(15)	ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

The company reviews the vessels in its active fleet for impairment whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. In such evaluation, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by an asset group are compared with the carrying amount of the asset group to determine if a write-down may be required. With respect to vessels that are expected to remain in active service, we group together for impairment testing purposes vessels with similar operating and marketing characteristics. We also subdivide our groupings of assets with similar operating and marketing characteristics between our older vessels and newer vessels.

The company estimates cash flows based upon historical data adjusted for the company’s best estimate of expected future market performance, which, in turn, is based on industry trends. If an asset group fails the undiscounted cash flow test, the company estimates the fair value of each asset group and compares such estimated fair value, considered Level 3, as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to the carrying value of each asset group in order to determine if impairment exists. If an asset group fails the undiscounted cash flow test, management derives the fair value of the asset group through making estimates of fair value for each vessel in the group, considering items such as age, vessel class supply and demand, and recent sales of similar vessels among other factors and for more significant vessel carrying values we may obtain third-party appraisals for use by management in determining a vessel’s fair value. If impairment exists, the carrying value of the asset group is reduced to its estimated fair value.

The primary estimates and assumptions used in reviewing active vessel groups for impairment and estimating undiscounted cash flows include utilization rates, average dayrates, and average daily operating expenses. These estimates are made based on recent actual trends in utilization, dayrates and operating costs and reflect management’s best estimate of expected market conditions during the period of future cash flows. These assumptions and estimates have changed considerably as market conditions have changed, and they are reasonably likely to continue to change as market conditions change in the future. Although the company believes its assumptions and estimates are reasonable, deviations from the assumptions and estimates could produce materially different results. Management estimates may vary considerably from actual outcomes due to future adverse market conditions or poor operating results that could result in the inability to recover the current carrying value of an asset group, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. As the company’s fleet continues to age, management closely monitors the estimates and assumptions used in the impairment analysis in order to properly identify evolving trends and changes in market conditions that could impact the results of the impairment evaluation.

In addition to the periodic review of its active long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances warrant, the company also performs a review of its stacked vessels not expected to return to active service every six months or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a vessel may not be recoverable. Management estimates the fair value of each vessel not expected to return to active service (considered Level 3, as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) by considering items such as the vessel’s age, length of time stacked, likelihood of a return to active service, actual recent sales of similar vessels, among others. For more significant vessel carrying values, we obtain an estimate of the fair value of the stacked vessel from third-party appraisers or brokers for use in our determination of fair value estimates. The company records an impairment charge when the carrying value of a stacked vessel not expected to return to active service exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimates of fair value of stacked vessels are also subject to significant variability, are sensitive to changes in market conditions, and are reasonably likely to change in the future.

Asset impairments recognized for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2015 increased $8.9 million and $53.7 million, respectively, from the same periods of fiscal 2015, primarily due to a decline in offshore support vessel values as a result of the decrease in the volume of oil and gas exploration, field development and production spending by our customers. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016 the company recognized impairments to the stacked vessel fleet of $15.2 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2016 the company recognized impairments to stacked vessels fleet of $55.5 million, a $3 million impairment to active vessels, a $2.4 million impairment related to a vessel under construction that is currently the subject of an arbitration proceeding in Brazil (so as to reduce the carrying value of this vessel to the amount that is covered by third party credit support) and, a $0.8 million impairment related to the cancellation of vessel construction contracts.

The below table summarizes the combined fair value of the assets that incurred impairments during the quarters and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, along with the amount of impairment.

	Quarter Ended				Nine Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
(In thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Amount of impairment incurred	$	15,141		6,236		61,771		8,096
Combined fair value of assets incurring impairment		90,010		3,914		244,310		4,634