>>15815159>Every realistic plan to create a "confederacy" would start with a flotilla of ocean cargo ships.>Even the small ones could easily provide enough living space and volume for infrastructure to house 500 people.I've seen this before, and it's interesting, but difficult. Except for a few that are built in places like Sweden, these things are built down to a price. They aren't meant to need maintenance, because they just scuttle them after their livespan.
>- How do you power the stuff?This is why I think small, human-scale groups are more doable. Nobody is over-extended. If you can handle your own stuff, any extra can be shared (if you go the hippy sea gypsy commune route).
>- How do you make money so you can replace broken shit and expand operations?This is attempting to move industrial production to the sea. Not really feasible.
>- How do you protect yourself from pirates (depends on region)?Don't make yourself a big, fat target.
>- How do you provide an internet connection for a few thousand people + potential services?Forget Internet. Okay, if you really want email or something text-based like that, you can go packet radio. If you do Internet, it's back to Usenet, email, maybe IRC. Comms should be either face-to-face or over VHF/SSB.
Now, sea farming is a great idea. Establish oyster colonies where you can, where it's not terribly accessible, would be an example. Hidden/secret reefs where reliable pelagic fish can be harvested. Lots of options here.
