Sealand is for Sale!

cleanbluesky · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:37

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6239967.stm

That's right, the principality of Sealand is up for grabs.

Last Updated: Monday, 8 January 2007, 16:03 GMT

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'Smallest state' seeks new owners

Access to the platform is by helicopter or boat
The owners of the world's "smallest state" - Sealand - have put the quasi-country up for sale.
The former anti-aircraft platform, seven miles off the Essex coast, was taken over 40 years ago by retired Army major Paddy Roy Bates.

The so-called "independent state" of Sealand is currently home to an internet firm.

The platform, built by Britain during World War II, now has its own flag, passports, currency and stamps.

The article goes on to say that the 'micronation' is used to host websites. I also heard a rumour that it hosts heavily illegal websites...

Sic · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:39

i would so buy that if i had the money. definitely

crystaline · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:39

I'd rather have the Dracula Castle

cleanbluesky · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:41

crystaline said:
I'd rather have the Dracula Castle

You couldn't be Queen of Dracula's castle although I think the atmosphere might suit your darker side...

Westyfield2 · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:41

Just been reading about the fire on Sealand in the summer

ElRazur · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:44

So if Uk dont recognise the state...can it invade it?

starscream · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:53

So could they legalise drugs and prostitution on Sealand and set up an embassy in London where their own laws apply?

G-MAN2004 · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:55

Is the rest under the sea then or something because to me it just looks like a random helipad

joeyjojo · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:57

G-MAN2004 said:
Is the rest under the sea then or something because to me it just looks like a random helipad

Think that's it :/ It is 10000 square feet though.

Or it's an underwater paradise.

Psyk · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:58

ElRazur said:
So if Uk dont recognise the state...can it invade it?

It wouldn't technically be an invasion since as far as the UK (and I'm sure nearly all other countries) is concerned it's UK territory. Though it seems the UK government couldn't care less about it, they just ignore it.

ElRazur · 9 Jan 2007 at 18:59

Psyk said:
It wouldn't technically be an invasion since as far as the UK (and I'm sure nearly all other countries) is concerned it's UK territory. Though it seems the UK government couldn't care less about it, they just ignore it.

If that is true...I pity the fool who ever pays the asking price.

G-MAN2004 · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:00

joeyjojo said:
Think that's it :/ It is 10000 square feet though.

Or it's an underwater paradise.

504 million for two solid concrete cylinders and a helipad on top :/ where's the offices and other stuff :confused:

cleanbluesky · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:03

ElRazur said:
If that is true...I pity the fool who ever pays the asking price.

And risk the wrath of the league of micronations who will send the tiniest allied army to fight in their collective name?

[TW]Fox · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:03

G-MAN2004 said:
504 million for two solid concrete cylinders and a helipad on top :/ where's the offices and other stuff

The concrete cylinders are not solid. They contain the offices.

Psyk · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:04

ElRazur said:
If that is true...I pity the fool who ever pays the asking price.

In practice it might as well be a independent country since the UK doesn't attempt to enforce any laws there. So it would probably still be worth the money. It's unlikely the government will do anything unless you run a large scale drug shipping operation from it.

semi-pro waster · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:05

G-MAN2004 said:
504 million for two solid concrete cylinders and a helipad on top :/ where's the offices and other stuff

From what I remember the towers aren't solid, the residents of Sealand live in them.

Psyk said:
It wouldn't technically be an invasion since as far as the UK (and I'm sure nearly all other countries) is concerned it's UK territory. Though it seems the UK government couldn't care less about it, they just ignore it.

Not entirely true (at least initially) as the UK did try to 'recapture' the platform and evict them when "Prince" Michael was a teenager as it mentions in the article.

G-MAN2004 · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:05

[TW]Fox said:
The concrete cylinders are not solid. They contain the offices.

Ahh that makes sense but still £504 million! No way worth it.

Amp34 · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:07

It used to be in international waters but then a few years ago the UK extended its territory to 12 miles (from 7 I think). There was uproar from paddy.

I also heard a rumour that it hosts heavily illegal websites...

Same here, certain warez and pornography sites supposedly (alongside just about anything illegal in other countries).

EDIT:

...Mr Bates' son Michael...

Does that make him master...?

*gets coat*

i know nothing · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:13

G-MAN2004 said:
Ahh that makes sense but still £504 million! No way worth it.

Quite.

You could build your own island in a warmer climate for less than that!

Abraham · 9 Jan 2007 at 19:14

also the freight giant maersk is based in sealand, presumably it presents tax benefits, i've never found the reasoning behind that one

if i had the money to spend i'd spend it, but it's probably not worth anywhere near that much, although i suppose if the demand is there you could argue it is, especially if the demand will remain there