Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc S-3, filed May 19, 2023
Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc (OMEX)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2023
Registration No.: 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Nevada | 84-1018684 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) |
205 S. Hoover Boulevard
Suite 210
Tampa, Florida 33609
(813) 876-1776
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Christopher E. Jones, Chief Financial Officer
205 S. Hoover Boulevard
Suite 210
Tampa, Florida 33609
(813) 876-1776
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
David M. Doney, Esq.
Akerman LLP
401 East Jackson Street, Suite 1700
Tampa, Florida 33602
Telephone: (813) 223-7333
Facsimile: (813) 218-5404
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a small reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “small reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may change. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion — Dated May 19, 2023
PROSPECTUS
3,492,239 Shares
Common Stock
The selling stockholders listed in this prospectus under the section “Selling Stockholders” are offering an aggregate of 3,492,239 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock.
This prospectus also covers any additional shares of common stock that may become issuable upon any anti-dilution adjustment pursuant to the terms of the above-described warrants by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar events. The warrants to purchase common stock were issued by us in a private placement that closed on March 6, 2023.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares from time to time at prices that will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock by the selling stockholders, except upon exercise of the warrants to purchase common stock.
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “OMEX.” On May 17, 2023, the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $3.04 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 for a discussion of these risks.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2023.
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About this Prospectus
This prospectus is a part of the registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The selling stockholders named in this prospectus may from time to time sell the securities described in the prospectus. You should read this prospectus together with the more detailed information regarding our company, our common stock, and our financial statements and notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information that we incorporate in this prospectus by reference, which we describe under the heading “Documents Incorporated by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We and the selling stockholders have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus or other date stated in this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.
In this prospectus, we use the terms “Odyssey,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
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About Odyssey Marine Exploration
The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will update automatically, supplement, and/or supersede this information. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. You should read the following summary together with the more detailed information regarding our company, our common stock, and our financial statements and notes to those statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., or Odyssey, discovers, validates and develops high-value seafloor mineral resources in an environmentally responsible manner, providing access to critical resources that can transform societies and economies for generations to come. We have a diversified mineral portfolio that includes projects controlled by us and other projects in which we are a minority owner and service provider. In addition, our team is continually working to add new projects to the portfolio by identifying potential new assets through a proprietary Global Prospectivity Program leading to the acquisition of appropriate rights. Our development focus is on projects that can meet stringent standards for environmental responsibility and sustainability while unlocking benefits for the host country. Environmental protection remains at the forefront of the strategic and tactical decision-making processes in all our work.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, our revenue and net loss were $1.3 million and $23.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, our revenue and net income were $288,739 and $16.6 million, respectively.
Our corporate offices are located at 205 S. Hoover Boulevard, Suite 210, Tampa, Florida 33609. Our telephone number is (813) 876-1776. Our Internet website address is www.odysseymarine.com, and all of our filings with the SEC are available free of charge on our website. Any information that is included on or linked to our Internet site is not a part of this prospectus.
We are subject to a number of risks, which you should be aware of before you decide to buy our common stock. These risks are discussed more fully in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” other similar expressions, and the negative of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this prospectus. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in any forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those noted in “Risk Factors” below and in the documents incorporated by reference. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
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You should carefully consider the following risks and all other information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference before you decide to buy our common stock. We have included a discussion of each material risk that we have identified as of the date of this prospectus. However, additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, or operating results could suffer. If this occurs, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our common stock.
Our business involves a high degree of risk.
An investment in Odyssey is extremely speculative and of exceptionally high risk. With respect to mineral exploration projects, there are uncertainties with respect to the quality and quantity of the material and their economic feasibility, the price we can obtain for the sale of the deposit or the ore extracted from the deposit, the granting of the necessary permits to operate, environmental safety, technology for extraction and processing, distribution of the eventual ore product, and funding of necessary equipment and facilities. In projects where Odyssey takes a minority ownership position in the company holding the mining rights, there may be uncertainty as to that company’s ability to move the project forward.
