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The Principality of Sealand is a micronation located on HM Fort Roughs,
a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort in the North Sea 10 km (six
miles) off the coast of Suffolk, England.
Bates was now calling "Sealand") was outside British jurisdiction,
being beyond the then three-mile limit of the country's waters, the
case could not proceed. In 1975, Bates introduced a constitution for
Sealand, followed by a flag, a national anthem, a currency and
passports.
"war", but Achenbach, a German lawyer who held a Sealand passport, was
charged with treason against Sealand, and was held unless he paid
DM 75,000 (more than US$ 35,000). The governments of the
Netherlands and Germany petitioned the British government for his
* 2007: Sealand was offered for sale through Spanish estate company
InmoNaranja. Since a principality cannot technically be
sold, Sealand's current owners plan to transfer "custodianship".
Sealand, saying it was not mentioned in treaties after the
Second World War and so can be claimed by anyone. Michael Bates
dismissed the claim as that of an "imposter", and Sealand News
The claim that Sealand is an independent sovereign state is based on
the following contentions:
1. That when Paddy Roy Bates and his associates occupied Roughs
Tower/HM Fort Roughs in 1967, it was located in international
Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates
family as if it were a recognised sovereign entity, and they are its
hereditary royal rulers. Roy Bates styles himself "Prince Roy" and his
wife "Princess Joan". Their son is known as "His Royal Highness Prince
2004, Sealand was represented by Michael Bates's son James, who was
referred to as "Prince Royal James". The facility is now occupied
by one or more caretakers representing Michael Bates, who himself
resides in Essex, England.
Sealand has been involved in several commercial operations, including
the issuing of coins and postage stamps, and the establishment of an
offshore Internet hosting facility or "data haven". Sealand also has
an official website and publishes an online newspaper, Sealand News.
to Sealand News, a movie called Sealand is in development for
release in 2010. As of 11 February 2007 Sealand is also taking
bookings for tourist visits. For a period, Sealand camouflage
passports were mass-manufactured and sold widely by a Spanish-based
start of the 21st century and Sealand is not a member of the Universal
Postal Union, therefore its inward address is a PO Box in the United
Kingdom.
HavenCo
Main article: HavenCo
Sealand has official national athletes, including non-Sealanders.
These athletes take part in various sports, such as mini-golf and
football. Sealand is a provisional member of the Nouvelle
Fédération-Board, a football sanctioning body for non-recognised
Sealand claims that its first official athlete was Darren Blackburn of
Oakville, Ontario, Canada, who was appointed in 2003. Blackburn has
represented Sealand at a number of local sporting events, including
marathons and off-trail races. Sealand's official U-20 National
The entity known as the Principality of Sealand is a self-declared
micronation constructed on Roughs Tower, an abandoned World War II
offshore fortress in the North Sea six miles off the coast of Suffolk,
England (51�53'40"N, 1�28'57"E). The viewpoint of the self-proclaimed
states is one of the requirements for statehood, but Sealand has
not been granted this from any state. Its political status is
discussed further below.
The finances of the entity are largely dependent on HavenCo.
Contents
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consistently ruled Sealand was not a part of the United Kingdom.
In 1978, while the Prince was away, Sealand's then Prime Minister,
Professor Alexander G Achenbach and several Dutch citizens forcibly
took over Roughs Tower and held Prince Roy's son, Michael, captive,
Sealand's legitimate ruling authority, but he has in fact never
exercised control over Roughs Tower.
Map of the location of "Sealand"
Prince Roy's son, Prince Michael, entered into a partnership with Ryan
Principality of Sealand, Sealand is not a state under the theory's
criteria. Constitutive theory involves "recognition of existence" as
opposed to "diplomatic recognition", i.e. until recently Libya was not
recognised diplomatically, but was acknowledged to exist, as the UK
Sealand, however, believes it has de facto recognition.
Sealand several months after the fire.
Since the 1968 court decision, the United Kingdom has extended its
territorial sea to twelve nautical miles, in accordance with the 1982
Sealand has several ancillary features of a state, including a
constitution, a flag, a national anthem, a national motto, postage
stamps, currency (1 Sealand dollar equaling 1 US dollar), and
passports. For a period, Sealand passports were mass manufactured and
all Sealand passports were revoked in 1997.
Possible legal quandaries similar to the statehood of Sealand are no
longer possible today. Since the third conference on the laws of the
sea, the nearest neighboring state is now required to consent to the
there is little media coverage of Sealand matters, it is not clear
whether the Tribunal is constitutionally prescribed or if the (perhaps
ad hoc) tribunals Advocate-General calls are typical. In any case, as
per the constitution, ultimate judicial power rests in the Sovereign.
