Form 10-Q For the Quarterly Period Date Ended March 31, 2007
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 1-31895

 


ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Nevada   84-1018684

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5215 W. Laurel Street, Tampa, Florida 33607

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(813) 876-1776

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES x    NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer: ¨    Accelerated filer: x    Non-accelerated filer: ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):

Yes ¨    No x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.0001 par value, as of May 1, 2007 was 46,971,106.

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

 

          Page No.
Part I:    Financial Information   
Item 1.    Financial Statements:   
   Consolidated Balance Sheets - as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006    3
   Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006    4
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006    5 – 6
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7 – 15
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation    15 – 18
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    18
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    18
Part II:    Other Information   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    19
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    19
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities    19
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    19
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    19
Item 5.    Other Information    19
Item 6.    Exhibits    19
Signatures    20

 

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    

(Unaudited)

March 31,

2007

   

December 31,

2006

 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,241,782     $ 2,415,842  

Accounts receivable, net

     1,590,053       443,523  

Inventory

     2,914,258       2,263,078  

Other current assets

     458,390       359,665  
                

Total current assets

     9,204,483       5,482,108  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

    

Equipment and office fixtures

     13,018,909       12,764,389  

Building and land

     3,709,873       3,709,873  

Accumulated depreciation

     (5,118,817 )     (4,539,855 )
                

Total property and equipment

     11,609,965       11,934,407  

OTHER ASSETS

    

Inventory (non current)

     6,340,469       7,353,159  

Attraction development

     1,255,588       1,261,573  

Other non current assets

     1,181,533       1,176,606  
                

Total other assets

     8,777,590       9,791,338  
                

Total assets

   $ 29,592,038     $ 27,207,853  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 462,323     $ 498,482  

Accrued expenses

     1,214,917       1,947,082  

Mortgage and loans payable

     3,445,629       3,443,605  

Deposits

     11,979       11,979  
                

Total current liabilities

     5,134,848       5,901,148  

LONG TERM LIABILITIES

    

Mortgage and loans payable

     2,936,420       3,053,485  

Deferred income from Revenue Participation Certificates

     887,500       887,500  
                

Total long term liabilities

     3,823,920       3,940,985  
                

Total liabilities

     8,958,768       9,842,133  
                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred stock—$.0001 par value; 1,960,000 shares authorized; none outstanding

     —         —    

Preferred stock series A convertible—$.0001 par value; 510,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Preferred stock series D convertible—$.0001 par value; 7,340,000 shares authorized; 4,700,000 issued and outstanding

     470       250  

Common stock—$.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 46,897,833 and 46,785,254 issued and outstanding

     4,690       4,678  

Additional paid-in capital

     62,852,929       55,437,954  

Accumulated deficit

     (42,224,819 )     (38,077,162 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     20,633,270       17,365,720  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 29,592,038     $ 27,207,853  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS—Unaudited

 

     Three Months Ended  
    

March 31,

2007

   

March 31,

2006

 

REVENUE

   $ 2,149,197     $ 865,179  

OPERATING EXPENSES

    

Cost of sales

     486,030       114,330  

Marketing, general & administrative

     2,663,753       2,401,361  

Operations & research

     2,753,832       2,264,055  
                

Total operating expenses

     5,903,615       4,779,746  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     (3,754,418 )     (3,914,567 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

    

Interest income

     43,857       13,703  

Interest expense

     (123,413 )     (42,120 )

Other

     23,815       14,297  
                

Total other income (expense)

     (55,741 )     (14,120 )
                

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (3,810,159 )     (3,928,687 )

Income tax benefit (provision)

     —         —    
                

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     (3,810,159 )     (3,928,687 )
                

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

    

Basic and diluted

   $ (.09 )   $ (.09 )

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

    

Basic and diluted

     46,855,226       45,965,907  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—Unaudited

 

     Three Months Ended  
    

March 31,

2007

   

March 31,

2006

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net Loss

   $ (3,810,159 )   $ (3,928,687 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activity:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     582,048       496,841  

Loss on disposal of equipment

     18,576       —    

Share-based compensation

     270,813       41,508  

(Increase) decrease in:

    

Accounts receivable

     (1,146,530 )     491,080  

Inventory

     361,510       (49,322 )

Other assets

     (105,838 )     91,101  

Increase (decrease) in:

    

Accounts payable

     (36,159 )     (242,010 )

Customer deposits

     —         33,334  

Accrued expenses

     (542,770 )     (955,553 )
                

NET CASH (USED) IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     (4,408,509 )     (4,021,708 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (268,011 )     (211,167 )
                

NET CASH (USED) IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (268,011 )     (211,167 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     62,500       313,068  

