Maritime Aerial Content
Specialist drone filming for complex marine environments
Maritime drone filming is about more than beautiful aerials.
It’s about operating safely in challenging conditions, understanding life at sea, and capturing scale, movement and innovation in environments where land-based cameras fall short.
Different View is a Plymouth-based video production company specialising in maritime aerial photography, videography and drone filming. Working from Britain’s Ocean City, we create powerful visual stories across ports, vessels, research platforms and coastal infrastructure — combining cinematic quality with technical precision.
Why maritime drone filming is different
Filming at sea presents unique challenges that demand experience, planning and specialist knowledge:
- Constant vessel movement
- Strong and unpredictable winds
- Saltwater exposure
- Live operations and working crews
- Restricted airspace around ports and harbours
- Launch and recovery from moving platforms
Different View operates confidently within these constraints, delivering safe, compliant and visually striking aerial footage without disrupting marine operations.
Trusted to film world-first maritime technology
Different View has been trusted to document some of the most advanced maritime projects in the UK and beyond.
One standout example is our work on the Mayflower Autonomous Ship – one of the first uncrewed vessels to cross the Atlantic. Projects of this scale require more than cinematic flying; they demand a deep understanding of maritime safety, autonomy, and real-world operating environments.
Our footage helped communicate the vessel’s technology, ambition and global significance to an international audience, demonstrating our ability to film complex systems clearly and credibly.
Showcasing modern maritime innovation
We work closely with innovative maritime and marine technology companies to bring cutting-edge developments to life through film.
Our collaborations include organisations such as MSUBS and Marine AI, where drone footage plays a key role in showcasing:
- Autonomous and uncrewed vessels
- Advanced shipbuilding facilities
- AI-driven navigation and control systems
- Real-world demonstrations in live marine environments
By combining aerial filming with ground cameras, FPV and CGI where appropriate, we translate complex technology into engaging visual stories that investors, stakeholders and customers can understand.
Blending aerial filming with CGI and motion design
Maritime storytelling often benefits from more than live-action footage alone.
At Different View, aerial filming is frequently enhanced with CGI, motion design and visualisation, allowing us to explain systems, processes and environments that are difficult to capture on camera.
From realistic water simulations to technical overlays and animated sequences, this approach helps clients communicate innovation, scale and ambition with clarity and impact.
Supporting science, research and education
Different View works closely with scientific and research organisations to document complex marine environments and cutting-edge studies, where accuracy and clarity are essential.
Our collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory on projects such as Oceanus 24 highlights our ability to combine technical drone filming with clear, engaging storytelling. By capturing live research activity and supplementing it with carefully considered visual techniques, we help make complex scientific work accessible to wider audiences.
We’ve also provided drone footage for BBC Secrets of the Aquarium, supporting broadcast storytelling that brings marine science and underwater environments to a national audience. Projects like this demand a sensitive, precise approach and a strong understanding of filming in controlled, operational and public-facing environments.
These projects require accuracy, discretion and attention to detail – qualities that underpin all of our maritime drone work.
Promoting local maritime life and community
Maritime filming isn’t just about large-scale projects. We also document the everyday life of Plymouth’s waterfront.
From the activity of Cattewater Harbour to collaborations with Plymouth Marine Centre, our footage captures working ports, craftsmanship, and the character of the local marine industry. We also celebrate Plymouth’s connection to the sea through projects highlighting cold-water swimming, community activity and life along the waterfront.
These stories reflect our deep-rooted connection to Britain’s Ocean City and the people who work on, in and around the water.
Maritime aerial photography that goes beyond “nice shots”
Different View is more than a photography and video production company.
We are specialists in maritime storytelling, combining drone expertise, creative filmmaking and technical understanding to deliver visuals that inform, inspire and build trust.
Whether filming autonomous vessels, research platforms, ports or coastal heritage, we bring clarity and credibility to every project.
Looking for maritime drone filming in Plymouth?
If you’re looking for maritime aerial photography or drone videography in Plymouth or the South West, we’d love to hear about your project.
From cutting-edge marine technology to heritage, science and live operations, we create visual stories that reflect the true scale and complexity of life at sea.
👉 Contact us today to explore how Different View can support your next maritime project.