Sealand is not a member of the Universal Postal Union, which regulates
the sending of mail between countries, and its address is in what it
claims is a foreign country - in the same way that mail for the
The Principality of Sealand is a micronation that claims as its
territory the artificial island of Roughs Tower, a former Maunsell Sea
Fort located in the North Sea 10 km (six miles) off the coast of
German lawyer who held a Sealand passport, was charged with treason
against Sealand and was held unless he paid DM 75,000 (more than
£18,000). The governments of the Netherlands and Germany petitioned
the British government for his release, but the United Kingdom
For a period, Sealand passports were mass-manufactured and sold widely
(mostly to Eastern Europeans) by a Spanish-based group believed to be
associated with the exile government under Seiger. These passports,
which were not authorised by the Bates family, were linked to several
of Sealand" had ever existed. This case was not challenged by the
Bates family, who assert that U.S. courts have no jurisdiction in
determining the legitimacy of other states.
Legal status
-
Sealand's claim that it is an independent state is founded on the
following two propositions:
1. When Paddy Roy Bates and his associates occupied Roughs Tower in
1967 it was located in international waters, outside the
In 1978 a German court ruled that Sealand was not a valid nation: "A
man-made artificial platform, such as the so-called Duchy of Sealand,
cannot be called either 'a part of the earth's surface' or 'land
territory' and only structures which make use of a specific piece of
In 1990 a US Administrative Court also ruled that Sealand was not a
valid sovereign nation, following evidence from James Murphy of the
Department of Trade and Industry. On appeal in 1991 the decision that
the state called Sealand does not exist, and has not ever existed was
Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates
family as though it were a recognised sovereign entity, and they are
its hereditary royal rulers.
Roy and Joan Bates have been referred to internally since the
University of Sunderland on 25 November, 2004, Sealand was represented
by Michael Bates' son James, who was referred to as "Prince Royal
James".
Sealand's royals are all believed to retain UK citizenship, and the
family has not been in permanent residence on the Roughs Tower
Sealand State Corporation was chartered by Roy Bates and charged with
the "development of the state" shortly after Sealand's foundation, but
its current status and range of activities, if any, are unknown.
In 2000, worldwide publicity was created about Sealand due to the
Sealand's legal system is claimed to follow British common law, and
statutes take the form of Decrees enacted by the Sovereign.
In 2003, Sealand appointed its first official athlete: Darren
Blackburn of Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Blackburn has represented the
Sealand is not a member of the Universal Postal Union, which regulates
the sending of mail between countries, and its address is in what it
claims is a foreign country. In a similar manner, mail for the Turkish
Sealand has declared its currency to be the "Sealand Dollar", which it
deems to be at parity with the U.S. dollar. Several dozen different
coins have been minted since 1972 in various units of this currency.
* "Sealand: Wish You Were Here?" - Photographs and article by Kim
Gilmour, Internet Magazine, August 2002
* Country's passports are for sale - Article from The Times about
Sealand was founded as a sovereign Principality in 1967 in
international waters, six miles off the eastern shores of Britain. In
late June of 2006, the island suffered a devastating fire which
destroyed much of the country's administrative centre and the main
The history of Sealand is a story of a struggle for liberty. Sealand
was founded on the principle that any group of people dissatisfied
with the oppressive laws and restrictions of existing nation states
independence of Sealand was upheld in a 1968 British court decision
where the judge held that Roughs Tower stood in international waters
and did not fall under the legal jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.
The official language of Sealand is English and the Sealand Dollar has
a fixed exchange rate of one U.S. dollar. Passports and stamps have
been in circulation since 1969 and the latter decade of the 20th
The website which was originally constructed for Sealand is located at
http://www.fruitsofthesea.demon.co.uk/sealand/; there you may find
early pictures and other information relating to the first 25 years of
the island's life; the web site is maintained there for historical
purposes.
The Principality of Sealand off the British Coast is Not Independent
-
By Matt Rosenberg, About.com
See More About:
* united kingdom
* country status
* microstates
In 2000, the The Principality of Sealand came into the news because a
company called HavenCo Ltd planned on operating a complex of Internet
servers at Sealand, out of the reach of governmental control. HavenCo
gave the Bates $250,000 and stock to lease Rough's Tower and the
and support of Sealand has been quite expensive over the past 40
years.
