A Man Bought a Pirate Ship Online and Settled on a Riverbank (5 photos)

A 35-year-old father from the UK decided to radically change his life. He sold his ordinary house, bought a pirate ship for £500 on eBay, and settled on the banks of a river. But his dream of living far from civilization turned into a protracted conflict with the local authorities.





The man moved there in 2024, investing all his savings in the off-grid living project, but still hasn't been able to officially register the place as his permanent residence.

According to Sam, the mortgage was the deciding factor. After 12 years of living in a regular house, the payments became prohibitive, so he decided to start from scratch. He found a ship's frame on eBay, but had to haul it from London on a trailer. The vessel was flooded and required major repairs, but, as he admits, "it had an immediate sense of character."



Having worked in construction since the age of 17, the British man single-handedly transformed the wooden hull into a fully-fledged living space. He cleared the site, reinforced the foundation, added extensions, and used old building materials he had saved over the years. The house's curved shape presented a challenge, but preserving the ship's "soul" was crucial to him.

Today, a wood-burning sauna and outbuildings on stilts have also appeared around Daisy Mae.





Despite the winter, Sam claims to be warm. The house is heated by wood stoves and a diesel heater, and there's a forest nearby where firewood is readily available. Due to the risk of flooding, all buildings on the approximately 100 square meter plot are elevated above ground.

The only household complication, according to the man, is the composting toilet, located in a separate wooden hut, which must be reached via a bridge.



In the future, Sam dreams of turning this place into a small wellness center. He wants to host guests, conduct outdoor activities, offer a sauna, cold-water swimming, forest walks, and canoeing. However, without an official address and building permit, these plans remain just an idea.

Until the status of the housing is determined, the British man cannot earn money from the project or even host his daughter for an overnight stay. He says he is entirely dependent on the municipality's decision, which could either save the project or destroy it.

Wyre County Council confirmed that the property is under active investigation and declined to comment until the investigation is complete.