Sealand micronation - photo

**Altair** · Jul 6, 2022, 04:42 PM

Principality of Sealand, an unrecognized micronation in the North Sea. Founded by British pirate radio broadcaster Paddy Roy Bates in 1967 after taking over the WWII naval installation.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...y_fullsize.jpg

Previously:

Countries sorted by land area - photo
Towing a gas platform out to sea - photos
Offshore platform in heavy seas - GIF
Floating Instrument Platform - GIF
Literal translation of country names - infographic

**Toolmaker51** · Jul 7, 2022, 08:02 PM

Europe has a few examples of pirate stations. I'm sure the 'pirate' label is from the government, less able to regulate transmissions and content, or tax the operation. Another, ship-based and very well known, Radio Caroline, seemed to have lots more public fans than regulators.
Freedom is not for just talking about, it must be exercised.

**Frank S** · Jul 7, 2022, 09:34 PM

If they can set up shop at least 200 miles off of any countries coast, there is not a lot that can be done about them. Part of the reasoning a few years back there was talk about construction complete floating cities to combat the supposed rising sea levels. What would happen if the residents? decided to move their entire city away from the parent country? Would there be any legal way to stop them?

**nova_robotics** · Jul 7, 2022, 09:48 PM

DO NOT give them money to become a Lord of Sealand. It sounds like a funny gag gift at first, but it's a scam. They send you a piece of paper, which YOU fill out and it costs around $50 or something. But then they sign you up for a $35/month subscription service. They sucked a few hundred bucks out of my credit card before I caught that. Jerks.

**Frank S** · Jul 7, 2022, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by nova_robotics

DO NOT give them money to become a Lord of Sealand. It sounds like a funny gag gift at first, but it's a scam. They send you a piece of paper, which YOU fill out and it costs around $50 or something. But then they sign you up for a $35/month subscription service. They sucked a few hundred bucks out of my credit card before I caught that. Jerks.

There are lots of web sites that ask for credit card info supposedly as proof of identity all the while stating the information you are seeking is free. They sometimes neglect to inform you there will be a reoccurring monthly charge. Computer software companies are notorious for this.
If I'm going to be charged for something I want to know about it up front that way I can decide to subscribe or not to subscribe. Even on the ones I do subscribe to like looking up a VIN number on a vehicle I cancel my subscription as soon as I have the info I am looking for. Barring that I use what my bank calls a burner debit card not linked to my main checking account but to a small savings account that I only transfer money into when needed then if I forget or don't remember to cancel whoever is trying to make the charges against it gets a no balance response. The bank calls me and asks if the charge is valid if so, I will add money to the account if not they send me a new card.

**nova_robotics** · Jul 7, 2022, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Frank S

There are lots of web sites that ask for credit card info supposedly as proof of identity all the while stating the information you are seeking is free. They sometimes neglect to inform you there will be a reoccurring monthly charge. Computer software companies are notorious for this.

This looked just like a normal online order. You pay them money and they make you a "Lord" of their micronation. But then after you complete the order you also get billed $35/month forever until you block the charge. Bastards.

**Frank S** · Jul 8, 2022, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by nova_robotics

This looked just like a normal online order. You pay them money and they make you a "Lord" of their micronation. But then after you complete the order you also get billed $35/month forever until you block the charge. Bastards.

I remember a few years back some outfit was supposedly selling 1 square foot of Scottland to people then were supposed to send them a document declaring them a lord or some such

**nova_robotics** · Jul 8, 2022, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Frank S

I remember a few years back some outfit was supposedly selling 1 square foot of Scottland to people then were supposed to send them a document declaring them a lord or some such

I've seen ads for that recently. It's definitely still around. That's the kind of stupid gag that I WOULD have went for previously, but not now.