Benthos Announces Coughlin Resignation.

Business/Technology Editors

NORTH FALMOUTH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2001

Benthos, Inc. (NASDAQ:BTHS) announced today that John L. Coughlin has resigned from the Board of Directors and as President and CEO of Benthos, Inc. to pursue other opportunities.

Benthos Chairman, Stephen D. Fantone, will assume the responsibilities of President on an interim basis. "We have great confidence in the existing management team," Dr. Fantone stated. "It is recognized worldwide as containing some of the most experienced management in the various fields in which the company operates." Dr. Fantone continued by stating, " I am also pleased to announce that I am expanding the Office of the Chairman to include board member Gary K. Willis to assist the management team during this transitional period."

Mr. Willis, who has served on the Benthos Board of Directors for three years, recently retired as Chairman of Zygo Corporation (NASDAQ:ZIGO) of Middlefield, CT where he served as President and CEO. He previously was Chairman, President, and CEO of The Foxboro Company.

Commenting on John Coughlin's contributions, Chairman Fantone stated, "We thank Mr. Coughlin for his leadership during his tenure of nearly five years. Through this period, John has led Benthos through substantial growth. We appreciate his service and wish John well in his new endeavors." In a separate statement, Mr. Coughlin remarked, " As I move on to new challenges, I am proud of Benthos's accomplishments and extremely confident in its foundation for future growth."

The Company has retained Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., a leading executive search firm, to assist in the search for a new President. The search is already underway.

Benthos, Inc., through its Undersea Systems Division, designs, manufactures, sells and services a variety of oceanographic products for underwater tasks; and through its TapTone Package Inspection Division makes systems for testing consumer packages made of glass, metal or plastic. The common stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap market under the symbol BTHS. For more information, Benthos can be found on the Internet at www.benthos.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this news release and in oral statements which may be made by representatives of the Company relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Securities Laws. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include: the timing of large project orders, competitive factors, shifts in customer demand, government spending, economic cycles, availability of financing as well as the factors described in this news release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended.