Recent advances in solid state green laser technology offers a unique possibility for developing compact, low power instruments for high-resolution underwater 3D imaging and surveying. The paper reviews the principles and limitations of underwater imaging and describes two new instrument developments; Spotrange and Spotscan, utilizing the new laser technology for detailed ROV based inspection and surveying. A number of actual field applications are given, including structural inspection, detailed seabed surveying, dimensional control measurements and pipeline free-span measurements.