SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by Registrant x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Table of Contents

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011

April 6, 2004

Dear Shareholder:

     You are cordially invited to attend the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Oceaneering International, Inc. The meeting will be held on Friday, May 14, 2004, at 8:30 a.m., local time, in the Atrium of our corporate offices at 11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011.

     On the following pages, you will find the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement giving information concerning the matters to be acted on at the meeting. Our Annual Report to Shareholders describing Oceaneering’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2003 is enclosed.

     I hope you will be able to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend, please take the time to vote. In addition to using the enclosed paper proxy card to vote, which you may sign, date and return in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, you may vote your shares via the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions included in this package.

     Thank you for your interest in Oceaneering.

		Sincerely,
		John R. Huff
		Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held May 14, 2004

To the Shareholders of Oceaneering International, Inc.:

     The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Oceaneering International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Oceaneering”), will be held on Friday, May 14, 2004, at 8:30 a.m., local time, in the Atrium of our corporate offices at 11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011, to consider and take action on the following:

     The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of Proposal 1 and Proposal 2.

     The close of business on March 22, 2004 is the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     Our Board welcomes your personal attendance at the meeting. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please submit a proxy as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the meeting. You may submit your proxy by filling in, dating and signing the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Please refer to page 1 of the Proxy Statement and the proxy card for instructions for proxy voting by telephone or over the Internet.

		By Order of the Board of Directors,
		George R. Haubenreich, Jr.
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
April 6, 2004

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE, OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND ON YOUR PROXY CARD.

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

PROXIES AND VOTING AT THE MEETING

     Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2004 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. As of that date, 24,915,778 shares of our Common Stock, $.25 par value per share (“Common Stock”), were outstanding. Each of those outstanding shares is entitled to one vote at the meeting. We are initially sending this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy to our shareholders on or about April 6, 2004. The requirement for a quorum at the meeting is the presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. There is no provision for cumulative voting.

Solicitation of Proxies

     The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors for use at our annual meeting of shareholders to be held at the time and place set forth in the accompanying notice. We will pay all costs of soliciting proxies. We will solicit proxies primarily by mail. In addition to solicitation by mail, our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, facsimile and electronic transmissions, for which such persons will receive no additional compensation. We have retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to solicit proxies at a fee estimated at $5,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses. We will reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of Common Stock.

     The persons named as proxies were designated by our Board and are officers of Oceaneering. All properly executed proxies will be voted (except to the extent that authority to vote has been withheld), and where a choice has been specified by the shareholder as provided in the proxy, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the specification so made. Proxies submitted without specified choices will be voted FOR Proposal 1 to elect the director nominees proposed by our Board and FOR Proposal 2 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of Oceaneering for the year ending December 31, 2004.

Methods of Voting

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Revocability of Proxies

     If you have shares held through a brokerage firm, bank or other custodian, and you vote by proxy, you may later revoke your proxy instructions only by informing the custodian in accordance with any procedures it sets forth.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Our Certificate of Incorporation divides our Board into three classes, each consisting as nearly as possible of one-third of the members of the whole Board. There are currently two members of each class. The members of each class serve for three years following their election, with one class being elected each year.

     Two Class III directors are to be elected at the 2004 Annual Meeting. In accordance with our bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Accordingly, abstentions and broker “non-votes” marked on proxy cards will not be counted in the election. The Class III directors will serve until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. The directors of Classes I and II will continue to serve their terms of office, which will expire at the Annual Meetings of Shareholders to be held in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

     The persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote all proxies received in favor of the election of the nominees named below, except in any case where authority to vote for the directors is withheld. Although we have no reason to believe that the nominees will be unable to serve as directors, if either nominee withdraws or otherwise becomes unavailable to serve, the persons named as proxies will vote for any substitute nominee our Board designates.

     Set forth below is information (ages are as of May 14, 2004) with respect to the nominees for election as directors of Oceaneering.

Nominees — Class III Directors:

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Continuing Directors

     Set forth below is information (ages are as of May 14, 2004) for those directors whose terms will expire in 2005 and 2006.

2005 — Class I Directors:

2006 — Class II Directors:

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Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

     The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of March 15, 2004 by each director and nominee for director, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement and all directors and officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each individual named has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares shown.

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     Listed below are the only persons who, to our knowledge, may be deemed to be beneficial owners as of March 15, 2004 of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. This information is based on statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

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Additional Information Relating to Our Board of Directors, Committees of the Board and Corporate Governance

     During 2003, our Board of Directors held seven meetings of the full Board and 11 meetings of the committees of the Board. Each director attended all of these meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of the Board on which he served. We typically schedule a Board meeting in conjunction with our annual meeting and we have a policy that each director should make reasonable efforts to attend the annual meeting. Last year, all six of the individuals now serving as directors attended our annual meeting. For 2004, the non-management directors will meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management present. The chairmen of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will chair these executive sessions on a rotating basis. Interested parties may communicate directly with the non-management directors by sending a letter to the “Board of Directors (independent members),” c/o Corporate Secretary, Oceaneering International, Inc., 11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011.

     We pay our non-management directors a $25,000 annual retainer, a $5,000 annual retainer to the chairman of committees of the Board, $1,000 for each Board meeting attended, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended (if the meeting is on a day other than the date of a Board meeting) and a fee of $125 per hour up to a maximum of $1,000 per day for any services directly related to activities of the Board or a committee of the Board. Non-management directors may elect to participate in our medical plans. All directors are provided a group personal excess liability insurance policy and are reimbursed for their travel and other expenses involved in attendance at Board and committee meetings.

     Non-management directors are participants in our shareholder-approved 2002 Incentive Plan. Under this plan, each of our non-management directors is automatically granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock on the date the director first becomes a non-management director and each year thereafter while he remains a non-management director, in each case at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option was granted. These options become fully exercisable six months following the date of grant.

     Under new rules adopted by the New York Stock Exchange, our Board of Directors must have a majority of independent directors. A director qualifies as independent only if the Board affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with us. In evaluating each director’s independence, the Board considered relationships and transactions between each director, his family members and any business, charity or other entity in which the director has an interest, on the one hand, and us and our senior management, on the other hand. As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that, except for Messrs. Huff and Collins, both of whom are members of our senior management, all our directors are independent.

     We have three standing committees of our Board of Directors: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of these committees is independent in accordance with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. Our Board has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence requirements for service on an audit committee which the SEC has established.

     The Audit Committee, which is comprised of Messrs. Hooker (Chairman), Hughes and Pappas, held seven meetings during 2003. The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Hooker is an audit committee financial expert as defined in the applicable rules of the SEC. For information relating to Mr. Hooker’s background, see his biographical information under “Election of Directors.” The Audit Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors to assist the Board in its oversight of:

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     In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors and the independent auditors’ audit and non-audit fees; recommends to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the SEC; meets independently with our internal auditors, independent auditors and management; and reviews the general scope of our accounting, financial reporting, annual audit and internal audit programs and matters relating to internal control systems, as well as the results of the annual audit and interim financial statements, auditor independence issues and the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors, which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A and is available on the Corporate Governance page of our website (www.oceaneering.com). The report of the Audit Committee is included herein at page 9.

     The Compensation Committee, which is comprised of Messrs. Pappas (Chairman) and DesRoche, held two meetings during 2003. The Compensation Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors to:

     Specific duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include: general oversight of our executive compensation plans and benefit programs; reviewing and approving objectives relevant to the compensation of executives and key employees, including administration of annual bonus plans, long-term incentive plans and supplemental executive retirement plan; approving employment agreements for key executives; evaluating the performance of executives and key employees, including the Chief Executive Officer; and annually evaluating its performance and charter. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors. A copy of this charter is available on the Corporate Governance page of our website (www.oceaneering.com). The report of the Compensation Committee is included herein at page 15.

     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is comprised of Messrs. Hughes (Chairman), DesRoche and Hooker, held two meetings during 2003. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors to:

     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors. As contemplated by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our Board of Directors adopted new Corporate Governance Guidelines. A copy of this charter and a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the Corporate Governance page of our website (www.oceaneering.com).

     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee solicits ideas for potential Board candidates from a number of sources, including members of our Board of Directors and our executive officers. The Committee also has authority to select and compensate a third-party search firm to help identify candidates, if it deems it advisable to do so.

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     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers nominees recommended by shareholders in accordance with our bylaws. In assessing the qualifications of all prospective nominees to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, in addition to criteria set forth in our bylaws, each nominee’s personal and professional integrity, experience, skills, ability and willingness to devote the time and effort necessary to be an effective board member, and commitment to acting in the best interests of Oceaneering and its shareholders. Consideration will also be given to the Board’s having an appropriate mix of backgrounds and skills. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a nominee for director should comply with the procedures specified in our bylaws, as well as applicable securities laws and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange.

