Shooting Clays from the boat

[Scarron]

Has tried using a portable trap to loft clay pigeons for a bit of practise from the back of a boat? [stationary obviously]

It just occurred that it might be a bit of fun on a calm day

Are there any reasons why not? - for instance I know that 'Section 161 of the Highways Act 1980 (England & Wales) makes it an offence to discharge a firearm within 50 ft of the centre of a highway having vehicular rights without lawful authority' - but it doesn't say anything about coastal waters....

Needless to say, well away from other boats and whilst observing all the usual shooting safety procedures.

 

[Strake]

Well, the Navy seem to have got away with it for a few years so you should be OK........

 

[colingr]

Have done off a dive boat in Scapa Flow with no hassle.

OK as long as well clear of other vessels (not in the middle of the Solent on a sunny Sunday!

 

[DAKA]

They shoot cannons from the seafront at Cowes so I dont see why not /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif




Unless you are thinking of day trips there may be a security issue.

When you leave the boat to dine out in the evening you would need a suitable cabinet and a suitable anchorage point would be difficult to find .

You could find the only place would be to chain the gun round the engine...................and remembering to remove it before you next make way.

 

[epervier]

yeah right, shooting clays off the back of a boat in the solent,

sounds like a very safe and acceptable form of entertainment that would draw the attention of the blue uniforms in their high speed ribs, I think you wouldn't last ten minuets before someone would call up calshot coastguard to say:-

"some nutter is discharging a firearm from a boat"

but hey, what do I know? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Keen_Ed]

http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/1447094/1447097/1726842/?version=1&lang=_e

So if there's any danger of your shot landing on the foreshore, you shouldn't use lead shot.

 

[jcmmarine]

Regularly used to do this from the bridge of a submarine in the 70/80's.
Had to made a bracket and clamps to hold the unit firm. There is a fair amount of force in these units and it needs to be attatched to something substantial.
However, it is fairly easy to hit a clay pidgeon with a shotgun, hitting a floating beer can with an SLR or SMG required much more skill.

 

[PCUK]

Much more satisfying to shoot pot markers while under way!!!

 

[Searush]

it used to be offered as a pastime off the stern of the "Duke of Lancaster" in her final berth near Mostyn, N Wales as "the Funship". She was "moored" in 20' of concrete.

As already stated, you will need a lockable steel cabinet as firmly fastened as a safe would be. Usually needs acceptance by local plod as suitable for "firearms" storage.

Think VERY carefully about where shot will eventually come to earth. ANY complaints are likely to be dealt with very severely. Plod don't like guns of any sort (including air guns).

 

[MiskinDriver]

It's offered as an option on certain of the Thames Sailing Barge charters - so I assume all above board. Not normally permitted until well clear of central London. Also, its not permitted to serve alcohol prior to the firing - so not as popular as it might be.... seems a bit unecessary to me - but that's the nanny state for you.