default or event or circumstance which, with notice, lapse of time or both,
would be an Event of Default.
18.3 Lessee represents and warrants that all information furnished and to be
furnished by Lessee or any Guarantor to Lessor is accurate, and that all
financial statements Lessee or any Guarantor has furnished and hereafter may
furnish to Lessor reasonably reflect and will reflect, as of their respective
dates, results of the operations and the financial condition of Lessee, such
Guarantor or other entity they purport to cover.
18.4 Credit and other information regarding Lessee, any Guarantor or their
affiliates may be shared by Lessor with its affiliates and agents.
19. INSPECTION; NON-INTERFERENCE
19.1 Lessor, its agents and employees shall have the right to enter any property
where any Unit is located and inspect any Unit, together with its related books
and records, at any reasonable time. Such right shall not impose any obligation
on Lessor.
19.2 So long as no Event of Default exists, Lessor shall not, and each direct or
indirect assignee or transferee of Lessor agrees that it shall not, interfere
with the rights of use and enjoyment of the Units by Lessee.
20. OTHER CHARGES; APPLICATION
20.1 Lessee shall pay interest at the per annum rate equal to the lesser of:
(a) 7.5%; or
(b) the highest rate permitted by applicable law (DEFAULT RATE),
on any sum owing under the Lease and not paid when due.
20.2 Payments received under the Lease will be applied, first, to interest, fees
and other amounts owing, other than Base Rent, then to Base Rent.
21. MISCELLANEOUS
21.1 Lessee's indemnity and reimbursement obligations, including under clause 9,
shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
21.2 At Lessor's request, Lessee shall execute, deliver, file, and record such
agreements and instruments as Lessor shall deem necessary or advisable to
protect Lessor's interest in the Units and to effectuate the purposes of this
Agreement and the Related Agreements. Lessee hereby irrevocably appoints Lessor
as Lessee's agent and attorney-in-fact for Lessee, coupled with an interest to:
(a) execute, deliver, file, or record any such item, and to take such
action for Lessee and in Lessee's name, place and stead; and
Page 11
(b) enforce claims relating to the Units against insurers, vendors and
other persons, and to make, adjust, compromise, settle, and receive
payment under such claims; without any obligation to do so.
21.3 Time is of the essence.
21.4 The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement or any Related Agreement
shall not affect the force and effect of the remaining valid portions thereof.
The term "including" is not limiting. The term "affiliate" includes any entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the referent entity;
"control" includes the ownership of 25% or more of the voting stock of any
entity. The term "guarantee" includes any guarantee, surety instrument,
indemnity, "keep-well" agreement, or other instrument or arrangement providing
third party credit support to Lessor relating to this Agreement or Unit.
21.5 This Agreement, the Sale and Purchase Agreement, any approval letter by
Lessor in relation hereto and any replacement or successor letter thereto
(together, the APPROVAL LETTER) and the Related Agreements, constitute the
entire agreement between the parties with respect to the leasing of the Units.
Any amendment to such documents must be made in writing and signed by the
parties hereto or thereto. Such documents may be executed in one or more
counterparts.
21.6 All demands, notices, requests, consents, waivers and other communications
under the Agreement, the Approval Letter, or any Related Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or
three business days after being deposited in the mail, first class postage
prepaid, or the business day after delivery to an express carrier, charges
prepaid, or when sent by facsimile transmission (with electronic confirmation of
receipt), addressed to each party at the address or fax number set forth below
the signature of such party on the signature page, or at such other address or
fax number as may hereafter be furnished in writing by such party to the other.
21.7 To the extent specified in any Approval Letter, Lessee shall reimburse
Lessor upon demand for costs and expenses incurred by Lessor in connection with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Sale and Purchase Agreement
and the other documents contemplated hereby. Lessee shall reimburse Lessor on
demand for all costs and expenses, including fees and costs of legal counsel,
reasonably and properly incurred in connection with any amendment of this
Agreement, the Sale and Purchase Agreement and the other documents contemplated
hereby or related document requested by Lessee, or any waiver.
21.8 This Agreement is governed by English law.
21.9(a) for the benefit of the Lessor, the Lessee agrees that the courts of
England are (subject to paragraph (c)) to have exclusive jurisdiction
to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this
agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or
termination of this agreement and claims for set-off and counterclaim)
(a DISPUTE) and for such purposes the Lessee irrevocably submits to the
jurisdiction of the English courts.
(b) the parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate
and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no party will
argue to the contrary.
(c) this clause is for the benefit of the Lessor only. As a result, the
Lessor shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a
Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction, and the Lessee
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court.
Page 12
To the extent allowed by law, the Lessor may take concurrent
proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
(d) a judgment or order in connection with this agreement of any court
referred to in this clause is conclusive and binding on the Lessee and
may be enforced against it in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
22. COUNTERPARTS
22.1 This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be an original and together shall constitute one and the same document.
23. CONTRACT (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
23.1 A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right under the
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ to enforce any of its terms.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
Signed on behalf of BANC OF AMERICA LEASING & CAPITAL, LLC
By:
------------------------------------------------
Printed Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------------------------
Address for notices:
------------------------------
------------------------------
Fax:
------------------------------
Signed on behalf of CANYON OFFSHORE LTD
By:
------------------------------------------------
Printed Name:
--------------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------------------------
Address for notices:
------------------------------
------------------------------
Fax:
------------------------------
Page 13