[2] The BODC supports science, education, industry, and the general public by providing access to comprehensive marine data.

In 1969, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) created the British Oceanographic Data Service (BODS).

In 1975, BODS was transferred to Bidston Observatory on the Wirral, near Liverpool, as part of the newly formed Institute of Oceanographic Sciences.

[3][6] In December 2004, BODC moved to the purpose-built Joseph Proudman Building on the campus of the University of Liverpool.

A small number of its staff are based in the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton.