the principality of sealand is an unrecognized micronation that claims hm fort roughs (also known as roughs tower) as its territory. roughs tower is an offshore platform in the north sea around off the coast of suffolk. roughs tower was used as a sea fort in international waters during world war ii. since 1987, the tower has been occupied by the family and associates of paddy roy bates, a former british army major. bates took the tower from pirate radio broadcasters in 1967. sealand was invaded by mercenaries in 1978. sealand was able to defeat the attack. the platform has been in british territory since 1987, when the united kingdom made its territorial waters larger.