The research and data we use may not be reliable.
The success of a mineral project is dependent to a substantial degree upon the research and data we or the contracting party have obtained. By its very nature, research and data regarding mineral deposits can be imprecise, incomplete, outdated, and unreliable. For mineral exploration, data is collected based on a sampling technique and available data may not be representative of the entire ore body or tenement area. Prior to conducting off-shore exploration, we typically conduct on-shore research. There is no guarantee that the models and research conducted onshore will be representative of actual results on the seafloor. Offshore exploration typically requires significant expenditures, with no guarantee that the results will be useful or financially rewarding.
Operations may be affected by natural hazards.
Underwater exploration and recovery operations are inherently difficult and dangerous and may be delayed or suspended by weather, sea conditions or other natural hazards. Further, such operations may be undertaken more safely during certain months of the year than others. We cannot guarantee that we, or the entities we are affiliated with, will be able to conduct exploration, sampling or extractions operations during favorable periods. In addition, even though sea conditions in a particular search location may be somewhat predictable, the possibility exists that unexpected conditions may occur that adversely affect our operations. It is also possible that natural hazards may prevent or significantly delay operations. Seabed mineral extraction work may be subject to interruptions resulting from storms that adversely affect the extraction operations or the ports of delivery. Project planning considers these risks.
We may be unable to establish our rights to resources or items we discover or recover.
We may discover potentially valuable seabed mineral deposits, but we may be unable to get title to the deposits or get the necessary governmental permits to commercially extract the minerals. Mineral deposits may be in controlled waters where the policies and laws of a certain government may change abruptly, thereby adversely affecting our ability to operate in those zones. We have a process for evaluating this risk in our proprietary Global Prospectivity Program.
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The market for any objects or minerals we recover is uncertain.
During the time between when a mineral deposit is discovered and the first extracted minerals are sold, world and local prices for the mineral may fluctuate drastically and thereby adversely affect the economics of the mineral project.
We could experience delays in the disposition or sale of minerals or recovered objects.
It may take significant time between when a mineral deposit is discovered and the first extracted minerals are sold. Stakes in the mineral deposits can potentially be sold at an earlier date, but there is no guarantee that there will be readily available buyers at favorable competitive prices.
Legal, political or civil issues could interfere with our marine operations.
Legal, political or civil issues of governments throughout the world could restrict access to our operational marine sites or interfere with our marine operations or rights to seabed mineral deposits. In many countries, the legislation covering ocean exploration lacks clarity or certainty. As a result, when we are conducting projects in certain areas of the world for our own account or on our behalf of a contracting party, we may be subjected to unexpected delays, requests, and outcomes as we work with local governments to define and obtain the necessary permits and to assert our claims over assets on the seafloor bottom. Our vessel, equipment, personnel and or cargo could be seized or detained by government authorities. We may have to work with different units of a government, and there may be a change of government representatives over time. This may result in unexpected changes or interpretations in government contracts and legislation.
We may be unable to get permission to conduct exploration, excavation, or extraction operations.
It is possible we will not be successful in obtaining the necessary permits to conduct exploration or excavation and extraction operations. In addition, permits we obtain may be revoked or not honored by the entities that issued them. In addition, certain governments may develop new permit requirements that could delay new operations or interrupt existing operations.
Changes in our business strategy or restructuring of our businesses may increase our costs or otherwise affect the profitability of our businesses.
As changes in our business environment occur, we may need to adjust our business strategies to meet these changes or we may otherwise find it necessary to restructure our operations or particular businesses or assets. When these changes or events occur, we may incur costs to change our business strategy and may need to write down the value of assets or sell certain assets. In any of these events our costs may increase, and we may have significant charges associated with the write-down of assets. Discontinuing the use of a multi-year charter of a ship may result in large one-time costs to cover any penalties or charges to put the ship back into its original condition.
We may be unsuccessful in raising the necessary capital to fund operations and capital expenditures.
