An offshore measured or logging-while drilling electromagnetic telemetry system includes a bottomhole assembly having a transmitter to communicate one or more electromagnetic telemetry signals. A subsea telemetry cable is positioned on a sea floor to receive the telemetry signals. The subsea telemetry cable is coupled to an umbilical cable extending to a surface communication unit positioned at the sea surface. Signals received by the subsea telemetry cable are transmitted to the surface communication unit for further processing.