     The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all candidates identified through the processes described above, whether identified by the Committee or by a shareholder, and will evaluate each of them on the same basis.

     As to each person a shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, our bylaws provide that the nomination notice must:

The nomination notice must also include, as to that shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, of Common Stock on whose behalf the nomination or nominations are being made:

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Code of Ethics

     Our Board of Directors adopted a code of ethics that applies to Oceaneering’s Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers and is available on the Corporate Governance page of our website (www.oceaneering.com). Any shareholder who so requests may obtain a printed copy of the code of ethics from us. Any change in or waiver of this code of ethics will be disclosed on our website.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our Common Stock to file with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all our directors and executive officers complied on a timely basis with all applicable filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during 2003.

Report of the Audit Committee

     We have reviewed and discussed with management Oceaneering’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003.

     In addition, we have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, Oceaneering’s independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

     We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the Independent Standards Board’s Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, and we have discussed with that firm its independence from Oceaneering.

     Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to Oceaneering’s Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in Oceaneering’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth compensation information for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers who served as such during the year ended December 31, 2003.

.
Summary Compensation Table

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The following table provides information concerning each stock option exercised during the year ended December 31, 2003 by each of the named executive officers and the value of unexercised options held by those officers at December 31, 2003.

Aggregated Option Exercises in the Last Fiscal Year
and FY-End Option Values

     The following table provides information concerning grants of stock options made to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year

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Executive Employment Agreements and Change of Control Agreements

     In November 2001, Oceaneering entered into a Service Agreement (the “Service Agreement”) with Mr. Huff, which replaced his prior employment agreement. As did the prior employment agreement, the Service Agreement provides medical coverage on an after-tax basis to Mr. Huff, his spouse and children during his employment with Oceaneering and, under certain circumstances, thereafter for their lives. The Service Agreement provides for a specific employment period through August 15, 2006, followed by a specific service period ending no later than August 15, 2011, during which time Mr. Huff, acting as an independent contractor, will serve as nonexecutive Chairman of our Board of Directors if the Board requests that he serve in such capacity.

     During the employment period under the Service Agreement, Mr. Huff’s compensation consists of an annual base salary, contributions by Oceaneering into its supplemental executive retirement plan, an annual bonus and an aggregate long-term incentive opportunity no less than that existing at the commencement of the Service Agreement, as may be subsequently increased, and certain perquisites and administrative assistance. If his employment is terminated during his employment period by Oceaneering for cause or by him for other than good reason, as defined below, no salary or benefits not previously vested will be payable to him under the Service Agreement. If Mr. Huff’s employment is terminated by Oceaneering for reasons other than cause, by Mr. Huff for good reason or by reason of Mr. Huff’s death or disability:

     As defined in the Service Agreement, good reason for Mr. Huff to terminate includes: any adverse change in status, title, duties or responsibilities; any reduction in annual base salary, supplemental executive retirement plan contribution level by Oceaneering, annual bonus opportunity or aggregate long-term compensation, all as subsequently may be increased; any relocation; the failure of a successor to assume the Service Agreement; any prohibition by Oceaneering against Mr. Huff’s engaging in outside activities permitted by the Service Agreement; any purported termination by Oceaneering that does not comply with the terms of the Service Agreement; and default by Oceaneering in the performance of its obligations under the Service Agreement.

     Following the completion of Mr. Huff’s employment period, Oceaneering may request that he serve as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board during the service period, and if he refuses to serve and Oceaneering is fulfilling its obligations under the Service Agreement, no salary or benefits not previously vested as of the time of his refusal will be payable to him under the Service Agreement. If Mr. Huff is not requested to serve as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board or his service as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board terminates for any reason other than his refusal to serve, including by reason of his death or disability, or the failure of Oceaneering to fulfill its obligations under the Service Agreement, he will be entitled to receive the termination package described above, except that an amount equal to the highest annual rate of base salary earned during the employment period

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would be paid to him over ten years (rather than in a lump sum); provided that, in the event of his subsequent death or a subsequent change of control, as defined below, the aggregate amount of all such payments would be accelerated and immediately payable. During Mr. Huff’s service as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board, if any, his annual rate of compensation would be equal to 50% of his highest annual base salary during the employment period. Moreover, throughout the service period, Mr. Huff would continue to receive certain perquisites and administrative assistance, and he would continue to participate in plans he participated in as of August 15, 2006; however, he would not be eligible for subsequent grants or contributions made under any such plan after that date.

