DOER MARINE OPERATIONS

What DOER MARINE OPERATIONS does

DOER Marine Operations (legal name Deep Ocean Exploration and Research) is a marine engineering and manufacturing firm founded in 1992 by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle and headquartered in a 55,000-square-foot facility at 650 West Tower Avenue in Alameda, California. The company designs and manufactures underwater vehicles, including human-occupied submersibles (HOVs) such as the Ocean Explorer HOV1000, Reef Rover, and the upcoming Honu Class, and a modular family of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) spanning the H6500, H3000, H2000, Ocean Explorer, and Spectre models. Ancillary products include the Sea Mantis 5 servo-controlled manipulator arm, 1-liter and 4-liter hydraulic compensators, and custom mission modules built into repurposed shipping containers; the company also operates a Haas-equipped precision machine shop for in-house and contract machining. DOER holds a documented first-mover position as the only builder to obtain dual classification on a submersible for both research and tourism, and its ancillary equipment has been proven to full ocean depth (11,000 m).

The company operates a project-based, multi-stream revenue model: (1) custom submersible and ROV builds and re-fits, (2) sale of standardized accessories and components, (3) marine consulting including feasibility studies, engineering review, and classing with ABS, Lloyds, and GL, (4) field operations and support management, and (5) ROV/submersible training and material testing services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales with a consultative discovery-design-build-deliver motion, supplemented by partnership-based expedition work. Customer segments span universities and research institutions, film and media producers (BBC, NHK, James Cameron, Google Earth Oceans advisory), government and first responders, conservation NGOs (Greenpeace, Mission Blue, Waitt Institute, ORCA), and commercial diving firms.

The firm is privately held with 25+ employees and has built over 200 underwater vehicles across more than 30 years. Strategic positioning is anchored by a $40M philanthropic Deepsearch program funded by Eric Schmidt's Marine Science Technology Foundation through SEAlliance to develop two full-ocean-depth classed submersibles and testing infrastructure, a manufacturing partnership with Tiburon Subsea for an autonomous hovering underwater vehicle (HAUV), the TULES infrastructure-inspection platform, and recognition as AMBayArea Manufacturer of the Year 2024.

Name

DOER MARINE OPERATIONS

Legal name

Deep Ocean Exploration and Research

Website

https://doermarine.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DOER Marine Operations designs and manufactures human-occupied submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, manipulator arms, and hydraulic components for universities, government agencies, conservation organizations, film producers, and commercial diving firms from its Alameda, California facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Vehicle Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Manned Submersible & Deep-Sea Research Vehicle Manufacturing (IMAJAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC), Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ)

Keywords

• Underwater vehicle manufacturing
• Human occupied submersibles
• Remotely operated vehicles
• Marine consulting services
• Deep sea exploration equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Alameda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Submersibles and ROVs: Design, manufacturing, and sale of bespoke human-occupied submersibles and remotely operated vehicles. Includes ground-up builds, re-fits, launch and recovery systems, equipment integration, and recertification work on existing systems. Revenue is project-based with significant custom engineering components.
2. Submersible Accessories and Components: Sale of ancillary equipment including hydraulic compensators, manipulator arms, mission modules, and specialized tools proven to full ocean depth. Components can be sold individually or as part of complete vehicle packages.
3. Marine Consulting Services: Professional consulting services including feasibility studies, engineering review, materials testing, design review, vessel evaluation, submersible personnel evaluation, dive plan review, scientific/exploration permit assistance, expert witness services, and classification services with ABS, Lloyds, and GL.
4. Field Operations and Support Management: Consulting services for planning, coordination, and supervision of field operations including logistics management, resource allocation, personnel training, and safety/regulatory compliance.
5. ROV and Submersible Training: Comprehensive training programs and protocols for submersible operations, including pilot training, maintenance training, simulated missions, and real-world dive supervision.
6. Testing Services: Submersible and material testing services for safety, performance, and durability verification, compliance with industry standards, and customized testing solutions.
7. Custom Machining Services: Top-tier custom machining services for the marine research and exploration sector using Haas Tools, lathes, and precision machining equipment. Manufacturing bespoke parts for deep-sea vessels, scientific research equipment, and specialized marine lab components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DOER Marine Operations designs, manufactures, and services bespoke human-occupied submersibles (HOVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep-sea research, exploration, infrastructure inspection, search and recovery, and cinematography. The company also produces proprietary components including hydraulic compensators and the Sea Mantis 5 manipulator arm, and delivers a full suite of professional services spanning consulting, training, testing, machining, and field operations support.

