Drone Filming Boats & Platforms
Specialist drone filming boats and launch platforms for the River Thames
Livett’s provides specialist boats and platforms to support drone filming on the River Thames.
From launch and landing platforms to support vessels for moving drone operations, low-level river filming, access to restricted locations, and stable on-water bases for operators and equipment, we help production teams choose the right platform for the job.
Drone filming on the Thames is complex – involving practical issues around launch position, river traffic, safety, permissions, working space, access, and how the drone operation fits into the wider filming plan.
That is where Livett’s comes in.
We provide practical support for productions using drones on the Thames, backed by decades of filming experience on a busy tidal river, expert marine coordination, and a large, varied fleet of specialist vessels and platforms suited to different types of drone work.
What we can help with
Launch and landing platforms
Many drone shoots need a stable, practical platform on the water from which to launch and recover safely. We can provide suitable vessels and working platforms depending on the location, shot, access requirements, and the size of the operation.
Moving drone operations
Where the drone needs to work alongside moving vessels, track action on the river, or follow talent and marine activity through central London or further afield, we can provide the right support craft and marine logistics to help make that possible.
Stable on-water working space
Some productions need more than a small launch point. In these cases, we can provide larger boats, pontoons, and work platforms where additional deck space, stability, operator room, or equipment handling is important.
Access to difficult or restricted locations
Drone filming on the Thames may involve foreshore access, stairs, slipways, beaches, bridge areas, or tighter operational environments where standard approaches are not ideal. Our fleet includes vessels suited to more flexible access arrangements on and around the river.
Practical support around permissions and river operations
Drone filming on the Thames requires careful planning. We can support productions with practical guidance around river operations, timing, access, and the wider permissions process, helping clients understand what needs to happen before filming starts.
While we do not supply the drones themselves, we do work with recommended drone operators on the river and can help connect productions with the right people where needed.
View suitable boats and platforms for drone filming
Drone platforms for a wide range of filming requirements
No two drone shoots are the same, and the right platform depends on what you need to achieve.
Perhaps you need:
- A compact support vessel for launch and recovery
- A larger, more stable platform with deck space for operators and equipment
- A road transportable craft for flexible deployment
- A vessel that can work in shallow water, on the foreshore, or in tighter locations
- A support boat that can work as part of a wider multi-vessel filming setup
Whatever your production needs, Livett’s offers a versatile range of boats and platforms suitable for drone filming on the River Thames.
This is supported by experienced crew and a wider fleet of camera boats, safety boats, specialist craft, pontoons, and work platforms where needed.
Livett’s does not supply the drones themselves or issue drone licences, but we do provide the marine support and operational knowledge that helps drone projects run smoothly.
Why production teams choose Livett’s for drone filming support
Specialist boats and platforms
Our fleet includes a wide range of vessels suitable for drone filming support, from compact specialist craft and camera boats through to larger working platforms and pontoons. This gives productions more options depending on the brief, location, access needs, and practical working conditions.
More than a platform hire service
We do not just supply a boat and leave the rest to the production. We help clients think through the most suitable platform, how it will work operationally on the river, and whether wider support may be needed around coordination, safety, permissions, or access.
Experience with high-profile drone filming
Livett’s has supported dozens of drone filming projects on the Thames, ranging from smaller shoots through to major productions and live events such as James Bond and the London New Year’s Eve Fireworks.
Practical Thames knowledge
Drone filming on the Thames is shaped by tides, river traffic, working windows, restricted areas, and the practical realities of operating safely on a busy tidal river. Because we work on the Thames every day, we help productions plan around those realities early.
Supported by the wider filming team
Drone support is often only one part of the wider job. Where needed, we can also provide marine coordination, camera boats, safety boats, permissions guidance, stakeholder liaison, and specialist vessel sourcing to support the full filming operation.
How we work
1. Understand the brief
We start by understanding what you need to film, where the drone operation will take place, how the platform will be used, and whether other support vessels or services may also be required.
2. Recommend the right platform
We recommend the most suitable boat or platform based on stability, access, deck space, launch and recovery practicalities, movement requirements, and any operational constraints around the shoot.
3. Plan the practical details
Where needed, we help productions think through timings, river logistics, safety support, access, and permissions-related considerations so the drone operation is properly planned from the outset.
4. Deliver experienced on-water support
With the right plan in place, we provide experienced marine support on the water to help filming run safely and efficiently.
River Thames drone filming platform FAQs
Do Livett’s supply the drones?
No. We provide the boats, platforms, marine coordination, practical river support, and operational guidance that help drone filming on the Thames run safely and efficiently. We do however work with several recommended drone operators on the river and would be happy to connect you with them.
What type of boat do I need for drone filming on the Thames?
That depends on the location, the type of shot, how the drone will be deployed, how much working space is needed, and whether the platform needs to move, remain highly stable, or access tighter areas. We can advise on the most suitable option for the brief.
Can you help with permissions for drone filming?
Yes, we can support productions with practical advice around permissions and river operations. The Port of London Authority is responsible for approving drone use on, near, or over the tidal Thames, and other permissions or consents may also be needed depending on the project.
Can you provide more than one vessel for a drone shoot?
Yes. We can support simple and more complex shoots, including multi-vessel setups where drone platforms need to work alongside camera boats, safety boats, picture boats, or other specialist craft.
Are your vessels licensed for the Thames?
Yes. Our filming fleet is fully licensed by the Port of London Authority and operates with the appropriate safety equipment onboard. All support is delivered by experienced marine crew with strong local knowledge and up-to-date training.
Do you only provide drone filming support on the River Thames?
The Thames is one of our core areas of expertise, but our wider marine film services are also available across the UK and internationally where required. Many of our specialist craft are road transportable, which gives productions greater flexibility beyond London.
Need a drone filming platform for your shoot?
If you are planning to use drones on the River Thames, choosing the right boat or platform can make a significant difference to what is possible on the day.
Livett’s can help you select the right boat or platform, plan the practical side of the shoot, and provide experienced on-water support to help drone filming run safely and efficiently.
Speak to Livett’s about the right drone filming boat or platform for your shoot: