Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Odyssey,” “us,” “we” or “our”) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration. Our innovative techniques are currently applied to mineral exploration, shipwreck cargo recovery, and other marine survey and exploration charter services. Our corporate headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

This summary of significant accounting policies of the Company is presented to assist in understanding our financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity and have prepared them in accordance with our customary accounting practices.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for almost all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. Based on management’s review of this new standard along with the substance of our transactions, management is of the position this standard will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases, which establishes a comprehensive lease standard under GAAP for virtually all industries. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right of use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein, and requires modified retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. Based on management’s current understanding of this new standard along with the underlying substance of our operations, management believes it will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Other 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, both domestic and international. 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 of a subsidiary, 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 uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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) cargo and coins held for re-sale and exhibits, and (ii) merchandise inventory for re-sale. On December 10, 2015, we sold all of the existing inventory items to Monaco Financial, LLC and its affiliates. See NOTE R 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 monitored the recorded aggregate costs of the recovered cargo in inventory to ensure the 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. This inventory was recorded at the lower of cost or market.

Costs associated with the above noted items are the costs included in our costs of sales. Vessel costs associated with expedition revenue as well as exhibit costs are 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 Income.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Our policy is to recognize impairment losses relating to long-lived assets in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic for Property, Plant and Equipment. Decisions are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows.

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 enhanced or extended the useful life of vessel related assets qualified to be capitalized and depreciated over the useful life or remaining life of that asset, whichever was shorter. Certain major repair items required by industry standards to ensure a vessel’s seaworthiness also qualified 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 were accounted for under the direct-expensing method and are expensed when incurred.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

See NOTE M 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 December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the weighted average common shares outstanding were 7,564,082, 7,413,602 and 7,072,553, respectively. For the periods ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 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 table following, represent potential common shares calculated using the treasury stock method from outstanding options and warrants that were excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS:


	2016		2015		2014
Average market price during the period	$	3.46	$	6.36	$	18.36
In the money potential common shares from options excluded		4,979		—		—
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 earnings per share because calculation of the associated potential common shares has an anti-dilutive effect. The following table lists options and warrants that were excluded from diluted EPS.


	2016		2015		2014
Out of the money options and warrants excluded:

Stock Options with an exercise price of $3.59 per share		7,521		—		—
Stock Options with an exercise price of $12.48 per share		137,666		137,667		—
Stock Options with an exercise price of $12.84 per share		4,167		4,167		—
Stock Options with an exercise price of $20.88 per share		—		—		4,313
Stock Options with an exercise price of $26.40 per share		75,158		79,370		80,801
Stock Options with an exercise price of $32.76 per share		—		53,706		53,706
Stock Options with an exercise price of $32.88 per share		—		—		52,820
Stock Options with an exercise price of $34.68 per share		73,765		78,707		81,985
Stock Options with an exercise price of $39.00 per share		8,333		8,333		8,333
Stock Options with an exercise price of $40.80 per share		—		—		8,333
Stock Options with an exercise price of $41.16 per share		833		3,333		3,333
Stock Options with an exercise price of $42.00 per share		8,333		8,333		8,333
Stock Options with an exercise price of $46.80 per share		1,667		1,667		1,667
Stock Options with an exercise price of $48.00 per share		—		—		—
Warrants with an exercise price of $3.52 per share		120,000		—		—
Warrants with an exercise price of $43.20 per share		—		130,208		130,208

Total anti-dilutive warrants and options excluded from EPS		437,443		505,491		433,832

Potential common shares from outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock calculated per the if-converted basis having an anti-dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share were excluded from potential common shares as follows:


	2016		2015		2014
Excluded Convertible Preferred Stock		—		—		2,700

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


	2016		2015		2014
Excluded unvested restricted stock awards		113,889		92,587		44,138

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


	12 Month Period Ended December 31, 2016			12 Month Period Ended December 31, 2015			12 Month Period Ended December 31, 2014
Net loss	$	(6,316,021	)	$	(18,207,163	)	$	(26,473,114	)
Cumulative dividends on Series G Preferred Stock		—			—			—

Numerator, basic and diluted net loss available to stockholders	$	(6,316,021	)	$	(18,207,163	)	$	(26,473,114	)

Denominator:
Shares used in computation – basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		7,564,082			7,413,602			7,072,553

Shares used in computation – diluted:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		7,564,082			7,413,602			7,072,553

Net loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(0.84	)	$	(2.46	)	$	(3.74	)

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 M).

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 H 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. We have no redeemable preferred stock outstanding for the periods presented.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date this Form 10-K is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Debt and Equity Securities

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.