Divers Institute of Technology

What Divers Institute of Technology does

Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) is a private, veteran-operated and veteran-owned commercial diving school founded in 1968 and headquartered on the shore of Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. Its core offering is a 7-month, 900-hour Commercial Diver Program delivered across seven sequential course modules (Physics & Medicine, Lightweight & Rigging, Offshore & Hazmat, Welding & Underwater Welding, Salvage & Hydraulics, SCUBA & Inland, and Deep Dives) leading to 13 industry certifications, including the internationally-recognized DCBC Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver certification, ADCI Entry Level Tender/Diver, NAUI SCUBA, HAZWOPER, NDT certifications, and Kirby Morgan Hat Operator.

The program is differentiated by training in real open-water conditions — Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound — including dives to 165 feet using surface decompression on the dedicated M/V Response training vessel, rather than pools, tanks, or quarries. The school's go-to-market is sales-led direct admissions, with year-round enrollment and monthly class starts, supported by a four-step application process, financial aid counseling, military-benefits processing, and a Seattle Vet Center specialist on campus weekly. Tuition is $29,000 per student (Total Cost of Attendance: $48,800), with revenue derived primarily from tuition and fees, federal student aid (FAFSA school code 011481), Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and post-graduation specialty courses.

A pending change in ownership was announced in February 2026, with Donald D. Moore, Jr. — a U.S. Navy veteran and owner of another accredited diving institution in Alvarado, Texas — acquiring full ownership of D.I.T., LLC, expected to close on or after June 1, 2026 subject to regulatory approvals. The school operates a separately-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Divers Institute Foundation, which administers six named scholarships to support student access.

Name

Divers Institute of Technology

Legal name

Divers Institute of Technology

Website

https://diversinstitute.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Divers Institute of Technology is a veteran-operated Seattle-based commercial diving school founded in 1968, delivering a 7-month, 900-hour program that graduates career-changing adults and military veterans into inland, offshore, and specialized diving roles with 13 industry certifications including international DCBC accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Diving Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Underwater/Marine Welding Training (EDAOADAM)

Keywords

• Commercial diving training
• Underwater welding certification
• Marine construction training
• Offshore diving school
• Hazmat diving program

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charges for the 7-month commercial diving program. Tuition is $29,000 per student, with additional fees for gear and physical examination. Financial aid including federal loans, grants, and military benefits help students cover costs.
2. Specialized/Advanced Training: Post-graduation specialty courses including Diver Medic Technician, Kirby Morgan Hat Technician, Supervisor Training, and International Diver Assessments offered for additional fees.
3. Financial Aid Administration: School participates in federal student aid programs (FAFSA school code 011481), private loans, and military education benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill, processing financial aid for students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) sells a 7-month, 900-hour Commercial Diver Program delivered in Seattle, Washington, that prepares students for careers in inland, offshore, hazmat, salvage, and saturation diving. The program is delivered through seven sequential monthly modules and awards 13 industry certifications including DCBC Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver certification, with training conducted in real open-water conditions on Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound. DIT also offers post-graduation advanced training courses (Diver Medic Technician, Kirby Morgan Hat Technician, Supervisor Training, International Diver Assessments) and Foundation scholarships.