     In November 2001, Oceaneering entered into Change of Control Agreements (each, a “Change of Control Agreement”) with Mr. Huff and other executives, including each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table, replacing each of their respective prior senior executive severance agreements and, in the case of Mr. Huff, also replacing his prior supplemental senior executive severance agreement. These Change of Control Agreements entitle the individual to receive a severance package, described below, in the event of the occurrence of both a change of control and a termination of his employment by Oceaneering without cause or by the executive for good reason (defined using substantially the same definition as in Mr. Huff’s Service Agreement) during a specified period of time (or, with respect to Mr. Huff while nonexecutive Chairman of the Board, a termination of his service for any reason other than his refusal to serve as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board). For purposes of the Change of Control Agreements and the Service Agreement, a change of control is defined as occurring if:

     The severance package provided for in each such executive’s Change of Control Agreement consists of an amount equal to three times the sum of:

     A minimum aggregate amount payable for these items is stated in each such executive’s agreement, which amount was calculated using the year-end December 31, 2001 amounts for each component. This calculated minimum amount for Mr. Huff is applicable for any termination occurring during his service as nonexecutive Chairman of the Board.

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     The severance package also provides that, for each individual:

     Any payment of the Change of Control severance package to Mr. Huff would not reduce any benefits or compensation due Mr. Huff under the Service Agreement; provided, however, that the above-mentioned benefits regarding stock options, benefits under compensation plans and other benefits payable for three years are not provided under the Change of Control Agreement to Mr. Huff to the extent they are duplicative of benefits provided to him under his Service Agreement.

     The Change of Control Agreements and Mr. Huff’s Service Agreement provide that if any payments made thereunder would cause the recipient to be liable for an excise tax because the payment is a “parachute payment” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), then Oceaneering will pay the individual an additional amount to make the individual whole with respect to that tax liability.

Long-Term Incentive Plans and Retirement Plans

     Under our 2002 Incentive Plan and 2002 Non-Executive Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards and cash awards to employees and other persons (excluding nonemployee directors and, with respect to the 2002 Non-Executive Incentive Plan, excluding executive officers) having an important business relationship with us.

     We also maintain a 401(k) Plan and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. All employees of Oceaneering and its United States subsidiaries who meet the eligibility requirements may participate in our 401(k) Plan. Certain key management employees and executives of Oceaneering and its subsidiaries, as approved by the Compensation Committee, are eligible to participate in our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

     Under our 401(k) Plan, and subject to limitations provided for in the plan, each participant directs us to defer between 1% and 80% of the participant’s base pay and contribute the deferred compensation to the 401(k) Plan, with such contributions being invested in shares of Common Stock, mutual funds and guaranteed investments. A participant’s deferred compensation contributed to the plan is fully vested. Our contributions to this plan become vested to the participant in percentage increments over a six-year period, commencing with the participant’s date of employment, provided that the participant remains employed by us. We are currently contributing shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to 100% of the deferred compensation of each participant, up to the first 6% of the participant’s base pay deferred. During the year ended December 31, 2003, none of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table made contributions to the 401(k) Plan.

     As of each July 1, the Compensation Committee may establish an amount to be accrued subject to vesting under our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the following 12-month period (each a “Plan Year”) as it determines in its discretion, and the amounts accrued may be different for each participant. A participant may elect to defer a portion of base salary and annual bonus for accrual pursuant to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which amounts are vested. We do not maintain a separate fund for our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Amounts accrued under our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan are adjusted for earnings and losses as if they were invested in one or more investment vehicles selected by the participant from those designated as alternatives by the Compensation Committee. The account balances that are subject to vesting vest in one-third increments on the close of the first, second and third years of continuous employment, beginning with and including July 1 of the Plan Year with respect to which they are accrued. These account balances vest in any event upon the first to occur of ten years of continuous employment after becoming a participant, the date that the sum of the participants’ attained ages and years of participation equals 65, termination of employment by reason of death or disability or within two years of a change of control, or termination of the plan. A participant’s interest in the plan is generally distributable upon termination of employment.

