<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000921549</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRICO MARINE SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TRMA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001318135</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Staehr Per Flemming</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TEE MANAGEMENT LIMITED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>WETHERBY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DERBY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>DE24 8HN</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No Securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Trevor Turbidy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
