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UAS London: Aerial Intelligence, London Focus
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UAS London at 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W
Thames Aerial Imagery at Chelsea Reach - UAS London
Thames Hub/Chelsea Reach Hub
Thames & River Marine Services

Thames Aerial Imagery at Chelsea Reach

Specialist over-water thames aerial imagery at Chelsea Reach for marine engineering, logistics, and creative media.

Recent Work

Selected work from across London and the Thames.

Flying at Chelsea Reach means working over moving water, tidal range and live vessel traffic. That combination of aviation and marine crew is what makes over-water work practical rather than theoretical. Where the river is busy, patience beats improvisation, and we plan for it.

We survey the Chelsea Reach bank and the water in advance to fix take-off, landing and contingency points. High-zoom and thermal payloads cover structural inspection of piers, bridges and river walls. Kit is checked ashore before anything is committed over water.

We notify the PLA and maintain contact with London VTS throughout operations at Chelsea Reach. Risk assessments for river work are site-specific and account for tide, traffic and public access. We would rather lose a tide and rebook than fly a marginal over-water operation.

Rushes can go out the same evening where a broadcast deadline requires it. Contact our marine desk with the Chelsea Reach brief and we will confirm the tide windows that work. There is no obligation attached to an enquiry.

Marine Specifications in Chelsea Reach

Georeferenced river and foreshore mapping
Bridge and pier structural inspection clearance
Specialist marine aviation insurance (£10M)
Tide-window scheduling and vessel traffic liaison
Live-feed video broadcast capability
Full Port of London Authority (PLA) coordination

Book River Filming

Drone operations at Chelsea 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

Reference Links

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

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

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

Can you launch from the bank rather than a vessel at Chelsea 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.

Who owns the footage from the Chelsea Reach shoot?

Licensing is agreed before the flight and written into the quote. Tell us whether the material is for broadcast, marketing, an operational record or a planning submission and we scope the licence accordingly.