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BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Oceaneering’s executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”). Each member of the Committee is an independent director, in accordance with the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee is dedicated to the establishment of a strong, positive link between the development and attainment of strategic goals, which enhance shareholder values, and the compensation and benefit programs needed to achieve those results.

Overall Executive Compensation Policy

     Oceaneering’s policy is designed to facilitate its mission of increasing the net wealth of its shareholders by:

     There are three major components of Oceaneering’s executive compensation program: Base Salary; Annual Incentives; and Long-Term Incentive Awards. The Committee considers all elements of compensation when determining individual components.

Base Salary

     The Committee believes a competitive salary is essential to support management development and career orientation of executives. The Committee reviews annually the salary of executive officers. In determining appropriate salary levels, the Committee considers level and scope of responsibility and accountability, experience, individual performance contributions, internal equity and market comparisons. The Committee does not assign specific weightings to these criteria. However, the Committee manages base salaries for the executive group in a manner that emphasizes incentive compensation.

Annual Incentives

     The Committee administers an annual cash incentive bonus award plan to reward executive officers and other key employees of Oceaneering based on individual performance and the achievement of specific financial and operational goals determined for the year. The award interrelates individual performance, an individual’s profit center performance and Oceaneering’s overall performance. For 2003, the maximum annual bonus award established for executive officers was within a range of 40% to 125% of base salary.

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Long-Term Incentive Awards

     Long-term incentive awards under Oceaneering’s Long-Term Incentive Plans are designed to create a mutuality of interest between executive officers (and other key employees) and shareholders through stock ownership and other incentive awards.

     To achieve these objectives, the Committee granted restricted Common Stock Units to executive officers and other key employees of Oceaneering in 2002. Those awards are subject to earning requirements during the three-year performance period and subsequent vesting requirements. At the time of vesting of a restricted Common Stock Unit, the participant will be issued a share of Common Stock for each Common Stock Unit vested. Up to one-third of the total grant may be earned each year, depending upon Oceaneering’s cumulative Common Stock performance from July 12, 2002 as compared with a specified peer group’s cumulative common stock performance from that date, with any amount earned subject to vesting in four equal installments over four years, commencing one year after earning, conditional upon continued employment. If the performance of Oceaneering’s Common Stock is less than 50% of the average of the performance of the common stock of the peer group, no shares of restricted stock are earned. If the performance of Oceaneering’s Common Stock is 50% to 87.5% or greater than the average of the performance of the peer group, the amount of restricted stock earned will range from 16% to 100% of the maximum achievable for that period. At the time of each vesting, the participant receives a tax assistance payment. At the end of 2003, one-third of this grant was earned and none was vested.

     The Committee awards stock options to a broad group of executives and key employees. Stock option grants were made in 2003 to all the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer

     John R. Huff has been Chief Executive Officer of Oceaneering since August 1986 and Chairman of the Board since 1990. His compensation package has been designed to encourage the enhancement of shareholder value. Mr. Huff’s compensation for 2003 included the same components and methodology of salary and variable compensation as apply to other executive officers, with regard to his high level of accountability. A substantial portion of his compensation is at risk in the form of performance bonuses and stock awards. During 2003, Mr. Huff’s base annual salary was increased by $95,000 to $625,000, and he was granted stock options for 50,000 shares of Oceaneering Common Stock. While Oceaneering’s earnings in 2003 were the third highest in its history, Oceaneering failed to achieve targeted earnings in its annual bonus program and Mr. Huff did not receive an annual bonus for 2003. Mr. Huff’s compensation reflects the Committee’s assessment of the financial performance of Oceaneering, its financial performance compared to other oilfield service companies during the relevant periods, Mr. Huff’s leadership and significant personal contribution to Oceaneering’s business, and other compensation information.

Compliance With Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a deduction to public companies to the extent of excess annual compensation over $1 million paid to certain executive officers, except for qualified performance-based compensation. Oceaneering had no nondeductible compensation expense for 2003. The Committee plans to review this matter as appropriate and take action as may be necessary to preserve the deductibility of compensation payments to the extent reasonably practical and consistent with Oceaneering’s compensation objectives.

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Performance Graph

          The following graph compares our total shareholder return to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500”), the weighted average return generated by a peer group from March 31, 1999 through December 31, 2003. The peer group companies for this performance graph are Global Industries, Ltd., Halliburton Company, McDermott International, Inc., Cal Dive International, Inc., Offshore Logistics, Inc., Stolt Offshore S.A. and Tidewater, Inc.

