Association of Diving Contractors International

What Association of Diving Contractors International does

The Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1968 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, that represents the global commercial diving industry. Its mission is to promote safety, training, and communication standards for commercial diving and underwater operations, and it currently encompasses more than 400 member companies from 41 nations across General, Associate, Supporting, and Affiliate tiers. The organization's foundational product is the ADCI Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations (currently Edition 6.5), which are cited by OSHA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as authoritative for best practices, and which now extend into a new ANSI-accredited training standard (BSR-ADCI-01-201X) in active development as of June 2025.

ADCI operates a multi-tier Commercial Diver Certification Program covering Entry Level Tender/Diver, Air Diver, Mixed-Gas Diver, Bell/Saturation Diver, and corresponding supervisor levels, with five-year card validity. Certification processing is delivered through the Skill N Depth digital platform — a partnership announced June 5, 2025 — which reduces turnaround from 8–10 weeks to approximately 24 hours and becomes the sole submission method from January 1, 2026. ADCI's International Endorsement certifications are recognized by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) effective August 1, 2018, enabling cross-jurisdictional portability.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership dues from 400+ member companies, recurring certification fees, and one-time product sales (commercial diver log books, supervisor log books, and commemorative publications such as the 50th Anniversary book at $50 per copy). Supporting offerings include an ADCI Recognized Schools network spanning the U.S., Australia, Chile, Brazil, Egypt, Argentina, Mexico, Panama, and Korea; the Underwater Today eNewsletter; the Caribbean Chapter Meeting (Cartagena, Colombia, September 2026); safety resources; advisory notices; and a scholarship program awarding two $6,000 scholarships annually. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, led by Executive Director Phil Newsum, and operates with 1–10 employees.

Name

Association of Diving Contractors International

Legal name

Association of Diving Contractors International

Website

https://adc-int.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) is a 1968-founded non-profit trade association in Houston, Texas, representing 400+ commercial diving member companies across 41 nations through OSHA-cited Consensus Standards, a multi-tier diver certification program, and an ANSI-accredited standards development pipeline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ADCI generates revenue through membership dues from General, Associate, Supporting, and Affiliate members. The association represents 400+ member companies from 41 nations.
2. Product Sales: Sales of commercial diver log books, diving supervisor log books, and merchandise including the 50th Anniversary Publication and commemorative shirts.
3. Certification Fees: Fees for commercial diver certification cards and renewals processed through the Skill N Depth platform.
4. Scholarship Program: ADCI operates a scholarship program funded by member contributions, awarding 2 scholarships at $6,000 each annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) is a nonprofit trade association that develops and maintains consensus safety standards for commercial diving and underwater operations, and operates a commercial diver certification program. It serves 400+ member companies across 41 nations through membership tiers, accredited schools, publications, and digital certification processing.