Our ability to generate cash inflows is dependent upon our ability to provide mineral exploration and development services to our subsidiaries and other subsea mineral companies or monetize mineral rights. However, we cannot guarantee that the sales and other cash sources will generate sufficient cash inflows to meet our overall cash requirements. If cash inflows are not sufficient to meet our business requirements, we will be required to raise additional capital through other financing activities. While we have been successful in raising the necessary funds in the past, there can be no assurance we can continue to do so in the future.
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We depend on key employees and face competition in hiring and retaining qualified employees.
Our employees are vital to our success, and our key management and other employees are difficult to replace. We currently do not have employment contracts with the majority of our key employees. We may not be able to retain highly qualified employees in the future which could adversely affect our business.
We may continue to experience significant losses from operations.
We have experienced a net loss in every fiscal year since our inception except for 2004. Our net losses were $23.1 million in 2022, $10.0 million in 2021, and $14.8 million in 2020. Even if we do generate operating income in one or more quarters in the future, subsequent developments in our industry, customer base, business or cost structure or an event such as significant litigation or a significant transaction may cause us to again experience operating losses. We may not become profitable for the long-term, or even for any quarter.
Technological obsolescence of our marine assets or failure of critical equipment could put a strain on our capital requirements or operational capabilities.
We employ state-of-the-art technology including side-scan sonar, magnetometers, ROVs, and other advanced science and technology to perform seabed mineral exploration. Although we try to maintain back-ups on critical equipment and components, equipment failures may require us to delay or suspend operations. Also, while we endeavor to keep marine equipment in excellent working condition and current with all available upgrades, technological advances in new equipment may provide superior efficiencies compared to the capabilities of our existing equipment, and this could require us to purchase new equipment which would require additional capital.
We may not be able to contract with clients or customers for marine services or syndicated projects.
In the past, from time to time, we have earned revenue by chartering out vessels, equipment and crew and providing marine services to clients or customers. Even if we do contract out our services, the revenue may not be sufficient to cover administrative overhead costs. While the operational results of these syndicated projects are generally successful, the clients or customers may not be willing or financially able to continue with syndicated projects of this type in the future. Failure to secure such revenue producing contracts in the future may have a material adverse impact on our revenue and operating cash flows. We may take payment for these services in the form of cash, equity in the client’s company, or a financial interest in the tenement areas.
The issuance of shares at conversion prices lower than the market price at the time of conversion and the sale of such shares could adversely affect the price of our common stock.
Some of our outstanding shares may have been acquired from time to time upon conversion of convertible notes at conversion prices that are lower than the market price of our common stock at the time of conversion. In the past, Odyssey has issued debt obligations that could be converted into common shares at prices below the current market price. Conversion of the notes at conversion prices that are lower than the market price at the time of conversion and the sale of the shares issued upon conversion could have an adverse effect upon the market price of our common stock.
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Investments in subsea mineral exploration companies may prove unsuccessful.
We have invested in marine mineral companies that to date are still in the exploration phase and have not begun to earn revenue from operations. We may or may not have control or input on the future development of these businesses. There can be no assurance that these companies will achieve profitability or otherwise be successful in capitalizing on the mineralized materials they intend to exploit.
We may be subject to short selling strategies.
Short sellers of our stock may be manipulative and may attempt to drive down the market price of our common stock. Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has, supposedly, borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is therefore in the short seller’s best interests for the price of the stock to decline, many short sellers (sometime known as “disclosed shorts”) publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a stock short. Although traditionally these disclosed shorts were limited in their ability to access mainstream business media or to otherwise create negative market rumors, the rise of the Internet and technological advancements regarding document creation, videotaping and publication by weblog (“blogging”) have allowed many disclosed shorts to publicly attack a company’s credibility, strategy and veracity by means of so-called “research reports” that mimic the type of investment analysis performed by large Wall Street firms and independent research analysts. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market, on occasion in large scale and broad base. Issuers who have limited trading volumes and are susceptible to higher volatility levels than large-cap stocks, can be particularly vulnerable to such short seller attacks. These short seller publications are not regulated by any governmental, self-regulatory organization or other official authority in the U.S., are not subject to certification requirements imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and, accordingly, the opinions they express may be based on distortions or omissions of actual facts or, in some cases, fabrications of facts. In light of the limited risks involved in publishing such information, and the enormous profit that can be made from running just one successful short attack, unless the short sellers become subject to significant penalties, it is more likely than not that disclosed short sellers will continue to issue such reports.
