The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet Minister yesterday moved to allay fears among aerial cinematographers and drone operators that the Government’s Customs Management Act amendments would prevent them fulfillimng work orders by preventing equipment imports.

Among the fiscal measures undertaken in the 2015-2016 Budget is an amendment to the Customs Management Act restricting the importation of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can only be imported with approval from the Minister of Transport and Aviation.

Glenys Hanna Martin sought to clarify the issue yesterday, telling Tribune Business: “The policy will come into effect when the Bill is assented to.

“When the Bill becomes law the minister responsible for transport will have to give no objection to imports. What an importer will do is write to the minister requesting permission to import, and approval will be given by letter.”

Her comments came on the heels of concerns expressed to this newspaper by aerial cinematographers and UAV operators over the policy and its impact on their operations.

Lance Knowles, co-owner of Sky High Media, queried how the policy would impact his business, noting that his company had been contacted by The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)  to shoot a promotional advert for the Beach Soccer World Cup that the Bahamas will host in 2017.

Mr Knowles said: “The World Cup of beach soccer is coming to the Bahamas in 2017 and we’re shooting a promo all throughout the country. Cat Island, Long Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, Nassau are some of the islands.

“I’m bringing some of the same equipment with me from the US because I don’t have the same equipment in Nassau, and I’m worried now that the minute I get there my equipment for this contract is going to get detained. How am I to conduct my business if my remote-controlled helicopters are going to be called drones and be taken from me?”

Mr Knowles said his concerns were heightened when US stand-up comedian, Roland Powell, also known as ‘Lil Duval’, mentioned on social media this week that Customs had seized his drone upon entry to the Bahamas.

Mrs Hanna Martin said the Bill amendment would not take effect until July 1. Tribune Business was unable to confirm with Customs officials if the detention of Mr Powell’s drone was in relation to the proposed legal change or otherwise.

But Mr Knowles stressed that there needs to be more clarity on how the Government will handle the process.

“There are still lot of questions about how operators are to proceed,” said Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright, the Callenders and Co attorney.

    The proposed regulations for Ariel Work Operations 2015  and Unmanned Aircraft 2015, drafted by the Department of Civil Aviation, outline the necessary requirements and certifications for the use of UAVs as well as restrictions.

The use of UAVs or drones has sparked serious debate in the US, and local  experts have called on the Government to ensure that the emerging industry is regulated in the Bahamas. The draft regulations are currently the subject of a consultation process and have not yet been brought into force.