SubC Imaging, based in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, helps people explore, observe, and understand the ocean. The company designs complete underwater imaging ecosystems, with cameras, lighting, lasers, and software that work together for marine researchers and offshore operators worldwide.  

Its Rayfin cameras and DVR+ software connect equipment control, recording, and data management, letting teams focus on the research and inspections their technology enables.  

That approach has taken SubC Imaging’s technology as far as Antarctica. Working with KOLOSSAL and the Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, researchers used a custom-built drop camera system to survey 36 deployment sites across four expeditions, collecting 62 hours of 4K footage. The imagery supported peer-reviewed research, including the first direct video evidence showing how anchors and chains damage seafloor habitats in Antarctic waters. 

For a team developing technology in Clarenville, contributing to research in one of the world’s most remote environments is a proud moment. As Chad Collett, CEO of SubC Imaging, explains, “Seeing technology developed here in Newfoundland and Labrador help researchers document remote environments and inform conservation is especially meaningful to our team.”  

Closer to home, SubC Imaging has benefited from connections established through Memorial University’s Genesis Centre and the College of the North Atlantic, where students and graduates have become part of its growing workforce. Access to the Atlantic Ocean has also provided a natural testing environment, allowing the team to develop equipment with direct exposure to the conditions it is built to withstand.  

SubC Imaging has recently introduced its integrated Drop and Tow Camera Systems, designed to streamline how researchers prepare for, conduct, and review seafloor surveys. The Drop Camera System enables targeted imaging in sensitive habitats without deliberately contacting the seafloor, while the Tow Camera System captures consistent imagery along survey transects. Both integrate with SubC’s DVR+ and ReviewStudio, which keep survey data organized from capture to review and reduce post-project work.  

For SubC Imaging, the value of underwater technology extends beyond capturing high-quality imagery. Its approach prioritizes how researchers and operators collect, manage, and interpret information throughout a project.  

“By designing these tools to work together, we help customers simplify operations and spend more time using their data for research, inspections, and informed decisions,” says Chad Collett.  

This focus on the complete workflow reflects the company’s approach to developing equipment for marine research and offshore operations. From the waters around Newfoundland and Labrador to Antarctic research expeditions, SubC Imaging continues to build underwater technology shaped by the environments it works in.

Interested in your own member spotlight? Contact Hayley Perry at hayley@technl.ca