Club 25 Profile – Oceanic

Founded by diving industry pioneer Bob Hollis in 1972, Oceanic is a provider of modern, reliable, accessible and easy-to-use dive equipment to recreational divers. Bon Hollis founded Oceanic to make innovative, reliable dive equipment accessible to every diver every year, everywhere. This philosophy is central to the values of Oceanic and is the main reason behind Oceanic’s continued excellence as a best-in-class, recreational dive brand.

In 1972, Hollis founded American Underwater Products, doing business as Oceanic. The company started out with a dozen diving products, including the Anchor Shack’s photo line. After four years, Hollis took a big leap forward when he acquired Farallon, a manufacturer in nearby Belmont. That acquisition instantly gave Oceanic a full line of diving equipment, with an innovative line of instrumentation products.

“I saw digital instrumentation as the key to the future of diving,” explains Hollis. “Divers need to quickly and accurately calculate many variables, such as their depth, safe dive times, and decompression requirements to avoid the bends.”

After the acquisition, Oceanic went to work researching and developing radically new instruments. In 1981, the company introduced the DataMax, the first mechanical depth gauge with automatic digital timer. The product was an instant hit and propelled Oceanic to the forefront of dive equipment suppliers.

In the early 1980s, Hollis helped introduce the concept of an electronic dive computer to the industry. These sophisticated instruments track, calculate, and display a wealth of critical information for divers, including dive time and depth, ascent rate, air consumption, nitrogen absorption, and other essential information needed to dive safely. The dive computer revolutionized diving safety and is considered a mandatory piece of equipment for all divers.

Designing reliable and easy-to-use dive equipment goes to the heart and soul of Oceanic’s ethos. Oceanic is constantly thinking, developing, building and testing products that make diving better. The team at Ocean doesn’t just use their own products, they feel responsible for them.

In 2017, Oceanic was acquired by Huish Outdoors, a leader in connecting people with the best brands in dive. Oceanic will continue to develop the most innovative dive products and technologies in pursuit of advancing the dive industry like Bob Hollis did when he founded the company in 1972.

Oceanic is a global dive leader that appeals to all levels of divers who are seeking a brand that will support their discovery of the best sport in the world. Wherever diving is available around the world, Oceanic is there.