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

     6,600,000       8,750,000  

Broker commission and fees on private offering

     (45,000 )     —    

Proceeds from mortgage and loans payable

     —         1,511,250  

Repayment of mortgage and loans payable

     (115,040 )     (1,536,433 )
                

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     6,502,460       9,037,885  
                

NET INCREASE IN CASH

     1,825,940       4,805,010  

CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     2,415,842       3,283,331  
                

CASH AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 4,241,782     $ 8,088,341  
                

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    

Interest paid

   $ 112,370     $ 34,045  

Income taxes paid

   $ —       $ —    

NON CASH TRANSACTIONS:

    

Beneficial conversion option related to preferred stock issuance

   $ 337,498     $ —    

Settlement of accounts receivable with accounts payable

   $ —       $ 53,539  

Accrued compensation paid by common stock

   $ 189,395     $ —    

 

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Summary of Significant Non-Cash Transactions

During June 2006, we entered into a mortgage loan for $2.5 million with Carolina First Bank for the refinancing of our corporate office building. At the closing of this loan, the outstanding amount of approximately $1.8 million due on the original mortgage with Bank of Tampa was paid in full.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. was incorporated March 5, 1986, as a Colorado corporation named Universal Capital Corporation, Inc. On August 8, 1997 Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (the “Company”), completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding Common Stock of Remarc International, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed May 20, 1994, (“Remarc”) in exchange for the Company’s Common Stock in a reverse acquisition. On September 7, 1997, we changed our domicile to Nevada and our name was changed to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., is engaged in the archaeologically sensitive exploration and recovery of deep-water shipwrecks and the marketing and sales of shipwreck-related items. The corporate headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We suggest these interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of March 31, 2007, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

NOTE B—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This summary of significant accounting policies of the Company is presented to assist in understanding our financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity and have prepared them in accordance with our customary accounting practices.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Odyssey Marine, Inc., Odyssey Marine Services, Inc., OVH, Inc, Odyssey Retriever, Inc. and Odyssey Marine Entertainment, Inc. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Shipwreck Heritage Press, LLC was created during 2005 to publish and distribute print media. The entity does not have activity and has not been capitalized, and therefore, it is not consolidated.

Use of Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $330,302 and $328,868, respectively.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Revenue from sales is recognized at the point of sale when legal title transfers. Legal title transfers when product is shipped or is available for shipment to customers. Bad debts are recorded as identified and no allowance for bad debts has been recorded. A return allowance is established for sales which have a right of return. Accounts receivable is stated net of any recorded allowance for returns.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash in banks. We also consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expense, accounts payable, accrued expense, loan payable and mortgage payable approximate fair value. Considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange.

Inventory

Our inventory consists of artifacts recovered from the SS Republic shipwreck, related packaging material for the artifacts, and merchandise.

The SS Republic shipwreck artifacts are recorded in inventory at the costs of recovery and conservation. The recovery costs also include the fee paid to an insurer to relinquish the insurers claim to the artifacts recovered and the shipwreck. We started capitalizing costs in November 2003 after establishing the artifacts being recovered had a net realizable value exceeding the costs being capitalized. We continued to capitalize the recovery costs until the shipwreck site was completely excavated. The capitalized costs include direct costs of recovery such as vessel and related equipment operations and maintenance, crew and technical labor, fuel, provisions and supplies, port fees and depreciation. Conservation costs include fees paid to conservators for cleaning and preparing the artifacts for sale. We continually monitor the recorded aggregate costs of the artifacts in inventory to ensure these costs do not exceed the net realizable value. We use historical sales, publications or available public market data to assess market value.

The packaging materials and merchandise are recorded at average cost. We record our inventory at the lower of cost or market.

Long-Lived Assets

Our policy is to recognize impairment losses relating to long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” based on several factors, including, but not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows. Due to the closing of the themed attraction in the New Orleans market during 2006, we accelerated the estimated useful lives of certain fixed assets and leasehold improvements to a life ending on or before December 31, 2006. This resulted in additional depreciation and amortization of $874,434 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Comprehensive Income

United States Treasury bills with a maturity greater than three months from purchase date are deemed available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on these securities are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. At March 31, 2007, we did not own United States Treasury Bills with a maturity greater than three months.

Property and Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment is stated at historical cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method at rates based on the assets’ estimated useful lives which are normally between five and ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or lease term, if shorter.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue Common Stock were exercised or converted into Common Stock or resulted in the issuance of Common Stock that then shared in our earnings. We use the treasury stock method to compute potential common shares from stock options and warrants and the as-if-converted method to compute potential common shares from Preferred Stock or other convertible securities.

