From all the sounds on a boat from hydraulics to engine noise, etc it would not be that easy to hear a drone hovering around. It may catch someones eye but so does a seagull.
If a captain or pilot is getting distracted by a drone they need to get their priorities straight. I think if a vessel is in a narrow channel, TSS, final approach etc they should be putting all their attention on the job at hand not whats hovering in the sky.

Regards Robbie

@ Owen,,, just like that,no permit to fly the drone,,or no notice to the vessel/tugs hat there will be one
what if pilot/master getting distracted and grounding the ship,,, the drone operator is then responsible to a certain degree ?

A brilliant shot Owen, kinda innovative your posts, always a pleasure to take a look at!

Simply to say: "Fantasyland" ... fantastic !

PS
I recognize from the bottom left side of this marvelous image,, that the seawater seems to be very cold (....... it's a deep dark-blue cold colour ! )

Wow, this is shipspotting 2.0. Thanks for sharing!!

I am well aware that my flying camera can't match my D800 for image quality. But I'm happy to accept what it can produce because it goes where the D800 can't. This curent model is a huge improvement on the previous generation and the next will be even better.

I have to agree with Pieter. I was pretty disappointed about the stills from my trip with the drone, even in bright daylight - wish I had captured more video instead!

With all due respect, as long as the technical image quality (as you use a $200 casio pocketcamera) is the way it is, I am still interested in using a proper DSLR with quality glass. Make some enlargements and you will immediately spot the difference.

I was on the breakwater obscured by the ship's mast in this pic.

One more question in this tutorial please. How far from you do you send the drone with its camera? To maintain control and good video images.

Yes .. I get live HD video on a 7 inch screen. Much better than squinting into a viewfinder.

I understand your preference!! Can you see your images as you take them on a screen held by you?

Thanks .. I kept on shooting but the tugs at Newcastle always make for a good show.
It's hard to get interested in the SLR and long lens when you can get shots like this.

Owen, that's another magnificent example of drone based photography. Did the tugs oblige you with good composition, or did you chose this from a series of shots?