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UAS London at 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W
Thames Bridge Drone Surveys at Battersea Reach - UAS London
Thames & River Marine Services

Thames Bridge Drone Surveys at Battersea Reach

Specialist over-water thames bridge drone surveys at Battersea Reach for marine engineering, logistics, and creative media.

We run drone operations at Battersea Reach throughout the year, in all tide states. That combination of aviation and marine crew is what makes over-water work practical rather than theoretical. We are used to working alongside vessel crews, ground units and marshals already on site.

We survey the Battersea Reach bank and the water in advance to fix take-off, landing and contingency points. Where the shot demands it, we launch and recover from an MCA-coded support vessel. We can work outside normal hours where river traffic or light demands it.

Notices to mariners are checked before any Battersea Reach flight, and radio watch is kept during it. Emergency landing points are identified on the bank or on a vessel before take-off, never improvised. If wind or river conditions turn on the day, the pilot's call is final.

Survey data from Battersea Reach is processed and returned within two working days. We are trusted on the river by operators including CPBS Marine Services, MMS Marine and the Dutch Master. Happy to advise on feasibility even if you end up not booking.

Marine Specifications in Battersea Reach

Specialist marine aviation insurance (£10M)
High-wind and estuary weather capability
MCA-coded vessel launch capability
Georeferenced river and foreshore mapping
Bridge and pier structural inspection clearance
Water-safety trained flight crews

Book River Filming

Drone operations at Battersea Reach require Port of London Authority clearance and skipper-coordinated flight paths.

Request River Booking

Thames Operational Specs

  • PLA Coordination Managed
  • VHF Radio Pilot Logs
  • MCA-Coded Support Vessels
  • £10M Maritime Insurance
  • GPS Tracked Over-Water Flights
  • Wind-shear resistant platforms
RegulatoryCAA approved operator
Insurance£10M public liability
Experience1,000+ flight hours in London airspace
AirspaceNATS permissions for central London operations
RegisteredUAS London Limited · 16148461

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you launch from the bank rather than a vessel at Battersea Reach?

Often, yes, and it is usually cheaper. It depends on landowner permission, a clear take-off and landing area, and whether the subject stays within safe range from shore. We will tell you which approach the shot actually needs.

Can you film moving vessels at Battersea Reach?

Yes. Vessel tracking is a large part of our river work, from towage and workboat operations to passenger craft. Dual-operator crews let the pilot manage proximity and line of sight while the camera operator holds the shot.

Do you need Port of London Authority approval to fly at Battersea Reach?

Any professional drone operation on the tidal Thames, including Battersea Reach, requires notification to and coordination with the PLA and London VTS. UAS London manages those clearances as part of the service.