When a net loss occurs, potential common shares have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share and such shares are excluded from the Diluted EPS calculation.

 

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At March 31, 2007 and 2006 weighted average common shares outstanding were 46,855,226 and 45,965,907 respectively. For the periods ending March 31, 2007 and 2006 in which net losses occurred, all potential common shares were excluded from Diluted EPS because the effect of including such shares would be anti-dilutive.

The potential common shares, in the table following, represent potential common shares calculated using the treasury stock method from outstanding options and warrants that were excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS:

 

     Three Months Ended
    

March 31,

2007

  

March 31,

2006

Average market price during the period

   $ 3.01    $ 3.69

In the money potential common shares excluded

     318,511      662,379

Potential common shares from out of the money options and warrants were also excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because calculation of the associated potential common shares has an anti-dilutive effect on EPS. The following table lists options and warrants that were excluded from diluted EPS.

 

     Three Months Ended
    

March 31,

2007

  

March 31,

2006

Out of the money options and warrants excluded:

     

Stock Options with an exercise price of $3.50 per share

   1,539,166    —  

Stock Options with an exercise price of $4.00 per share

   355,750    60,500

Stock Options with an exercise price of $5.00 per share

   945,000    495,000

Warrants with an exercise price of $3.50 per share

   2,200,000    —  

Warrants with an exercise price of $4.00 per share

   540,000    —  

Warrants with an exercise price of $5.25 per share

   100,000    100,000
         

Total anti dilutive warrants and options excluded from EPS

   5,679,916    655,500
         

Weighted average potential common shares from outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Stock calculated on as as-if converted basis having an anti-dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share were excluded from potential common shares as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
    

March 31

2007

   March 31,
2006

Weighted average potential common shares from Series D Preferred Stock excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share

   4,137,778    472,222

 

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The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:

 

     Three Months Ended  
    

March 31,

2007

   

March 31,

2006

 

Net income

   $ (3,810,159 )   $ (3,928,687 )

Beneficial conversion option on preferred stock issuance

   $ (337,498 )   $ —    
                

Numerator, basic and diluted net income available to shareholders

   $ (4,147,657 )   $ (3,928,687 )
                

Denominator:

    

Shares used in computation—basic:

    

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     46,855,226       45,965,907  
                

Shares used in computing basic net income per share

     46,855,226       45,965,907  
                

Shares used in computation—diluted:

    

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     46,855,226       45,965,907  

Dilutive effect of options and warrants outstanding

     —         —    
                

Shares used in computing diluted net income per share

     46,855,226       45,965,907  
                

Net income per share—basic

   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.09 )

Net income per share—diluted

   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.09 )

Stock-Based Compensation

On January 1, 2006, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (FAS 123(R)), that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for either equity instruments of the enterprise or liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. The statement eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions, as we formerly did, using the intrinsic value method as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board, or APB, Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and generally requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method and recognized as expenses in our consolidated statement of operations.

We adopted FAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method which requires the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. Our consolidated financial statements for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006 reflect the impact of adopting FAS 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective method, the consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of FAS 123(R).

Share-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations during the period ended March 31, 2006 include compensation expense for the share-based compensation awards granted prior to December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with FAS 123(R). As share-based compensation expense recognized in the statement of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it will be reduced for forfeitures. FAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The share based compensation charged against income for the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 is $270,813 and $41,508, respectively.

The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the period ended March 31, 2007 was $1.50. We did not grant any stock options during the period ended March 31, 2006. These amounts were determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which values options based on the stock price at the grant date, the expected life of the option, the estimated volatility of the stock, the expected dividend payments, and the risk-free interest rate over the life of the option. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model were as follows for stock options granted in the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

    

March 31,

2007

   

March 31,

2006

Risk-free interest rate

   5.0 %   N/A

Expected volatility of common stock

   62.2-62.6 %   N/A

Dividend Yield

   0 %   N/A

Expected life of options

   5-7 years     N/A

 

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The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Because option valuation models require the use of subjective assumptions, changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of the options. Our options do not have the characteristics of traded options, therefore, the option valuation models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of our options.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.

NOTE C—INVENTORY

Our inventory consisted of the following:

 

    

March 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

Artifacts

   $ 8,093,958    $ 8,488,258

Merchandise

     672,174      583,318

Packaging

     488,595      544,661
             

Total Inventory

   $ 9,254,727    $ 9,616,237
             

Of these amounts $6,340,469 and $7,353,159 are classified as non-current as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

NOTE D—INCOME TAXES

As of March 31, 2007, the Company had consolidated income tax net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for federal tax purposes of approximately $52 million. The NOL will expire in various years ending through the year 2027.

