Segments - Information Regarding Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 205,327	$ 143,319
Income (Loss) from Operations	14,094	(28,570)
Depreciation and Amortization	40,815	42,978
Total Assets	2,002,079		2,016,630
Domestic Offshore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	121,115	82,318
Income (Loss) from Operations	39,451	1,777
Depreciation and Amortization	18,953	18,018
Total Assets	907,325		980,973
International Offshore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	31,774	18,048
Income (Loss) from Operations	(12,169)	(20,849)
Depreciation and Amortization	10,020	12,341
Total Assets	696,094		649,565
Inland
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	4,348	4,333
Income (Loss) from Operations	(3,490)	(4,598)
Depreciation and Amortization	3,110	3,209
Total Assets	100,035		107,349
Domestic Liftboats
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	14,784	10,431
Income (Loss) from Operations	(99)	(2,322)
Depreciation and Amortization	3,658	3,787
Total Assets	69,809		74,824
International Liftboats
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	33,306	28,189
Income (Loss) from Operations	5,152	8,569
Depreciation and Amortization	4,352	4,990
Total Assets	192,417		147,823
All Segments Excluding Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	205,327	143,319
Income (Loss) from Operations	28,845	(17,423)
Depreciation and Amortization	40,093	42,345
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0
Income (Loss) from Operations	(14,751)	(11,147)
Depreciation and Amortization	722	633
Total Assets	$ 36,399		$ 56,096