One episode of "Malcolm" features Francis, the oldest boy, home from military school (not military academy), teaching his three younger brothers how to build a giant sling-shot and mount it on the roof of the family home, in order to "keep the spirit of Hallowe'en alive". They use it to terrorize the neighborhood, catapulting not only water balloons, but (among other things) pudding balloons, dog food balloons, and very used disposable diapers. Malcolm's friends from gifted class, whose astronomy meeting is one of the targets, figure out who's responsible, and construct their own slingshot. Mutually Assured Disgustingness ensues.

Sounds like your guys in the Gulf. A little. Just from the artillery point of view.

The maritime marauders also sound a little like the episode of "Northern Exposure" that centered around a piece of performance art in which Chris built a catapult to launch a piano, to the delight of the town. A good time was had by all, and nobody got hurt. Though honestly, Frank, I have a hard time shrugging off "a few concussions" as the equivalent of no serious injuries.

The guys on the fishing boats all know what they're getting into, more or less, just like paintball enthusiasts who deliberately go out there to get technicolored. That's good fun, even if it can be a little dangerous. Involuntary random participation is at least assault, and often battery.

I did laugh at the "Malcolm" episode, though. (Sometimes my kids call me "Lois". I'm still not sure whether or not that's a compliment...)

Regards--
Mary Anne