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the components of the provision for income taxes (benefit) are attributable to continuing operations as follows:

 

    

March 31,

2007

  

March 31,

2006

Current

     

Federal

   $ —      $ —  

State

     —        —  
             
   $ —      $ —  

Deferred

     

Federal

   $ —      $ —  

State

     —        —  
             
   $ —      $ —  
             

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

Deferred tax assets:

  

Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards

   $ 18,968,686  

Accrued expenses

     103,060  

Reserve for accounts receivable

     2,775  

Start-up costs

     107,833  

Stock option expense

     298,260  

Less: valuation allowance

     (16,227,394 )
        
   $ 3,253,220  

Deferred tax liability:

  

Property and equipment basis

   $ 69,751  

Prepaid expenses

     58,675  

Inventory reserve

     586  

Excess of tax over book depreciation

     217,197  

Artifacts recovery costs

     2,907,011  
        
   $ 3,253,220  
        

Net deferred tax asset

   $ —    
        

 

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As reflected above, we have recorded a net deferred tax asset of $0 at March 31, 2007. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” we have evaluated whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Based on the available evidence, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that those assets would not be realizable without the recovery of high value shipwrecks and thus a valuation allowance has been recorded as of March 31, 2007.

The change in the valuation allowance is as follows:

 

March 31, 2007

   $ 16,227,394

December 31, 2006

   $ 14,857,487
      

Change in valuation allowance

   $ 1,369,907
      

Income taxes for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 differ from the amounts computed by applying the effective federal income tax rate of 34% to income before income taxes as a result of the following:

 

    

March 31,

2007

   

March 31,

2006

 

Expected provision (benefit)

   $ (1,295,454 )   $ (1,335,754 )

State income taxes net of federal benefits

     (47,978 )     (90,908 )

Nontaxable (income) expense

     2,311       3,879  

Stock options exercised

     (29,070 )     (200,411 )

Change in valuation allowance

     1,369,907       1,616,257  

Effects of:

    

Change in rate estimate

     —         —    

Other, net

     284       6,937  
                
   $ —       $ —    
                

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized certain tax benefits, prior to any valuation allowances, related to stock option plans in the amount of $65,293 and $0 respectively. If we did not have a full valuation allowance, such benefits would be recorded as an increase in the deferred tax asset and an increase in additional paid-in capital.

We adopted Financial Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), an interpretation of SFAS 109 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we have not recognized a material adjustment in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and have not recorded any provisions for accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The Company’s tax years 2003 through 2005 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions.

NOTE E—CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

On or about December 14, 2004 a complaint was filed against seven defendants including the Company in the Court of Common Pleas in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, County of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina. The complaint was filed by Republic & Eagle Associates, Inc. and Sea Miners, Inc. against John Morris, Greg Stemm, John Lawrence, John Balch, Daniel Bagley, Seahawk Deep Sea Technologies, Inc. (“Seahawk”) and the Company. The plaintiffs’ allegations include breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy and breach of contract based primarily upon an alleged contract(s) between the plaintiffs and Seahawk dated May 16, 1995 dealing with the search for the SS Republic. The plaintiffs allege that their research which was provided to Seahawk led to the discovery of the SS Republic and they seek an unspecified amount of damages and public recognition of their contribution. On February 18, 2005, John Morris, Greg Stemm, Daniel Bagley, and the Company filed their Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss Defendants John Morris, Greg Stemm, Daniel Bagley and Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (the “Motion”). In the Motion, the defendants allege that the complaint should be dismissed because, among other things, the South Carolina court does not have jurisdiction over them, the action was filed in an improper venue, plaintiffs lack the capacity to maintain the action, and the action should be barred based on the Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens. The court granted the Motion and dismissed the case for lack of personal jurisdiction on June 9, 2006. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a Motion for Rehearing, and after further argument on the issues, the judge reversed his decision and entered an order denying the defendants’

 

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motion to dismiss on February 27, 2007. The Defendants filed a Motion to Reconsider the order granting the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration and denying Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss on March 12, 2007. On March 23, 2007, the Court denied that Motion. We are currently considering appeal. Management believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action.

The Company may be subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We currently believe these claims and suits are without merit and will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.

