What Ocean Technology Systems does

Ocean Technology Systems (OTS), operating as Undersea Systems International, Inc., is a Santa Ana, California-based manufacturer of underwater communications equipment and full face masks founded in 1984 by Mike Pelissier and Jerry Peck. The company designs and builds a vertically integrated product line spanning two full face mask platforms (Guardian FFM with integrated regulator and Spectrum FFM with user-supplied regulator, the latter U.S. Navy-approved and CE-certified), wireless acoustic transceivers (Buddy Phone for recreational, PowerCom for professional, MilCom up to 70W for military), hardwire intercom systems (MK-III, MK2-DCI, MK-7, ComBox), diver recall systems, and supporting accessories such as earphone/microphone assemblies, batteries, chargers, and third-party-compatible heads-up display mounts. Its core technology is a proprietary 33 kHz acoustic signaling approach that converts speech to sonic signals for omnidirectional through-water transmission, with professional units reaching up to 10,000 meters; an Emmy-winning audio pedigree supports use in Film & TV broadcast production.

OTS is the only manufacturer of wireless underwater communications approved by the U.S. Military and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, anchoring a customer base that includes U.S. and allied militaries, public safety dive teams, commercial diving operations, scientific divers, film and television productions, public aquariums, and recreational divers. The business model is primarily one-time hardware sales (retail pricing published on the company's e-commerce site, with government, military, and industry professional pricing available through application), complemented by a $300 Guardian Technician Training course with triennial recertification, a $220 custom-project consultation fee, and recurring battery, charger, and accessory replacement revenue. Distribution runs through a tiered Silver/Gold/Platinum dealer network with Guardian Service Centers, direct government and military sales via a Special Project Request channel, and an international dealer footprint reaching Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. The company remains family owned and operated, with the original founders still in place after more than 40 years.

Name

Ocean Technology Systems

Legal name

Undersea Systems International, Inc.

Website

https://oceantechnologysystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) is a family-owned, Santa Ana-based manufacturer founded in 1984 that builds underwater acoustic wireless communications, hardwire intercoms, and full face masks for military, public safety, commercial, scientific, film and TV, and recreational divers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Diving Communications Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG), Naval Sensors & Sonar Systems (IMABAKAD)

Keywords

• Underwater communication systems
• Full face diving masks
• Wireless dive communications
• Commercial diving equipment
• Military diving communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Full Face Mask Sales: One-time hardware sales of full face masks including Guardian FFM ($899) and Spectrum FFM ($479). Each mask includes a communications port for integration with OTS communication systems. Guardian includes integrated second stage regulator; Spectrum allows use of third-party regulators.
2. Underwater Communications Equipment: One-time hardware sales of wireless transceivers (Buddy Phone from $999, PowerCom from $1,999, MilCom series) and hardwire intercom systems (MK-III from $3,299, MK2-DCI from $2,499). Battery, charger, and accessory add-ons drive repeat purchases.
3. Bundled FFM + Communications Packages: Pre-configured packages combining full face masks with communication systems (Guardian + Buddy Phone at $1,689; Spectrum + Buddy Phone at $1,339), offering convenience and cross-sell of complementary products.
4. Guardian Technician Training & Certification: Online and in-person Guardian Full Face Mask technical/maintenance course priced at $300 per student, including tool kit. Recertification available every three years. Provides access to technician-only parts ordering portal.
5. Special Project / Custom Manufacturing: Custom project engineering for unique customer requirements ($220 consultation fee applies). Serves military and government customers with specialized frequency, non-magnetic, or custom-configuration underwater communication needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ocean Technology Systems manufactures and supplies wireless and hardwire underwater acoustic communication systems (Buddy Phone, PowerCom, MilCom, MK-III, Aquacom) and full face diving masks (Guardian FFM, Spectrum FFM, M-48 series) for military, government, public safety, commercial, scientific, film/TV, aquarium, and recreational diving applications. The company also offers bundled mask+communication packages, diver recall systems, accessories (batteries, transducers, earphone/microphone assemblies, dive lights), custom special-project engineering, and a Guardian FFM technician training/certification course.