An Assessment
There are eight accepted criteria used to determine whether an entity
is an independent country or not. Let's examine and answer each of the
collector) as Sealand is not a member of the Universal Postal Union,
mail from Sealand can't be sent elsewhere (nor is there much sense in
mailing a letter across the tower itself).
Continued...
Prev
* The Keds® 'Sealand' is a go anywhere, do anything skimmer.
* Colorful canvas upper accented with a playful bow and beads.
* Lined with soft cotton for a great feel against the foot.
Sealand’s territory is an abandoned World War 2 sea fort – designed to
shoot down German aircraft and missiles – built 7 nautical miles from
the East coast of Britain, in what at the time were international
waters.
more right to Sealand’s territory than Sealand has to Britain’s!
When the “war” was over, the Dutch citizens were released, as per the Geneva convention. The German, one Professor Achenbach, was held a bit longer.
King Danny I and Michael of Sealand A meeting of leaders
Sealand’s independence remained under constant threat and not just
from the UK. In August 1978 several Dutch men and a German arranged to
visit Sealand “to talk business”. While Roy was in England, they
kidnapped his son, Michael, and took Sealand by force
longer - he’d previously accepted a Sealand Passport, and was
therefore guilty of treason. Germany had to send a diplomat directly
to Sealand to negotiate since, fingers already burnt once by Prince
Roy, the British Government was staying well out of it, insisting it
had no jurisdiction
Sealand is a sea fort in the North Sea, located 10 km off the
coast of Suffolk, England. It is best known for its (unrecognized)
claim to be the world's smallest nation.
Get in
-
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Sealand has minted coins intermittently since the early 1970s,
although as with the Principality's stamps, few details are readily
available, and it does not appear that any have been released in
recent years
Sealand's mission is to serve it's customers with quality construction
services. The ability to perform road, highway, and underground
construction with public safety, public trust and public convenience
in mind at all times requires a complex understanding of regulation,
stepping stone on which Sealand has built its reputation. Since 1977,
Sealand has operated under the principle "No project is too large or
small, every project must be completed on time.'
More Info
Copyright (c) 2008 Sealand Contractors Corp. All rights reserved
August 11, 2001 The Principality of Sealand has citizens, currency,
and a government. It issues passports and postage stamps. It enforces
its own laws and defends its own borders. Does all that make Sealand a
country? Before you answer, consider that Sealand is a 120-foot-long
These days, Sealand is guarded at all times by a security force. Alan
Beale, the gun-toting chief of security, is always on the lookout for
invaders, but he isn't overly worried. It would be extremely difficult
Sealand claims it is the world's tiniest sovereign state, but it
usually doesn't make the lists of the world's smallest countries.
Sealand's own site offers a bit more history, a few more pictures,
and a faq.
independent state, the Principality of Sealand, has invited top U.S.
rockers Airiel to play an exclusive gig, live from the Royal Palace -
six miles off the coast of the UK. The event will also mark the first
When we found out about the history of Sealand, and how much has
happened there in such a short time, we had to name our album after
one of its most triumphant moments
It's such a unique place and we are honoured to be invited as the
Sealand is just unbelievable, I never thought I'd have a title!
The Chicago-based foursome is considered the perfect choice to perform
having just released their latest album entitled 'Battle of Sealand',
"When we found out about the history of Sealand, and how much has
happened there in such a short time, we had to name our album after
one of its most triumphant moments," says Airiel guitarist Lord Chris
deBrizzio. "It's such a unique place and we are honoured to be invited
Lord of Sealand is just unbelievable, I never thought I'd have a
title!"
The Battle of Sealand is arguably the most dramatic event in Sealand's
brief but proud history. A mixed Germanic-Dutch force launched a
Sealand has celebrated a number of firsts recently - having launched
the world's first national online casino, Sealand Casino, and
receiving backing from Russian investors to launch its first
communications satellite. The micro-nation also celebrated its 40th
The latest Principality of Sealand developments can be found at its
official digital newspaper, Sealand News - sealandnews.com.
About the Principality of Sealand
On 2 September 1967, former English major Paddy Roy Bates formally
occupied a former military fortress, created by Great Britain during
The Principality of Sealand's independence was upheld in a 1968
British court decision where the judge held that it stood in
international waters and did not fall under the legal jurisdiction of
the United Kingdom: giving birth to Sealand's national motto of E Mare
SealandThe Principality of Sealand is a unique little micronation with
a colorful history. Located six miles off the eastern shores of
Britain, it is one of four Maunsell Naval Sea Forts deployed by
Britain during World War 2. It was originally called Roughs Tower, and
The structure Sealand is built upon is technically a very large sunken
ship, due to the way it was deployed. It was built in 1942 on a
pontoon barge at Red Lion Wharf as a superstructure of two hollow
ruled that Sealand was outside of British jurisdiction, therefore no
ruling could be made against the Bates boys for their actions. The
authorities decided not to appeal this ruling, as it may have led to
an undesirable precedent.
that Sealand came under UK control so get out.