Some of our equipment or assets could be seized or we may be forced to sell certain assets.
We have pledged certain assets, such as equipment and shares of subsidiaries, as collateral under our loan agreements. Some suppliers have the ability to seize some of our assets if we do not make timely payments for the services, supplies, or equipment that they have provided to us. If we were unable to make payments on these obligations, the lender or supplier may seize the asset or force the sale of the asset. The loss of such assets could adversely affect our operations. The sale of the asset may be done in a manner and under circumstances that do not provide the highest cash value for the sale of the asset.
We could be delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, which imposes, among other requirements, a minimum bid requirement. The closing bid price for our common stock must remain at or above $1.00 per share to comply with NASDAQ’s minimum bid requirement for continued listing. If the closing bid price for our common stock is less than $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days, NASDAQ may send us a notice stating we will be provided a period of 180 days to regain compliance with the minimum bid requirement or else NASDAQ may make a determination to delist our common stock. Another requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market is to maintain our market capitalization above $35.0 million.
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Our failure to maintain compliance with the above-mentioned and other NASDAQ continued listing requirements may lead to the delisting of our common from the NASDAQ Capital Market. Delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market could make trading our common stock more difficult for investors, potentially leading to declines in our share price and liquidity. If our common stock is delisted by NASDAQ, our common stock may be eligible to trade on an over-the-counter quotation system, where an investor may find it more difficult to sell our stock or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock. We cannot assure you that our common stock, if delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market, will be listed on another national securities exchange or quoted on an over-the counter quotation system.
Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover all of our business risks.
Although we seek to obtain insurance for some of our main operational risks, there is no guarantee that the insurance policies that we have are sufficient, that they will be in place when needed, that we will be able to obtain insurance coverage when desired, that insurance will be available on commercially attractive terms, or that we will be able to anticipate the risks that need to be insured. For example, although we may be able to obtain War Risk coverage for a project at a specific date and location, such insurance may be unavailable at other times and locations. Although we may be able to insure our marine assets for certain risks such as certain possible loss or damage scenarios, we may lack insurance to cover against government seizure or detention of our certain marine assets. Permanent loss or temporary loss of our marine assets and the associated business interruption without commensurate compensation from an insurance policy could severely impact the financial results and operational capabilities of the company.
We may be exposed to cyber security risks.
We depend on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and to communicate among our locations around the world and among ourselves within our company. Additionally, one of our significant responsibilities is to maintain the security and privacy of our confidential and proprietary information and the personal data of our employees. Our information systems, and those of our service and support providers, are vulnerable to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks. Computer viruses, hackers and other external hazards, as well as improper or inadvertent staff behavior could expose confidential company and personal data systems and information to security breaches. Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or cause system interruption change frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate these incidents or techniques, timely discover them, or implement adequate preventative measures. With respect to our commercial arrangements with service and support providers, we have processes designed to require third-party IT outsourcing, offsite storage and other vendors to agree to maintain certain standards with respect to the storage, protection and transfer of confidential, personal and proprietary information. However, we remain at risk of a data breach due to the intentional or unintentional non-compliance by a vendor’s employee or agent, the breakdown of a vendor’s data protection processes, or a cyber-attack on a vendor’s information systems or our information systems.
Mining exploration, development and operating have inherent risks.
