The Cleaner Ocean Foundation Limited is a not for profit company with charitable objects, and without share capital. Meaning that the directors are Trustees, and as there are no shares, there can be no dividends to shareholders, as with profit making concerns.

All funds raised are used for our stated objects. In the event of being wound up, all remaining funds would be donated to a charity with similar aims.

Constitutionally, the company is a charity. After efforts to register with the Charity Commission, it was determined that due to work on social projects like SeaVax, and zero carbon transport, the Commission could not register the organization in the United Kingdom, where there was the potential for trading and thus profits. For the avoidance of doubt, the Foundation does not trade, but can develop and promote concepts in furtherance of their stated objects, and where appropriate, make introductions to third parties for the purposes of trading that is not conducted by the Foundation, so long as that trading is aligned with the Foundation's objectives, save for profit generation that may be necessary to attract and secure funding and development partners.

The Charity Commission recognised that the work of the Foundation was of benefit to the communities served.

This may not seem logical to you and the decision of the Commission may not have been entirely United Nations SDG 16 compatible, but that was the decision obtained on application - that we determined to abide by - in adapting Foundation non-trading practices - to be able to legally promote charitable objects in the modern world.

We could obtain charity registration if we divided up our work into separate aims, but that would prevent us contributing to society effectively. We would need to be much larger, with more trustees and many times the operating overheads. We are sure readers will agree that such onerous conditions would not be climate friendly. We do not make the rules.

We may cooperate with other charities and individual volunteers.

We may work with corporations that trade for profits, if it benefits our aims and objectives. Such companies might support our causes, in the knowledge that any agreement as to specific projects would be fulfilled.

The adventures of John Storm and the Elizabeth Swann. John Storm is an ocean adventurer and conservationist. The Elizabeth Swann is a fast solar powered boat. During a race around the world, news of the sinking of a pirate whaling ship reaches John Storm and his mate Dan Hawk. They decide to abandon the race and try and save the whale.

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