Viking Systems Announces Appointment of Ronald Walrod to Board and Joseph Warrino as CFO.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2004

Viking Systems, Inc. (Pink Sheets:VKSY) today announced that Ronald Walrod, CEO, JMAR Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:JMAR) will be replacing Dennis Blomquist on the Board of Directors effective with the completion of the acquisition of the visualization business of Vista Medical Technologies, Inc. on April 15, 2004. Dennis Blomquist, Viking's former CEO, had agreed to serve as director and CFO until the completion of the acquisition. He is being replaced as CFO by Joseph Warrino, the former controller for Vista Medical Technologies.

Ron Walrod brings substantial technology and management depth to Viking's Board. Walrod has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of JMAR Technology since October, 2002. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Walrod served as President and CEO of Kinetic Probe, a privately-held company engaged in the development of semiconductor probe cards. While there, he established a new business model for the start-up operation and secured funding from a range of sources to develop and commercialize its product. From 1996 to 1998, Walrod served as President and CEO of Nautronix, a leading supplier of dynamic positioning, autopilot and automation systems for marine applications. From 1984 to 1993, Mr. Walrod served as President and CEO of Applied Remote Technology, Inc. (ART), a company he founded to develop autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) systems, advanced undersea sensors, and acoustic communications links, all of which have both commercial and military applications. The effectiveness of ART's AUV and sensor systems earned the Company recognition as a leading innovator in the field and led directly to ART's acquisition by General Dynamics. Mr. Walrod graduated with Honors from the United States Coast Guard Academy and earned both Masters of Science and Professional Engineer Degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970, and received a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of San Diego in 1983. He was awarded a fellowship for graduate studies in Ocean Engineering from the National Science Foundation and has twice received the Industrial Research and Development IR 100 Award for Remotely Operated Vehicles developed under his direction. Mr. Walrod holds a United States Patent for "Comminution by Cryogenic Electrohydraulics" that was issued in 1998.

As Viking's new CFO, Joe Warrino brings a strong manufacturing and public company accounting background to Viking. Warrino will bring continuity and compliance experience from his experience at Vista. From 2000 to April 2004, he was the controller of Vista Medical Technologies, Inc. From 1999 to 2000 he was a Division Controller and Human Resources Manager of DT Industries, Inc. Prior to that, from 1998 to 1999, he was a senior cost accountant for Vista Medical Technologies, Inc. Before joining Vista, he worked as an accountant for several different companies. Mr. Warrino earned his BS Degree in accounting from Salem State College and his AS Degree in Management from Middlesex Community College.

About Viking Systems, Inc.

Viking Systems, Inc. mission is to become the market leader in the development of integrated imaging, information and surgical control technologies that significantly enhance performance and patient outcomes of complex surgical procedures. Viking plans to complete a series of acquisitions in the medical device market focused on companies with vision, optics, laser, sensor and other imaging technologies that further this mission.

Forward-Looking Statements

This current report contains certain forward-looking statements and any statements contained in this current report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, many of which are not within Viking's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, economic conditions generally and in the markets in which Viking may participate, competition within Viking's markets and failure by Viking to successfully develop business relationships.