Drones

Okay. Here’s a first for us. We’re currently staying in a waterfront villa in French Cul de Sac. Yesterday afternoon while we were all relaxing on the deck, here comes this drone that pauses right off our deck and hovers a bit before taking off over the bay. It returns and does the same thing before flying right over our heads and moving on.
My question is this: are there any laws or regulations on the island that govern this invasion of privacy? To say it is frustrating is an understatement. We’re not 100% sure which villa it is coming from. Any suggestions or experiences to share?

It is my understanding that Drones have to be registered to be used on the Dutch side of island and there are restrictions on where they can be flown.

My suggestion would be to contact the owner of the villa or the villa rental agent. That would annoy the h*ll out of me also.

And by the way, Scuba, I THINK the area is in French St. Martin, close to Pinel, not on the Dutch side.

Yes Carol, we are on the French side looking at Pinel. We’re going to wait and see if it reoccurs this afternoon. I like the idea of contacting our villa agent.

My bad. I see that now. Maybe swing a baseball bat at it if it comes in at close range again.

RickandJulie--I would contact the villa agent regardless, even if you don't see it today.

I fly drones (semi) professionally in Canada. I searched and searched and searched for laws pertaining to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS/Drone) use on the French side and I couldn’t find anything specific to SXM other than the EU Laws which are even stricter than Canada especially if the drone has a camera. That being said, I took mine. I would NEVER fly close to or over people in St. Martin. I only flew in the Happy Bay/Friars Bay area very early in the morning before the beaches were populated, in the open area east of Quarter of Orleans and at La Belle Creole. I totally understand and respect people’s privacy here at home and on vacation but the hobby has exploded lately and most people are either ignorant of the laws or just don’t care.

I flew at La Belle Creole with a well known local business person who also pilots drones. He didn’t even have a EU drone license which kind of shocked me. Like most everything else in SXM, it’s like the Wild West.

I’m almost certain that someone was piloting illegally in RickandJulie’s situation due to EU privacy laws.

In Canada, piloting a drone over 250 grams within 3 nautical miles of a major airport would require Advanced licensing and authorization from NAV Canada. Drones are considered an aircraft. If you took one down in any way, it could be a major offence in Canada.

Here is a quick guide of EU laws from a USA training company. Click HERE

Ollie--I knew you had some knowledge of this situation, but I guess I should not be surprised that SXM is the wild, wild west. Do you have any suggestions for the original poster, other than my suggestion of contacting the rental agent?

I have no advice. I’m sure the rental agent can’t do anything. The Gendarmes maybe or call the Aeroport de Grand-Case L’Espérance for advice.

OK, thanks.

Thanks for all the input. It’s been quiet today (knock on wood) but I do think we will reach out to our villa agent just so she is aware.

Glad it has been quiet today, but I definitely would tell the agent.

I have a Drone but sorry this drone operator was a jerk.

Pull !!!!!!!!!!!

👍bang.

Drone was hit and crashed into a swimming pool. It hit a pelican and the pelican is in the swimming pool as well.
The pool service saved the pelican but the drone drowned.

Sad ending. Wonder if the Drone owner will face any action as the Pelicans are considered protected.
Unless it's another one of your April Fools jokes.

I’m going with Aprils Fools!

I walked out on my deck last year and a drone was staring at me! Lost my $&@T!!! Found out the owner above me was filming their decks for rental ad. Really despise the things.

Do you think that a old tennis recket could be a good tool for low flying drones?

I'm thinking an armful of sargassum.

High pressure garden hose.

I remember the episode on Modern Family they were trying to get rid of a pesky Drone and Gloria shot it out of the sky like a sharp shooter.

I like that!! "Nothing better than the smell of buckshot in the morning...smells like victory"!!!

Buckshot has no smell. It's the burnt powder. Just saying.