Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, the AICPA and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material effect, if any, on the Company’s financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Odyssey Marine Services, Inc., OVH, Inc., Odyssey Retriever, Inc., Odyssey Marine Entertainment, Inc., Odyssey Marine Enterprises, Ltd., Marine Exploration Holdings, LLC, Odyssey Marine Management, Ltd., Oceanica Marine Operations, S.R.L., Aldama Mining Company, S. De R.L. De C.V., Telemachus Minerals, S. De R.L. De C.V. and majority interests in Oceanica Resources, S.R.L. and Exploraciones Oceanicas, S. De R.L. De C.V. Equity investments in which we exercise significant influence but do not control and of which we are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. All significant inter-company and intra-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interest are presented within equity and net income and are shown separately from the Company’s equity and net income attributable to the Company. Some of the existing inter-company balances, which are eliminated upon consolidation, include features allowing the liability to be converted into equity, which if exercised, could increase the direct or indirect interest of the Company in the non-wholly owned subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Management used estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

In accordance with Topic A.1. in SAB 13: Revenue Recognition, marine services expedition charter revenue is recognized ratably when realized and earned as time passes throughout the contract period as defined by the terms of the agreement. Expenses related to the marine services expedition charter revenue (also referred to as “marine services” revenue) are recorded as incurred and presented under the caption “Operations and research” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Bad debts are recorded as identified and, from time to time, a specific reserve allowance will be established when required. A return allowance is established for sales that have a right of return. Accounts receivable is stated net of any recorded allowances.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash include cash on hand and cash in banks. We also consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We have $10,000 of restricted cash for collateral related to a corporate credit card program.

Inventory

Inventory

Prior to December 10, 2015, Odyssey held two main types of inventory: (i) artifacts and coins held for sale and exhibits, and (ii) merchandise inventory held for sale. On December 10, 2015, we sold all of the existing inventory items to Monaco Financial, LLC and its affiliates. See NOTE S to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2015 for further information.

Our inventory principally consisted of cargo recovered from the SS Republic shipwreck, other artifacts, general branded merchandise and related packaging material. Inventoried costs of recovered cargo included the costs of recovery, conservation and administrative costs to obtain legal title to the cargo. We continually monitored the recorded aggregate costs of the recovered cargo in inventory to ensure these costs did not exceed the net realizable value. Historical sales, publications or available public market data were used to assess market value.

Packaging materials and merchandise were recorded at average cost. We recorded our inventory at the lower of cost or market.

Costs associated with the above noted items were included in our costs of goods. Vessel costs associated with expedition revenue as well as exhibit costs were not included in cost of goods sold. Vessel costs include, but are not limited to, charter costs, fuel, crew and port fees. Vessel and exhibit costs are included in Operations and research in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Our policy is to recognize impairment losses relating to long-lived assets in accordance with the ASC topic for Property, Plant and Equipment. Decisions on asset impairments are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows. Impairment losses are included in depreciation at the time of impairment. During May 2016, we sold our vessel, Odyssey Explorer, for $200,000 in cash and a smaller vessel as in-kind. The vessel received as in-kind consideration has been valued at $350,000 based on management’s best estimate of the evaluation at this time considering its physical condition and the prevailing market. We expect to receive an appraisal from our insurance broker in the near future. If further relevant information should arise in the future, the estimate will be revised if needed. During the third quarter of 2016, we sold a marine operations asset for a non-cash gain of $866,604. This gain is included in Operations and research in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Property and Equipment and Depreciation

Property and Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment is stated at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method at rates based on the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are normally between three and thirty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their estimated useful lives or lease term, if shorter. Major overhaul items (such as engines or generators) that enhance or extend the useful life of vessel related assets qualify to be capitalized and depreciated over the useful life or remaining life of that asset, whichever is shorter. Certain major repair items required by industry standards to ensure a vessel’s seaworthiness also qualify to be capitalized and depreciated over the period of time until the next scheduled planned major maintenance for that item. All other repairs and maintenance are accounted for under the direct-expensing method and are expensed when incurred.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

See NOTE I regarding our 1-for-12 reverse stock split. Share related amounts have been retroactively adjusted in this report to reflect this reverse stock-split for all periods presented.

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In periods when the Company has income, the Company would calculate basic earnings per share using the two-class method, if required, pursuant to ASC 260 Earnings Per Share. The two-class method was required effective with the issuance of certain senior convertible notes in the past because these notes qualified as a participating security, giving the holder the right to receive dividends should dividends be declared on common stock. Under the two-class method, earnings for a period are allocated on a pro rata basis to the common stockholders and to the holders of convertible notes based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and number of shares that could be issued upon conversion. The Company does not use the two-class method in periods when it generates a loss because the holder of the convertible notes does not participate in losses. Currently, we do not have any convertible notes that qualify as a participating security.

Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings. We use the treasury stock method to compute potential common shares from stock options and warrants and the if-converted method to compute potential common shares from preferred stock, convertible notes or other convertible securities. For diluted earnings per share, the Company uses the more dilutive of the if-converted method or two-class method. When a net loss occurs, potential common shares have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share and such shares are excluded from the Diluted EPS calculation.

At September 30, 2016 and 2015, the weighted average common shares outstanding year-to-date were 7,548,136 and 7,387,952, respectively. For the periods in which net losses occurred, all potential common shares were excluded from diluted EPS because the effect of including such shares would be anti-dilutive.