NOTE F—MORTGAGE AND LOANS PAYABLE

The Company’s consolidated mortgages and notes payable consisted of the following at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

    

March 31,

2007

   December 31,
2006

Revolving credit facility

   $ 3,000,000    $ 3,000,000

Mortgage payable

     2,454,049      2,473,090

Loan payable

     928,000      1,024,000
             
   $ 6,382,049    $ 6,497,090
             

Revolving Credit Facility

On March 29, 2006, we entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with Mercantile Bank. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement replaces the Company’s prior agreement with the Bank. The Amended and Restated Agreement reduced the amount of the commitment from the Bank from a $6 million revolving credit facility to a $3 million revolving credit facility. The $4 million of gold coins previously collateralized were removed from the amended agreement and silver coins collateralized and held by the custodian increased from 10,000 to 15,000 coins. The credit facility has a floating interest rate equal to the “LIBOR 30-Day Index Rate” plus two hundred sixty five basis points (2.65%), requires monthly payments of interest only and is due in full on April 21, 2008. The Company will also be required to pay the Bank an unused line fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the unused portion of the credit line, payable quarterly. Additionally, the Company granted a first lien position on all corporate assets, including a provision not to pledge as collateral our Company-owned vessels. The Company is required to comply with a number of covenants as stated in the Amended and Restated Agreement.

Mortgage Payable

During June 2006, we entered into a mortgage loan for $2.5 million with Carolina First Bank for the refinancing of our corporate office building. This mortgage replaces the original mortgage held by the Bank of Tampa. The mortgage loan is due on June 1, 2009 with monthly payments based on a 20 year amortization schedule. Interest is at a fixed annual rate of 7.5%. Of the principal amount due on the mortgage, $61,629 is classified as a current liability. This debt is secured by the related mortgaged real property as well as being cross-collateralized with the coins used to secure the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with Mercantile Bank.

Loan Payable

During June 2006, we entered into a loan agreement for $1.12 million with Mercantile Bank for the purchase of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) of which the purchase price was $1.4 million. This loan has a maturity date of September 1, 2009 and bears a variable LIBOR interest rate that is adjusted monthly. The variable rate is calculated by dividing LIBOR by an amount equal to 1.00 minus the Libor Reserve Percentage, plus 3.0%. The interest rate in effect at the end of the period was 8.32%. The first three months of the agreement required interest only payments followed by principle payments of $32,000 plus interest over the remaining life of the loan. Of the principal amount due on the loan, $384,000 is classified as a current liability. The ROV is pledged as collateral for this loan.

NOTE G—PREFERRED STOCK

On March 13, 2006, the Company sold 2,500,000 shares of non-voting Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at $3.50 per share to two institutional accredited investors pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement. The Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a ratio of one (1) share of Common Stock for every one (1) share of Series D Preferred Stock. Proceeds of the private offering were $8,750,000.

 

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On January 24, 2007, we issued and sold an aggregate of 2,200,000 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) at a price of $3.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,600,000 in cash, pursuant to a Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”). In connection with the transaction, the Company issued the investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 440,000 additional shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $4.00 per share and an expiration date of January 24, 2009. These warrants constituted a beneficial conversion option, which is a discount on the preferred stock offering, since they added value to the offering. The Black-Scholes valuation method was utilized in valuing these warrants. Since the related Series D Convertible Preferred Stock was immediately convertible, the entire discount on the preferred stock offering of $337,498 was amortized to retained earnings thus decreasing the income available to shareholders. We also issued to certain of the investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,200,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $3.50 per share and an expiration date of May 15, 2007, in exchange for the cancellation and surrender of warrants to purchase Common Stock held by such investors with an exercise price of $3.50 per share of Common Stock and an expiration date of March 9, 2007.

NOTE H—COMMON STOCK OPTIONS

We have two active stock incentive plans, the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The 1997 Stock Incentive Plan will expire on August 17, 2007. At that point in time, options will not be able to be granted from that plan but any granted and unexercised options will continue to exist until exercised or they expire. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by our Board of Directors on August 3, 2005 and ratified by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 5, 2006. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights. We have reserved 2,500,000 of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock for issuance under the plan and not more than 500,000 of these shares may be used for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. Any incentive option and any non-qualified option granted under the plan must provide for an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant, but the exercise price of any incentive option granted to an eligible employee owning more than 10% of our outstanding common stock must not be less than 110% of fair market value on the date of the grant.

NOTE I—SEGMENT REPORTING

FAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer. The Company manages and evaluates the operating results of the business in two primary segments, shipwreck exploration and themed attractions.

Shipwreck Exploration—This segment includes all operating activities for exploration and recovery of deep-ocean shipwrecks including the marketing, sales and distribution of recovered artifacts, replicas, merchandise and books through various retail and wholesale sales channels. The departments included within this group include our marine operations, archaeology, conservation and research, sales and business development, and corporate administration.

