About Us

Driven by our passion for innovation within the marine industry and our commitment to quality, we see a world where the ocean is a safe, sustainable, profitable and exciting place to be.

Meet The Team

Andrew Dowland
Founder and Managing Director

With over 40 years expertise in the marine industry, Andrew established AD Marine in 1993 building it to become one of the most trusted marine businesses in Europe with a reputation for outstanding service, broad expertise and strong relationships with boat owners, builders and suppliers across the UK and around the world.

From his early days running a boat yard, Andrew developed an eye for detail and structural excellence which has proved invaluable to his surveying career and practice.

The company started with 400 tonnage surveys a year, along with MCA coding, pre-purchase and pre-delivery surveys, and has become a thriving marine business with long standing recognition by the Royal Yachting Association, and previously Bureau Veritas and St Vincent and the Grenadines, working across Europe and around the world, including storm damaged vessels in the Caribbean.

Chris Dowland
Business Development and Technical Director

Chris’ love of boats started at a young age, accompanying his Dad Andrew on surveys while still at school. He was approved by the Royal Yachting Association as a tonnage surveyor on his 18th birthday.

After qualifying from boatbuilding college and receiving a first class honours degree in yacht production and marine surveying from Solent University, Chris worked for DHA Marine Design and Damen Shipyards, most latterly as a programme manager modulisation, where his passion for design, innovation, boatbuilding and business all came together. It was here that Chris developed his vision to positively transform boatbuilding. Over nine years in Holland, Chris worked in leadership positions across projects from Pilot Boats to CTVs, Safety and Rescue vessels to Interceptors.

Returning to the UK in 2020, Chris joined AD Marine Services to grow the business and form strong like-minded partnerships to optimise boatbuilding and increase the enjoyment of owning a vessel for his clients.

He brings a collaborative, highly energetic, and productivity-driven approach.

Chris specialises in structures, system development and serial production, redefining boatbuilding and delivering high-quality vessels within the most efficient process.

Interested in a career in the marine industry?

We're passionate about providing work experience, mentoring and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.

Get in touch
Looking out a marine on the Isle of Wight

AD Marine – A Brief History

A family-run business with three decades of experience, providing technical and commercial support to our clients, every step of the way.

1993
Andrew and Elaine Dowland started the business in 1993, providing up to 400 vessel registrations per year.
1997
Becoming certified with the Royal Yachting Association meant offering our clients a range of marine surveys with all the advice and support they need.
2002
Chris joined the business aged 12, earning pocket money for every tonnage board he engraved, and soon the workshop was flourishing too.
2005
Hard work and some enduring relationships - together with a network of partners worldwide - provided AD Marine with a strong reputation for trust and reliability.
2011
After graduating from Solent University, Chris joined Damen Shipyards in Holland for 9 years, working in naval architecture. First in design, then shipbuilding and then project management, Chris worked on high-speed craft and work boats, including the safety and rescue vessel for KNRM and the Turkish national coastguard.
2015
AD Marine started conducting Stability Information Booklets (SIB) in line with the requirements of the MCA for coded vessels.
2017
Andrew's surveying work continued to take him all over the world, carrying out storm damage assessments after Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean.
2020
Returning from Holland, Chris picked up where he left off with new partnerships, clients and ideas, expanding the business to optimise boatbuilding and becoming Sika UK agents and technical partners.
2021
The World Sailing organisation determined that yachts competing in OSR Category 0-2 races would require structural integrity of keels and rudders to be inspected by a qualified person within two years prior to the start of the race. AD Marine was approved to conduct these inspections.
2022
With a range of qualifications and experience across the marine world, James joined the business to increase our surveying capacity.
2023
Delivered by Wight Shipyard, we’re proud to have worked on the Earth Clipper – the first hybrid vessel for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers – providing technical expertise on window bonding.
2024
In partnership with RINA, Bayards and Sika, we produced a two-part documentary showcasing the innovative techniques and products that will inform the future of shipbuilding.
We were proud to win two awards: Most Innovative Shipbuilding Solutions Provider 2024 in the annual UK Enterprise Awards hosted by SME News and Marine Surveying Specialists of the Year 2024 by Corporate Livewire.
Chris and Andrew holding their award at the Corporate Livewire event

Why Choose Us?

Today

We're here to provide technical and commercial support to boat owners and shipbuilders across the UK and Europe - from river buses to expedition yachts, and ferries to workboats.

With a range of surveys for commercial and leisure vessels, ensure the highest quality safety standards and bring peace of mind with a service you can trust.

Our Network

We work with a worldwide network of trusted partners, relied upon for their technical authority and professional integrity.

This enables us to support innovators and outfitters with products, packages and process efficiency inside and out.

Get In Touch

We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, reliable, and responsive service, supporting our clients all over the world. If you are looking for a trusted maritime expert, get in touch. We will provide all the support you need.