The Coastal Processes and Engineering Laboratory (LIPC, for its acronym in Spanish) was created thanks to the support of the Engineering Institute, the Coordination of Scientific Research, the Sisal Campus, and the Central Administration of the UNAM. Furthermore, additional support was provided by the Yucatan State Government throughout the System of Innovation, Research and Technological Development of the Yucatan State (SIIDETEY, for its acronym in Spanish), the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), and different academic groups belonging to universities and research centers within the state. The satellite unit of the Engineering Institute began its activities in September 2009 in a temporary office in Mérida. In November 2012, it started its activities in a new building located in the UNAM Sisal Campus. The aim of this academic unit is to contribute to the decentralization plan of the university, to offer a graduate program in coastal engineering, and to conduct fundamental and applied research.