Themed Attractions—Our themed attractions segment is responsible for interactive attractions and exhibits that are designed to entertain and educate multi-generational audiences, and present Odyssey’s unique shipwreck stories and artifacts. The exhibits showcase our proprietary technologies and the excitement of deep-ocean archeological shipwreck search and recovery.

The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in Note B. Management evaluates the operating results of each of its segments based upon revenues and operating income (loss) before taxes. Corporate overhead including legal, finance, human resources, information technology and real estate facilities is included within the shipwreck exploration segment and not allocated to themed attractions.

We opened our first themed attraction, Odyssey’s Shipwreck & Treasure Adventure, in August 2005, in New Orleans. The attraction was closed early on the grand opening day due to Hurricane Katrina. We re-opened the attraction in February 2006 and closed it again in September 2006 because of market conditions in New Orleans. Odyssey received approximately $1.2 million in the fourth quarter 2006 as final insurance settlement on our claim for damages and business interruption due to the hurricane. As a result of our lease termination in New Orleans, we accelerated the estimated useful lives of certain assets and leasehold improvements in 2006. This acceleration resulted in additional expenses of $.9 million as of December 31, 2006. We are relocating the attraction to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida, in May 2007. The exhibit is scheduled to be open to the public from June 2007 through January 2008.

 

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(amounts in thousands)    Shipwreck
Exploration
    Themed
Attractions
    Consolidated  

Segment Information

      

Three months ended March 31, 2007

      

Revenues from external customers

   $ 2,149     $ 0     $ 2,149  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (3,471 )   $ (339 )   $ (3,810 )

Segment assets

   $ 26,365     $ 3,227     $ 29,592  

Three months ended March 31, 2006

      

Revenues from external customers

   $ 818     $ 47     $ 865  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (3,324 )   $ (605 )   $ (3,929 )

Segment assets

   $ 29,317     $ 4,806     $ 34,123  

NOTE U—RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“FAS 157”). This Standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of FAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion will assist in the understanding of our financial position and results of operations. The information below should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, the related notes to the financial statements and our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

This discussion contains both historical and forward-looking information. We assess the risks and uncertainties about our business, long-term strategy, and financial condition before we make any forward-looking statements, but we cannot guarantee that our assessment is accurate or that our goals and projections can or will be met. Statements concerning results of future search operations, recovery operations, attraction openings, marketing strategies and similar events are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Securities laws and regulations.

Overview

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. is engaged in the archaeologically sensitive exploration and recovery of deep-water shipwrecks throughout the world. We employ advanced state-of-the-art technology, including side scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, and other advanced technology, that enables us to locate and recover shipwrecks at depths that were previously unreachable in an economically feasible manner. Odyssey continues to build on a foundation of shipwreck research, development of political relationships and advancement of techniques for deep ocean search and recovery. Odyssey is a Nevada corporation formed on March 5, 1986.

Our vision is to become the world leader in deep-ocean shipwreck exploration, archeological excavation, education, entertainment, and marketing of shipwreck cargoes and related merchandise.

Business Segments

We manage and evaluate the operating results of the business in two primary segments: shipwreck exploration and themed attractions.

Shipwreck Exploration—This segment includes all operating activities for exploration and recovery of deep-ocean shipwrecks including the marketing, sales and distribution of recovered artifacts, replicas, merchandise and books through various retail and wholesale sales channels. The departments included within this group include our marine operations, archaeology, conservation and research, sales and business development, and corporate administration.

 

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Themed Attractions—Our themed attractions segment is responsible for interactive attractions and exhibits that are designed to entertain and educate multi-generational audiences, and present Odyssey’s unique shipwreck stories and artifacts. The exhibits showcase our proprietary technologies and the excitement of deep-ocean archeological shipwreck search and recovery.

We opened our first themed attraction, Odyssey’s Shipwreck & Treasure Adventure, in August 2005, in New Orleans. The attraction was closed early on the grand opening day due to Hurricane Katrina. We re-opened the attraction in February 2006 and closed it again in September 2006 because of market conditions in New Orleans. Odyssey received approximately $1.2 million in the fourth quarter 2006 as final insurance settlement on our claim for damages and business interruption due to the hurricane. As a result of our lease termination in New Orleans, we accelerated the estimated useful lives of certain assets and leasehold improvements in 2006. This acceleration resulted in additional expenses of $.9 million as of December 31, 2006. We are relocating the attraction to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida, in May 2007. The exhibit is scheduled to be open to the public from June 2007 through January 2008.

A summary of our net revenues, income from operations and assets for our segments is found in Note I to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operational Update

Odyssey has numerous shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world. Additional information about some of these projects is set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2006. This update covers developments since the Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the Security and Exchange Commission.

