Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2024, by and among ATW Special Situations Management LLC, as collateral agent for the lenders under the Term Loan Agreement, Acquiom Agency Services LLC, as collateral agent for the lenders under the 2023 Term Loan Agreement, and Nauticus Robotics, Inc., and Nauticus Robotics Holdings, Inc., as grantors

EX-10.5 6 ea192745ex10-5_nauticus.htm PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 30, 2024, BY AND AMONG ATW SPECIAL SITUATIONS MANAGEMENT LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR THE LENDERS UNDER THE TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC

Exhibit 10.5

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of January 30, 2024

 

among

 

Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (f/k/a Cleantech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation

as Borrower,

 

and the Grantors from time to time party hereto,

 

ATW Special Situations Management LLC,

as the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties,

 

and

 

Acquiom Agency Services LLC

as the 2023 First Lien Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of January 30, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (f/k/a Cleantech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Grantors (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, ATW Special Situations Management LLC, as collateral agent for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors, designees and sub-agents, in such capacity, the “Credit Agreement Collateral Agent”), Acquiom Agency Services LLC, as collateral agent for the 2023 First Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “2023 First Lien Agent”).

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties) and the 2023 First Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the 2023 First Lien Secured Parties) agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

“2023 First Lien Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“2023 First Lien Agreement” mean that certain Senior Secured Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2023, among the Borrower, the other Grantors identified therein, the 2023 First Lien Agent and the other 2023 First Lien Secured Parties party thereto, as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“2023 First Lien Collateral Documents” means the 2023 First Lien Security Agreement, the other Security Documents (as defined in the 2023 First Lien Agreement) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the 2023 First Lien Agent for the purpose of securing any 2023 First Lien Obligations.

 

“2023 First Lien Debt Documents” means the 2023 First Lien Agreement, the 2023 First Lien Security Agreement and any security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing the Indebtedness thereunder, and the Liens securing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the 2023 First Lien Obligations.

 

“2023 First Lien Obligations” means the “Secured Obligations” as such term is defined in the 2023 First Lien Security Agreement.

 

“2023 First Lien Secured Parties” means the 2023 First Lien Agent and the holders of the 2023 First Lien Obligations issued pursuant to the 2023 First Lien Agreement.

 

“2023 First Lien Security Agreement” means the Pledge and Security agreement, dated as September 18, 2023, among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto, the 2023 First Lien Agent and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

 

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, as now or hereafter in effect.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors as now or hereafter in effect.

 

“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Collateral” means all assets and properties subject to any Lien created pursuant to any First Lien Collateral Document to secure one or more Series of First Lien Obligations.

 

“Collateral Agent” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and (ii) in the case of the 2023 First Lien Obligations, the 2023 First Lien Agent.

 

“Controlling Collateral Agent” means (i) until the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Collateral Agent Enforcement Date, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and (ii) from and after the earlier of (x) the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and (y) the Non-Controlling Collateral Agent Enforcement Date, the 2023 First Lien Agent.

 

“Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of First Lien Secured Parties whose Collateral Agent is the Controlling Collateral Agent for such Shared Collateral.

 

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Senior Secured Term Loan Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, among Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (f/k/a Cleantech Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation, as the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Credit Agreement Collateral Agent” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof.

 

“Credit Agreement Collateral Documents” means the Credit Agreement Security Agreement, the other Security Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent for the purpose of securing any Credit Agreement Obligations.

 

“Credit Agreement Loan Documents” means the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents and the other “Transaction Documents” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

“Credit Agreement Obligations” means the “Secured Obligations” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement Security Agreement).

 

“Credit Agreement Secured Parties” means the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent and the holders of the Credit Agreement Obligations issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

 

“Credit Agreement Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as even date herewith, among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto and Credit Agreement Collateral Agent.

 

“DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

 

“DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

 

“DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

 

“Discharge” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of First Lien Obligations, the date on which such Series of First Lien Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Series. The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

“Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” (or other similarly defined term) as defined in any First Lien Debt Document.

 

“First Lien Debt Documents” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement and (ii) the 2023 First Lien Debt Documents.

 

“First Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations and (ii) 2023 First Lien Obligations.

