Offshore Systems International Announces Strategic Expansion to Land-Based Mapping; Initial Orders Over C$500,000.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2002

Offshore Systems International Ltd. (TSX: OSI), an electronic navigation company with a strong defense niche, announced today a strategic expansion initiative. The Company reported that its Board of Directors has approved expanding the business scope of its wholly-owned subsidiary Offshore Charts Ltd. beyond production of electronic navigation charts to include production of land-based mapping products. The Offshore Charts Ltd. subsidiary has also been renamed OSI Geomatics Ltd. to better reflect its business expansion.

Moreover, Offshore said it already has received initial land-mapping orders totaling in excess of C$575,000 (US$360,000).

"This strategic expansion is a natural and complementary extension of our marine charting business," said John Jacobson, President and CEO Offshore Systems International. "During the past several years, we have been watching closely as the land mapping market has evolved from a group of small vertical niches to a much broader and more integrated opportunity."

Digital Technology Driving Land Mapping

The main impetus for new growth in production volumes is coming from the implementation of digital technology in the production, distribution and use of maps. Both GPS and GIS technology have created an increasing demand for up-to-date, precise, city, regional, provincial and state level map products. Old surveys are now being re-surveyed and mapped to a worldwide coordinate system, in order to do everything from resolving ownership disputes to ensuring taxation coverage. The number of users of digital land data products is increasing significantly, as the marketplace becomes more attuned to the benefits of electronic mapping as compared to paper maps. Of course, the market is demanding greater data accuracy and integrity, delivery speed and above all, affordability of land-mapping products and services.

In recent years, Offshore has done chart production work in conjunction with land mapping organizations. "The mapping process isn't substantially different from marine charting," said Mr. Jacobson. "In particular, our project management and quality assurance skills are highly applicable. We were getting calls from potential customers and it became clear that, provided we took a unique approach to connecting demand with supply, there was definitely room in the land-mapping market for us."

The Mapping Market

The mapping industry in North America is fragmented, with more than 250 mapping companies. The majority are small regional firms with annual revenues less than C$2 million (US$1.25 million); less than 20 mapping companies have yearly sales more than C$10 million (US$ 6.25) million. Offshore's management estimates that the North American mapping market for both land and nautical products could be as much as C$800 million (US$500 million) in annual revenues.

Offshore is building a sales and marketing team to pursue prime and subcontracting roles in pursuit of geomatics work with county and city governments, other governmental agencies, military departments, agriculture and forestry industries, pipelines and utilities. Initially, Offshore's strategic expansion will focus on North American business opportunities.

Offshore's Mapping Goals

The Company's goal for fiscal 2003 (commencing 12/1/02), being the first full year of OSI Geomatics Ltd. operations, is to achieve market-share penetration exceeding one-half percent of the North American mapping market. This would generate mapping and charting revenues of about of C$5 million (US$3.2 million), which is nearly two thirds of Offshore's total fiscal year 2001 consolidated revenues of C$7.9 million (US$5.1 million). (For the nine months of fiscal 2002, Offshore reported revenues of C$9.8 million, US$6.2 million.) The Company's mid-term growth goal for OSI Geomatics is to increase market share by one percent annually in the two years following fiscal 2003 and ultimately to contribute ten percent of revenue to pre-tax income.

Core Software Systems Outlook

"At the same time," stressed CEO Jacobson, "Offshore Systems' core business, which is proprietary marine electronic navigation systems primarily for the defense marketplace in North America and internationally, has never been in stronger position. This market is expanding worldwide, we have key strategic alliances, and we are very excited about the prospects for our electronic navigation operations."

Offshore Systems International Ltd.

Founded in 1977, Offshore Systems designs, develops and markets the proprietary ECPINS(R) (Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System) line of electronic chart navigation systems for ships. ECPINS is designed, developed and marketed by Offshore Systems Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary. ECPINS helps to reduce the risk of navigation-related incidents by giving bridge crews a precise, real-time display of their position, course and speed, against a background of fixed obstacles and other navigational hazards. Offshore Systems has developed a strong market position in military navigation, and has ECPINS systems deployed with the United States Coast Guard, the Canadian Navy, the Royal Danish Navy and the United States Navy.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This news release contains discussion of items that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Although Offshore Systems International believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include the effects of general economic conditions, changing foreign exchange rates, actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with contract negotiations, industry supply levels and competitive pricing pressures.