COAST Foundation

What COAST Foundation does

Caribbean Oceanography Aquaculture & Subsea Technology (COAST) Foundation is a non-profit NGO incorporated in Trinidad & Tobago in 2017 by marine and subsea professionals. The foundation operates four core programs: a Marine Research Facility (hatchery and nursery for marine species aquaculture), a Subsea Training Facility for ROV operators and subsea technology R&D, an Exploration Vessel Program with live telepresence capabilities for the Southern Caribbean, and the Scrap for Change recycling initiative that processes industrial waste and surplus project materials donated by offshore energy operators. It is governed by a four-person board co-founded by Keith Lewis (Executive Director) and Sebastian Lanser, with additional directors Khama Philip and Dylan Galt, supported by volunteers contributing professional services in subsea operations, project management, and marine sciences.

Revenue is generated through a transaction-fee model on the Scrap for Change recycling program, supplemented by donations, grants, and in-kind volunteer services. The foundation's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: volunteers are recruited via the website and social media, the annual Garbage Grand Slam Tournament held on International Coastal Cleanup Day drives community participation, and corporate partnerships with offshore energy operators are sourced directly through project-based negotiations. Headquartered at the Tropical Marine Building in Chaguaramas, the foundation plans to scale programs across the Southern Caribbean through NGO partnerships.

Name

COAST Foundation

Legal name

Caribbean Oceanography Aquaculture & Subsea Technology (COAST) Foundation

Website

https://thecoastfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

COAST Foundation is a Trinidad & Tobago non-profit NGO running marine research, ROV subsea training, ocean exploration, and an offshore-waste recycling program (Scrap for Change), serving offshore energy operators, students, and community volunteers across the Southern Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation & Subsea Education Services

NAICS

Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Aquaculture (1125), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Pollution Control & Environmental Remediation (Booming, Skimming, Shoreline Cleanup) (TLAHAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Marine conservation services
• Subsea training programs
• Industrial waste recycling
• Ocean exploration education
• Offshore environmental programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chaguaramas

HQ country

Trinidad & Tobago

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Scrap for Change Recycling Program: Revenue generated from recycling industrial waste and surplus materials donated by offshore operators. The program reduces operational costs for donating companies while generating funds to support foundation programs.
2. Donations and Grants: Funding from donors and potentially grant programs to support marine research, exploration, and education initiatives.
3. Volunteer Support: In-kind volunteer contributions providing professional services in subsea operations, project management, and marine sciences.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

COAST Foundation runs marine research and subsea training initiatives including a Marine Research Facility (hatchery and nursery), a Subsea Training Facility for ROV operators, an Exploration Vessel Program, and the Scrap for Change program that recycles industrial waste and surplus materials from offshore energy operators. It also operates the annual Garbage Grand Slam Tournament coastal cleanup event and live telepresence expeditions for educators and students.

Product overview

The COAST Foundation is a non-profit NGO incorporated in Trinidad & Tobago in 2017, operating marine research, subsea training, and ocean exploration programs. The organization's core offerings include a Marine Research Facility (hatchery and nursery for marine species aquaculture), a Subsea Training Facility (ROV operator training and technology R&D), an Exploration Vessel Program (scientific seafloor exploration with live telepresence), and the Scrap for Change Program (industrial waste recycling and repurposing). Additional initiatives include the annual Garbage Grand Slam Tournament coastal cleanup event. These programs work together to advance marine conservation, develop the blue economy, empower youth through education, and promote sustainable offshore underwater fish farming technology in the Caribbean.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scrap For Change: An environmental initiative program that reduces industrial waste ending in landfills or polluting oceans while generating revenue to support the foundation's ongoing programs. The program works with offshore operators, contractors, and service providers to recycle or repurpose surplus material and waste.

Products and services

• Marine Research Facility A marine species hatchery and nursery facility for hosting high-quality brood stock to produce larvae that become fingerlings for grow-out operations, serving as the foundation for a marine aquaculture industry in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean.
• Subsea Training Facility A training center for Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators and other subsea careers, also serving as a hub for subsea technology research and development.
• Exploration Vessel Program An exploration vessel for the Southern Caribbean region to support programs in partnership with other NGOs, enabling scientific exploration of the seafloor with live telepresence capabilities for educators and students.
• Scrap for Change Program An environmental initiative that recycles and repurposes industrial waste and surplus project materials from offshore operators, contractors, and service providers, reducing landfill and ocean pollution while generating revenue for the foundation.
• Garbage Grand Slam Tournament An annual coastal cleanup event held on International Coastal Cleanup Day featuring garbage fishing competitions, prize weigh-ins, and community participation to protect oceans and marine environments.
• Live Telepresence Expeditions Live video, audio, and data feeds from ocean exploration expeditions, enabling explorers on shore to participate remotely and offering educators and students hands-on experience in ocean exploration and communications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recycled 76Te crane wire reel and 76Te reel at no cost to Solstad Offshore
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Solstad OffshorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolstad Offshore participated in the Scrap for Change program by donating the 76Te crane wire reel from their Normand Installer Offshore Construction Vessel. COAST negotiated offloading, transportation and recycling of the material at no cost to Solstad, demonstrating the win-win model of the program.
• Offshore Operators, Contractors and Service Providers (Regional)coreOthersThe Scrap for Change program relies on donations of industrial waste and surplus project materials from offshore energy companies operating in the Caribbean region. These partnerships reduce waste going to landfills while generating revenue for foundation programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Waitt Institute: Non-profit supporting ocean exploration, marine research, and sustainable ocean policy through partnerships and expeditions. Comparable combination of exploration, research, and partnerships seen in COAST's portfolio of programs.
• Surfrider Foundation: Volunteer-powered coastal and ocean conservation NGO focused on beach cleanups, water quality, and coastal protection. Comparable grassroots, community-led GTM motion, and similar focus on coastal cleanup events and citizen engagement as COAST's Garbage Grand Slam Tournament.
• 5 Gyres Institute: Non-profit focused on researching plastic pollution in the oceans and reducing global plastic waste. Comparable mission around ocean pollution, research-driven advocacy, and community engagement similar to COAST's environmental cleanup work.
• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Operating foundation running oceanographic research vessel Falkor with live telepresence for global scientific audiences. Most directly comparable to COAST's Exploration Vessel Program and Live Telepresence Expeditions for marine research and education.
• The Ocean Cleanup: Non-profit developing advanced technology to rid the oceans of plastic. Highly comparable mission to COAST's Scrap for Change program and Garbage Grand Slam Tournament, though operating at a much larger technological and global scale.
• REV Ocean: Norwegian non-profit operating a dedicated ocean research and exploration vessel focused on marine science, technology development, and ocean solutions. Closely parallels COAST's planned Exploration Vessel Program and subsea R&D ambitions.

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation. Comparable ocean-focused mission and global donor base, with far greater resources for marine science, policy advocacy, and ecosystem protection initiatives.
• Ocean Conservancy: International ocean conservation NGO that actually organizes International Coastal Cleanup Day - the day on which COAST holds its Garbage Grand Slam Tournament. Highly comparable mission around marine debris removal and volunteer-driven engagement, with far greater global scale and donor reach.

Emerging players

• Coral Restoration Foundation: Non-profit focused on restoring coral reef ecosystems through hands-on diving programs and community engagement. Comparable Caribbean-adjacent marine conservation mission with hands-on volunteer training model.

Others

• Marine Technology Society: Professional society advancing marine technology including ROVs, AUVs, and subsea engineering. Highly relevant ecosystem participant adjacent to COAST's Subsea Training Facility for ROV operators and subsea technology R&D.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coast-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COAST Foundation