The potential common shares in the following tables represent potential common shares calculated using the treasury stock method from outstanding options, stock awards and warrants that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015

Average market price during the period	$	3.24	$	4.44	$	3.31	$	6.96

In the money potential common shares from options excluded		4,474		—		4,631		—

In the money potential common shares from warrants excluded		—		—		—		—

Potential common shares from out of the money options and warrants were also excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because calculation of the associated potential common shares has an anti-dilutive effect on EPS. The following table lists options and warrants that were excluded from diluted EPS:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015

Out of the money options and warrants excluded:
Stock options with an exercise price of $3.59 per share		7,521		—		7,521		—
Stock options with an exercise price of $12.48 per share		137,666		137,666		137,666		137,666
Stock options with an exercise price of $12.84 per share		4,167		4,167		4,167		4,167
Stock options with an exercise price of $20.88 per share		—		—		—		—
Stock options with an exercise price of $26.40 per share		75,794		79,370		75,794		79,370
Stock options with an exercise price of $32.76 per share		53,707		53,706		53,707		53,706
Stock options with an exercise price of $32.88 per share		—		50,783		—		50,783
Stock options with an exercise price of $34.68 per share		74,265		78,707		74,265		78,707
Stock options with an exercise price of $39.00 per share		8,333		8,333		8,333		8,333
Stock options with an exercise price of $40.80 per share		—		—		—		—
Stock options with an exercise price of $41.16 per share		833		3,333		833		3,333
Stock options with an exercise price of $42.00 per share		8,333		8,333		8,333		8,333
Stock options with an exercise price of $46.80 per share		1,667		1,667		1,667		1,667
Warrants with an exercise price of $43.20 per share		130,208		130,208		130,208		130,208

Total anti-dilutive warrants and options excluded from EPS		502,494		556,273		502,494		556,273

The weighted average equivalent common shares relating to our unvested restricted stock awards that were excluded from potential common shares in the earning per share calculation due to having an anti-dilutive effect are:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2016

September 30,
2015

September 30,
2016

September 30,
2015

Potential common shares from unvested restricted stock awards excluded from EPS

104,546

127,220

104,546

127,220

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
Net income (loss)	$	(2,132,303	)	$	(4,580,255	)	$	(3,906,437	)	$	(20,420,945	)

Numerator, basic and diluted net income (loss) available to stockholders	$	(2,132,303	)	$	(4,580,255	)	$	(3,906,437	)	$	(20,420,945	)


Denominator:
Shares used in computation – basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		7,558,835			7,481,798			7,548,136			7,387,952

Common shares outstanding for basic		7,558,835			7,481,798			7,548,136			7,387,952

Shares used in computation – diluted:
Common shares outstanding for basic		7,558,835			7,481,798			7,548,136			7,387,952

Shares used in computing diluted net income per share		7,558,835			7,481,798			7,548,136			7,387,952


Net (loss) per share – basic	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.60	)	$	(0.52	)	$	(2.76	)
Net (loss) per share – diluted	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.60	)	$	(0.52	)	$	(2.76	)

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

Our stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the guidance in the ASC topic for Stock-Based Compensation (See NOTE I).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash, evidence of ownership in an entity, and contracts that both (i) impose on one entity a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity, or to exchange other financial instruments on potentially unfavorable terms with the second entity, and (ii) conveys to that second entity a contractual right (a) to receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity, or (b) to exchange other financial instruments on potentially favorable terms with the first entity. Accordingly, our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, derivative financial instruments and mortgage and loans payable. We carry cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and mortgage and loans payable at the approximate fair market value, and, accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. We carry derivative financial instruments at fair value as is required under current accounting standards. Redeemable preferred stock has been carried at historical cost and accreted carrying values to estimated redemption values over the term of the financial instrument.

Derivative financial instruments consist of financial instruments or other contracts that contain a notional amount and one or more underlying variables (e.g., interest rate, security price or other variable), require no initial net investment and permit net settlement. Derivative financial instruments may be free-standing or embedded in other financial instruments. Further, derivative financial instruments are initially, and subsequently, measured at fair value and recorded as liabilities or, in rare instances, assets. See NOTE K for additional information. We generally do not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks. However, we have entered into certain other financial instruments and contracts with features that are either (i) not afforded equity classification, (ii) embody risks not clearly and closely related to host contracts, or (iii) may be net-cash settled by the counterparty. As required by ASC 815 – Derivatives and Hedging, these instruments are required to be carried as derivative liabilities, at fair value, in our financial statements with changes in fair value reflected in our income.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2. Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, as well as quoted prices that were adjusted for security-specific restrictions.

Level 3. Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology are significant to the measurement of the fair value of assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices or non-binding broker quotes that we were unable to corroborate with observable market data.

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable Preferred Stock

If we issue redeemable preferred stock instruments (or any other redeemable financial instrument), they are initially evaluated for possible classification as a liability in instances where redemption is certain to occur pursuant to ASC 480 – Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Redeemable preferred stock classified as a liability is recorded and carried at fair value. Redeemable preferred stock that does not, in its entirety, require liability classification is evaluated for embedded features that may require bifurcation and separate classification as derivative liabilities. In all instances, the classification of the redeemable preferred stock host contract that does not require liability classification is evaluated for equity classification or mezzanine classification based upon the nature of the redemption features. Generally, mandatory redemption requirements or any feature that could require cash redemption for matters not within our control, irrespective of probability of the event occurring, requires classification outside of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable preferred stock that is recorded in the mezzanine section is accreted to its redemption value through charges to stockholders’ equity when redemption is probable using the effective interest method.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date this Form 10-Q is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (See NOTE M).

Investments Debt and Equity Securities Policy

With CRP being a thinly traded stock and pursuant to guidance per ASC 320: Debt and Equity Securities regarding readily determinable fair value, we believe it was appropriate to not recognize this amount as an asset nor as revenue during that period.