Drone videos on the Thames: superyacht photography for Bannenberg & Rowell

We seem to be making quite a habit of flying on the River Thames!

After shooting with Burberry in sunny summer London, we recently found ourselves once again releasing our Inspire 2 drone to the capital’s skies — this time for superyacht designers Bannenberg & Rowell.

Yacht photographer David Churchill put us in touch with Bannenberg & Rowell, who were looking to commission a professional drone team to capture some aerial stills and video footage of their luxurious new vessel ‘Moon Sand’.

Flight plans were soon written up, and our contacts at The PLA, Metropolitan Police, and London City Airport were, as always, incredibly helpful with organising everything.

Clear communication was absolutely critical for this job, as it was undertaken just as the UK’s national terrorism threat level was raised from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’. We’re very adept at — and well-known for — our meticulous comms and contingencies.

On the day, we headed out on Bravo Lima GB, a new purpose-built commercial landing craft from our friends at Livett’s Group. This project made us the first drone team to ever operate on the Thames from a specially-made commercial vessel! An honour.

Joining us aboard was Dickie Bannenberg, company leader of Bannenberg & Rowell and son of Jon Bannenberg, the father of modern yacht design. Dickie also served as our reserve drone hand-catcher!

To operate drones from a waterborne craft, you need to be able to hand-catch, and to be able to hand-catch, you need the Civil Aviation Authority’s approval to do so. It’s a highly-skilled ability that calls for specific training and safety chops!

We flew, photographed, and filmed Moon Sand against impressive backdrops like the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, and the spot where it was moored just east of Tower Bridge. The weather was just as bright and sunny as our summer shoot with Burberry!

Again, enormous gratitude to everyone involved — The PLA, Livett’s Group, the Metropolitan Police, David Churchill, London City Airport, and, of course, our clients at Bannenberg & Rowell.