Consistent standards
A practical common benchmark for diving contractors and those who engage them.
Explore the framework ↗ A NEW VOICE FOR COMMERCIAL DIVING
Raising standards.
Strengthening
our industry.
An emerging international alliance developing practical inshore commercial diving standards, professional competence pathways and an independent contractor assurance framework to support safer, more consistent diving operations.
ICDA IS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT
INDEPENDENT THINKINGINDUSTRY-LED STANDARDSPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITIONSAFER DIVING
OUR PROPOSED APPROACH
One standard. Measurable competence. Independent assurance.
Designed for international inshore commercial diving, complementing applicable national legislation rather than replacing it.
Professional development
Proposed competence pathways for divers, supervisors and operational leaders.
Individual pathways ↗Independent assurance
A proposed evidence-led route to contractor assessment, with independent scrutiny.
Assurance approach ↗JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Where do you fit into ICDA?
Membership is not yet open. Choose your area of interest to explore the proposed pathway and leave your details.
OUR PURPOSE
Independent by design.
United by purpose.
A shared benchmark for inshore commercial diving. A stronger industry.
Commercial diving operates across a complex landscape of national regulations, industry standards and differing approaches to competence and assurance.
ICDA is being established to help improve consistency through practical, internationally applicable guidance for safe, competent and professional inshore commercial diving.
Our proposed framework aims to give contractors clear criteria for future independent assessment, while supporting divers, supervisors and managers through competence pathways, training and continuing professional development (CPD).
For clients, ICDA aims to provide greater transparency and confidence when selecting and evaluating diving contractors, regardless of where they operate. ICDA standards are intended to complement, not replace, applicable national laws and regulations.
Clear standards. Measurable competence. Independent assurance.
Learn about our approachGROW WITH ICDA
From your first dive to leading the industry.
Every diving career and every diving business begins somewhere. Whether you are taking your first steps towards becoming a commercial diver, progressing into supervisory roles, or establishing your own diving contracting business, ICDA aims to support your development. Wherever you are on your commercial diving journey, ICDA is developing a pathway for you.
Your career. Your future.
From trainee to working diver, specialist, supervisor, superintendent or business owner — explore a professional journey supported by proposed CPD resources, technical guidance, competence pathways and training opportunities.
Trainee
Commercial Diver
Supervisor
SuperintendentCPD & Development RecordsPractical Diving GuidanceTraining OpportunitiesCompetence & Career Pathways
Explore Your Career Pathway ↗Grow your business. Demonstrate your standards.
Whether you run a small independent operation or a multinational diving business, ICDA aims to provide useful standards, guidance and a fair route towards independent, scope-defined assurance.
Establish
Develop
Demonstrate
AssuranceThese are illustrative career and business journeys, not automatic membership levels or certification awards. Proposed services are in development.
THE ALLIANCE
Practical services.
Clearer outcomes.
Developing complementary services to support safer diving operations, professional progression and informed contractor selection.
Individual
membership
A professional community designed to support your journey from trainee diver through to supervisor and beyond.
Explore membership
Contractor
membership
A proposed three-tier pathway for diving contractors to engage, demonstrate commitment and progress towards independent assurance.
Contractor pathwaysStandards &
guidance
Developing a consistent and practical framework to support competent, professional and safer inshore diving operations.
Our standards approachCONTRACTOR ASSURANCE
Confidence should be demonstrable.
We are designing an independent commercial diving contractor assurance pathway intended to assess documented systems, operational competence and evidence of compliance with defined scheme requirements.
The assurance programme is under development and is not yet available.
Explore assuranceOUR COMMUNITY
Built for the people
behind the industry.
From a diver starting their career to a contractor managing complex operations, ICDA aims to be a professional community that grows with its members.
Discover membershipDivers & trainees
Supervisors & managers
Diving contractors
Clients & industry specialists
BE PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT
Help shape the future
of commercial diving.
ICDA is currently in development. We welcome expressions of interest from individuals and businesses across the diving community.