Express.co.uk
'I turned an abandoned oil rig lifeboat into a cosy home that's worth £47k'
Johnny Sturgeon spent two years converting an abandoned oil rig lifeboat into a habitable home and shared a look inside the 'crazy' project.
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From Oil Rig Lifeboat to Floating Dream Home: A Two-Year Transformation
After 678 days of dedicated work, a remarkable transformation has been completed on 'Orla,' an abandoned oil rig lifeboat. What was once a derelict vessel is now a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing floating tiny home, showcasing an impressive feat of engineering and design. The creator, known as Orla Lifeboat, embarked on this ambitious project two years ago with no prior building experience. The exterior of the lifeboat has been completely refurbished, featuring a new coat of dark blue paint, 1100 watts of solar panels for sustainable energy, CCTV cameras, and a new transom-mounted outboard engine for propulsion. Inside, the vessel has been stripped of its industrial past, making way for a modern, light-filled interior. Key features include a compact bathroom with a composting toilet and a hot shower, a custom-built kitchen with hand-pressed recycled tiles, and a comfortable living area with benches that convert into guest beds. The bow houses a cozy sage-green bedroom. The original control panel has been ingeniously repurposed as a light switch, and a childhood dining table has been upcycled with a rotating leg, demonstrating creative solutions for limited space. This project not only highlights innovative living solutions but also represents a significant personal journey for the creator, who expressed profound growth through the hands-on experience. The completed 'Orla' is now ready for life afloat, with future videos promised to document ongoing adventures.
