Working Underwater: The Story of the Commercial Diving Industry

ASSOCIATION
OF DIVING
CONTRACTORS
INTERNATIONAL
BY PHIL NEWSUM
The Association of Diving Contractors
International stands today as more than just a
trade association. Since 1968, the ADCI has
become the voice and symbol of safety for
commercial diving and underwater operations.
Industry stakeholders such as government
regulatory agencies, militaries, schools,
vendors, manufacturers, the medical and
insurance communities, as well as those that
engage in the operations of commercial diving
all look to the ADCI as the premier entity for
the establishment of industry best practices.
One reason for the longstanding sustainability
of the Association is its willingness to engage
in open dialogue with the industry when developing
the guidelines and recommendations
within the International Consensus Standards
for Commercial Diving and Underwater
Operations. The hallmark and strength of the
Association is its diverse make up, which allows
it to approach industry challenges on a variety
of levels. The ADCI’s regional chapter framework
provides an outlet for both members and
non-members to share their lessons learned and
notable operations conducted, all of which supports
the Association’s focus on safety, education,
and communication.
There have been many individuals over
the course of the last fifty years who have
helped make the ADCI what it is today. They
can be found in the Commercial Diving Hall
of Fame, serving on a committee or on the
Board of Directors. They can be found working
on a pipeline, a dam, or in an office.
Supporters of the Association serve the industry
in a variety of different ways. Over the
course of its history, the ADCI has become
adept at listening to and acting upon feedback
in the best and most effective way to better
the conduct of underwater operations. In
short, the key to the ADCI’s first fifty years
and the key to its next fifty years, will be its
ability to embrace change and focus its efforts
for change on positive terms.
As the current Executive Director of the
ADCI, I am honored to serve in the footsteps
of those who’ve paved the way for me to try to
make a difference. I am also blessed to work
every day with the longest tenured employee
in the Association, the Grande Dame and my
colleague, Barbara Treadway. No one person
has seen more of the progression of the ADCI
firsthand than Barbara.
I have also encountered others who have
helped me to lead organizational change, build
positive industry relationships, learn from my
mistakes, be open to new ideas, take the
initiative, and fix fatal flaws. I cherish the
opportunity to hold this position and be a part
of the positive impact that the Association of
Diving Contractors International has on the
underwater industry.
Underwater Intervention, UI 2018.
SHARING THE HERITAGE
111