'Ain’t claiming the open sea—it’s claiming a patch of territory on the seabed.
Slightly more seriously, though, SamuelA’s post is probably the most on-the-money when it comes to a defense of a strategy like this.
Although, to combine the two, or just be sillier, if you’re in shallow enough water (or have access to a shallow patch), you might built up enough dirt/rock to create a tiny artificial island, proclaim that to be the territory of your new country, and just do most of the actual country-building work underwater.
Or on permanently moored platforms or barges. Which is more practical, but lacks the artistic flair.
But underwater you’ll never pull it off. If you were Bill Gates rich you’d spend all your money keeping people alive and fed. You’d have no money for torpedoes and machine guns.
You’re better off claiming a slice of Antarctica, or an unused island like Siple, which has the advantage of being actual land, in no one’s economic zone of control, and even if your initial settlement was on a “claimed” part, you’d likely just be regarded as a silly nuisance not worth the effort to get rid of. Only after you were well established would anyone start to wonder if they should do something.
Well, in Bioshock they have magic powers, so being underwater is somehow not too serious of a problem. In a sci fi scenario, if Bill Gates had a self-replicating industrial plant, it wouldn’t cost him anything to expand the colony or keep it running.
Both scenarios are not the universe we live in, I’m just saying, if you *could *set up shop underwater and torpedo anyone who objected hard enough that no one finds it worth it to stop you, you get to stay there.
TL; DR, US millionaire tried to create artificial island and declare independence, the nearest country (Tonga) objected and claimed the reef, even though it wasn’t in their territory. Nearby nations recognized Tonga’s claim and that was that.
If someone wants to try again I suggest picking a reef thats even further from any actual country. Maybe start at point Nemo and look for the closed reef thats semi submerged to that? Good luck!
What about a permanent large houseboat (city ship?) like an old carrier, the Freedom Ship, or The World?
Do they HAVE to fly the flag of an existing nation, or are they free to collaboratively form a new state, abandon previous citizenships, hire a mercenary escort, etc.?
You can do whatever you want. And the various navies, armies, police forces, courts, and prison guards employed by various countries around the world get to.do whatever they want.
You become an independent country when people around the world act as if you are an independent country. There’s no magic pixie dust.
The problem is that it is very difficult to convince other countries to.act as if you are independent, and even if they do that doesn’t mean they will let you do whatever you like.