Product overview

DOER Marine Operations (Deep Ocean Exploration and Research) is a marine technology company founded in 1992 by Dr. Sylvia Earle, specializing in the design and manufacture of underwater vehicles and related systems. The company offers a portfolio of human-occupied submersibles (HOVs) including the Ocean Explorer HOV1000, Reef Rover, and upcoming Honu Class; a range of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) spanning the H6500, H3000, H2000, Ocean Explorer, and Spectre models; hydraulic compensators in 1-liter and 4-liter capacities; and Sea Mantis 5 submersible manipulator arms. Mission Modules provide custom research-focused enhancements for underwater vehicles. The company also provides an ecosystem of services including machining, field operations consulting, marine consulting and research, ROV and submersible training, testing services, and bespoke design services. Additional offerings include the TULES levee evaluation system and the Deep Ocean Exploration Store for retail ocean education products. DOER Marine operates from Alameda, California, with over 200 underwater vehicles built and a maximum depth achievement of 11,000 meters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deep Ocean Explore Store: Public-facing dive shop opened during the pandemic for ocean education and dive training.

Products and services

• Ocean Explorer HOV1000 A customizable human-occupied submersible rated to 1000 meters depth with a fully classed pressure hull providing excellent fields of view, standard seating for three people, and the ability to be shipped in a sea container and launched from a variety of platforms without requiring a dedicated mother ship. Targeted at researchers, filmmakers, and explorers needing a modern deep-rated platform.
• Reef Rover Submersible A practical and stable submersible system inspired by the original record-setting Deep Rover, designed for maximum depths of 1000 meters and accommodating one or two people. Targeted at operators needing a cost-effective, easy-to-launch human-occupied platform.
• H6500 Work-Class ROV A work-class ROV rated for 3000 to 6500 meter depths with 2700 lbs weight in air, 110 lbs payload, 25-100 HP power options, seven thrusters in quad configuration with three vertical thrusters, twelve proportional valves, HD/4xSD imaging, and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Targeted at deep-sea survey, sampling, search/recovery, NDT, and inspection clients.
• H3000 Mid-Size Work-Class ROV A mid-size work-class ROV rated for 3000 meter depth with hydraulic thrusters, auto heading and depth capabilities, a five-function Sea Mantis manipulator, and tooling skid options supporting deep water survey, sampling, documentary filming, search/recovery, and inspection applications. Targeted at operators needing a versatile mid-depth platform.
• H2000 Ultra-Compact Work-Class ROV An ultra-compact work-class ROV rated for 2000 meter depth with 120 pounds of usable payload, designed for multi-mission deployment from a variety of platforms including survey, sampling, search/recovery, NDT, and inspection tasks. Targeted at clients needing a portable deep-rated platform.
• Ocean Explorer ROV A mid-size electric ROV with an open frame architecture rated for 1000 meter depth, accommodating various sensors and tools with minimal integration effort, featuring electric thrusters, 75 pounds of usable payload, and an optional five-function Sea Mantis manipulator. Targeted at inspection and research clients needing flexible sensor integration.
• Spectre ROV A retrofit solution for aging Phantom ROV systems, based on the open frame architecture of the Ocean Explorer ROV, rated for 600 meter depth with enhanced reliability, individually housed thrusters, and simplified integration of ancillary devices. Targeted at operators modernizing existing Phantom ROV fleets.
• 1-Liter Hydraulic Compensator A compact hydraulic compensator with 1-liter capacity featuring a Buna-N Rolling Diaphragm, anodized aluminum or acrylic construction, ORB ports, and operational capability at full ocean depth. Weighs 7 lbs with dimensions of 8 3/16 inches long and 5 inches diameter, maintaining 10-15 psi above ambient pressure. Targeted at subsea vehicle integrators needing precise fluid control.
• 4-Liter Hydraulic Compensator A hydraulic compensator with 4-liter (approximately 1 gallon) capacity featuring clear housing for visual inspection of hydraulic fluid, Buna-N Rolling Diaphragm, ORB ports, and operational capability at full ocean depth. Weighs 29 lbs with dimensions of 22 inches long and 10 inches diameter, maintaining 10-15 psi above ambient pressure. Targeted at subsea systems requiring larger fluid reserves.
• Sea Mantis 5 Submersible Manipulator Arm An advanced servo-controlled manipulator arm offering fine motor control and powerful gripping strength, featuring 360-degree continuous wrist rotation, modular design for easy integration with ROVs and AUVs, and customizable end effectors including multipurpose jaws, heavy duty cutters, parallel closure, and custom end effectors. Targeted at ROV and submersible operators requiring precise manipulation in demanding marine environments.
• Mission Modules Custom research-focused scientific and mission modules that enhance underwater vehicle capabilities for environmental monitoring, underwater construction, salvage operations, and scientific research. Built around repurposed shipping containers with custom environments for ROV manipulation and research follow-up. Targeted at research and exploration clients needing modular mission-tailored payloads.
• Custom Machining Services Top-tier custom machining services for the marine research and exploration sector, utilizing Haas Tools, lathes, and precision machining equipment with engineering support to craft bespoke parts for deep-sea vessels, scientific research equipment, and marine labs. Targeted at marine research and exploration operators needing precision-machined components.
• Field Operations & Support Management Consulting services providing strategic planning, process optimization, resource management, safety and compliance support, technology integration (IoT, GPS tracking, mobile solutions), training, logistics, quality assurance, incident management, and project management support for field activities. Targeted at operators running marine field operations in various industries.
• Marine Consulting & Research Services Specialized maritime consulting including feasibility studies, engineering review, materials testing, design review, vessel evaluation, ROV/submersible personnel assessment, dive plan review, scientific/exploration permit assistance, classing of designs with ABS, Lloyds, and GL, and expert witness services. Targeted at vessel owners, researchers, and legal clients needing marine expertise.
• ROV & Submersible Training Comprehensive training programs for submersible and ROV operations covering the foundation of submersible operations, technical training, practical skills development, research methodologies, environmental considerations, and advanced deep-sea topics, leveraging 32 years of professional experience. Targeted at pilots and support staff operating bespoke DOER and third-party vehicles.
