Paddy Roy Bates

Paddy Roy Bates was a former Royal Navy officer who seized the offshore gun platform Sealand in 1967. He went on to launch a pirate radio station and declared independence for the platform, creating the short-lived but infamous Principality of Sealand. Bates was a charismatic figure who was known for his eccentricity and his love of adventure. He was a skilled sailor and engineer, and was able to maintain Sealand's infrastructure despite its remote location. Bates passed away in 2012, but his legacy lives on as a pioneer of pirate radio and a symbol of independence. He was active on Twitter and had a small following on Instagram. He did not have a YouTube channel or website.