As was pointed out at the time, you cant just extended your own
sovereignty over someone elses. So Sealand stays.
On an aside, is anyone else vaguely suspicious of excatly what is
hmmm it seems sealand has just recently had a massive fire and is
barely livable. interesting
Quote this » rougevert #4 December 3rd, 2006 5:51 pm
I am intrigued by the idea of pirate broadcasters having helicopters.
Constitutional Monarchy of Sealand is now in bad health conditions. I
wonder if the whole of the family and inhabitants make good use of the
NHS which funded by the taxes that instead WE all have to pay, or if
"The Principality of Sealand is a non-DMCA country. However, it's
information services are government regulated and specifically exclude
activities such as:
No pornography that would be considered illegal within the EU.
No infringement of copyright
The Principality of Sealand is a self-declared independent micronation
constructed on Roughs Tower, an abandoned WWII offshore fortress in
the North Sea six miles off the coast of Suffolk, England (51°53'40"N,
1°28'57"E). Sealand has not been formally recognized by any government
consistently ruled Sealand was not a part of the United Kingdom.
In 1978, while Prince Roy was away, a German man and several Dutch
citizens forcibly took over Roughs Tower and held Prince Roy's son,
other state recognizes the existence of Sealand, Sealand is not a
state under the theory's criteria.
Sealand believes it has de facto recognition. De facto recognition is
derived from actions and contacts between two states if they enter
into a relationship on a political level
question of Sealand's sovereignty was not judged. These cases include
a firearms incident in 1990, where Prince Roy fired upon the Royal
Maritime Auxiliary vessel "Golden Eye". The vessel believed itself to
be under attack and radioed the Thames Coastguard, and the vessel
Sealand has several ancillary features of a state, including a
constitution, a flag, a national anthem, a national motto, postage
stamps, currency (1 Sealand dollar equaling 1 US dollar), and
passports. Forged Sealand passports (genuine passports are not for
about Sealand matters, it is not clear, in practice, whether the
Tribunal constitutionally prescribed or the (perhaps ad hoc) tribunals
Advocate-General calls are typical. Note that in any case, per the
constitution, ultimate judicial power rests in the Sovereign.
Statutes
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While Sealand was originally located outside British territorial
boundaries, Britain extended its territorial water to 12 nautical
miles in 1987, thereby encompassing Sealand. To date, however, the
issue has not been formally challenged, although it is widely believed
choose Sealand is freedom. Sealand doesn't have any provisions
regarding the government of traffic data, and has entered in to an
agreement with HavenCo that says they never will. So long as a
customer abides by the company's Acceptable Use Policy, which is
What is Sealand? It is a concrete fortress built in 1940 as a part of
the British Empire’s air-defense infrastructure. The fortress was
known as Roughs Tower. It rests in the North Sea, 9.6 kilometers, or
six miles, offshore
Sealand and now is ready to turn his own "nation" into the world’s
first "data haven."
Due to the power - for good or ill - that could be wielded from
within the borders of Sealand, Prince Roy and his island cyber
government tried to reclaim Sealand back in 1968, the year I was born,
so it's very easy for me to remember. They wouldn’t have tried to
bring Sealand back under its wing unless they coveted it for
themselves. They feared what Sealand might one day become. It is a
Sealand has its own flag, passports, stamps and currency, which, as
one might expect, is pegged to the U.S. dollar. Sealand’s passports
are in great demand and have been forged by criminals. In 1968, a
Says Prince Roy: "Sealand could accomplish more if it had a greater
level of world recognition. If you are part of a recognized national
government, or know someone who is, we are interested in talking to
other nations about the benefits of mutual recognition. Even if you
people's minds, and the more people who know that Sealand is a real
place with real people and a real right to independence, the less
Sealand will remain just a strange legal curiosity, and the more it
will become a real world nation."
however, Sealand remains out of the legal reach of Britain and her
Commonwealth. But Bates’ fortress is not out of the reach of 6 billion
other citizens of the world who may wish to utilize her services.
