Ports Authority launches drone monitoring unit

Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz (Instagram via puertospr)

By The Star Staff

The Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz announced on Sunday the creation of the “Security Unit for Monitoring the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the Vicinity of Airport Facilities in Puerto Rico.”

“The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, has grown significantly in Puerto Rico in recent years,” Negrón said in a written statement. “The operation of these systems is regulated by Part 107 (The Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Rule) of the 14th Code of Federal Regulations, which clearly establishes that drones cannot be flown in areas near airports, docks, military bases, and national parks. The Unit we are creating will have primary responsibility for ensuring that none of these devices are flown in restricted areas.”

Negrón added that new federal regulations for drone operations will go into effect on July 1, including the mandatory use of the Remote ID system on all such autonomous platforms.

The objectives of the unit, in addition, are the implementation of an action plan for monitoring incidents related to the use of UVAs in perimeters close to docks and/or airports, coordination with concessionaires to implement a monitoring program for incidents related to the use of drones, development of guidance programs for users related to state and federal regulations, and the establishment of direct and continuous communication with the Small UVAs division of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Among the parameters currently in effect for the use of drones in Puerto Rico are registration with the FAA through the FAA Drone Zone application, which requires that no system weigh more than 55 pounds, that its operation must not exceed 400 feet in height, and that its use be limited to areas designated as Class G (uncontrolled airspace),” the official added.