A ship’s officer onboard a ship was recently arrested, fined and at risk of being deported from Norway for flying his personal drone over a commercial port in Norway, where the vessel was berthed, marine insurer Gard said.
Gard didn’t reveal the name of the officer or the vessel but said that the ship’s officer was flying his personal drone. “A ship’s officer onboard one of our member’s vessels was recently arrested,” the insurer said.
The insurer highlighted the fact that whilst the officer in the above case was a European national, several Russian citizens have also been detained in Norway for flying drones near certain sites, including oil platforms and airports.
An individual with dual Russian and British citizenship was jailed for flying a drone on Svalbard, according to Gard.
Gard said: “Norwegian and other national authorities take these matters very seriously in the current geopolitical climate and a number of foreign nationals have already been deported for flying drones in various locations around Norway.”
The risks involved in flying and carrying drones’ onboard vessels are not new. Back in 2016, a vessel entered with Gard was detained following the launch of a drone to photograph the vessel proceeding through the Suez Canal.
In 2022, Gard’s local correspondent in Egypt reported an increase in cases where seafarers were being detained for carrying prohibited items, such as drones and other “suspicious” electronic devices, in their luggage when embarking or disembarking ships in the country.
Gard noted that the recent case experience demonstrates that to launch a drone from a vessel, for example to take photographs, may have serious consequences for the crew, the vessel and the shipowner.
“Regulations concerning the use of drones differ from one country to another and failure to comply with any given legislation may lead to a criminal prosecution.”