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk. The financing, exploration, development and mining of any of our properties is furthermore subject to a number of macroeconomic, legal and social factors, including commodity prices, laws and regulations, political conditions, currency fluctuations, the ability to hire and retain qualified people, the inability to obtain suitable and adequate machinery, equipment or labor and obtaining necessary services in the jurisdictions in which we may
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operate. Unfavorable changes to these and other factors have the potential to negatively affect our operations and business. Major expenses may be required to locate and establish mineral reserves and resources, to develop processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference could adversely affect our operations, financial condition and results of operations. It is impossible to ensure that the exploration or development programs planned by us will result in a profitable commercial mining operation. Whether precious or base metal or mineral deposit will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, some of which are: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as the quantity and quality of mineralization; mineral prices, which are highly cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in not receiving an adequate return on invested capital. There is no certainty that the expenditures to be made by us towards the exploration and evaluation of our projects will result in discoveries or production of commercial quantities of the minerals. In addition, once in production, mineral reserves are finite and there can be no assurance that we will be able to locate additional reserves as its existing reserves are depleted.
We are subject to significant governmental regulations, which affect our operations and costs of conducting our business.
Our exploration operations are subject to government legislation, policies and controls relating to prospecting, development, production, environmental protection, mining taxes and labor standards. In order for us to carry out our activities, various licenses and permits must be obtained and kept current. There is no guarantee that the Company’s licenses and permits will be granted, or that once granted will be maintained and extended. In addition, the terms and conditions of such licenses or permits could be changed and there can be no assurances that any application to renew any existing licenses will be approved. There can be no assurance that all permits that we require will be obtainable on reasonable terms, or at all. Delays or a failure to obtain such permits, or a failure to comply with the terms of any such permits that we have obtained, could have a material adverse impact on our operations. We may be required to contribute to the cost of providing the required infrastructure to facilitate the development of our properties and will also have to obtain and comply with permits and licenses that may contain specific conditions concerning operating procedures, water use, waste disposal, spills, environmental studies and financial assurances. There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with any such conditions and non-compliance with such conditions may result in the loss of certain of our permits and licenses on properties, which may have a material adverse effect on us. Future taxation of mining operators cannot be predicted with certainty so planning must be undertaken using present conditions and best estimates of any potential future changes. There is no certainty that such planning will be effective to mitigate adverse consequences of future taxation on us.
We may not be able to obtain all required permits and licenses to place any of our properties into production.
Our current and future operations, including development activities and commencement of production, if warranted, require permits from governmental authorities and such operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. Companies engaged in mineral property exploration and the development or operation of mines and related facilities generally experience increased costs, and delays in production and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. We cannot predict if all permits which we may require for continued exploration, development or construction of mining facilities and conduct of mining operations will be obtainable on reasonable terms,
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if at all. Costs related to applying for and obtaining permits and licenses may be prohibitive and could delay our planned exploration and development activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining operations may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of mining companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on our operations and cause increases in capital expenditures or production costs or reduction in levels of production at producing properties or require abandonment or delays in development of new mining properties
Calculations of mineral resources and mineral reserves are estimates only and subject to uncertainty.
The estimating of mineral resources and mineral reserves is an imprecise process and the accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting engineering and geological information and estimating future capital and operating costs. There is significant uncertainty in any reserve or resource estimate, and the economic results of mining a mineral deposit may differ materially from the estimates as additional data are developed or interpretations change.
Estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves may be materially affected by other factors.
In addition to uncertainties inherent in estimating mineral resources and mineral reserves, other factors may adversely affect estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves. Such factors may include but are not limited to metallurgical, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, gold prices, and capital and operating costs. Any of these or other adverse factors may reduce or eliminate estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and corporate reputation.
The proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered by this prospectus are solely for the account of the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares. However, we will receive approximately $13.2 million if all of the warrants to purchase common stock held by the selling stockholders are fully exercised for cash. We cannot guarantee that the selling stockholders will exercise the warrants. We expect to use the net proceeds from any exercise of the warrants for general corporate purposes.
