Marine salvage and diving firm opens regional HQ in Pasco

A Pasco County-based marine services provider specializing in vessel salvage and commercial diving, Isla Maritime, is expanding its operations after opening its new U.S. headquarters in Port Richey this month, according to the Pasco County Economic Development Council. 

The company purchased a 3,000-square-foot warehouse and office space at 6802 Commerce Ave. in Port Richey to serve as its permanent base on the Gulf Coast, according to a release. The facility will also be used to store, maintain and service the diving and salvage equipment for Isla Maritime’s growing team. 

The Pasco EDC provided site location assistance to Isla Maritime during the company’s hunt for its new home base, the release says. According to Pasco County Property Appraiser records, Isla Maritime paid $515,000 for the space in June 2025. 

“The team at Isla Maritime is grateful for the opportunity to leverage Pasco EDC’s resources and support,” Aileen Caras, CEO of Isla Maritime, says in the release. “We are proud to establish our headquarters in Pasco County and to be a part of this community as we grow and expand our operations.”

Isla Maritime has continued to experience rapid growth since its founding in 2023, the release says. Since then, the company has supported high-profile projects across the globe involving NOAA vessels and the historic Naval & Maritime Aircraft Museum - the USS Yorktown. The company was also involved in salvaging the MV Dali after it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. 

Isla Maritime has completed derelict vessel removals and fuel removals throughout Escambia, Manatee and Lee Counties and is also an approved contractor for both services by the cities of Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and St. Augustine. Now, it’s positioned to expand its operations into the Panama Canal through a strategic partnership with a Veracruz, Panama-based repair and maintenance facility called J.A.M. Marine Dockyard. 

That partnership opens the door for Isla Maritime to embark on more salvage and response projects throughout the Panama Canal and surrounding waterways with speed, scale and precision, the company says. The Panama Canal is an essential gateway for maintaining efficient global and trade operations, and maritime incidents can result in supply chain disruptions. 

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC praised Isla Maritime for its rapid growth and “strategic international partnerships.” 

“Port Richey is a great location for them, with quick access to the Gulf of America and our surrounding waterfront counties,” Cronin ads in the release.