Not when they get close.. even far away shooting at the whole boat sends a message.. and if you miss and hit the boat.. Oh! well.. 50cal with tracers.. by a trained marksman can carry a good distance.. as will small UAV's with C4 charges and video.. several miles actually.. Could be made(uav's) with stuff bought at most hobby shops.. Could be launched (from cruise ship or tanker) with helium balloons..
50 calibers from a ship are wonderfully effective. You not only have tracers, but you see your splashes. You don’t aim so much as look over the barrel and adjust your splashes until they merge with your target. I get a warm and fuzzy feeling just remembering shooting 50s over the water. What we need are commandos manning bait “Q ships.”