 

“First Lien Collateral Documents” means (i) the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents and (ii) the 2023 First Lien Collateral Documents.

 

“First Lien Secured Parties” means (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and (ii) the 2023 First Lien Secured Parties.

 

“Grantors” means Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that has granted a security interest to any First Lien Secured Party pursuant to any First Lien Debt Document (including any Subsidiary which becomes a party to this Agreement as contemplated by Section 5.16). The Grantors other than the Borrower existing on the date hereof are set forth in Annex I hereto. From and after the date hereof additional Grantors may become a party hereto pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Grantors and the Controlling Collateral Agent.

 

“Impairment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03.

 

“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

 

(1) any case or proceeding commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

 

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge, trust (deemed or statutory) or security interest in, on or of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.

 

“Non-Controlling Collateral Agent” means, at any time, with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Collateral Agent that is not the Controlling Collateral Agent at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

“Non-Controlling Collateral Agent Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Collateral Agent, the date which is 150 days after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the 2023 First Lien Debt Document under which such Non-Controlling Collateral Agent is the Collateral Agent) and (ii) the Controlling Collateral Agent’s and each other Collateral Agent’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Collateral Agent certifying that (x) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the 2023 First Lien Debt Document under which such Non-Controlling Collateral Agent is the Collateral Agent) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the First Lien Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Collateral Agent is the Collateral Agent are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable First Lien Debt Document; provided that the Non-Controlling Collateral Agent Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or any portion thereof or (2) at any time the Grantor that has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral or any portion thereof is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

“Non-Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the First Lien Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

“Pledged or Controlled Collateral” means any Shared Collateral in the possession or control of a Collateral Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession or control thereof or of any account in which such Shared Collateral is held perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction. Pledged or Controlled Collateral includes, without limitation, any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments and Chattel Paper or any Deposit Account, commodities account or securities account, in each case, delivered to or in the possession or control of the Collateral Agent under the terms of the First Lien Debt Documents.

 

“Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

“Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

 

“Series” means (a) with respect to the First Lien Secured Parties, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in their capacities as such) and (ii) the 2023 First Lien Secured Parties (in their capacities as such) and (b) with respect to any First Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations and (ii) the 2023 First Lien Obligations.

 

 

“Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series of First Lien Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of First Lien Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of First Lien Obligations (or their Collateral Agents) hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of First Lien Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

 

“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, priority or remedies.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and, with respect to any statute or regulation, all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, replacing or interpreting such statute or regulation, (ii) any reference herein to any person shall be construed to include such person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

SECTION 1.03. Impairments. It is the intention of the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of First Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the First Lien Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations), (y) any of the First Lien Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of First Lien Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of First Lien Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of First Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of First Lien Obligations that is not Shared Collateral for such Series (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, an “Impairment” of such Series). In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of First Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of First Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such First Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the First Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law), any reference to such First Lien Obligations or the First Lien Debt Documents governing such First Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

 

SECTION 2.01. Priority of Claims.

 

(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the First Lien Debt Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Controlling Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of the Borrower or any other Grantor (including any adequate protection payments) or any First Lien Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Shared Collateral by any First Lien Secured Party or received by any Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to such Shared Collateral and proceeds of any such distribution or payment (subject, in the case of any such proceeds, distribution or payment, to the sentence immediately following) (all payments, distributions, proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Shared Collateral and all proceeds of any such payments or distribution being collectively referred to as “Proceeds”) shall be applied (i) FIRST, to the payment in full in cash of all amounts owing to each Collateral Agent (in its capacity as such) pursuant to the terms of any First Lien Debt Document, (ii) SECOND, subject to Section 1.03, to the payment in full in cash of the remaining First Lien Obligations of each Series on a ratable basis, with such Proceeds to be applied to the First Lien Obligations of a given Series in accordance with the terms of the applicable First Lien Debt Documents, provided that following the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to any Grantor, solely as among the holders of First Lien Obligations and solely for purposes of this clause SECOND and not any First Lien Debt Documents, in the event the value of the Shared Collateral is not sufficient for the entire amount of Post-Petition Interest on the First Lien Obligations to be allowed under Section 506(a) and (b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code or other Bankruptcy Law in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the amount of First Lien Obligations of each Series of First Lien Obligations shall include only the maximum amount of Post-Petition Interest on the First Lien Obligations allowable under Section 506(a) and (b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code or other Bankruptcy Law in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; and (iii) THIRD, after payment in full in cash and Discharge of all First Lien Obligations, to the Borrower and the Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same pursuant to any other intercreditor agreement, if in effect, or otherwise, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. If, despite the provisions of this Section 2.01(a), any First Lien Secured Party shall receive any payment or other recovery in excess of its portion of payments on account of the First Lien Obligations to which it is then entitled in accordance with this Section 2.01(a), such First Lien Secured Party shall hold such payment or recovery in trust for the benefit of all First Lien Secured Parties for distribution in accordance with this Section 2.01(a).