"The Principality of Sealand is up for sale. The 550 square meter
steel platform boasts "uninterrupted sea views", complete privacy and
has been mentioned on Slashdot in the past for its offers of hosting
outside the jurisdiction of (some) traditional laws." sealand,
Sealand is a bit of a running joke for the people of Harwich. I
would contest their "uninterrupted sea views" as I'm fairly sure
that the very brightly coloured (luminous yellow!) Hotel
Sealand is all but destroyed (Score:4, Interesting)
by javaDragon (187973) on Monday January 08 2007, @09:01AM (#17507532)
Homepage According to Sealand's official website ,
as an aggressive action by the UK since Sealand was now entirely
within UK borders and was considered by the British to be UK soil.
Sealands response was to extend their borders to 10 miles as well
Risks: Drowning (the only way onto Sealand is by helicopter or pulley
chair); kidnapping (Prince Michael Roy was taken in 1978, though he
managed to escape); occasional threats of seizure (from the British,
in 1968, from a group of Dutch and German "businessmen," in 1978).
Since Roy of Sealand was still an English citizen, he was thus accused
of extensive crimes in Britain and was summoned to an English court.
The result of this lawsuit in Chelmsfort/Essex was a spectacular
success for Sealand's claim to sovereignty
during the extension of sea rights, so Sealand's sovereignty was
safely "grandfathered" in. Britain has no more right to Sealand's
territory than Sealand has to the territory of the British coastline
that falls within its claimed 12 nautical mile arc.
Sealand and warning shots were again fired. The ship's crew made
complaints to British authorities and a newspaper article ran
detailing the incident. Yet despite Britain's severe prohibition of
firearms, British authorities have never pursued the matter. This is a
Sealand passport (less than 300 exist today) it was difficult for
these to be easily detected as forgeries. The source of these
forgeries was traced back to the same German man who was involved in
the earlier attempt to take Sealand by force. Dubbing himself Mister
"The Principality of Sealand recognizes jus gentium and has undertaken
to regulate any activity with a view to compliance with jus gentium
and international law or to have it regulated."
The existence of the Principality of Sealand as a state and the "de
jus gentium and have stated that the Principality of Sealand is a
state based on international law and a number of acts undertaken by
other states indicating their "de facto" recognition of Sealand.
The United Kingdom's opinion would seem the most pertanent to the
Office", are told that Sealand is outside of British territory, and
that the "Foriegn Office" should be contacted.
A Nation For Sale
While Sealand has been the pride and joy of Prince Roy and his family
The Principality of Sealand proclaims its own constitution and has
adopted its own national flag, anthem, stamps as well as gold and
silver coins denoting the Sealand Dollar. The Sealand Casino is the
latest national treasure to celebrate The Principality's freedom.
Sealand is offering to match 100% of all first deposits or provide new
players with a £100 sign-up bonus.
Sealand Casino features over 300 games to choose from, including
fifteen progressive jackpots - currently rising to over £2m in value.
A Sealand Noble Title is available to those that choose to make a
contribution to The Principality, bestowing loyal subjects with lord
and ladyships.
The latest Principality of Sealand developments can be found at its
official digital newspaper, Sealandnews.com.
Principality of Sealand is surrounded by the sea. Technically, island
is not quite accurate as the country is actually a platform in the
sea, originally erected, not as an oil rig, but as a naval fort built
to re-take Sealand by force, the British government took legal action
against Prince Roy and brought their case before a court. However, the
court ruled that, since the tower lay outside British territorial
waters, the British government had no jurisdiction over Sealand. While
throwing Sealand into a legal limbo which had the effect of freeing it
from interference by the British government. Other European
governments have followed the British and have taken a hands off
approach of neither recognizing nor interfering with the Principality
of Sealand.
Bay today announced that the government of Sealand is willing to enter
negotiations with the group, which will be conducted by e-mail over
the next few days.
Although the likelihood of actually purchasing the platform is small,
The Pirate Bay has a backup plan
Sealand is an abandoned World War II anti-aircraft platform in the
Thames Estuary. It just outside the UK's 3-mile territorial water
limit. In the mid 1960s it was occupied by a British businessman, Roy
Bates, and his family
statement saying that in the British government's view Sealand remains
British territory and that if there are grounds to suspect that its
occupants have broken British law action will be taken.
The official site is apparently www.sealandgov.com. Another site at
http://www.fruitsofthesea.demon.co.uk/sealand/ is run by Roy Bates'
The nation of Sealand is composed of a steel and concrete platform
anchored to the bottom of the sea off the coast of England, not in the
Channel but in the North Sea. Once known as Roughs Tower, it was built