Warning as drone crashes onto deck of the Yorkshire Belle, triggering a medical emergency
The owners of the Bridlington-based pleasure cruiser the Yorkshire Belle has asked all drone pilots to avoid flying close to the vessel after one crashed onto its deck.
The operators are asking people to:
• Maintain a minimum distance of at least 50 metres from the vessel at all times.
• Never fly directly towards the boat.
• Never fly over the boat or our passengers.
• If a drone becomes unstable or you experience any loss of control, immediately move it away from the vessel where it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson, via Facebook, said: “We love seeing beautiful photos of our boat and the local scenery, but we must ask all drone pilots – both hobbyists and professionals – to please avoid flying near or over our boat.
“A drone flying too close to our vessel experienced a sudden equipment failure, causing it to crash onto the deck, resulting in an injury to someone on board and triggering a medical emergency for another passenger.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our absolute top priority, and we cannot risk a repeat incident.
“There are also additional risks when operating a drone close to a passenger vessel, including potential interference from marine electronics and the difficulty of safely controlling a drone around a moving boat and a crowded passenger deck, as well as our various stays and rigging attached to the masts which may not be easily visible on camera.
“An out-of-control drone over a busy passenger deck is incredibly dangerous. A drone may be relatively small, but travelling at speed, its impact can cause serious injuries.
“Please remember that the boat is moving, passengers are constantly moving around the decks, and conditions at sea can change quickly. What may appear to be a safe distance one moment can quickly become much closer.
“We completely understand the appeal of getting that perfect photograph or video of Yorkshire Belle, and we love seeing the results. We simply ask that you do it from a safe distance.
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our passengers and crew safe on the water.”