Product overview

Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) is a manufacturer of underwater communications equipment and full face masks for recreational, commercial, scientific, government, and military diving applications. The product portfolio centers on two core full face masks (Guardian and Spectrum), complemented by wireless underwater communication transceivers (Buddy Phone and PowerCom series) and hardwire intercom systems (MK-III, MK2-DCI, MK-7, ComBox). Supporting accessories include diver recall systems, communication ropes, transducer assemblies, earphone/microphone assemblies, batteries and chargers, connectors, and compatible heads-up displays from ScubaPro and Halcyon. OTS also offers specialized military-grade communication products (MilCom series) and technical training certification for Guardian mask service. The products are designed to work independently or in combination, allowing divers to equip full face masks with communication capabilities for underwater voice communication with other divers and surface teams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OTS Communications: The underwater communications division of Ocean Technology Systems serving military, commercial, and recreational markets.
• Aquacom
• Buddy Phone
• PowerCom
• MilCom
• Guardian
• Spectrum

Products and services

• Guardian Full Face Mask A professional full face mask with integrated second stage regulator, self-defogging air flow system, double-seal silicone skirt, ambient breathing valve, and communications port for OTS Buddy Phone and ear/microphone assemblies. Targeted at military, public safety, commercial, and recreational divers.
• Spectrum Full Face Mask Full face mask designed to accept the diver's own standard second stage regulator, eliminating the bite-down mouthpiece. Features double face seal, five-point head harness, and integrated communications port. Tested to EN 250:2014 and US Navy approved.
• M-48 Full Face Mask Series (MOD-1 and Super Mask) Professional full face masks including the M-48 MOD-1 with threaded inserts and the M-48 Super Mask with integrated balanced pod scuba regulator, designed for commercial and professional diving and compatible with Kirby Morgan communication equipment.
• Guardian FFM with Buddy Phone Communications Package Pre-configured bundle pairing the Guardian Full Face Mask with a Buddy Phone wireless underwater communication transceiver for diver-to-diver and diver-to-surface communication.
• Spectrum FFM with Buddy Phone Communications Package Pre-configured bundle pairing the Spectrum Full Face Mask with a Buddy Phone wireless underwater communication transceiver, providing communication capability at a lower combined price point.
• Buddy Phone Through-Water Transceivers (Wireless) Entry-level push-to-talk wireless underwater acoustic transceivers operating on 33 kHz with 1/2 watt output and 50-500m range, designed for recreational and professional divers and compatible with OTS full face masks.
• PowerCom 3000D Wireless Diver Unit Professional-grade 4-channel, 25-watt wireless underwater communication diver unit designed for commercial and professional diving applications with extended range capability.
• PowerCom 5000D Wireless Diver Unit High-power 8-channel, 35-watt wireless underwater communication diver unit designed for extended range professional and military-grade communication operations.
• PowerCom 3000S and 5000S Surface Stations Surface station companions to the PowerCom 3000D (4-channel, 25W) and 5000D (8-channel, 35W) wireless diver units, enabling surface-to-diver communication for professional operations.
• MilCom Military-Grade Wireless Communication Systems Military-grade wireless underwater communication systems (MilCom 6000H with up to 70W output power and hybrid wireless/hardwire configurations) approved by the U.S. Military for defense diving applications.
• MK-III 3-Diver Hardwire Intercom Hardwire surface station intercom supporting up to 3 divers connected via communication rope, providing clear, landline-quality full-duplex underwater communication.
• Aquacom MK2-DCI 2-Diver Air Intercom 2-diver hardwire underwater intercom system providing reliable cable-connected landline-quality communication, commonly used in aquarium and commercial diving applications.
• MK-7 Buddy-Line Portable Two-Diver Air Intercom Portable 4-wire two-diver hardwire intercom designed for search and rescue and professional diving applications.
• DRS-100B Diver Recall System and PDR-100 Portable Diver Recall Surface-operated acoustic diver recall systems, including the DRS-100B fixed unit and the PDR-100 portable version, for signaling divers underwater to return to the surface.
• Guardian Full Face Mask Technician Course Paid technical training and certification course for service and maintenance of the Guardian Full Face Mask, including tool kit and recertification every three years, with access to technician-only parts ordering.
• Special Project / Custom Manufacturing Engineering Custom project engineering service for unique customer requirements, including specialized frequency, non-magnetic, and custom-configuration underwater communication solutions, primarily for military and government customers. Subject to a $220 consultation fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wireless communication range up to 10,000 meters for professional MilCom/PowerCom units
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ocean EnterprisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum Dealer carrying the entire OTS product line. Located at 7710 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92111. Serves government sales and full product access for enterprise customers in the San Diego market.
• Dive and PhotocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold Dealer serving Public Safety, Government, Commercial, and Recreational markets. Located at 3033 Bristol St., Suite F2, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. 949-476-8500.
• House of ScubacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold Dealer and Guardian Service Center. Located at 5141 Santa Fe Street, STE A, San Diego, CA 92109. Authorized for full OTS product sales and Guardian FFM service support.
• Riverside ScubacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold Dealer, Public Safety specialist, and Guardian Service Center. Located at 1043 W. La Cadena Drive, Riverside, CA 92501. Specializes in serving public safety dive teams.
• Pesca Del Mar De EnsenadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational Dealer with Guardian Service Center capability. Located in Ensenada. Contact: 52 646 178-8906. Extends OTS distribution into the Mexican diving market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thales: Thales is a global defense and naval systems prime producing sonar, undersea sensors, and naval communications. Comparable to OTS only in naval acoustic sensing and undersea communications; much larger scale, broader portfolio, and global military prime-contractor status.
• Teledyne Marine: Teledyne Marine provides a broad portfolio of underwater acoustic sensors, sonars, and communication/positioning products for defense, commercial, and scientific markets. Comparable to OTS in underwater acoustic technology and customer base, but at much greater scale and with broader system offerings.
• Sonardyne: Sonardyne is a UK-based specialist in underwater acoustic positioning, navigation, and communication systems used by navies, offshore energy, and scientific operators. A broader incumbent serving overlapping naval and commercial underwater customers with a wider product portfolio than OTS.
• Aqua Lung: Aqua Lung is a global dive equipment brand offering regulators, masks, BCDs, and full face masks for recreational, military, and commercial divers. Comparable to OTS on full face masks and broader diving equipment, though with much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Ultra Electronics: Ultra Electronics supplies sonar systems, underwater communications, and naval sensors to defense customers globally, including undersea warfare and maritime surveillance. A broad incumbent defense electronics competitor that could expand into OTS's wireless underwater comms niche given its military relationships and scale.
• SCUBAPRO: SCUBAPRO is a major recreational and technical diving brand producing regulators, dive computers, and full face masks, and is a partner of OTS (Galileo HUD mounts sold through OTS). Comparable on FFM and dive electronics, with substantially broader distribution and brand reach than OTS.

