The dive industry is mourning the loss of Michael Robert Pelissier, co-founder and CEO of Ocean Technology Systems (OTS), who lost his fight with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile ducts, on 24 April.
Michael Pelissier was a pioneer in the scuba industry and built his now-worldwide company from his garage with his partner Jerry Peck 39 years ago. Mike’s love for underwater videography sparked new technology, enhancing underwater storytelling like never before. From that passion, Mike drove OTS to create the ability to pair underwater audio to video in real-time.
In 1992, this advancement in film and television would win them a national Emmy Award for a documentary in Cocos Island with ESPN called Expedition Earth.
Because of Mikes's groundwork, OTS remains the go-to for major motion pictures and television productions. Furthermore, Michael was mainly responsible for introducing militaries and public safety teams around the world to various kinds of OTS underwater communications and full face masks, gaining Navy approval on many products.
In recent years, Michael was mostly retired but served as an advisory member of the OTS product development team as well as boat captain.
In his early years, Michael served the United States of America by joining the US Navy and serving two tours to Vietnam. Later, he would go on to become a US Navy Diver.
Michael is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cindy Pelissier. He’s also survived by his daughter Renee Nelson, son-in-law Andy Nelson and two grandchildren, Matthew and Lauren Nelson.
