Benthos wins follow-on geophysical contract.

NORTH FALMOUTH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 1996--Benthos Inc. announced today that it received another significant geophysical hydrophone order from Syntron Inc. of Houston, Texas.

The order is for Benthos' RDA (Reduced Diameter Array) hydrophones used for seismic 3D data acquisition in offshore oil exploration. Syntron Inc. is a major supplier of equipment for offshore geophysical exploration.

This is the second major sale by Benthos in the geophysical area and represents a transfer of technology developed for the defense industry to a non-military application. Several years of work have gone into the design and marketing of the RDA hydrophone which is proprietary and patented technology.

Seismic data acquisition is a $4 billion a year business and there is potential for further large sales into this market. Benthos has been producing hydrophones since acquiring the Aquadyne product line in 1977.

Benthos Inc. design, manufactures, and sell oceanographic and robotic equipment for underwater exploration, research, and defense; and TapTone inspection systems for testing the seal integrity of consumer containers made of glass, metal or plastic. The company is ISO 9001 certified. Benthos stock is traded over the counter and is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol BTHS.

CONTACT: Benthos Inc.

Robert Catalano

or

Peter Zentz

508/563-1000