News Release   August 17 2005 OSI’s Common Operational Picture technology a big success at global counter-terror demonstration Vancouver, Canada — Offshore Systems International Ltd. (TSX: OSI/ OTCBB: OFSYF) said today that its Common Operational Picture product line (COP PL) was a big success at the global counter-terror demonstration involving 26 countries in late June 2005. As a direct result of the exercise, OSI was asked to meet with 15 agencies representing military, intelligence and other government departments in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada and expects additional requests for meetings from the United Kingdom and Australia. “We’ve had solid interest in our technology from day one,” said John Jacobson, President and CEO. “During the two-week exercise, COP PL received more than 150,000 requests for information, averaging above 15,000 hits per day from command and control and counter-terrorism centres around the world. This level of intensity means we were providing significant value to the end user. Informally, we’ve had excellent feedback on our performance.” Interest in COP PL is also expected to increase once the official after-action report for the event is published and distributed to all participating organizations internationally in September 2005. Called CWID or Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, the exercise tested new technologies that could improve information sharing among coalition forces and be in the field within a year. OSI’s COP PL was assessed formally by war fighters and intelligence operators representing 13 organizations operating on four continents. Wide exposure for OSI’s technology was also gained in its teaming with Microsoft, which used OSI’s COP PL as a key part of its IT infrastructure for the exercise. Jacobson said OSI is building the ‘go to’ company for geographic technology for the defence, counter-terror and intelligence communities. According to market research, geographic intelligence is a critical, unmet need for military and coalition operations. Based on industry and market data, OSI estimates the market for geographic intelligence in command and control at approximately US$400 million annually. End users include strategic command overseeing joint or coalition operations; tactical command in charge of air, land and sea operational requirements; geospatial information required by military and intelligence communities; and other government, homeland security and national defence agencies (e.g. police). About Offshore Systems International Ltd. Offshore Systems International Ltd. (OSI) makes geographic-intelligence software, systems and data products mainly for large government and civilian customers. The company has three business units: OSI Navigation Systems (moving map display systems and software for naval surface ships and submarines); OSI Applications (network-based map and target display software and services for national defence) and Mapcon Mapping (land mapping and marine chart production services for civilian and military customers). OSI’s common shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: OSI) and the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB: OFSYF). Visit OSI’s website at www.osil.com for more information and the latest company updates. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains items that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws including Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21e of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are made under the ‘safe harbour’ provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from the results implied herein. Offshore Systems International can give no assurances that its representations will be achieved or that it will update them at any time in the future.   For more information contact: Jane Hayward Investor Relations +1 613 287 0462 or +1 888 880 9797 +1 613 287 0466 (FAX) invest@osigeospatial.com