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Accounts Receivable
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]  
Accounts Receivable
3. Accounts Receivable:

Accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,727 and $1,310 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Bad debt expense totaled $1,125 in 2011, $3,031 in 2010 and $268 in 2009. The increase in the bad debt expense during 2010 relates primarily to a customer that unexpectedly ceased operations in the third quarter of 2010, resulting in a bad debt provision of $2,074.

The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered appropriate based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that the Company has identified. Estimations are based upon a calculated percentage of accounts receivable, which remains fairly level from year to year, and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain customers, which can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The Company cannot guarantee that the rate of future credit losses will be similar to past experience. The Company considers all available information when assessing the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts.