Calling all Soldiers of Fortune for Marine Invasion of Sealand

Magus · 03-15-2009, 08:31 PM

That's just a little joke, of course, as I don't actually have the funds to sponsor such an expedition.

But happening upon the Wikipedia page, I was quite amused (though apparently both the original inhabitants of Sealand and the failed coup's government in exile take all of this quasi-seriously) to find the following passage:

"Forcible takeover

In 1978, while Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, Professor Alexander G. Achenbach, and several German and Dutch citizens led by Paul Trevisan staged a forcible takeover of Roughs Tower,[12] holding Bates' son Michael captive, before releasing him several days later in the Netherlands.[citation needed] Bates thereupon enlisted armed assistance and, in a helicopter assault, retook the fort. He then held the invaders captive, claiming them as prisoners of war.[13] Most participants in the invasion were repatriated at the cessation of the "war", but Achenbach, a German lawyer who held a Sealand passport, was charged with treason against Sealand,[12] and was held unless he paid DM 75,000 (more than US$ 35,000).[14] The governments of the Netherlands and Germany petitioned the British government for his release, but the United Kingdom disavowed all responsibility, citing the 1968 court decision.[citation needed] Germany then sent a diplomat from its London embassy to Roughs Tower to negotiate for Achenbach's release. Roy Bates relented after several weeks of negotiations and subsequently claimed that the diplomat's visit constituted de facto recognition of Sealand by Germany.[12] Following his repatriation, Achenbach established a "government in exile" in Germany,[12] in opposition to Roy Bates, assuming the name "Chairman of the Privy Council". He handed the position to Johannes Seiger in 1989 due to illness. Seiger continues to claim�via his website�that he is Sealand's legitimate ruling authority.[15]"

Since Sealand has been sort-of declared to be in international waters, it is outside the jurisdiction of everything but international law (in theory), so it is rather valuable as a site for things like pirate internet servers or, in the latest idea, an online casino.

Anyway, I wanted to ask all the UK-ers what they thought of Sealand. Is it seriously considered a "principality" or sovereign nation? Do you all just think it's a pretty funny joke laid over a legitimate monetary investment? What's the state of relationships between Sealand and the UK?

The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk · 03-16-2009, 02:09 AM

As a "UK-er" I don't think there's really much to say about Sealand. I don't think most people even know it exists, let alone that the inhabitants consider themselves some sort of seperate entity from the UK.

Far as I see some dude bought an abandoned fort in international waters, realised it didn't technically fall under anyones jurisdiction and said "hey, I'm gona make my own country!" And so he did. And apparantly the law says that's ok, so kudos to him.

But yeah, it's not even really the barest blip of importance on anyones radar for the most part. It is kinda funny though.

Lord Setheris · 03-16-2009, 02:12 AM

Sealand has the lowest crime rate, lowest infant mortality rate, and per capita is one of the richest nations in human history.

We should all be following their example.

Professor Smarmiarty · 03-16-2009, 04:05 AM

There are a couple of places like this around. Generally no one cares about it too much and they give us a good chuckle every now and then.

BitVyper · 03-16-2009, 06:58 PM

Ah, Sealand. There were fake Sealand passports around for awhile, as I recall.

Magus · 03-16-2009, 07:31 PM

Yes, I guess they were being sold by Johannes Seiger, the guy taking over for Achenbach. I think Sealand has actually dropped the passport idea because all the fakes being circulated. It was interesting to read that people from other countries have used them in order to gain passports to other other countries by claiming to be from Sealand. For example, supposedly refugees from some Southeast Asian countries during various revolutions and such, in order to get out of their countries and into other ones, were using Sealand passports to prove they were Sealand citizens and gain passports out of their countries and into ones like, well, the UK. I guess a lack of knowledge of geography allowed it to happen, as most people aren't aware that Sealand is a platform off the coast of England (or even of its existence at all).

Haha, Hawk, I would've said, "subjects of the United Kingdom" but that would just sound silly. UK-ers is so much easier. I guess I could've said Britons, but I'm not sure if that seems to imply England for most people rather than all of Britain (this is a good side off-topic for discussion, I suppose).

viale · 03-17-2009, 09:02 AM

By the way if someone wnat to feel important

http://http://www.redsave.com/produc...r-baroness,,21

Seems a bit easier than back in the day when you had to bet the crao out of everyone else to claim a title.

03-15-2009, 08:31 PM	#1
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Calling all Soldiers of Fortune for Marine Invasion of Sealand That's just a little joke, of course, as I don't actually have the funds to sponsor such an expedition. But happening upon the Wikipedia page, I was quite amused (though apparently both the original inhabitants of Sealand and the failed coup's government in exile take all of this quasi-seriously) to find the following passage: "Forcible takeover In 1978, while Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, Professor Alexander G. Achenbach, and several German and Dutch citizens led by Paul Trevisan staged a forcible takeover of Roughs Tower,[12] holding Bates' son Michael captive, before releasing him several days later in the Netherlands.[citation needed] Bates thereupon enlisted armed assistance and, in a helicopter assault, retook the fort. He then held the invaders captive, claiming them as prisoners of war.[13] Most participants in the invasion were repatriated at the cessation of the "war", but Achenbach, a German lawyer who held a Sealand passport, was charged with treason against Sealand,[12] and was held unless he paid DM 75,000 (more than US$ 35,000).[14] The governments of the Netherlands and Germany petitioned the British government for his release, but the United Kingdom disavowed all responsibility, citing the 1968 court decision.[citation needed] Germany then sent a diplomat from its London embassy to Roughs Tower to negotiate for Achenbach's release. Roy Bates relented after several weeks of negotiations and subsequently claimed that the diplomat's visit constituted de facto recognition of Sealand by Germany.[12] Following his repatriation, Achenbach established a "government in exile" in Germany,[12] in opposition to Roy Bates, assuming the name "Chairman of the Privy Council". He handed the position to Johannes Seiger in 1989 due to illness. Seiger continues to claim�via his website�that he is Sealand's legitimate ruling authority.[15]" Since Sealand has been sort-of declared to be in international waters, it is outside the jurisdiction of everything but international law (in theory), so it is rather valuable as a site for things like pirate internet servers or, in the latest idea, an online casino. Anyway, I wanted to ask all the UK-ers what they thought of Sealand. Is it seriously considered a "principality" or sovereign nation? Do you all just think it's a pretty funny joke laid over a legitimate monetary investment? What's the state of relationships between Sealand and the UK? __________________ The Valiant Review

03-16-2009, 02:12 AM	#3
Lord Setheris A Guardian Angel Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,311	Sealand has the lowest crime rate, lowest infant mortality rate, and per capita is one of the richest nations in human history. We should all be following their example. __________________ As a 21 year old virgin, I'm strongly opposed to anything that reminds me that people are having sex in high school.

03-16-2009, 06:58 PM	#5
BitVyper History's Strongest Dilettante Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Arcadia Posts: 6,662	Ah, Sealand. There were fake Sealand passports around for awhile, as I recall. __________________ "There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, and the sea is asleep, and the rivers dream. People made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there's danger, somewhere there's injustice, somewhere else the tea's getting cold. Come on, Ace; we've got work to do!" Awesome art be here.

03-16-2009, 07:31 PM	#6
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Yes, I guess they were being sold by Johannes Seiger, the guy taking over for Achenbach. I think Sealand has actually dropped the passport idea because all the fakes being circulated. It was interesting to read that people from other countries have used them in order to gain passports to other other countries by claiming to be from Sealand. For example, supposedly refugees from some Southeast Asian countries during various revolutions and such, in order to get out of their countries and into other ones, were using Sealand passports to prove they were Sealand citizens and gain passports out of their countries and into ones like, well, the UK. I guess a lack of knowledge of geography allowed it to happen, as most people aren't aware that Sealand is a platform off the coast of England (or even of its existence at all). Haha, Hawk, I would've said, "subjects of the United Kingdom" but that would just sound silly. UK-ers is so much easier. I guess I could've said Britons, but I'm not sure if that seems to imply England for most people rather than all of Britain (this is a good side off-topic for discussion, I suppose). __________________ The Valiant Review

03-16-2009, 04:05 AM	#4
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	There are a couple of places like this around. Generally no one cares about it too much and they give us a good chuckle every now and then.

03-17-2009, 09:02 AM	#7
viale Kwisatz Haderach Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denmark Posts: 27	By the way if someone wnat to feel important http://http://www.redsave.com/produc...r-baroness,,21 Seems a bit easier than back in the day when you had to bet the crao out of everyone else to claim a title.