          It is assumed in the graphs that: (1) $100 was invested in Oceaneering’s Common Stock, the S&P 500 and the Peer Group on March 31, 1999; (2) the peer group investment is weighted based on the market capitalization of each individual company within the peer group at the beginning of each period; and (3) any dividends are reinvested. We have not declared any dividends during the period covered by the graph. The shareholder return shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Comparison of Cumulative Shareholder Return
for Oceaneering, S&P 500 and a Selected Peer Group

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

          Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, no director or executive officer of Oceaneering or nominee for election as a director of Oceaneering, or holder of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and no member of the immediate family of any such director, nominee, officer or security holder, to our knowledge, had any material interest in any transaction during the year ended December 31, 2003, or in any currently proposed transaction, to which Oceaneering or any subsidiary of Oceaneering was or is a party in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000.

          No director or executive officer of Oceaneering who has served in such capacity since January 1, 2003 or any associate of any such director or officer, to the knowledge of the executive officers of Oceaneering, has any material interest in any matter proposed to be acted on at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, other than as described in this Proxy Statement.

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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Proposal 2

          Subject to ratification by the shareholders, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants, as independent auditors of Oceaneering for the year ending December 31, 2004. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions of any shareholders.

          On June 18, 2002, we dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP as our independent auditors and our Board appointed Ernst & Young LLP to serve as our independent auditors for 2002. Ernst & Young LLP also served as our independent auditors for 2003.

          During the period from January 1, 2002 through June 18, 2002, there were no disagreements between Arthur Andersen LLP and us on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Arthur Andersen LLP, would have caused Arthur Andersen LLP to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on our consolidated financial statements for those periods; and, during this period, we did not experience any “reportable events” of the kinds listed in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

          During the period from January 1, 2002 through June 18, 2002, we did not consult with Ernst & Young LLP regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or events described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

          In accordance with our bylaws, the approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of Oceaneering for the year ending December 31, 2004 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock voted on this proposal at the meeting. Accordingly, abstentions and broker “non-votes” marked on proxy cards will not be included in the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal.

          The persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote such proxy in favor of the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of Oceaneering for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004, unless a contrary choice is set forth thereon or unless an abstention or broker “non-vote” is indicated thereon.

Fee Incurred by Oceaneering for Ernst & Young LLP

          The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by Oceaneering for the audit and other services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for 2003 and 2002.

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          The Audit Committee has concluded that Ernst & Young LLP’s provision of services that were not related to the audit of our financial statements in 2003 was compatible with maintaining that firm’s independence from us.

          The Audit Committee has established a policy that requires pre-approval of the audit and non-audit services performed by our independent auditors. Unless a service proposed to be provided by the independent auditors has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policies and procedures, it will require specific pre-approval of the engagement terms by the Audit Committee. Under the policy, pre-approved service categories are generally provided for up to 12 months and must be detailed as to the particular services provided and sufficiently specific and objective so that no judgments by management are required to determine whether a specific service falls within the scope of what has been pre-approved. In connection with any pre-approval of services, the independent auditors are required to provide detailed back-up documentation concerning the specific services to be provided. The Audit Committee does not delegate to management any of its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by our independent auditors.

          None of the services related to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees or Other Fees described above were approved by the Audit Committee to the waiver of pre-approval provisions set forth in applicable rules of the SEC.

          The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit-related and non-audit-related services not prohibited by law to be performed by Ernst & Young LLP, provided that the Chairman must report any decisions to pre-approve such audit-related or non-audit-related services and fees to the full Audit Committee at its next regular meeting.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

          Any shareholder who wishes to have a qualified proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must send notice of the proposal to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices, 11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011, so that such notice is received no later than December 7, 2004. If you submit such a proposal, you must provide your name, address, the number of shares of Common Stock held of record or beneficially, the date or dates on which you acquired those shares and documentary support for any claim of beneficial ownership.

          In addition, any shareholder who intends to submit a proposal for consideration at our 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, regardless of whether the proposal is submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement for that meeting, or who intends to submit nominees for election as directors at that meeting, must notify our Corporate Secretary. Under our bylaws, such notice must:

A copy of the pertinent bylaw provisions can be obtained from our Corporate Secretary on written request.

