January 11, 2012 -- FIND Maps, the UK’s most advanced online mapping website for professionals, is now authorized to deliver OceanWise marine datasets. These comprise an international range of Georeferenced Raster GeoTiffs as well as OceanWise Marine Themes (GIS compatible vector data).

The Marine Themes datasets are compiled using authoritative data from the UK and other Hydrographic Offices. Each dataset is then organised into logical layers which make it easy to load and use in GIS. The layers offered are Elevation, Shipwrecks & Obstructions, Industrial Facilities, Transport, Administrative & Management Units, and Geographical Regions.

These datasets are a competitive alternative to those currently being offered and FIND Maps has the capacity to deliver them via WMS and WFS data feeds.

“Adding OceanWise data to the FIND Maps portfolio means that our clients will be able to access both marine and terrestrial datasets via our cutting edge web portal”, said Jonathan Coleman, Marine & Environmental Business Manager at FIND Maps.

 “OceanWise is delighted to work with FIND Maps to expand their already comprehensive geodata catalogue. FIND Maps delivers numerous benefits to users of terrestrial data and I am confident these will be similarly attractive to the marine and maritime sectors”, said Dr Mike Osborne, Managing Director, OceanWise.

User groups which will benefit from these datasets include:

• Central Government

• Local Government

• Environmental Consultants

• Consulting and Civil Engineers

• Renewable Energy Developers

• Emergency Services

• Security and Defence Bodies

• Port and Harbour Authorities

• Surveyors • Oil and Gas Companies

• NGOs and Charities

• Universities

• Utility Companies and Authorities

• Minerals and Aggregates Companies

• Archaeological Consultants

• Fishery and Aquaculture Companies

• Insurance Companies

Uniquely, FIND Maps is able to provide a vast range of environmental, BGS and Defra datasets which can be transformed to a common datum for display alongside the OceanWise datasets. This makes them ideal for use in Coastal Zone, Port Planning and Local Authority Applications.

The OceanWise datasets will form the basis of a new MarineFIND service which will be modelled on the existing FIND Maps web portal. While data is being added to the new site it will be available to order on an offline basis.