I've been seeing quite a few videos shot with drones on Youtube.com from the BVI. How prevalent are drones in the BVI? A common sight now?

Pretty common, they get some great shots too!

We were on VG for Thanksgiving week. Didn't see any there, but saw one at CGB when we spent a day on Tortola.

A client brought one aboard our boat during week of Thanksgiving. Here are a couple videos they shared.

http://youtu.be/GF6cTRH73Us

https://youtu.be/1zvrRoup1Hc

"Tradewinds" Chris shot some amazing footage of Apple Bay and CRC on his drone..can you send a link Chris??

Here you go:
https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos

There are supposed to be 1.5 MILLION of them sold this year.

So, you can be sure to see one somewhere.

Sadly, I can foresee a number of problems with them as they proliferate.

What are the problems as you see them?

If you watch the web cam at Saba Rock when some
pervert tries to zero in on women's private parts, i think
you can see how this could get creepy.
At the same time, they seem to put the ability for dramatic
photography into the hands of relative amateurs.
Interested to see how this pans out.

Mike

Anyone have suggestions as to what kind of drone to purchase for someone who sails?

Well, I've flown model aircraft for many years. It requires skill to learn how to pilot these things and most clubs require you to have insurance in case of an accident. Now though, anyone with the money can purchase a drone and fly it pretty much wherever they wish. So the problems I foresee include accidents, privacy issues with the cameras they fly and unintended landings. Like I heard that there was a dead drone at the bottom of one of Yellowstone park's thermal pools.

Come on down here to Washington DC and try to fly one wherever you wish. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
People are getting in trouble all the time with them around here. This was from today's news:

http://wtop.com/dc/2015/12/man-accused-of-flying-drone-near-washington-monument/

I have a "Mariner" Drone, it takes off and lands on the water, has about a 1 mile range, works great if you have the ability to properly charge the batteries.

That is kind of like asking for suggestions on what kind of car to buy for someone that drives

HUGE Price range. The really smooth video you see uses a gimbal and this adds to that price. So it really depends on what the goal is. If its just pictures, then a gimbal isn't needed. But if you want smooth video, it is.

I have two - a DJI phantom and splash drone. The splash drone is water proof with a water proof gimbal. I chose the splash drone because its water proof - even the gimbal and I had lost a prior phantom due to crashing in the ocean so I wanted something that could survive a dip in the ocean.

Lots of other options and a wide price range. I'd say if the goal is a lot of shots over/around water, then a water proof drone would be a good option.

I agree with all. The HD videos are stunning. But, there are looming problems. I foresee numerous invasion of privacy and noise issues with them. I predict women are going to really get tired of being buzzed by those things.

Agree that images are great but noise and privacy invasions are definitely a growing issue.

This past summer here in Maine we had one that kept zipping up and down the beach filming to the point where it got annoying.
I made sure to get a few "1 finger salutes" to help them "capture the moment"... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Drones are cool, but privacy must still be respected.

We had one in great harbor that kept peering into the back of our boat while having dinner. Filled up the scrub bucket and it took off for good. I predict some type of cheap drone killer nets that can be used to discourage drones invading privacy. A 2 meter net in a tube with a spring to power it will work well.
G

How I wish we had a 'like' button! I do fear for privacy and when you are supposed to be on vacation no one wants that stress.

While I totally resonate with the idea of "shooting down" an invasive drone, there are legal ramifications. Take care.

This kind of reminds me of something that happened. My wife had a hummingbird feeder and it was visited frequently. We had a cookout and a friend (from the city) killed a hummingbird with a rolled up newspaper. He said "I thought it was a bee". Needless to say it didn't go over too big with the Admiral!

The legal side deals with people using firearms shooting at drones. Netting one is slightly different situation.
G

Where do we stand on water balloons?

George, I thought I heard the FAA is going to start registering drones. They will have to have identifying numbers on the drone.

Clearly firearms laws come into play if they are used. There was a recent case where a shooter collected himself a felony charge for discharge of a firearm inside city limits.

Here's the web page.

However, setting that aside, wanton destruction of other people's property is still a crime. Good drones cost as much as $1,000 or more and carry expensive cameras. Don't expect to knock down somebody's expensive drone and not have repercussions.

Sadly, there is not legal protection against this 'snooping'. Air space above your home and back-yard is not protected. Now consider the air-space above a public beach or the ocean? Fugedaboudit.

I don't like it any more than anybody else. Spying on other people in their back yards or on the beach is creepy and repugnant. The law currently does not favor your privacy, however.

UK law states that drones fitted with cameras must not be flown within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures. Or over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts or sports events.

Is this horizontal or vertical distance?

Here is the website for the British Overseas Territories. The 50M doesn't say in which direction from what I can tell.

http://www.airsafety.aero/Aircraft/Small-Unmanned-Aircraft-(SUA).aspx

Kirk, thanks, that's it, now enforcement will be the challenge. I heard Orient Beach is or has banned them.

Really? I hadn't heard that. Could be, but I hadn't heard it.