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Obscure Country Profile #8: Sealand
By James Marshall
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The story of Sealand is a convoluted one. Located on an abandoned World War II anti-aircraft platform in the North Sea, it can hardly be classified as a "land" at all. Yet, despite substantial claims to the contrary, it declares itself to be a legitimate independent country.
Sealand became a geographical entity instead of just another abandoned platform when a retired British Army major named Paddy Roy Bates occupied a tower there in 1967. Bates claims that Sealand was founded on the principle that any group of people dissatisfied with the oppressive laws and restrictions of existing nation states may declare independence in any place not under the jurisdiction of another sovereign entity. Located seven miles off the English coast, Sealand arguably lies in international waters, and although it may not be a natural island, it certainly is a "place." Thus, Bates' official declaration in 1976, and Sealand's national motto of E Mare Libertas, or "From the Sea, Freedom.”
Following the declaration, Bates crowned himself Prince Roy his wife Princess Joan. They began issuing coins, passports, and stamps for their new country which, although not recognized as official currency, survive as collectors items.
Sealand Coin
Sealand’s official status was disputed in court for the first time following an incident with the British Navy. Units of the British Navy entered the territorial waters claimed by Roy of Sealand, and in defense of his sovereignty, Roy of Sealand threatened the Navy by firing warning shots at the repair buoys. Since Roy of Sealand was technically still an English citizen, he was accused of extensive crimes in Britain and called to an English court.
It was during this trial that Sealand approached official recognition as a sovereign state. In its judgment the court declared that it was not competent in Roy of Sealand's case, as it could not exert any jurisdiction outside of British national territory. This is the first de facto recognition of the Principality of Sealand. English law had ruled that since Sealand was not part of the United Kingdom, nor did any other nation claim it, Prince Roy's declaration of a new Sovereign State was de facto upheld.
The Principality, in all its glory
Sealand’s economy received a boost recently when a company called HavenCo announced plans to operate a complex of Internet servers in the “country,” out of the reach of more established governmental controls in Britain and Europe. HavenCo's plan is to allow any sort of Internet services to be hosted at Sealand, with the exception of child pornography and spam. As the name implies, the company will serve as a "haven" to enterprises that can't manage to be legal anywhere else. Minimal restriction means that more than a few shady online projects may eventually find in Sealand a place to call home. The economic development has changed Sealand; access to the platform is now highly restricted, which may hurt tourism...
Today, Prince Roy lives alone on the tower at sixty feet above the sea. His wife and co-ruler Princess Joan moved away from Sealand, as above the North Sea was apparently bad for her arthritis.
It seems that the Principality of Sealand has a fighting chance, nonetheless.
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James Marshall is Canadian. Please direct comments to mail@methree.net.
© 2003 Me Three