Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

4.Fair value measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy has been established by GAAP that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The accounting guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company held certain derivative contracts that it uses to manage foreign currency risk, commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for speculative or trading purposes. The fair values of these financial instruments are summarized as follows:

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	At June 30,2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Interest rate swap contracts	$	416	$	-	$	416	$	-
Foreign exchange contracts		137		-		137		-
Total assets measured at fair value	$	553	$	-	$	553	$	-
Liabilities
Fuel hedge contracts	$	1,695	$	-	$	1,695	$	-
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	At December 31, 2011		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fuel hedge contracts	$	449	$	-	$	449	$	-
Interest rate swap contracts		755		-		755		-
Foreign exchange contracts		155		-		155		-
Total assets measured at fair value	$	1,359	$	-	$	1,359	$	-

Interest rate swap contracts

In May 2009, the Company entered into two interest rate swap arrangements, which are effective through December 15, 2012, to swap a notional amount of $50 million from a fixed rate of 7.75% to a floating LIBOR-based rate in order to manage the interest rate paid with respect to the Company’s 7.75% senior subordinated notes. Although the senior subordinated notes were redeemed in January 2011, the swaps remain in place. The swaps are not accounted for as a hedge; therefore, the changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to interest expense in each reporting period.

The Company previously verified the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts using a quantitative model that contained both observable and unobservable inputs. The unobservable inputs related primarily to the implied LIBOR forward rate and the long-term nature of the contracts. As of December 31, 2011, the unobservable inputs began to be corroborated by observable market data and accordingly the Company transferred the swaps into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The change in Level 3 interest rate swap contracts during the comparable quarter of the prior year was as follows:

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	2011
Interest rate swap contracts
Balance at January 1,	$	1,264
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings		(568)
Settlements		445
Balance at June 30,	$	1,141
Balance at April 1,	$	1,299
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings		(603)
Settlements		445
Balance at June 30,	$	1,141

Foreign exchange contracts

The Company has exposure to foreign currencies that fluctuate in relation to the U.S. dollar. The Company periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge this risk. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had one outstanding contract related to the Brazilian Real. This foreign exchange contract is not accounted for as a hedge.

Fuel hedge contracts

The Company is exposed to certain market risks, primarily commodity price risk as it relates to the diesel fuel purchase requirements, which occur in the normal course of business. The Company enters into heating oil commodity swap contracts to hedge the risk that fluctuations in diesel fuel prices will have an adverse impact on cash flows associated with its domestic dredging contracts. The Company’s goal is to hedge approximately 80% of the fuel requirements for work in backlog.

As of June 30, 2012, the Company was party to various swap arrangements to hedge the price of a portion of its diesel fuel purchase requirements for work in its backlog to be performed through February 2013. As of June 30, 2012, there were 5.0 million gallons remaining on these contracts which represent approximately 80% of the Company’s forecasted fuel purchases through February 2013. Under these swap agreements, the Company will pay fixed prices ranging from $2.65 to $3.29 per gallon.

At each balance sheet date, unrealized gains and losses on fuel hedge contracts are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses realized upon settlement of fuel hedge contracts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as the fuel is utilized, as a reduction of fuel expense, which is a component of costs of contract revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

At June 30, 2012, the fair value liability of the fuel hedge contracts was estimated to be $1,695 and is recorded in accrued expenses. At December 31, 2011 the fair value asset of the fuel hedge contracts was estimated to be $449 and is recorded in other current assets. The loss reclassified to earnings from changes in fair value of derivatives, net of cash settlements and taxes, for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $263. The remaining gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at June 30, 2012 will be reclassified into earnings over the next eight months, corresponding to the period during which the hedged fuel is expected to be utilized. The fair values of fuel hedges are corroborated using inputs that are readily observable in public markets; therefore, the Company determines fair value of these fuel hedges using Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts, interest rate and fuel hedge contracts outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is as follows:

	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value at
		June 30,		December 31,
Asset derivatives:		2012		2011
Derivatives designated as hedges
Fuel hedge contracts	Other current assets	$	-	$	449
Derivatives not designated as hedges
Interest rate swaps	Other current assets		416		755
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		137		155
Total asset derivatives		$	553	$	1,359
Liability derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedges
Fuel hedge contracts	Accrued expenses	$	1,695	$	-

Other financial instruments

The carrying value of financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. In January 2011, the Company issued $250,000 of 7.375% senior notes due February 1, 2019, which were outstanding at June 30, 2012. The senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries that guarantee the senior notes. The fair value of the senior notes was $250,000 at June 30, 2012, which is a Level 1 fair value measurement as the senior notes value was obtained using quoted prices in active markets.