Floating Islands

[JasonMckerra]

I've been watching the activities of the SeaSteading Institute for some years, and it still seems that they are no closer to starting new countries on floating islands than they were a decade ago.

Well, a Korean company has successfully launched a series of much small floating islands, that will float in the Han River in Seoul.

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Along with two other artificial islets, Vista and Tera, to be launched by the end of April, the cluster of man-made floating islets will be used for conventions, water sports, restaurants, performances and exhibitions.

[Omneix Micrasius]

That looks like an interesting feat of engineering!  Of course the Han River must not be a very narrow or a very crowded one.  In some bays and rivers, such structures, I could see how perhaps only few more than one of those might create obstacles, but then of course there is always the open sea--which is the SeaSteaders' dream, anyway.

[JasonMckerra]

The problem with the Seasteader's dream is building a structure that can survive the wild weather that occurs on the high seas.

I am sure that floating island will be perfectly stable in a sheltered river, but in 30 metre swells, it could just as easily flip over.

[Brandon]

Yeah... I just don't trust that sort of thing.

[Omneix Micrasius]

Here's a thought:

Thousands of people live out most of the year on the sea, living in the lap of luxury, surrounded by beautiful, interesting, and entertaining people.  They are the people who work on cruise ships.  They even have national sovereignty under their flags wherever they go in international waters, and if they want to gamble in a casino on board, they can.  I think that if you want to see how enjoyable or livable a micro-nation at sea would be, you should ask these people.  They might say that the occasional stomach illness is a problem, but otherwise they might say that it is "the life."  It sounds like these sea-steading structures could be as fun and exciting as cruise ships, just a little more permanent.  Anchor a few around the equator and you could have the next Bahamas.  Anchor a few in the Mediterranean and you could have the next Monaco.  Anchor one in the Indian Ocean and you could have the next Singapore.  And the founders would be starting from scratch.  Want the heavy-handed Singapore-style judicial system? Voila.  It's your sea-stead, run it how you want.  Want European-style healthcare?  Run it how you want.  Want Texas-style lack of healtchare?  Run it how you want.  I think the SeaSteading people might have this kind of freedom to decide how to run things in mind.  However I think also the cruise-ship-style vacation setting possibilities could be a factor in their minds too.  Imagine being a professor and taking your sabbatical...on a SeaStead anchored in the Arctic ocean studying marine specimens while lounging along with thousands of others inside an indoor greenhouse that contains an ampitheater where you favorite band is playing.

[JasonMckerra]

So we'll all be free when we're super rich?

That isn't really a practical suggestion for a new country 

[JasonMckerra]

smh article about a yaht/island idea being pitched.



Estimated cost, $160 million.

[Omneix Micrasius]

But the cost of that isn't practical!

[Omneix Micrasius]

So it's a good idea when YOU propose a 160 million dollar yacht, Kieran? 

[JasonMckerra]

For a multitude of reasons, I reckon the idea of new countries on the high seas is absolutely absurd. I would hardly think a $160 million price tag was practical.