• Testing Services Submersible and material testing services ensuring the highest standards of safety, performance, and durability, providing enhanced safety verification, optimized performance identification, longevity and durability assessment, compliance with industry standards, and customized solutions tailored to specific client needs. Targeted at manufacturers, researchers, and operators needing third-party testing validation.
• Bespoke Design Services Custom design and manufacturing of submersibles and underwater vehicles tailored to specific client needs, from initial sketches to final product, using the latest marine technology and materials, with rigorous safety testing and comprehensive after-sales support including maintenance, training, and upgrades. Targeted at operators needing fully custom-built underwater platforms.
• TULES (Terrestrial & Underwater Levee Evaluation System) A comprehensive inspection and monitoring system combining sensor technology, electronic media, and integrated software deployed on application-specific vehicle platforms for both internal and external levee and earthen dam inspections. Provides in-situ data and geo-referenced images analyzed into interpretable results for informed decision-making and ongoing monitoring. Targeted at infrastructure operators managing levees and dams.
• Deep Ocean Exploration Store A public-facing dive shop opened during the pandemic serving as a resource for ocean education and dive training, promoting sustainable diving practices and marine ecosystem protection through partnerships with local conservation organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ underwater vehicles built since founding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mission BluecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024DOER was engaged by Hope Spots LLC and the Waitt Institute for submersible support services in the Gulf of Mexico as part of Mission Blue collaboration. Dr. Sylvia Earle served as lead scientist for the Survivors of the Spill Expedition investigating recovery following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
• SEAlliance (Sylvia Earle's Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeepsearch program partnership with Sylvia Earle's SEAlliance, funded by Eric Schmidt's Marine Science Technology Foundation. DOER Marine is developing two full ocean depth, classed submersibles as part of this comprehensive program. The SEAlliance is working to preserve large areas of ocean as a 'blue bank account' for protection from destructive processes.
• Tiburon SubseacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership where DOER facilitates R&D and manufacturing of Tiburon Subsea's patent-pending thruster control technology and their autonomous hovering underwater vehicle (HAUV) production. Tiburon Subsea is developing a proprietary underwater vehicle data infrastructure platform.
• AltaSeaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with AltaSea to drive initiatives in marine science, innovation, and education to promote the blue economy. Joint efforts focus on advancing underwater exploration and sustainability.
• Deep HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on developing submersible technology for ocean research and conservation efforts.
• Waitt InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided use of their two-person submersible for the Mission Blue Survivors of the Spill Expedition. Partnership for marine conservation and ocean exploration initiatives.
• ORCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaboration as part of the Mission Blue Survivors of the Spill Expedition. ORCA scientists participated in the Gulf of Mexico research expedition.
• Harte Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Thomas Shirley of Harte Research Institute served as lead scientist alongside Dr. Sylvia Earle for the Mission Blue Survivors of the Spill Expedition investigating Gulf of Mexico recovery.
• Dr. Edith WidderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeployment of Medusa lander for deep water trials as part of the Mission Blue expedition. DOER provided training and diving supervision for over the side operations.
• Greenpeace InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ocean conservation operations from the Greenpeace vessel M/V Arctic Sunrise. DOER Marine provides diving supervision and technical support during marine conservation missions, ensuring safety and effectiveness of underwater operations.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOER Marine coordinated the advisory council for Google Earth Oceans, chaired by Dr. Sylvia Earle. This innovative project integrated comprehensive oceanographic data from various institutions into Google Earth, democratizing ocean exploration for users worldwide.
• U.S. NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed oceanic data to the Google Earth Oceans feature as part of the collaborative effort to map the world's oceans digitally.
• NOAAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed oceanic data to the Google Earth Oceans feature. Partnership for ocean data accessibility and public education about marine environments.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed oceanic data to the Google Earth Oceans feature as part of the collaborative project to integrate comprehensive oceanographic data into Google Earth.
• National GeographicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with DOER Marine and Dr. Sylvia Earle to contribute video content and research findings to Google Earth Oceans, providing educational narratives about marine environments.
• BBCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed video footage including Planet Earth content to Google Earth Oceans feature, enriching the virtual oceanic experience with marine life documentation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Triton Submarines: Designs and manufactures classed manned submersibles for private yacht owners, research institutions, and tourism operators. Triton is the closest direct comparison to DOER's HOV business and its dual-classification strategy.
• Phoenix International Holdings: Provides subsea robotics services including ROV operations, search and recovery, and inspection to U.S. Navy, government, and commercial clients. Overlaps with DOER's ROV and field-operations consulting offering.
• Saab Seaeye: Manufactures a broad portfolio of electric and hydraulic work-class and observation-class ROVs used for inspection, survey, and intervention. Direct competitor to DOER's H-series ROV line across research, defense, and commercial buyers.
• VideoRay: Produces portable and mid-size ROVs widely used for security, inspection, and defense applications. Comparable to DOER on mission-modular ROV design and on the inspection-class end of the underwater vehicle market.

