Drone Flying at Charlestown Harbour

Charlestown Harbour welcomes photography and filming – it’s a spectacular place, and we understand why people want to capture it. 

However, because the harbour is currently a live construction and lifting operations site, drone flying can only take place with prior permission and must comply with UK aviation law. This is not a site rule – these are legal safety requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

Why permission is required here 

Under the CAA Drone & Model Aircraft Code and Air Navigation Order (ANO 2016): 

• All drones (including sub-250g) must not fly in a way that creates “undue risk” to people. Because this is an active construction and marine operations area, flying over or close to workers and plant creates an undue risk.
  (CAA Drone & Model Aircraft Code: “You must not fly in a way that creates undue risk.) 

• It is a criminal offence to endanger people or property with a drone
  (Air Navigation Order 2016, Article 241) 

• Flying near cranes, lifting operations, or construction workers is treated as flying near “uninvolved people”, which is prohibited without specific authorisation 

• Drones must not fly within 150m horizontally of industrial, construction or marine operational sites without permission
  (ANO definition of “congested/industrial area”) 

• Taking off or landing from private land requires landowner permission
  (Drone Code: “Get permission to take off and land”) 

Because this site currently has: 

• cranes, 

• suspended loads, 

• workers at height, and 

• marine operations, 

…flying a drone overhead creates a foreseeable safety risk and breaches the code. 

Want to fly here? 

We’re happy to consider requests where safe to do so. 

Email: info@charlestownharbour.com 

To request permission, please include: 

• CAA Operator ID (and Flyer ID if applicable) 

• Drone category/class (e.g., sub-250g, C1, A2 CofC, OA) 

• Insurance details 

• Proposed flight plan (location + time) 

If approved, we will coordinate with our contractors to ensure a safe flight window. 

Conduct 

Any aggressive behaviour toward harbour staff or contractors will be reported to the Police. 

Most drone pilots are responsible – and we appreciate that – but safety has to come first. 

You can fly drones here, just not over the harbour, workers or construction zone, and not without permission.