Emerging players

• Hydromea: Hydromea is a Swiss startup developing underwater wireless optical communication and autonomous underwater robotics. An emerging player in underwater wireless communications using a different modality (optical vs. acoustic) than OTS, with potential overlap in defense, scientific, and offshore inspection use cases.

Direct peers

• Ocean Reef: Ocean Reef manufactures full face masks and underwater communication systems (Alpha and M101 series) for recreational, professional, and military divers. Directly comparable to OTS across both FFMs and wireless/hardwire comms, with similar channel-partner-led distribution.
• Kirby Morgan: Kirby Morgan produces commercial and military diving helmets and full face masks, widely used by professional, public safety, and military divers. OTS sells accessories (EMAs) compatible with Kirby Morgan helmets, and the two compete for similar professional diving customers on hardware and integrated communications.
• Poseidon Diving Systems: Poseidon makes full face masks, rebreathers, and integrated diving systems marketed to technical, recreational, and military customers. Comparable to OTS in combining FFMs with integrated communications and electronics, and targeting overlapping technical diving and military buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/otscomm/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/otscommunications/?_ga=2.183376102.1592793117.1715298325-1966271584.1715298325
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceantechnologysystems/?_ga=2.183376102.1592793117.1715298325-1966271584.1715298325

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Technology Systems