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Fly near moving cruise ship

Depends on what you mean by near?

A cruise ship is a very large chunk of steel with lots of communication systems on it so I would think there would be a lot of interference.
 
Well, that raises another question. What would be a safe distance? I am new to drones so I am learning as I go
 
Extracts from Phantom Pilots.

I called the local port authority today to make sure I would not get in any trouble if I flew my Phantom 2 Vision over and around a commercial ship that will be leaving Port. I was VERY surprised when they told me that I cannot do this without the express, written consent of the owner of the ship and the captain. They told me that it is a homeland security issue and communications issue. He said that the Port Authority wanted to do this last year, but were told they could not.
Is this true? Can anyone provide me with PROOF one way or another?


Navigational waters...open to all...It would be like flying near the road and having to ask each driver of the cars passing by for their permission

It's legal. No one can quote you this as it's simply that there are no laws restricting it. Homeland security is code for, it's not illegal we just don't want people to do it. The only law that would apply is flying in a reckless manner. Personally of just stay above and a little to the side of the boat so you'd not drop onto it.

Well the port authority has no authority over aircraft of any type.
No, you do not need permission of any kind to take pictures of a commercial ship..
No, the DHS has no authority either.

Three words. Airspace is Federal. He or she may well be the captain of the ship. But he or she has exactly as much authority and power to regulate who or what flys in the airspace surrounding that ship as this guy. Which is to say, exactly zero authority. Its good that you called and asked all the same. But in the future, whenever you call and ask those types of 'can I fly my drone over x' type questions, be prepared to ask for chapter and verse references when told you can't fly.

'Oh I can't fly? I see. Well that's fine, its why I asked after all. But for my own reference could you please tell which exact document grants so and so the power and authority to keep me from flying my drone over x so that I may study the exact verbiage of it myself in the interest of not wanting to get anywhere near where I shouldn't be flying in the future?'

9 times out of 10 I think you'll find the response will be either 'there is no such document' or 'because I said so' or simply 'click'. Which should tell you all you need to know about whether or not what you were just told is accurate and true.
 
A cruise ship is a very large chunk of steel with lots of communication systems on it so I would think there would be a lot of interference.
Well, that raises another question. What would be a safe distance?
You would have to fly very, very close to have any magnetic interference issues.
Probably closer than 10 feet from the hull.
If you are at a distance that allows you to photograph the whole ship rather than closeups of small parts of the ship, you would have no issues.
Likewise, the ships navigation equipment isn't going to affect your drone.

How do I know?
I specialise in photographing ships and shoot several hundred each year.
 
You would have to fly very, very close to have any magnetic interference issues.
Probably closer than 10 feet from the hull.
If you are at a distance that allows you to photograph the whole ship rather than closeups of small parts of the ship, you would have no issues.
Likewise, the ships navigation equipment isn't going to affect your drone.

How do I know?
I specialise in photographing ships and shoot several hundred each year.
Interesting, thanks for the info!
 
I would think they if you maintain 400ft seperation you would be fat enough away to not cause any problems. Im just guessing though
 
Well, that raises another question. What would be a safe distance? I am new to drones so I am learning as I go
If you are new to drones, then flying over water near large objects may not be the best beginning flights to do.
 
Are there any restriction in the US about flying near a moving cruise ship?

if you are flying near the port of Miami or Ft Lauderdale scout your location first. There are lots of low flying recreational aircraft in those areas. Seaplanes, helicopters etc. South Pointe Park in Miami is great for getting shots of Cruise Ships.
 
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