Thoughts for drone video on a Liveaboard

[hilljo88]

What kind of drone? If you're running an ardupilot FC then you could presumably have "home" locked to the GPS co-ordinates provided by your base station (laptop) on the boat. I'd be very careful and have descent rate set VERY low so you could take over and correct the flight path if it's descending in the wrong place.

If it's an "FPV" style drone then almost everything will be manual so landing/return will be on you to do it right.

If it's DJI, the standard controllers don't have a GPS RX. All they do is remember where they launched from. As others have pointed out, not a great option on a boat because the boat moves. However if it's DJI, you'll be breaking the law because:

Max drone weight for flying without a permit (including battery) is 0.55 lbs in Mexico. They require a permit to fly a drone larger than that, and they only issue permits to citizens. You may very well get away with it, but I personally am very risk averse and wouldn't do it. 0.55lbs is VERY small. DJI's mavic 2 is almost exactly 2 lbs.

Mavic mini is .549 pounds, designed to get under the .550 limit. But not sure if that distinction will always be respected.

 

[Paula Trounce]

Mavic mini is .549 pounds, designed to get under the .550 limit. But not sure if that distinction will always be respected.

Hi.
Did you take it? I’m off in a week or so and I’m thinking about bringing my Mini 2.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Friend of mine down there says they charge a ton of money to bring it in. Sorry, can't think of the actual word at the moment.

Edit: tariff

 

[mcohen1021]

Check and make sure its legal.

 

[js1221]

Hi.
Did you take it? I’m off in a week or so and I’m thinking about bringing my Mini 2.

I did take it with me, but I did NOT fly into Mexico. We flew into Phoenix and then drove to Puerto Penasco, where we boarded the dive boat. Was actually able to get some good video of the of the boat, the islands we dove off and some great sunset photos.

I was back in September but this time I flew into Los Cabos. I did not take it this trip because I had heard the Customs people were charging a tax, similar to what they were charging for camera housings. Good thing I did not take it too, I was one selected for an additional inspection. The Customs Agent checked my camera and housing (TG-6 in Olympus case) and said since the value of the case was less then $500 there was no tax. One of the other divers on the boat took her drone and got some great video, including one of a manta ray that she did not even see until she reviewed the video.

Just to caveate, I was out on a liveaboard the entire time and we were not near populated areas. If you are going to be ashore I would check the laws for flying a drone.

 

[Scared Silly]

You might also check with the captain to see if he/she is OK with you operating a drone off the boat.

Late to the flight. But check with other passengers too. Some will find it interesting but others trying to enjoy the quiet ambiance might find it annoying.

 

[Paula Trounce]

Thanks for the replay. I too have a TG5 + housing. It's making me think twice about the drone that's for sure. I paid over $500 for the drone but not the housing. Also the point of being annoying with it is a very good one.
I'll be on a liveaboard too.

 

[jeanco]

was in Coco and the seagull attack the drone!