Both incidents took place within the 5-kilometre no-fly zone around Changi Airport, at the Eastern Petroleum Anchorage. The seafarers operated drones for recreational purposes without valid approvals from CAAS.

Case 1: Crew on Singapore-registered Bunker Vessel, SGD 5,000 Fine On 8 June 2026, a 46-year-old crew member on a Singapore-registered bunker tanker, anchored at Eastern Petroleum Bravo Anchorage (around 3.2 km from Changi Airport), launched a drone to an altitude of 42.7 metres without permission. He was convicted and fined SGD 5,000, with an alternative sentence of 10 days’ imprisonment in default of payment.

Case 2: Foreign Vessel Crew, SGD 3,000 Fine On 16 July 2026, a 42-year-old seafarer on a foreign-flagged tanker at Eastern Petroleum Charlie Anchorage (only approximately 1.8 km from Changi Airport) flew a drone up to 76 metres high. He was also found guilty and ordered to pay SGD 3,000, or serve 6 days in jail if the fine remains unpaid.

The regulation covers all unmanned aerial craft, including consumer drones, remote-controlled planes and kite-controlled flying devices, not just standard commercial drones.

Under Singapore’s Air Navigation Act 1966 and the Air Navigation (101 — Unmanned Aircraft Operations) Regulations 2019:

• Flying an unregistered unmanned aircraft or operating drones in restricted zones (such as the 5 km perimeter around Changi Airport) without prior approval is a criminal offence.
• Offenders may face a maximum fine of SGD 50,000, up to two years of imprisonment, or both penalties.
• Waters within the Singapore port limits and the 5 km Changi Airport buffer zone are strictly controlled. Launching drones from a vessel at anchor is not exempt from the rules.

CAAS maintains a zero-tolerance stance on unauthorised drone operations and will take firm enforcement action upon detection.

Reminders for the Shipping Industry

1. Anchorages are not unregulated areas. Many seafarers launch drones for sightseeing and photography while at anchor, unaware that popular petroleum anchorages fall inside the airport no-fly ring.
2. Recreational flight is not exempt. Both cases were for leisure, yet the crew still received formal convictions and fines.
3. Shipowners, managers and Masters are advised to brief all seafarers on this rule. While at anchor or alongside within Singapore port waters, crew are prohibited from launching any unmanned aircraft. Any operational drone use requires advance CAAS clearance.
4. Enquiries on unmanned aircraft regulations can be directed to CAAS.

Source: MPA Port Marine