Broad incumbents

• Oceaneering International: Large diversified subsea robotics and offshore services provider with work-class ROV fleets, intervention tooling, and marine operations. Competes in the same subsea inspection, intervention, and crewed submersible spaces but at much greater scale.
• Forum Energy Technologies: Supplies subsea vehicles, ROVs, and intervention tools to the offshore energy and inspection markets. Overlaps with DOER's ROV and manipulator business, particularly for oil & gas and renewables inspection customers.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Provides underwater sensor suites, AUVs, and subsea instrumentation for survey, defense, and research customers. Adjacent to DOER's classification, sensors, and manipulator integration work across HOVs and ROVs.
• Teledyne Marine: Major supplier of subsea imaging, sonar, and underwater vehicle systems to research, defense, and offshore customers. Compares on instrumentation and integrated subsea system components used within DOER's vehicles.

Emerging players

• Caladan Oceanic: Operates the Limiting Factor submersible used for full-ocean-depth expeditions in partnership with the Five Deeps project. Direct comparator in full-ocean-depth submersible operations and a credible private/emerging counterpart to DOER's Deepsearch program.

Others

• Sperry Marine (Hensoldt): Supplies navigation, bridge, and platform-management systems for specialized marine vessels and submarines. Adjacent navigation/safety systems provider comparable to the navigation, guidance, and pressure-hull classified engineering work that underpins DOER's HOVs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/DOER-Marine-Operations/100063594219283
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/doer-marine

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 DOER MARINE OPERATIONS