Theoretically speaking, let's say someone were to start a city at sea. A fishing community. It would basically start out looking like a floating trailer park with Houseboats, barges wave runners etc. Like in other cities, there would be specific jobs related to the city at sea. Fisherman of course. Engineers and mechanics to keep the boats going. Electricians for solar, wind and water power equipment. Would need teachers eventually as the community itself grows.

I intend to be the first to pioneer the idea once I get the money saved up to invest in a houseboat. Once I am to this point, other possibilities will open up but for now I see no need in mentioning it, but I wouldn't mind expanding on it if asked.

I know this is a far fetched idea, but I feel with the right people and a lot of hard work, it would be a successful project. The main barge ( which will pretty much be the heart of the place) will be located roughly 20-30 miles off the coast of Carolina. This fish gathered will be used to feed the community and the rest can be sold at markets on land for extra income. To be a proper success, we would need a minimum of 10 boats with the mentioned jobs above.

The barge would be primarily equipped with solar panels, wind and water turbines with a substantial power reserve to charge boats that dock. It will also be equipped with multiple wood docks for boats to dock at. The barge it self will be designed like a trash carrier for its size and engine power. The main house of the barge will be pretty much for the person in charge. Not intense rules considering that would be the main reason a lot of people would be there.

Now that the basics are laid out, here is my dream

I am a member of Marinas. I have a cook job. I have my own houseboat with its own set of solar panels. A custom built garage for the speed boat ( best mode of transportation to and from land) and a couple wave runners. The speed boat would pretty much be my car and the wave runners would be bikes. My houseboat would have between 2-3 rooms, depends if I have a family or not. With specially built wooden planks to better dock with other boats are collapse able and easily stored when not in use and or a storm comes. The garage will double as a patio for parties and or cook outs. It can be accessed via the upper walkway of the houseboat (which a lot of them have). Would be no real need for currency though it will still be present for practical purposes. I would perform the service of cooking for everyone that comes by. Basically I would have a restaurant as well as my Houseboat. Undecided if i would have it part of my boat or have it be its own thing. I might make it its own that way I can just take it over to the main barge where everyone can dock at and enjoy my food which I acquire from the fisherman. Considering its at sea and not land, there is no need for property lines or inspections.

One of the key points of this project is you earn your keep. No government assistance to keep people from bettering themselves. Yes I feel government assistance is a crutch that is ultimately crippling this nation. In a fishing community, there is always something to do.Fishing, equipment repairs, and down the road, tourists may enjoy our facilities. I am also a writer, so I know the peace and quiet of the ocean could be very inspiring. Musicians can come relax and write their music. Become one with the ocean life. Everyone has their own ocean front property. Don'tt like your neighbor? Pull up anchor and simply move. For the gardeners, you can build your own deck and create your own green house. guess what? no permits needed. The possibilites are endless what we can do. Technology is coming a long way since the pilgrims and all. We have weather radios to warn us when storms are coming. We have sonars to tell us where the fish are. We have generators, solar power, wind and water turbines for power.

As a community, we can work together through the hardships. No it will not be easy, but just imagine the freedom you would have. Need a job? Simply do it. No online applications, no background checks. You wanna work? he grab this, bam, you are employed. Like the old days. There is no one left behind unless they make it that way.

I know i said I wouldn't bother mentioning it, but yes I do have plans on how to fund this project. Did you know that if you have solar power and or wind power hooked up to your house that the unused power gets fed back into the system?  And guess what, the power company HAS to pay you for that energy, and at the rates they charge everyone. So let's say you had a huge warehouse, nothing to use power, had it fully set up with solar power on the roof and in the yard. Have a few wind turbines set up on the property as well. All of that energy is being fed back to the power company and you get paid for every watt. So with this set up, we can fund builds, everyday supplies and medical as needed. With such a facility, we would also have positions on land as care taker. He will maintain the grounds and keep the land docks for supply runs. After all, hygiene products, spices, tools, and other things will still be needed and are essential to survival. There will always be room for people at Marinas. To start out, you would have to provide your own boat. It will pretty much be a help you help yourself type thing.

Marinas, where the fruit of the sea is life.

Not sure how much of a discussion this will make, but I look forward to hearing feedback from any point of views.

That sounds very very interesting! I love thoughts like this. 

It would be similar to a communism, but very small scaled. 20 miles out... would you still be under the protection of the USA? You would be out of the territorial zone, but still in their economic zone. 

The reason I ask is because you want to make sure you don't get taken advantage of by local pirates. I know off the coast of California is not where most pirates are, but after people know you are there, some will no doubt try to rob from you... even if you don't have much to rob. 

Or maybe not. 

Anyway, it's a really cool idea.

Light Knight : Yeah I don't know much about the pirates or their activities, but seems like they wouldnt be many out there left, pirating is a dying trade. Besides, being outside of rules of USA, we could carry arms easily to protect ourselves from such petty incidents. But yeah, with it being a floating city of sorts, when weather is predicted to be bad, can just up and move to a safer location. Pirates were never a real concern

Stage 1 of my master plan is underway. I started my new job Monday and the pay is decent. Next stage of my plan is pay off all current debts, then car. Then I can start saving up for my very own houseboat Considering I live in Florida, close to the east coast, that is probably going to be where the start of my new world will be. Odds are I will be the one that starts the whole project, and that is perfectly fine. I can be the pioneer of Marinas, the city at sea. I want my boat to be about 30-50 feet in length with 2-3 bedrooms.  So this will most likely have to be custom built to meet my personal specifications. I would prefer it to be a pontoon style as its base. Not sure if an electric motor would be practical or not. If so, I will go electric all the way, that way I can utilize solar power.  And as I stated before, I will build a type of shed add on to store a speed boat and a porch area on top of it.

It would be the perfect place to be able to just get away. Anchor it down that way I wont drift off. Be great fishing. Wouldn't have to worry about neighbors calling the cops for being too loud. It would be a freedom not experienced in many years for a lot of my citizens that chose to join my small village.

Oh great! Looking forward to hear the updates to come! How long do you think until you have all your debts paid off and can start saving for your boat?

Looks like a nice plan. Living on your own, no neighbours... Man, if Barcelona could also have a place for boats like that...

My recommendation is that you should aim for solar power, at least is what I would choose. Producing your own energy is the first step into the future, so if you really want to pioneer a new city you should aim for something that other cities don't have, so as to draw in more potential citizens. About it being practical, electric engines are developing rapidly, so maybe when you can afford the boat the engines are completely different from today. You don't have to worry about batteries taking forever to recharge, as you can stay in the boat while it charges, unlike an electric car.

A little less seriously, maybe you could become a Vizzed journalist and meet users all over the world, at least those close to the sea. Vizzed diaries, with your host Darthdaishi.

EX Palen : Yeah, I am all about solar and wind power. and I hope I will be able to get a good electric engine when time comes.

Light Knight : I am not sure how long it will take to get things all caught up but I will keep my followers informed on my progress here and also my facebook page of Marinas

Reopened because the thread creator wanted to post new updates for this thread and I see no reason why it can't still be open

Well, I hit a bit of a snag when the engine of our truck seized up, but we almost have enough to finish the repairs, so that is one less thing to worry about. i have been working diligently one lowering my debt, so it is only a matter of time till Marinas is afloat........ Pun intended hahaha.