 

(b) It is acknowledged that the First Lien Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant First Lien Debt Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties of any Series.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of First Lien Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, any applicable real estate laws, or any other applicable law or the First Lien Debt Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever, each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

 

 

SECTION 2.02. Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

 

(a) Only the Controlling Collateral Agent shall act or refrain from acting with respect to any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral). At any time when the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent is the Controlling Collateral Agent, no 2023 First Lien Secured Party shall, or shall instruct any Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any 2023 First Lien Collateral Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, acting in accordance with the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral at such time.

 

(b) With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) the Controlling Collateral Agent shall act with respect to the Shared Collateral, (ii) the Controlling Collateral Agent shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Collateral Agent (or any other Non-Controlling Secured Party) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Collateral Agent or other Non-Controlling Secured Party shall, or shall instruct the Controlling Collateral Agent to, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any First Lien Collateral Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Controlling Collateral Agent, acting in accordance with the First Lien Collateral Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral at such time.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens securing each Series of First Lien Obligations, the Controlling Collateral Agent may deal with the Shared Collateral as if such Controlling Collateral Agent had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Collateral Agent or Non-Controlling Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Controlling Collateral Agent or the Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Controlling Collateral Agent or the Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or to cause the Controlling Collateral Agent to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any First Lien Secured Party or any Collateral Agent with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

 

(d) Each of the First Lien Secured Parties agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) question or contest or support any other person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the First Lien Secured Parties on all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

 

 

SECTION 2.03. No Interference; Payment Over.

 

(a) Each First Lien Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not (and shall be deemed to have waived any right to) challenge, contest, or question, or support any other person in challenging, contesting, or questioning, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) the validity, allowability, or enforceability of any First Lien Obligations of any Series or any First Lien Collateral Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any First Lien Collateral Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any First Lien Secured Party from challenging or questioning the validity or enforceability of any First Lien Obligations constituting unmatured interest or the validity of any Lien relating thereto pursuant to Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law), (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral by the Controlling Collateral Agent, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.02, it shall have no right to (A) exercise, or direct the Controlling Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to exercise, any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Controlling Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or other proceeding any claim against the Controlling Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Controlling Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Controlling Collateral Agent or other First Lien Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshalled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

 

(b) Each First Lien Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any such Shared Collateral, pursuant to any First Lien Collateral Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement, other than this Agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the First Lien Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the other First Lien Secured Parties that have a security interest in such Shared Collateral and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Controlling Collateral Agent, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 2.04. Automatic Release of Liens.

 

(a) If at any time the Controlling Collateral Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale or disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the other Collateral Agents for the benefit of each Series of First Lien Secured Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged in connection with the completion of such sale or disposition; provided that any proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

(b) Each Collateral Agent agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Controlling Collateral Agent or the Borrower to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral provided for in this Section 2.04.

 

 

SECTION 2.05. Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.

 

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, including any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is acknowledged and agreed that this Agreement constitutes an agreement within the scope of Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, including with respect to the provisions of this Article II, and all references to “Grantor” shall include any Grantor as debtor and debtor in possession (and any receiver, trustee, or other estate representative for such Grantor, as the case may be) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

(b) If the Borrower and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (“DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law and/or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, each First Lien Secured Party (other than the Controlling Collateral Agent or any Controlling Secured Party) agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“DIP Financing Liens”) and/or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless the Controlling Collateral Agent or any Controlling Secured Party shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens and/or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the First Lien Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-á-vis all the other First Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (B) the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any First Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing and/or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-á-vis the First Lien Secured Parties (other than any liens of the First Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the First Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01, and (D) if any First Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection with respect to the First Lien Obligations, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing and/or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01; provided that the First Lien Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the First Lien Secured Parties of such Series or its Collateral Agent that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided, further, that the First Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other First Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such First Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing and/or use of cash collateral.

