2008Operating forum
Safety considerations and feasibility of operating steadicam equipment on fishing boats
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Steadicam work on boats is technically possible but requires careful risk assessment and strict safety protocols before accepting the job.
- Salt water spray penetrates equipment protection and causes gradual damage to camera rigs; gear must be wiped down immediately after returning to shore.
- Smaller boats make usable shots increasingly difficult, and choppy water conditions render footage unusable while creating serious personal safety hazards.
- A dedicated grip must maintain physical contact with the operator at all times, with one hand on the operator and one on the boat structure.
- Operators should retain full authority to halt shooting if conditions become unsafe, regardless of production pressure.
- Personal flotation devices should be worn and must fit comfortably under the steadicam vest; inflatable models designed to deploy only when needed are preferable.
- A tech scout visit to the actual vessel is essential to assess feasibility; production should pay for this time as insurance protection.
- Hand-held camera operation may be a safer alternative to steadicam for boat-based shoots, depending on shot requirements.
- Operators should charge additional fees (20% more mentioned) for boat work due to increased risk and equipment hazard.
- Operating a steadicam while wearing a rig and falling overboard creates an escape situation where reaction time is insufficient to prevent the operator from being dragged underwater.
- Vessel specifications matter significantly: boat size, type, location, sea state conditions, and whether shooting occurs in calm bays versus open ocean all affect safety viability.
- A licensed captain and proper deck access procedures must be confirmed; lifelines and spotter personnel are necessary safety measures.
Depends on
- Experience varies by geographic location and vessel type; conditions in one region may not apply elsewhere.
- One near-drowning incident mentioned but not detailed; another underwater incident mentioned but speaker declined to elaborate.
- Discussion focused primarily on steadicam operation; handheld alternatives were not thoroughly explored as potential solutions.
- Specific conditions and outcomes for the original proposed job (30-foot fishing boat off Cornwall coast) were not definitively determined in thread.