Benthos Ships Largest-Ever ROV Order.

Business/Technology Editors

NORTH FALMOUTH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

BENTHOS, INC. (NASDAQ: BTHS) announced today that it has completed and shipped a multi-million dollar order for its MiniROVER(R) MKII remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system to Bomba dan Penyelamat, the Fire and Rescue Department (F&RD), Malaysia. The entire manufacturing process, for 48 individual units, was completed in just 46 days from confirmation of the order to shipment of the units. Adding to the accomplishment, it is believed that this is the largest number of systems in a single order ever recorded in the ROV industry.

Commenting on today's announcement, Ronald L. Marsiglio, Benthos President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are extremely proud of our employees, suppliers and all those who contributed to this exceptional achievement. We are also thankful to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts whose workforce training grant - received last October - enabled us to streamline our manufacturing processes, cross-train employees and reduce supply chain turnaround. Much of this training was conducted by the University of Dayton's Center for Competitive Change, to whom we are also grateful. This success illustrates our commitment to positioning Benthos as a leading supplier of mid-size, electric ROVs to the world market. Furthermore, our lean manufacturing initiative is enabling the Company to efficiently respond to this kind of high volume requirement."

Upon delivery, F&RD, Malaysia plans to deploy the systems throughout the country to aid waterborne search and rescue efforts. MiniROVER MKII systems are small, lightweight, inspection and survey class ROVs used for a variety of underwater missions. They are equipped with video cameras, lights, thrusters, and articulated gripper arms which allow them to operate in marine environments that could pose a risk to divers. A single system includes an underwater vehicle, a remote control operator handbox, a topside control console, a tether with storage reel, and a VCR/monitor.

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 Systems 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 are 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.