History of Commercial Diving Academy

Commercial Diving Academy was established in 1995, in Orange Beach, Alabama, in order to provide training and employable skills in the profession of commercial diving.

The School was established by Ray Black in answer to the need for trained commercial divers and the rare-existence of schools of this type. The School is the realization of his dream of sharing his 15 years of experience and training with others. Ray Black was born in Alaska and dedicated his life to working with the industry for almost two decades. He has been associated with worldwide commercial diving companies.

 
THE JACKSONVILLE AREA


Jacksonville, which is geographically the largest city in the contiguous United States, is located on the banks of the St. Johns River less than 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It was settled in 1816 and named for Andrew Jackson.

Jacksonville is a major deepwater port of entry and manufacturing center. Tourism and the United States Navy operations are vital to the city’s economy. Cultural facilities include the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History; the Jacksonville Art Museum; and the Cummer Gallery of Art. Jacksonville is the seat of Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Edward Waters College, and Jones College. According to the Chamber of Commerce, more than 50,000 new jobs have been created by companies expanding or relocating in Jacksonville during the last five years. In addition, the city has received a steady ranking among the “top ten best places to live” by Money Magazine.

Plus, the January 1999 issue of Expansion Management Magazine ranks Jacksonville No. 1 in the country as a site for expansion or relocation. The establishment of the Academy was highly significant in meeting the needs of inland coastal and offshore diving demands within the southeast.

With this demand continuing to rise, the Academy is confident that it can keep pace with the growth and development in both the immediate areas as well as within the region and nation.
 

From I-95:

Heading south:

  • Exit #358A State Road 105 Heckscher Drive to US Rt. 17       .6 miles
  • Exit Main Street US Rt. 17
  • At bottom of ramp - left onto Main Street US Rt. 17 South     1.2 miles
  • After crossing over the Trout River – 1st left onto Sycamore     .1 miles
  • At end of Sycamore  –  left onto Trout River Dr.                 100 yards
  • The Trout River Marina is on the right.
    Commercial Diving Academy is located in the Trout River Marina - Park in the parking lot on the left. 

Heading North:

  • Exit #358A is located 7.5 miles north of downtown Jacksonville
  • Exit at #358 State Rd. 105 Heckscher Drive to US Rt. 17       .6 miles
  • Exit Main Street US Rt. 17
  • At bottom of ramp - left onto Main Street US Rt. 17 South     1.2 miles
  • After crossing over the Trout River – 1st left onto Sycamore     .1 miles
  • At end of Sycamore  –  left onto Trout River Dr.                 100 yards
  • The Trout River Marina is on the right
    Commercial Diving Academy is located in the Trout River Marina – Park in the parking lot on the left. 

From I-10:

  • Exit I-95 North and follow the above direction

From the Beach:

  • Take Atlantic Blvd. west approximately 5 miles
  • Exit 9A North - the sign will read to airport
  • Cross the Dames Point Bridge
  • Take 1st exit Heckscher Blvd
  • At the bottom of ramp turn left and head west for 6 miles
  • You will pass the Jacksonville Zoo on your left
  • Bear left at the fork – “To Main Street”
  • At the light turn Left (south on Main Street) - US Rt. 17 South     1.2 miles
  • After crossing over the Trout River – 1st left onto Sycamore     .1 miles
  • At end of Sycamore  –  left onto Trout River Dr.                 100 yards
  • The Trout River Marina is on the right
    Commercial Diving Academy is located in the Trout River Marina – Park in the parking lot on the left. 

Offices:

To go to the Administration Office, walk between the boat storage racks and the building, the office is at the end on the right.

To locate the Staff Offices, walk to the back of the marina, towards the two black dive towers – there is a door in the back of the gray building.

 
             
  The Commercial Diving Academy is an accredited training facility for the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
 
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