In order to protect the identities of the targets of our planned search or recovery operations, in some cases we will defer disclosing specific information relating to our projects until we have located the targeted shipwreck or shipwrecks and determined a course of action to protect our property rights.

Sussex Project

The Company has an exclusive partnering agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom for the archaeological excavation of HMS Sussex, a large British warship that sank in 1694, and which remains the property of the United Kingdom. On March 23, 2007, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release to announce agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom for Odyssey to proceed with the Alboran project, which includes preliminary phases of excavation and identification of the site believed to be the Sussex as well as a survey of the area in which the shipwreck lies. As part of this agreement, Odyssey has agreed to provide information relative to other shipwrecks in the surrounding area to the Spanish Government to assist in their protection and preservation. The Company has already completed all work detailed in Phase 1 A of the Sussex archaeological project plan (www.shipwreck.net/sussexpp.html), as well as portions of Phase 1B, to the satisfaction of the Government of the United Kingdom. Odyssey is currently waiting for the archaeological staff to be selected and scheduled before resuming operations on the site believed to be HMS Sussex.

Additional Projects

On April 9, 2007, Odyssey filed Admiralty arrests in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on two sites, one in the Atlantic Ocean and one in the western Mediterranean. The Company plans to conduct additional work on both sites. Until additional ROV surveys and further exploration can be completed, the Company is not prepared to confirm the identities of either site.

In addition to the Sussex project, the company has now arrested three sites (the first of which was arrested in the fall of 2006) that require more extensive ROV operations. Our upcoming operational schedules will be developed to most efficiently utilize the Company’s marine assets for further investigation and/or excavation of these sites, taking into account weather, legal and political issues as well as other operational factors.

Critical Accounting Policies and Changes to Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2006, nor have we adopted any accounting policy that has or will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to three months ended March 31, 2006

 

     (Unaudited)    (dollars in millions)  
               Incr/(Decr)  
     2007    2006    $ Var    % Var  

Revenue

   $ 2.2    $ .9    $ 1.3    148 %
                           

Cost of sales

     .5      .1      .4    325 %

Marketing, general & administrative

     2.7      2.4      .3    11 %

Operations & research

     2.7      2.3      .4    21 %
                           

Total cost and expenses

   $ 5.9    $ 4.8    $ 1.1    23 %

Revenue

Revenues are generated primarily through the sale of gold and silver coins, but also include other artifacts and merchandise. Revenues for 2007 and 2006 were $2.2 million and $.9 million, respectively, representing sales volume of gold and silver coins of approximately 1,280 coins in 2007 and 180 coins in 2006. The volume mix of gold and silver coins in 2007 was approximately 35% and 65%, respectively, and in 2006 was 59% and 41%, respectively. Direct sales efforts (inbound and outbound call center and related infrastructure) were outsourced beginning in the second quarter 2006 to an experienced direct marketing partner. The majority of coins sold in 2007 were silver coins sold through our direct marketing partner. We have been pleased with the sales of our silver coin inventory directly to consumers at higher unit prices than we were receiving through our indirect wholesale channels.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales consists of shipwreck recovery costs, grading, conservation, packaging, and shipping costs associated with artifact, merchandise and book sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for 2007 and 2006 was 23% and 13%, respectively. The higher cost of sales percentage in 2007 is attributable to a higher sales mix of silver versus gold coins. The $.4 million increase in cost of sales in 2007 is attributable to a higher volume of coins sold and a higher cost of sales percentage.

Marketing, general and administrative expenses were $2.7 million in 2007 as compared to $2.4 million in 2006. The increase of $.3 million is primarily related to an increase of share-based compensation costs related to adoption of FASB 123R ($.3 million) and corporate expenses ($.3 million) offset by lower marketing and employee costs attributed to the closing of our direct sales company-operated call center in May 2006 ($.2 million) and lower themed attraction expenses due to the closing of our New Orleans attraction in September 2006 ($.1 million).

Operations and research expenses were $2.7 million in 2007, compared to $2.3 million in 2006. Of the $.4 million increase, $.6 million is related to vessel operating expenses primarily associated with our search and inspection vessel purchased in June 2006, offset by lower operations costs of our themed attractions segment, primarily associated with the closing of our New Orleans attraction in September 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Discussion of Cash Flows

Net cash used in operating activities in the first three months of 2007 was $4.4 million. This amount primarily reflected an operating loss of $3.8 million offset by non-cash items including depreciation ($.6 million) and share based compensation ($.3 million), and an increase in assets ($.9 million) offset by a decrease in current liabilities ($.6 million). Cash used in operating activities for the first three months of 2006 primarily reflected an operating loss of $3.9 million, a decrease of working capital of $.6 million offset by depreciation of $.5 million.