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Private Placement of Note and Warrants
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon the exercise of warrants Odyssey issued pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement, or purchase agreement. On March 6, 2023, pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, we issued and sold (a) a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $14.0 million and (b) warrants to purchase shares of Odyssey’s common stock.
Under the terms of the warrants, the holders have the right for a period of three years after issuance to purchase up to 3,703,704 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.78 per share, which represents 120.0% of the official closing price of Odyssey’s common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market immediately preceding the signing of the purchase agreement, upon delivery of a notice of exercise to Odyssey. Upon exercise of the warrants, Odyssey has the option to either (a) deliver the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise or (b) pay to the holder an amount equal to the difference between (i) the aggregate exercise price payable under the notice of exercise and (ii) the product of (A) the number of shares of common stock indicated in the notice of exercise multiplied by (B) the arithmetic average of the daily volume-weighted average price of the common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market for the five consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately prior to the date of the notice of exercise. The warrants provide for (a) customary adjustments to the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise in the event of a stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of shares, separation, reorganization, liquidation, or the like; (b) a limitation on the issuance by Odyssey of shares pursuant to the exercise of the warrants to the extent that such shares would, in the aggregate, represent in excess of 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock or the total voting power of our securities, each immediately after giving effect so such issuances; and (c) the option for a holder of warrants to notify us if it elects to limit its right to exercise the warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, the holder would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% or 9.99% (as specified by the holder) of our shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
In connection with the execution and delivery of the purchase agreement, Odyssey entered into a registration rights agreement, or registration agreement, pursuant to which Odyssey agreed to register the offer and sale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, which we refer to as the exercise shares. Pursuant to the registration agreement, Odyssey agreed to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement covering the resale of the exercise shares and to use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to stated deadlines.
Selling Stockholders
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuance of the notes and the warrants, see “Private Placement of Notes and Warrants” above. We are registering the shares of common stock to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time.
The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholder, based upon its beneficial ownership of shares of common stock, other securities issued by Odyssey, and the warrants as of May 18, 2023, assuming exercise of the warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, subject to any limitation on exercise. The third column lists the number of shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders, without regard to any limitation on exercise of the warrants.
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In accordance with the terms of the registration agreement, this prospectus generally covers the resale of that number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, without regard to any limitation on the exercise thereof, determined as if the warrants are exercised in full as of the trading day immediately preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed with the SEC. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
| Selling Stockholder |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering |
Maximum Number of Shares to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned After Offering |
|||||||||
| CEOF Holdings LP (1) |
861,760 | 243,387 | 618,373 | |||||||||
| Ken Fried |
640,589 | 26,456 | 614,133 | |||||||||
| FW Deep Value Opportunities Fund I, LLC |
2,414,760 | 285,715 | 2,129,045 | |||||||||
| Greywolf Opportunities Master Fund II LP |
3,789,676 | 1,851,852 | 1,937,824 | |||||||||
| Lord Baltimore Associate Investments, LLC |
634,287 | 79,366 | 554,921 | |||||||||
| Lord Baltimore Equity Partners VIII, LLC |
687,197 | 132,276 | 554,921 | |||||||||
| Two Seas Capital LP (2) |
2,055,666 | 608,636 | 1,447,030 | |||||||||
| VLTCM Ltd. |
1,858,022 | 264,551 | 1,593,471 | |||||||||
| (1) | Corbin Capital Partners Group, LLC is the sole general partner of Corbin Capital Partners, L.P., which is the investment advisor to the selling stockholder of the common stock. In addition, Corbin Capital Partners Management, LLC is the general partner to the selling stockholder but is not a beneficial owner of the common stock. The name and principal occupation of each of the executive officers and directors of Corbin Capital Partners, L.P. are listed below. |
| (2) | (i) Two Seas Global (Master) Fund LP (the “Global Fund”) holds 775,737 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for 1,056,397 shares of common stock, subject to beneficial ownership limitations on exercise, (ii) Two Seas Litigation Opportunities Fund LLC (the “Litigation Fund”) holds 11,216 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for 85,476 shares of common stock, and (iii) Two Seas Duration Litigation Opportunities Fund LLC (the “Duration Fund,” and together with the Global Fund and the Litigation Fund, the “Funds”) holds 584,921 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for 335,328 shares of common stock. The beneficial ownership amounts in the table above give effect to the 9.99% beneficial ownership limitation applicable to the warrants held by the Global Fund. Two Seas Capital LP (“TSC”), the investment manager of each of the Funds, has sole voting and investment power over the securities held by the Funds and thus may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by the Funds. Two Seas Capital GP LLC (“TSC GP”) is the sole general partner of TSC and thus may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by the Funds. Sina Toussi is the Chief Investment Officer of TSC and managing member of TSC GP and thus may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by the Funds. |
