Drone use from a boat?

[Dale777]

Quadcopter drones with cameras have become very functional and reasonably priced, though not cheap. I don't have any truly useful need for one, BUT they sure do sound really neat and fun to experiment with when cruising.

Any Tugnut pilots that have delved into this area? Impressions? Comments? Any Tugnuts at all who have experience with drones? Pluses? Minuses? Dangers? Legal issues? Any particular drone that you have experience with?

Clearly, there is some risk and potential large expense in retrieving a drone over water.

 

[mcphersn]

DJI is the class of the lot. There is plenty of information about where you can, and can't fly on the web. There are likely to be fewer legal problems over the water than on land. Retrieval on a boat has some issues, such as wind, orientation, and so forth. Some enthusiasts have float setups. In general, consumer drones have progressed enough that virtually anybody can fly them. I suspect that a Google search would produce plenty of information on whatever application that you are interested in.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Dale, we bought a DJI Mavic a month ago...it is compact, easy to fly and takes wonderful photo's/video. We have no experience around the water yet as we've been practicing at home to become proficient enough to be comfortable around the water and boating. No flying within 5 miles of an airport or landing sight, 400 feet height limit and its not advised to fly in the rain, snow or in winds above 20 MPH (?), all common sense things. As ours will be used for personal photography we do not have any commercial licensing concerns and felt the photo opportunities from remote or secluded anchorages would be worth the expense.

Jim

 

[Admiral S]

Was out on the Hudson River at an anchorage in Westchester County and a guy was flying a drone from the bow of his boat. It was around 7pm and we were no where near any airports or restricted airspace. County police boat saw him, pulled up and rafted up with him for about 45 minutes with the lights on.

I cannot think of any law or regulation broken but they definitely hassled the guy for an extended time. He was flying it over his boat and not really bother anyone else. Have not seen him have the drone out again since.

Just be careful as it may draw unwanted attention.

On a side note. We were at a different anchorage a few weeks back and woke up to a drone hovering over one of the roof window hatches watching us sleep. Rather creepy in the new technological world we live in....

 

[baz]

This flying bird maybe less intimidating to a buzzing drone overhead.... 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnR8fDW3Ilo

 

[daveo]

slowboat.com uses drones on their trip to Alaska. They also have a guide on using drones from a boat.