Cash flows used in investing activities were $.3 million and $.2 million for the first three months in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash used in investing activities in 2007 and 2006 primarily reflected purchase of property and equipment for our shipwreck exploration segment.

 

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Cash flows provided by financing activities were $6.5 million and $9.0 million for the first three months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. In 2007, the cash provided by financing activities primarily included $6.6 million from the sale of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock offset by $.1 million for repayment of mortgage and loans payable. In 2006, the cash provided by financing activities primarily included $8.8 million from the sale of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and $.3 million proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to the exercise of employee stock options.

General

At March 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.2 million, an increase of $1.8 million from the December 31, 2006 balance of $2.4 million.

During January 2007, we received $6.6 million from the sale of 2.2 million shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a price of $3.00 per share to eight funds managed by two institutional accredited investors pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement. In connection with the transaction, we also issued the investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 440,000 additional shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $4.00 per share and an expiration date of January 24, 2009, and issued to certain of the investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2.2 million shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $3.50 per share and an expiration date of May 15, 2007, in exchange for the cancellation and surrender of 2.2 million warrants to purchase Common Stock held by such investors with an exercise price of $3.50 per share of Common Stock and an expiration date of March 9, 2007. The net proceeds from the preferred stock offering were used for general corporate purposes and the purchase of marine property and equipment. In May 2007, we received $7.7 million from the exercise of the 2.2 million warrants to purchase Series D Preferred Stock.

Based upon our current expectations, we believe our cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and proceeds from our recent equity offering and warrant exercise will satisfy our working capital requirements for 2007. However, we anticipate we will continue to incur net losses through 2007. Our ability to generate net income in future periods is dependent upon the success of our ability to recover and monetize high-value shipwrecks. We believe we have several potential high-value shipwreck targets which could be recovered in 2007. We also cannot guarantee that the sales of our products and other available cash sources will generate sufficient cash flow to meet our projected cash requirements in 2007. If cash flow is not sufficient to meet our projected business plan requirements, we will be required to reduce our exploration and development efforts and overhead to a level for which funding can be secured.

Off Balance Sheet Requirements

We do not engage in off-balance sheet financing arrangements. In particular, we do not have any interest in so-called limited purpose entities, which include special purpose entities (SPEs) and structured finance entities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact of FIN 48 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements , (“FAS 157”). This Standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of FAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. We do not believe we have material market risk exposure and have not entered into any market risk sensitive instruments to mitigate these risks or for trading or speculative purposes.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Odyssey maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, based on an evaluation carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Odyssey’s management, including the

 

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chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and CFO have concluded that Odyssey’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

On or about December 14, 2004 a complaint was filed against seven defendants including the Company in the Court of Common Pleas in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, County of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina. The complaint was filed by Republic & Eagle Associates, Inc. and Sea Miners, Inc. against John Morris, Greg Stemm, John Lawrence, John Balch, Daniel Bagley, Seahawk Deep Sea Technologies, Inc. (“Seahawk”) and the Company. The plaintiffs’ allegations include breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy and breach of contract based primarily upon an alleged contract(s) between the plaintiffs and Seahawk dated May 16, 1995 dealing with the search for the SS Republic. The plaintiffs allege that their research which was provided to Seahawk led to the discovery of the SS Republic and they seek an unspecified amount of damages and public recognition of their contribution. On February 18, 2005, John Morris, Greg Stemm, Daniel Bagley, and the Company filed their Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss Defendants John Morris, Greg Stemm, Daniel Bagley and Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (the “Motion”). In the Motion, the defendants allege that the complaint should be dismissed because, among other things, the South Carolina court does not have jurisdiction over them, the action was filed in an improper venue, plaintiffs lack the capacity to maintain the action, and the action should be barred based on the Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens. The court granted the Motion and dismissed the case for lack of personal jurisdiction on June 9, 2006. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a Motion for Rehearing, and after further argument on the issues, the judge reversed his decision and entered an order denying the defendants’ motion to dismiss on February 27, 2007. The Defendants filed a Motion to Reconsider the order granting the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration and denying Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss on March 12, 2007. On March 23, 2007, the Court denied that Motion. We are currently considering appeal. Management believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action.

The Company may be subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We currently believe these claims and suits are without merit and will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

For information regarding risk factors, please refer to Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2007, that have not been reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith electronically
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith electronically
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350    Filed herewith electronically
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350    Filed herewith electronically

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC.
Date: May 10, 2007   By:   /s/    Michael J. Holmes
    Michael J. Holmes, Chief Financial
    Officer and Authorized Officer

 

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