Canadian Association of Diving Contractors

Doug Elsey (L) receives lifetime achievement award from Jonathan Chapple – DCBC Chairman at the Canadian Underwater Conference Show – St. Johns NFLD.

Current CADC Executive Director Doug Elsey was awarded the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Underwater Conference Show (St. Johns NFLD) by DCBC Chairman Jonathan Chapple in recognition for his significant and ongoing contributions and accomplishments to the Canadian underwater industry during his career. It is the highest honour an individual can receive on behalf of the underwater industry in Canada. Former award winners in this category are Mr. Jim Wilson and Mr. Bob Landry.

Mr. Elsey is a professional engineer working in the commercial and military diving industry for over 45 years. He has been a commercial diver/supervisor, submersible pilot, ROV operator, arctic explorer, photographer, cinematographer, lecturer and diving instructor. He was the Area/OPS Manager of the Canadian Great Lakes/East Coast Division of Can-Dive Services Ltd. and was one of the partners in that firm for over 20 years. He has long ongoing and active involvement in the Canadian Standards Association and has served as the Chairman of the CSA Diving Standards subcommittee (275.2). He is currently the vice-chair for the main technical committee. He is a past President of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors and is also the webmaster of UnderwaterINDUSTRY.com and UnderwaterJOBS.com websites. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors. He is also a professional documentary and adventure photographer specializing in documentary photography in the marine and undersea environments with experience and involvement ranging from civilian National Geographic expeditions to documenting military EOD/MCM NATO Special Forces commando exercises’ world-wide. He continues to be passionately involved in the industry.

On acceptance of the award, he acknowledged that none of the accomplishments in the industry could of been realized without support from friends, colleagues, family – and especially his wife Marney. “She allowed me to go out and “play” in an industry known for being hard on relationships, long separations far from home, tough times and exciting times … and in doing so, I’ve managed to work with a lot of talented people who joined with me to help make a better industry – a safer one. No one does it alone. It doesn’t get any better than that. “