Drones are set to be game changers in the maritime industry, but regulatory hurdles may restrict their wider use, a leading proponent of the technology has warned.
“Drones are slowing becoming an everyday tool in the industry,” Capt Mike Meade, chief executive of M3 Marine Group told the first day of the Asian Marine Casualty Forum (AMCF) in Singapore on Thursday.
He says some of the key factors driving this new advanced technology are improved safety, reduced cost and time.
Meade told delegates that drone usage “takes away about 90% of the risk” when performing tasks like working in confined spaces, working aloft or working in hazardous zones.
He said drones are “low cost” and can be typically operated by one person without any extensive safety equipment, meaning the costs associated are significantly reduced.
Delegates also heard that using drones can reduce the amount of time incurred during surveys and inspections can be reduced by an estimated 30 to 40%.
However, Meade said legal and regulatory requirements for commercial drone purposes within places like Singapore can be extensive and potentially expensive if flouted.
For example, an operator permit is a requirement while the company deploying the technology must be certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
He also highlighted that UAV pilots must also be licensed and that a company using drones must have insurance coverage for any intended activity.
Meade told AMCF delegates that the penalty for all unmanned aircraft offences in Singapore is a fine not exceeding SGD 20,000 ($14,782) for the first offence, and a fine not exceeding SGD 40,000 or a jail sentence of up to 15 months, or both, for the second or subsequent conviction.
Last month the Wilhelmsen group launched its drone delivery service to ships. The Singapore pilot project is being run with Airbus.