          We received no shareholder proposals and no shareholder director nominations for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS

          Should any other matter requiring the vote of shareholders arise at the meeting, it is intended that proxies will be voted in respect thereto in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting the proxies.

          Please return your proxy as soon as possible. Unless a quorum consisting of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is represented at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, no business can be transacted. Therefore, please be sure to date and sign your proxy exactly as your name appears on your stock certificate and return it in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope, or vote by telephone or over the Internet by following the instructions included in this package. Please act promptly to ensure that you will be represented at the meeting.

          WE WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE ON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PERSON SOLICITED HEREBY A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003. WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE MAILED TO GEORGE R. HAUBENREICH, JR., SECRETARY, OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC., P. O. BOX 40494, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77240-0494.

				By Order of the Board of Directors,
				George R. Haubenreich, Jr.
				Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

April 6, 2004

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Appendix A

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Audit Committee Charter

          The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independence, qualifications and performance of the Company’s independent auditors and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The Audit Committee shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors, except as may be prohibited by law, with respect to all matters encompassed by this Charter, and all the power and authority required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          The Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall consist of not less than three members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall also elect a chairman of the Audit Committee. The members of the Audit Committee shall meet the independence and experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations of the SEC, in each case after giving effect to any applicable phase-in requirement. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 401(h)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. No member of the Audit Committee shall simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than two other public companies.

          The independent auditors of the Company are ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint and, where appropriate, replace the Company’s independent auditors (subject to stockholder ratification) and to approve all audit engagement fees and terms. The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between the Company’s management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee.

          The Audit Committee shall preapprove all audit, review or attest engagements and permissible non-audit services, including the fees and terms thereof, to be performed by the independent auditors, subject to, and in compliance with, the de minimis exception for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

          The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of audit and permissible non-audit services. Any decisions of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

          The Audit Committee shall:

A-1

Appendix A

A-2

Appendix A

A-3

Appendix A

          While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with GAAP. It is also not the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations, to resolve any disagreements between management and the independent auditors or to assure compliance with laws and regulations and the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

          The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain and obtain advice and assistance from current or independent legal, accounting or other advisors without seeking approval of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditors to attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of, or advisors to, the Audit Committee. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditors for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, compensation to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee, and ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

          The Audit Committee will meet as often as the members shall determine to be necessary or appropriate, but at least four times during each year. In addition, the Audit Committee will make itself available to the independent auditors and the internal auditors of the Company as requested. Reports of meetings of the Audit Committee shall be made to the Board of Directors at its next regularly scheduled meeting following the Audit Committee meeting, accompanied by any recommendations to the Board of Directors approved by the Audit Committee.

A-4

Oceaneering International, Inc.

c/o EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 8694
Edison, NJ 08818-8694

Voter Control Number

Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.

If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your card.

DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL

This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
Management recommends that you vote FOR authority on Proposals 1 and 2.

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Oceaneering International, Inc.
Offers Telephone or Internet Voting
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Voting by telephone or Internet eliminates the need to return this proxy card. Your vote authorizes the proxies named below to vote your shares to the same extent as if you had marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Before voting, read the proxy statement and voting instruction form. Follow the steps listed. Your vote will be immediately confirmed and posted. Thank you for voting!

TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE

1. On a touch-tone telephone, call toll-free 1-877-779-8683.

2. Enter the voter control number from the shaded box on the reverse side.

3. Enter the last four digits from your taxpayer identification number.

4. You then have two options:

          Option 1: To vote as the Board of Directors recommends on all items.

          Option 2: To vote on each proposal separately.

TO VOTE BY INTERNET

1. Log on to the Internet and go to the website http://www.eproxyvote.com/oii.

2. Enter the voter control number from the shaded box on the reverse side.

3. Follow the instructions.

Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the day prior to the Annual Meeting.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD.

DETACH HERE

PROXY

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.

This Proxy Is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

PROXY

John R. Huff and George R. Haubenreich, Jr., with full power of substitution and resubstitution, are hereby appointed proxies to vote all the shares of common stock of the undersigned in Oceaneering International, Inc., held of record by the undersigned on March 22, 2004, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 14, 2004 in the Atrium of Oceaneering’s corporate offices at 11911 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77041-3011, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of Oceaneering’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the Notice of 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and related Proxy Statement.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the reverse side. The proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card or vote by telephone or Internet as described above before the Annual Meeting.