Product overview

Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) is a single-site, veteran-operated commercial diving school in Seattle, WA, established in 1968. Its primary offering is a 7-month, 900-hour Commercial Diver Program comprising seven sequential course modules (Physics & Medicine, Lightweight & Rigging, Offshore & Hazmat, Welding & Underwater Welding, Salvage & Hydraulics, SCUBA & Inland, and Deep Dives) that collectively lead to 13 industry certifications including the internationally recognized DCBC Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver certification. The institution supplements the core program with a suite of Advanced Training courses (Diver Medic Technician, Kirby Morgan Hat Technician, Supervisor Training, and International Diver Assessments) and a 501(c)(3) Foundation offering named scholarships. All training is conducted in real-world open-water environments (Lake Union, Lake Washington, Puget Sound) using floating dive barges and the M/V Response vessel, with 165-foot depth capability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Diver Program A 7-month, 900-hour commercial diving program based in Seattle, WA, preparing students for inland, offshore, hazmat, salvage, and saturation diving careers through real-world open-water training on Lake Union, floating dive barges, and the M/V Response vessel. Students perform deep dives to 165 feet and earn 13 industry certifications including DCBC Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver certification.
• Diver Medic Technician Course Specialized training for graduates and industry professionals in diver medical response, preparing students for medical emergencies in diving environments. Instructor-led with DMT certification.
• Kirby Morgan Hat Technician Course Certification course for Kirby Morgan dive helmet maintenance and repair, taught by certified Kirby Morgan Hat Technicians. Available monthly for graduates and members of the diving community.
• Supervisor Training Unrestricted Surface Supplied Air Diving Supervisor Course earning internationally recognized DCBC certification, designed for experienced divers seeking leadership and supervisory roles in the commercial diving industry.
• International Diver Assessments Top-up assessments for earning DCBC Surface Supplied Air Diver certification based on evaluation of prior formal training and documented work history. Enables internationally recognized certification for experienced divers.
• Divers Institute Foundation Scholarships A 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2006 that supports students through named scholarships including Kevin Griffeth Memorial, Michael Cocks, Zachary Zoulek, John Manlove, Richard Radecki, and Jesse Tabor scholarships, as well as equipment needs and capital improvements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% graduation rate (247 of 271 students completed program, Jun 2023–May 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Divers Institute FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 2006501(c)(3) foundation established to support DIT students through scholarship programs including Kevin Griffeth Memorial, Michael Cocks, Zachary Zoulek, John Manlove, Richard Radecki, and Jesse Tabor scholarships.
• NW Dive SupplyminorOthersEquipment supplier offering packaged deals to DIT students for required dive gear and equipment. Located at 1341 N. Northlake Way, Ste. 150, Seattle, WA, 98103 with DIT's campus.
• Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational certifying body whose CSA Z275 standard DIT maintains compliance with through 5-year audits. DCBC certification enables graduates to work globally and is recognized by HSE (UK), ADAS (Australia), and IMCA.
• Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association whose Entry Level Tender/Diver certification DIT students earn. DIT's Michelle Perrigo serves on the ADCI Steering Committee developing new minimum commercial diver training standards.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK government agency that recognizes DCBC certification, enabling DIT graduates to work in the United Kingdom.
• Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian government accreditation scheme that recognizes DCBC certification, enabling DIT graduates to work in Australia.
• International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal trade association representing offshore, marine, and specialist underwater companies. IMCA fully recognizes DCBC Unrestricted Diver certification without requiring additional dive logs after graduation.
• Seattle Vet CenterminorOthersVeterans outreach service with specialist Ray Rosales available on DIT campus weekly to support veteran students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CDA Technical Institute: Jacksonville, Florida-based commercial diving school with similar ADCI-aligned curriculum and short-duration intensive format. Competes directly for East Coast and Caribbean-based students seeking commercial diving careers.
• Ocean Corporation: Houston-based commercial diving school offering a comparable 7-month diver training program with ADCI certifications and similar tuition structure. Direct competitor for Gulf of Mexico and inland diving careers, and most direct U.S. analogue to DIT.
• International Diving Institute: Alvarado, Texas commercial diving school owned by Donald D. Moore Jr., DIT's incoming acquirer. Will become the closest operational peer once ownership transition closes and could be combined into a multi-site platform under common ownership.

Regional players

• Seattle Maritime Academy: Seattle-based maritime training institution offering deck, engine, and marine technology credentials. Regional peer competing for the same Pacific Northwest candidate pool interested in marine careers but without commercial diving specialization.

Broad incumbents

• Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship: Union-affiliated maritime training school in Piney Point, MD offering broader maritime credentials including some diving-adjacent programs. Competes for the same pool of veteran and career-transitioning applicants seeking water-based skilled trades.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Global recreational diving certification body whose standards shape entry-level dive training. While recreational-focused, PADI certifications are an alternative pathway for prospective students weighing commercial vs. recreational dive careers.
• Lincoln Tech: Large multi-campus proprietary vocational school offering skilled trades programs across HVAC, welding, and industrial technology. Represents the broader competitive set for adult learners and federal aid funding in vocational training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@diversinstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/202277850541
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/divers-institute-of-technology
• Instagraminstagram.com/diversinstitute
• Xx.com/DiversInstitute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Divers Institute of Technology