Product overview

The Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) is a nonprofit trade association representing the commercial diving industry worldwide, founded in 1968. ADCI's core product is its Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations, the authoritative industry standards cited by OSHA, Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The association operates primarily through its Commercial Diver Certification Program with multiple classifications (Entry Level, Air Diver, Mixed-Gas Diver, Bell/Saturation Diver, and corresponding supervisors), delivered via the Skill N Depth digital platform. Supporting offerings include an ADCI Recognized Schools network, Underwater Today eNewsletter, Safety Resources, Advisory Notices, a Publications Store, Scholarship Program, and regional chapter meetings. ADCI serves over 400 member companies from 41 nations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ADCI Commercial Diver Certification Program Certification program for individual commercial divers with multiple classifications including Entry Level Tender/Diver, Air Diver, Mixed-Gas Diver, Bell/Saturation Diver, Air-diving supervisor, Mixed-gas diving supervisor, Bell/Saturation-diving supervisor, and Life-support technician. Certification cards are valid for five years and issued/renewed through the Skill N Depth digital platform.
• ADCI Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations Industry consensus standards (currently Edition 6.5) for commercial diving and underwater operations, cited by OSHA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the authoritative reference for best practices. Available to member companies and the wider industry.
• International Endorsement Certification IMCA-recognized surface-supplied diving certifications including Entry Level Diver/Tender, Surface-Supplied Air Diver, and Surface-Supplied Mixed Gas Diver with International Endorsement, providing international portability of certifications.
• Skill N Depth Digital Certification Platform Online platform for submitting renewal and new certification applications digitally, with approximately 24-hour processing turnaround compared to the previous 8-10 week manual process, and secure auditable records tied to the individual diver.
• ADCI Recognized Schools Program Network of accredited commercial diving schools across multiple countries including USA, Australia, Chile, Brazil, Egypt, Argentina, Mexico, Panama, and Korea, recognized by ADCI for compliance with commercial diver training standards.
• ADCI Publications Store Online store offering commercial diving reference materials including the Commercial Diver's Log Book (volume-tiered: $35 for 1-4 copies down to $25 for 28+ copies), Diving Supervisor Log Book ($35 for 1-10 copies down to $25 for 22+ copies), the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication 'Working Underwater: The Story of the Commercial Diving Industry' at $50, and ADCI T-Shirts at $10 each.
• ADCI Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program awarding two $6,000 scholarships to community members of ADCI voting member companies, applicable to universities, colleges, junior colleges, vocational training schools, and trade schools.
• ADCI Membership Program Four-tier membership program for commercial diving industry participants: General Members (diving contractors), Associate Members (service providers and training schools), Supporting Members, and Affiliate Members (organizations invited by the Board of Directors, exempt from dues). Members receive access to ADCI Consensus Standards, certification services, the online member directory, publications, advisory notices, and safety resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• ADCI certification processing time reduced from 8-10 weeks to approximately 24 hours with digital Skill N Depth platform
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skill N Depth PlatformcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 June 2025ADCI partnered with Skill N Depth to deliver digital certification processing. Effective immediately, all ADCI divers and member companies can submit renewals and new certification applications online. Beginning January 1, 2026, online submission will be the only accepted method for renewal and issuance of ADCI certifications.
• International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMCA recognizes ADCI Surface-Supplied Diving Certifications with International Endorsement. ADCI has made significant revisions to diver training requirements to meet IMCA's requirements. Recognition includes Entry Level Diver/Tender, Surface-Supplied Air Diver, and Surface-Supplied Mixed Gas diver certifications.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADCI was approved as an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer in December 2023. The association is developing new standards for minimum requirements for commercial diver training (BSR-ADCI-01-201X) through ANSI's standards development process.
• Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) and Santa Barbara City College Marine Diving Technology (SBCCMDT)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThese ADCI-recognized schools are working collaboratively to provide assessments and top-ups for individuals seeking ADCI International Endorsement certification who reside within the United States. The program is being piloted to ensure implementation and oversight meet all requirements.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG)minorOthersADCI Consensus Standards are cited by the U.S. Coast Guard as authoritative for best practices in commercial diving operations.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersminorOthersADCI Consensus Standards are cited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as authoritative for best practices in commercial diving operations.
• American Salvage Association (ASA)minorOthersPartner organization listed in ADCI Quick Links for industry networking and resources.
• Diving Safety Work Group (DSWG)minorOthersListed in ADCI Quick Links as a related industry organization.
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)minorOthersADCI Consensus Standards are cited by OSHA as authoritative for best practices. ADCI provides guidelines for occupational safety and health standards for commercial diving operations (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T).
• Underwater MagazineminorOthersADCI provides medical articles from Underwater Magazine including MRSA - Drug Resistant Staff Infection and Fit to Dive - Lungs resources.
• Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical SocietyminorOthersReferenced for finding Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society Certified Hyperbaric Medical Physician or Clinic for diver medical examinations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC): DCBC operates a competing national diver certification scheme in Canada, paralleling ADCI's role in the United States. While serving a different national market, DCBC competes for the same pool of North American commercial divers and contractor mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - UK Diving Operations: The UK HSE sets and enforces commercial diving regulations under the Diving at Work Regulations 1997, providing a government-driven parallel to ADCI's consensus-standards model. HSE-approved diving contractors compete with ADCI member companies for North Sea and European offshore work, making HSE an indirect but influential peer.
• International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC): IAGC represents geophysical and offshore service contractors, an adjacent segment of the offshore marine services ecosystem. Its member base overlaps with ADCI's contractor members who perform subsea survey and inspection work.
• Marine Technology Society (MTS): MTS is a broader marine-industry professional society with overlapping membership in underwater technology, ROVs, and ocean engineering. While less focused than ADCI on commercial diving per se, MTS competes for the same individual professionals and corporate members interested in underwater operations.
• Society for Underwater Technology (SUT): SUT is a UK-based learned society for underwater technology, diving, and offshore engineering. It overlaps with ADCI in promoting professional standards and education across the underwater sector, particularly in European offshore markets.

Direct peers

• Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE): ACDE is a closely aligned association representing commercial diving training schools, the same population of institutions that participate in ADCI's Recognized Schools program. ACDE co-developed the ANSI/ACDE-01-2015 standard that ADCI references for diver training instruction hours.
• International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA): IMCA is the most directly comparable organization to ADCI, also serving as a membership-based standards and certification body for the offshore/marine contracting industry. The two have a mutual recognition arrangement for surface-supplied diving certifications and compete for influence over international diving competence standards.
• American Salvage Association (ASA): ASA is a peer maritime-industry trade association explicitly linked on ADCI's Quick Links page. Both organizations represent overlapping marine contractor members in underwater salvage, response, and husbandry, and collaborate on industry safety initiatives.

Others

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI): ANSI is the umbrella standards accreditation body under which ADCI now operates as an Accredited Standards Developer. ANSI is not a competitor but the regulatory/institutional framework through which ADCI's standards gain national codification, making it a critical counterpart rather than a peer in the commercial sense.
• Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS): UHMS is referenced by ADCI for hyperbaric medical physician certification for diver medical examinations. While not a competing standards body for diving operations, UHMS plays an enabling role in ADCI's certification ecosystem and represents the medical-adjacent layer of commercial diving compliance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/adci_official
• YouTubevideos.adc-int.org/home
• Facebookfacebook.com/Association-of-Diving-Contractors-International-362060393819289
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-diving-contractors-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Diving Contractors International