We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holder of the warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:
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| • | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
| • | in the over-the-counter market; |
| • | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; |
| • | through the writing or settlement of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
| • | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
| • | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| • | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
| • | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
| • | privately negotiated transactions; |
| • | short sales made after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; |
| • | broker-dealers may agree with a selling securityholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
| • | a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
| • | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling stockholders may transfer the shares of common stock by other means not described in this prospectus. If any selling stockholder effects such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholder or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the notes, warrants, or shares of common stock owned by it and, if it defaults in the performance of its secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
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To the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that the selling stockholders will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration agreement, estimated to be $26,500 in total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, the selling stockholders will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act in accordance with the registration rights agreements or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements or we may be entitled to contribution.
Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
The validity of the issuance of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Akerman LLP, counsel to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
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The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, are incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been audited by Warren Averett, LLC, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference and has been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
We furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements and other appropriate reports. We also file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Instead of repeating information that we have already filed with the SEC, we are allowed to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus information contained in those documents we have filed with the SEC. These documents are considered to be part of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the selling stockholders sell all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022; |
| • | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023; |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 10, 2023 and March 31, 2023; |
| • | our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 5, 2023; and |
| • | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 13, 2003, pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description. |
Any documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the selling stockholders selling all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will also be considered to be part of this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus.
Current Reports on Form 8-K containing only Regulation FD or Regulation G disclosure furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K (or the analogous Items of the predecessor Form 8-K) are not incorporated herein by reference.
At your verbal or written request, we will provide you, without charge, a copy of any of the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents, unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates). If you want more information, write or call:
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Christopher E. Jones, Chief Financial Officer
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
205 South Hoover Boulevard, Suite 210
Tampa, Florida 33609
(813) 876-1776
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Where You Can Find More Information
This prospectus is being delivered to you in accordance with the U.S. securities laws. We have filed a registration statement with the SEC to register the common stock that the selling stockholders are offering to you. This prospectus is part of that registration statement. As allowed by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information that is included in the registration statement.
You may obtain a copy of the registration statement, or a copy of any other filing we have made with the SEC, directly from the SEC. You may either:
| • | read and copy any materials we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room maintained at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; or |
| • | visit the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding us and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC. |
You may obtain more information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
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3,492,239 Shares
Common Stock
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the sale and distribution of the common stock being registered. Selling commissions and brokerage fees and any applicable transfer taxes and fees and disbursements of counsel for the selling stockholders are payable individually by the selling stockholders. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee.
| SEC registration fee (1) |
$ | 1,135.29 | ||
| Printing expenses |
5,000.00 | |||
| Legal fees and expenses |
15,000.00 | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
5,000.00 | |||
| Miscellaneous fees and expenses |
364.71 | |||
| Total |
$ | 26,500.00 |
| (1) | See Exhibit 107 to this Registration Statement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article VII of Odyssey’s Articles of Incorporation provides that Odyssey is authorized to indemnify directors, officers, employees, and agents to the full extent allowed for under the Nevada Business Corporation Act.
