Post by jeff on Feb 9, 2016 23:41:06 GMT
So far, there are no 'Seasteads', or 'Gulfsteads', so the definition is open to interpretation, however, the terms originate from 'homestead'.
A Seastead would be a homestead at sea, and a Gulfstead would be a homestead in a 'Gulf'... 'Seasteaders' are aiming for the few zones that are totally outside national waters. Given the interwoven and complex EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zones), the idea is to set up new nations and potentially avoid being subject to taxation, as well as the restrictions of various legal systems.
However, there are problems with the concepts generally touted as possible. Namely the vast quantities of funding necessary to build the floating city projects, but energy resources, sewage handling, and food supplies are generally neglected in the fanciful artwork, or inadequately covered in other aspects.
In addition, there are technicalities... IF a homestead/seastead is built on a barge platform, it will be certified as a barge, by international conventions. Any sort of boat, or vessel capable of independant travel will be certified as a boat, or ship, regardless of sails, or motors. Liveaboards are living in a boat, generally a sailing craft, however a motoryacht is also a viable liveaboard. Additionally, a houseboat may, or may not be powered, however, they are dependent on shore connections for sewage treatment and disposal, as well as generally making use of shore supplied water and electricity. Generally speaking, a houseboat is intended for long-term mooring in protected waters, with the aforementioned connections.
There is one alternative, not yet developed, which is my goal. There is room for a definition to be determined, by what it is and is not.
A) It needs to be energy independent.
B) It needs to not have an independent means of propulsion, and, therefor, a permanent mooring. Being adrift without some sort of propulsion is possible, but not something sane people should consider.
C) It needs to have its' own, self-contained sewage treatment.
1) There are legal ramifications on the disposal of sewage at sea.
2) Nobody wants to be afloat in a cesspool, anyway.
D) The structure, in order to not be a specific, can fit within one of several existing inspection categories... 'Boat-like Hull', and offshore platforms being the two categories that come to mind, easiest. A 'boat-like hull' can have provision for retrofitting a means of propulsion, or even merely have the standard means removed, but, in order to not be a boat/ship, it can't have that means afixed, even if it is carried aboard, however, once afixed, it becomes a vessel, with respect to being navigable, and subject to those international conventions that apply to any powered vessel.
TSI (The Seasteading Institute) is currently focusing on a concept to build a 'city' on a 50 meter by 50 meter ferrocement barge. As such, they plan to use publicity and public declaration, to gain the name of 'seastead', even though it is not a homestead, will be intentionally moored in sheltered waters of a host nation, make use of shore connection for energy, and collect and dispose of sewage elsewhere, all at a cost of millions to buy a condo, and continual fees for services and management, as well as being subject to the laws of that nation, despite their continual declaration of intended political autonomy.
For my intents and purposes, I am going to pursue the 'boat-like hull' category. That gives it a set of standard requirements for inspection purposes, but avoids the propulsion.
A Seastead would be a homestead at sea, and a Gulfstead would be a homestead in a 'Gulf'... 'Seasteaders' are aiming for the few zones that are totally outside national waters. Given the interwoven and complex EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zones), the idea is to set up new nations and potentially avoid being subject to taxation, as well as the restrictions of various legal systems.
However, there are problems with the concepts generally touted as possible. Namely the vast quantities of funding necessary to build the floating city projects, but energy resources, sewage handling, and food supplies are generally neglected in the fanciful artwork, or inadequately covered in other aspects.
In addition, there are technicalities... IF a homestead/seastead is built on a barge platform, it will be certified as a barge, by international conventions. Any sort of boat, or vessel capable of independant travel will be certified as a boat, or ship, regardless of sails, or motors. Liveaboards are living in a boat, generally a sailing craft, however a motoryacht is also a viable liveaboard. Additionally, a houseboat may, or may not be powered, however, they are dependent on shore connections for sewage treatment and disposal, as well as generally making use of shore supplied water and electricity. Generally speaking, a houseboat is intended for long-term mooring in protected waters, with the aforementioned connections.
There is one alternative, not yet developed, which is my goal. There is room for a definition to be determined, by what it is and is not.
A) It needs to be energy independent.
B) It needs to not have an independent means of propulsion, and, therefor, a permanent mooring. Being adrift without some sort of propulsion is possible, but not something sane people should consider.
C) It needs to have its' own, self-contained sewage treatment.
1) There are legal ramifications on the disposal of sewage at sea.
2) Nobody wants to be afloat in a cesspool, anyway.
D) The structure, in order to not be a specific, can fit within one of several existing inspection categories... 'Boat-like Hull', and offshore platforms being the two categories that come to mind, easiest. A 'boat-like hull' can have provision for retrofitting a means of propulsion, or even merely have the standard means removed, but, in order to not be a boat/ship, it can't have that means afixed, even if it is carried aboard, however, once afixed, it becomes a vessel, with respect to being navigable, and subject to those international conventions that apply to any powered vessel.
TSI (The Seasteading Institute) is currently focusing on a concept to build a 'city' on a 50 meter by 50 meter ferrocement barge. As such, they plan to use publicity and public declaration, to gain the name of 'seastead', even though it is not a homestead, will be intentionally moored in sheltered waters of a host nation, make use of shore connection for energy, and collect and dispose of sewage elsewhere, all at a cost of millions to buy a condo, and continual fees for services and management, as well as being subject to the laws of that nation, despite their continual declaration of intended political autonomy.
For my intents and purposes, I am going to pursue the 'boat-like hull' category. That gives it a set of standard requirements for inspection purposes, but avoids the propulsion.