SubC Imaging formed fifteen years ago, as a one-man operation out of a basement in Newfoundland and Labrador, with the ambitious vision to push the boundaries of underwater imaging and autonomous inspection.
SubC’s first product, the 1Cam, was an important step toward that goal. But the team quickly realized that cameras alone weren’t enough—the industry needed an entire ecosystem of imaging tools that worked seamlessly together. Over the years, SubC expanded its offerings to include remote operations solutions, high-powered lights and lasers, and digital video recording (DVR) software.
Today SubC’s technology is trusted across various industries worldwide including offshore energy, fisheries, marine research, defense, and more. With a product lineup that has expanded far beyond cameras, SubC Imaging is also a developer of underwater remote operations solutions for UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicles), ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles).
SubC Imaging, like many startups, was born out of a problem that needed solving. Chad Collett, the company’s founder and CEO, had extensive experience in offshore inspections and was frustrated by the shortcomings of subsea cameras. Collet recalled, “We knew there had to be a better way. From the start, we focused on building technology to make inspections faster, easier, and more reliable.”
Global Reach, Local Roots
From its headquarters in Clarenville, Newfoundland, SubC now serves over 220 clients in more than 30 countries. Whether supporting offshore asset integrity inspections in the North Sea or capturing deep-sea marine life for scientific research, SubC’s solutions are built to perform in the harshest environments.
Adam Rowe, SubC’s Co-owner and VP, commented, “Our customers trust us because we don’t just sell hardware—we provide complete solutions. That approach has fueled our growth and helped us build long-term partnerships across industries.”
Innovation at the Core
SubC Imaging has built its reputation by tackling the toughest challenges in subsea imaging, especially in recent years. Rowe added, “The last five years have been some of the most exciting in our history. We’ve seen an explosion of new innovations—not just in our own technology, but in how the entire industry is shifting toward more remote, automated, and data-driven operations.”
In 2022, SubC launched Real-Time Streaming, which enabled high-quality, low-latency video and data transmission from remote locations. This advancement was leveraged the following year by Fugro to complete the world’s first fully remote offshore wind farm inspection.
Then in 2024, SubC introduced several major innovations, including becoming the only provider of FDA-compliant subsea lasers. Reinforcing its leadership in precision measurement.
The Rayfin Micro, designed to be SubC’s most compact subsea camera, while the Rayfin Single Channel Inspection (SCI) System streamlines inspections by integrating real-time video capture and transfer, along with EXIF embedded files. Collett explained, “We listen closely to what the industry needs. Rayfin SCI is a perfect example of how we’re simplifying workflows and improving data quality for offshore teams.”
SubC also upgraded its Tow Camera System, first launched in 2021, making it the company’s only fully integrated vehicle solution. The 2024 version improves image capture, offers-real-time streaming, and includes built-in DVR capabilities. It’s a turnkey option for high-quality underwater surveys without the complexity of ROVs or AUVs.
2025 has already brought another milestone with the upgraded Autonomous Timelapse System, designed for long-term underwater monitoring. With intelligent scheduling, onboard storage, and high-resolution imaging, it enables researchers and offshore operators to capture critical data over extended periods with minimal human intervention.
Looking Ahead
SubC Imaging is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that enhance data collection, lower operational expenses, and broaden access to superior subsea imaging as the industry shifts towards greater automation and remote operations.
The company continues to push the limits of underwater technology with its cutting-edge cameras, real-time data streaming, and advanced remote inspection tools.
Collett stated, “What’s kept us going all these years is our commitment to solving real challenges for our customers. We’re not just a camera company—we’re pushing the limits of ocean imaging technology.”