Article XI of Odyssey’s Articles of Incorporation provides that no director, officer or stockholder of Odyssey shall be personally liable for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, that this provision shall not eliminate liability of a director or officer for acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law or payments or distributions in violation of Nevada law.
Nevada Revised Statutes Section 78.138 currently provides that a director or officer will not be individually liable to the corporation, its stockholders, or its creditors unless it is proven that (a) the director’s or officer’s act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (b) such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law. To the extent that Article XI of our articles of incorporation would be deemed to be inconsistent with Section 78.138, the provisions of such statute should control.
Additionally, Nevada Revised Statutes Sections 78.7502 and 78.751 permit us to indemnify our directors and officers as follows:
1. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he (a) is not liable pursuant to Section 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes or (b) acted in
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good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to Section 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
2. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he (a) is not liable pursuant to 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines, upon application, that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
3. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections 1 and 2 above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter herein, he must be indemnified by the corporation against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense.
4. Any discretionary indemnification under subsections 1 and 2 above, unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to subsection 5 below, may be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made:
| (a) | by the stockholders; |
| (b) | by the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; |
| (c) | if a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or |
| (d) | if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion. |
5. The articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation may provide that the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of
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the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The provisions of this subsection do not affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other than directors or officers may be entitled under any contract or otherwise by law.
6. The indemnification and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes Section 78.7502 and Section 78.751:
| (a) | does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in his official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding his office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 above or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to subsection 5 above, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that his acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action; and |
| (b) | continues for a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. |
We may also purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of our directors, officers, employees, and agents for any liability asserted against such persons and liability or expenses incurred by such persons in their capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent, or arising out of status as such, whether or not the company has the authority to indemnify such persons against such liability and expenses.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits on Page E-1 of this registration statement, which Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
| (i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the |
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| aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and |
| (iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration, by means of a post-effective amendment, any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934(and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefits plan annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| * | Filed herewith. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on May 19, 2023.
| ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Christopher E. Jones | |
| Christopher E. Jones | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the directors and/or executive officers of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. whose signature appears below hereby appoints Mark D. Gordon and Christopher E. Jones, and each of them severally, as his attorney-in-fact to sign in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities stated below and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments to this registration statement, making such changes in the registration statement as appropriate, and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Act prepared in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in their behalf in their capacities as officers and directors to enable Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| /s/ Mark D. Gordon Mark D. Gordon |
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Christopher E. Jones Christopher E. Jones |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Laura L. Barton Laura L. Barton |
Chief Business Officer and Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ John C. Abbott John C. Abbott |
Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Mark B. Justh Mark B. Justh |
Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ James S. Pignatelli James S. Pignatelli |
Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Jon D. Sawyer Jon D. Sawyer |
Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Todd E. Siegel Todd E. Siegel |
Director | May 19, 2023 | ||
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Exhibit 5.01
| Akerman LLP 401 E. Jackson Street Suite 1700 Tampa, FL 33602-5250 | ||
May 19, 2023
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
205 South Hoover Boulevard
Suite 210
Tampa, Florida 33609
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentleman:
This opinion letter is being furnished in connection with the filing, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (“Odyssey”) and the prospectus contained in such Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus relates to the 3,492,239 shares (the “Shares”) of Odyssey’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, that may be sold by the selling stockholders named therein. The Shares are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Warrants to Purchase Common Stock.
We have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the issuance of the Shares. For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined and relied upon such documents, records, certificates, and other instruments as we have deemed necessary.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold as described in the Prospectus, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the state of Florida and the Nevada Corporation Act. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion letter if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof.
We hereby consent to your filing this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name therein and in the Prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters.”
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Akerman LLP |
| AKERMAN LLP |
Exhibit 23.01
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 31, 2023 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Subsidiaries, which report appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Our report on the consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and Subsidiaries ability to continue as a going concern.
/s/ Warren Averett, LLC
Tampa, FL
May 19, 2023