 

SECTION 2.06. Reinstatement. In the event that any of the First Lien Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement or avoidance of a preference or fraudulent transfer under the Bankruptcy Code, other Bankruptcy Law, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such First Lien Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

 

 

SECTION 2.07. Insurance. As between the First Lien Secured Parties, the Controlling Collateral Agent shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 2.08. [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.09. Controlling Collateral Agent as Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection.

 

(a) The Pledged or Controlled Collateral shall be delivered, or control thereof shall be transferred, to the Controlling Collateral Agent, and the Controlling Collateral Agent agrees to hold (and, pending delivery or transfer of control of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral to the Controlling Collateral Agent, each other Collateral Agent agrees to hold) any Shared Collateral constituting Pledged or Controlled Collateral that is part of the Collateral from time to time in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee) as gratuitous bailee for the benefit and on behalf of each other First Lien Secured Party and any assignee, in each case, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Pledged or Controlled Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable First Lien Debt Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09; provided, that at any time the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent ceases to be the Controlling Collateral Agent, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, at the request of the Controlling Collateral Agent, shall promptly deliver all Pledged or Controlled Collateral to the Controlling Collateral Agent, in its capacity as the successor Controlling Collateral Agent, together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the Controlling Collateral Agent to obtain control of such Pledged or Controlled Collateral). The Borrower shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify each Collateral Agent for loss or damage suffered by such Collateral Agent as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by such Collateral Agent as a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Collateral Agent or any affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or attorney-in-fact of such Collateral Agent as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b) In the event that any First Lien Secured Party other than the Controlling Collateral Agent receives any Pledged or Controlled Collateral, then such First Lien Secured Party shall promptly deliver, or transfer control of, such Pledged or Controlled Collateral (including any Proceeds therefrom), together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, to the Controlling Collateral Agent.

 

(c) [reserved]

 

(d) The duties and responsibilities of each Collateral Agent under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding any Pledged or Controlled Collateral as gratuitous bailee for the benefit and on behalf of each other First Lien Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such First Lien Secured Parties thereon.

 

(e) In furtherance of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby grants a security interest in the Shared Collateral to the Controlling Collateral Agent that controls Shared Collateral for the benefit of all First Lien Secured Parties which have been granted a Lien on the Shared Collateral controlled by such Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 2.10. Amendments to First Lien Collateral Documents.

 

(a) Without the prior written consent of each other Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and each other First Lien Secured Party represented by it, each Collateral Agent agrees that no First Lien Collateral Document to which such Collateral Agent is a party may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement or modification, would be prohibited by, or would require any Grantor to act or refrain from acting in a manner that would violate, any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b) In making determinations required by this Section 2.10, each Collateral Agent may conclusively rely on an officer’s certificate of the Borrower.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

 

SECTION 3.01. Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and Obligations. Whenever a Collateral Agent shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any First Lien Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Collateral Agent and shall be entitled to make such determination or not make any determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if a Collateral Agent shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Collateral Agent shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon an officer’s certificate of the Borrower. Each Collateral Agent may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any First Lien Secured Party or any other person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Controlling Collateral Agent

 

SECTION 4.01. Appointment and Authority.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section 2.09), nothing herein shall be construed to impose any fiduciary or other duty on any Controlling Collateral Agent to any Non-Controlling Secured Party or give any Non-Controlling Secured Party the right to direct any Controlling Collateral Agent, except that each Controlling Collateral Agent shall be obligated to distribute proceeds of any Shared Collateral in accordance with Section 2.01. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Controlling Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Controlling Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Controlling Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Controlling Collateral Agent pursuant to the applicable First Lien Debt Documents for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under any of the First Lien Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV and paragraph 25(m) of the Credit Agreement (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Collateral Agent” named therein) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the First Lien Secured Parties, and each Collateral Agent, hereby agrees to provide such cooperation and assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Controlling Collateral Agent to facilitate and effect actions taken or intended to be taken by the Controlling Collateral Agent pursuant to this Article IV, such cooperation to include execution and delivery of notices, instruments and other documents as are reasonably deemed necessary by the Controlling Collateral Agent to effect such actions, and joining in any action, motion or proceeding initiated by the Controlling Collateral Agent for such purposes.

 

 

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Controlling Collateral Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the First Lien Debt Documents, as applicable, pursuant to which the Controlling Collateral Agent is the Collateral Agent for such Shared Collateral, without regard to any rights to which the Non-Controlling Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of the First Lien Obligations held by such Non-Controlling Secured Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that neither the Controlling Collateral Agent nor any other First Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the First Lien Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any First Lien Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the First Lien Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against any Collateral Agent of any other Series of First Lien Obligations or any other First Lien Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any actions that do not violate this Agreement which any Collateral Agent or any First Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the First Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the First Lien Debt Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the First Lien Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the First Lien Obligations, (ii) any election by any Collateral Agent or any holders of First Lien Obligations, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or (iii) subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Controlling Collateral Agent shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any First Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Collateral Agent representing holders of First Lien Obligations for which such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

 

(c) The Person serving as the Controlling Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a First Lien Secured Party under any Series of First Lien Obligations that it holds as any other First Lien Secured Party of such Series and may exercise the same as though it were not the Controlling Collateral Agent, and the term “First Lien Secured Party” or “First Lien Secured Parties” or (as applicable) “Credit Agreement Secured Party,” “Credit Agreement Secured Parties,” “2023 First Lien Secured Party,” or “2023 First Lien Secured Parties” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Controlling Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Grantors or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Controlling Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other First Lien Secured Party.

 

SECTION 4.02. Exculpatory Provisions. The Controlling Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or obligations to the Non-Controlling Collateral Agents and the First Lien Secured Parties except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Controlling Collateral Agent:

 

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

 

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby; provided that the Controlling Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Controlling Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law;

 

(c) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Controlling Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of First-Lien Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event of Default and referencing applicable agreement is given to the Controlling Collateral Agent;

 

(d) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (1) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other First Lien Collateral Document, (2) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (3) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (4) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other First Lien Collateral Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the First Lien Collateral Documents, (5) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of First Lien Obligations, or (6) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any First Lien Debt Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Controlling Collateral Agent;

 

(e) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, a Grantor or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Controlling Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

(f) need not segregate money held hereunder from other funds except to the extent required by law; and

 

(g) shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 5.01. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(a) if to the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, to it at:

 

ATW Special Situations Management LLC

17 State Street, Suite 2130,

New York, N.Y. 10004

Attn: Alex LaViolette, Isaac Barber,

Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez

Email: ********

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Blank Rome LLP

One Logan Square

130 North 18th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attn: Heather Sonnenberg, Esq.

Email: ********

 

 

(b) if to the 2023 First Lien Agent, to it at:

 

Acquiom Agency Services LLC

950 17th Street, Suite 1400

Denver, CO 80202

Attn: Karyn Kesselring, Director

Email: ********

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

One Vanderbilt Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Jonathan Levine

Email: ********

 

(c) if to any Grantor, to Borrower, at:

 

Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

17146 Feathecraft Lane, Suite 450

Webster, TX 77598

Attn: Mr. Nicholas Bigney

Email: ********

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 3600

Dallas, Texas ###-###-####

Attn: John Caverlee

Email: ********

 

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and, may be personally served, telecopied, electronically mailed or sent by courier service or U.S. mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or electronic mail or upon receipt via U.S. mail (registered or certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth above or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. As agreed to in writing among the Controlling Collateral Agent and each other Collateral Agent from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

 

 

SECTION 5.02. Waivers; Amendment.

 

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 5.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Collateral Agent (and with respect to any such termination, waiver, amendment or modification which by the terms of this Agreement requires the Borrower’s consent or which increases the obligations or reduces the rights of, imposes additional duties on, or otherwise adversely affects the Borrower or any Grantor, with the consent of the Borrower).

