Flying a DRONE over SEA VESSELS. A CRIME?

Flying your drone over water sounds simple… but what happens when there are boats, ships, or people involved? In this video, I explain how UK drone law actually applies to flying over: Lakes, rivers, and lochs Coastal areas and open sea Boats, ferries, and moving vessels Including when it’s perfectly legal—and when you could be breaking the law without realising it. If you fly a drone in the UK, this is something you need to understand. ⚠️ This video is for general guidance based on UK regulations as of April 2026. Always check the latest CAA guidance before flying. 00:00 - Is water a "free-for-all" for drones? 00:36 - Who governs the water? (CAA vs. Land/Water authorities) 01:03 - The Core Rules: Height, VLOS, and restricted airspace 01:33 - Are boats treated differently than property? 01:54 - "Uninvolved Persons" on boats and ships 02:33 - Flying over crowded vessels (Ferries and Cruise Ships) 02:56 - The Maritime Law misconception 03:26 - Harbor authorities and landowner permissions 03:52 - Emergency situations: Search and Rescue protocols 04:40 - Special cases: Busy rivers vs. Open sea 05:17 - Flying over water in other countries 05:50 - The final verdict: Loopholes and reality The content on this channel includes: The entire coastline of Scotland - by drone; DJI Mavic 3 flights; DJI mini 3 Pro flights; DJI mini 2 flights; 360° tours; tutorials; how to guides, waypoints, special maneuvers, parallaxes, spiral orbits, settings, ND filters, etc also reviews of drone related products - all of this and more on the Windswept Robert YouTube channel! 🚗💨 Fuel the Next Adventure! If you’ve enjoyed this journey through Scotland with me and my drone crew, you can help power the next one by tossing a bit of fuel in the tank: 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WindsweptRobert Your support helps cover travel costs, gear upgrades, and time spent bringing these immersive experiences to life. Every bit is truly appreciated — and it means more content, more locations, and better sound with every upload! ⸻ 🎬 Want exclusive perks & behind-the-scenes access? Become a channel member for: • Early previews of upcoming videos • Outtakes & behind-the-scenes moments • Direct creator updates Join here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@windsweptrobert/join ⸻ 📩 Business inquiries or collaboration ideas? Reach out: windsweptrobert@gmail.com