SubC Imaging Marks 15 Years: From Startup to Industry Leader
CEO, Chad Collett’s Basement Office - 2010
Fifteen years ago, SubC Imaging started as a one-man operation out of a basement in Newfoundland and Labrador, built on a simple but ambitious vision: to push the boundaries of underwater imaging. Today, SubC’s technology is trusted in offshore energy, marine research, fisheries, defense, and other applications worldwide. With a product lineup that has expanded far beyond cameras, the company continues to redefine how underwater environments are explored, monitored, and understood.
Building an Industry Leader from the Ground Up
Like many startups, SubC Imaging began with a problem to solve. Founder and CEO Chad Collett had spent years in offshore inspections, frustrated by the limitations of subsea cameras. “We knew there had to be a better way,” Collett recalls. “From the start, we focused on building technology to make inspections faster, easier, and more reliable.”
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 digital video recording (DVR) software, high-powered lights and lasers, and remote operations solutions.
CEO, Chad Collett, and VP Software, Adam Rowe through the years:
2013
2020
2025
Global Reach, Local Roots
SubC Imaging Team - 2023
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.
“Our customers trust us because we don’t just sell hardware—we provide complete solutions,” says Adam Rowe, SubC’s Co-owner and VP. “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. “The last five years have been some of the most exciting in our history,” says Rowe. “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.”
One of SubC’s biggest advancements came in 2022 with the launch of Real-Time Streaming, enabling high-quality, low-latency video and data transmission from remote locations. The following year, Fugro leveraged this technology for the world’s first fully remote offshore wind farm inspection.
Lead Engineer, Brent Lackey, during the Antarctica Colossal Squid Expedition - 2022
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. “We listen closely to what the industry needs,” says Collett. “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
As the industry moves toward increased automation and remote operations, SubC Imaging is focused on developing solutions that improve data collection, reduce operational costs, and expand access to high-quality subsea imaging. Whether through cutting-edge cameras, real-time data streaming, or advanced remote inspection tools, the company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in underwater technology.
“What’s kept us going all these years is our commitment to solving real challenges for our customers,” says Collett. “We’re not just a camera company—we’re pushing the limits of ocean imaging technology.”
From a small startup in Newfoundland to a global leader in ocean tech, SubC Imaging’s journey is a testament to innovation, resilience, and a relentless drive to advance the industry.