 

SECTION 5.03. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, as well as the other First Lien Secured Parties, all of which are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement, provided that notwithstanding the foregoing the Loan Parties shall be third party beneficiaries only with respect to Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09, 2.10, 5.03 of this Agreement and any other provision hereof pursuant to which rights are explicitly provided to the Loan Parties.

 

SECTION 5.04. Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

SECTION 5.06. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 5.07. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 5.08. Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process. Each Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the First Lien Secured Parties of the Series for which it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the First Lien Debt Documents (other than solely for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, in each case, located in the Borough of Manhattan, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

 

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such person (or its Collateral Agent) at the address and as set forth in Section 5.01;

 

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any First Lien Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

 

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

SECTION 5.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, ANY PERSON CLAIMING BY, ON BEHALF, OR THROUGH SUCH PARTY, OR ANY PERSON ON WHOSE BEHALF SUCH PARTY IS ACTING) HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

SECTION 5.10. Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.11. Conflicts. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the First Lien Debt Documents or any of the other First Lien Debt Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that pursuant to the terms of any First Lien Debt Document any person succeeds to or is substituted for the “Borrower” thereunder, then any reference to the “Borrower” herein shall be deemed to refer to such successor person and the parties hereto shall take such actions as may be necessary to give effect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.12. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties in relation to one another. None of the Borrower, any other Grantor or any creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement (provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 2.04, 2.05, 2.09 or Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any 2023 First Lien Debt Documents), and none of the Borrower or any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.08, 2.09, 2.10 and Article V). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Lien Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

 

SECTION 5.13. [Reserved].

 

 

SECTION 5.14. Agent Capacities. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Credit Agreement Collateral Documents, ATW Special Situations Management LLC is acting in the capacity of Credit Agreement Collateral Agent. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Additional First Lien Collateral Documents, Acquiom Agency Services LLC is acting in the capacity of 2023 First Lien Agent solely for the 2023 First Lien Secured Parties. Except as expressly set forth herein, neither the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent nor the 2023 First Lien Agent shall have any duties or obligations in respect of any of the Collateral, all of such duties and obligations, if any, being subject to and governed by the applicable First Lien Debt Documents.

 

SECTION 5.15. Integration. This Agreement together with the other First Lien Debt Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the First Lien Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, any Collateral Agent or any other First Lien Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other First Lien Debt Documents.

 

SECTION 5.16. Additional Grantors. In the event any Subsidiary shall have granted a Lien on any of its assets to secure any First Lien Obligations, the Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary, if not already a party hereto, to become a party hereto as a “Grantor.” Upon the execution and delivery by any Subsidiary of a joinder hereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Controlling Collateral Agent, any such Subsidiary shall become a party hereto and a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named herein. The execution and delivery of any such joinder shall not require the consent of any other party hereto. The rights and obligations of each party hereto shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

	ATW Special Situations Management LLC, as Credit Agreement Collateral Agent
	By:	/s/ Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez
	Name:	Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez
	Title:	Authorized Signatory
	Acquiom Agency Services LLC, as 2023 First Lien Agent
	By:	/s/ Karyn Kesselring
	Name:	Karyn Kesselring
	Title:	Director
	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC. (F/K/A CLEANTECH ACQUISITION CORP.), as Borrower
	By:	/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Name:	John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Title:	President & Interim CEO
	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS HOLDINGS, INC. (F/K/A NAUTICUS ROBOTICS, INC.), as a Grantor
	By:	/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Name:	John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Title:	President & Interim CEO
	NAUTIWORKS LLC, as a Grantor
	By:	/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Name:	John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Title:	President & Interim CEO

 

[Signature Page to Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement]

 

 

	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS FLEET LLC, as a Grantor
	By:	/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Name:	John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Title:	President & Interim CEO
	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS USA LLC, as a Grantor
	By:	/s/ John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Name:	John W. Gibson, Jr.
	Title:	President & Interim CEO

 

[Signature Page to Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement]

 

 

ANNEX I

 

Grantors

 

1.

Nauticus Robotics Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Nauticus Robotics, Inc.), a Texas corporation

 

2.

NautiWorks LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

3.

Nauticus Robotics Fleet LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

4.

Nauticus Robotics USA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

Annex I-1