A man dedicated two years of his life to converting an abandoned oil rig lifeboat into a new home (stock image) (Image: Getty)
A man who has devoted the past two years to restoring an abandoned oil rig lifeboat into a habitable has revealed how the newly-completed project has changed his .
Johnny Sturgeon set to work on Orla in 2023, having had no previous experience of building work, but now he’s the proud owner of a fully functioning floating home. “678 days later, she is finally finished,” Johnny began in a video. “So for the very first time, welcome to the tour of Orla.”
Enthusiastic Johnny showcased his vessel home’s exterior first, revealing he had given it a new lease of life by patching up holes, providing a new lick of paint and installing 1,100 watts of solar panels. He’s also added CCTV cameras, new windows, grab rails and signage.
Heading inside, Johnny explained that he had removed several decades’ worth of dirt and diesel spills, as well as dozens of seatbelts to “make way for a modern home”. He showed off his bathroom with composting toilet, “steamy shower” and ample storage space, before heading into the living area.
Fully furnished with a table and seating area, work surfaces and a cooker, Johnny revealed: “Where the engine once sat is now my kitchen – decorated with tiles I hand-pressed from recyclable materials. My sink is positioned by a sliding window which I custom built so I can watch the world go by as I’m washing up.”
Venturing further, Johnny said the comfy benches on either side of the lifeboat doubled up as guest beds, whilst his own bedroom – a cosy, sage green space – offered all the comfort he could wish for. He added that he’d rewired the lifeboat’s original control panel into light switches, whilst he’d upcycled his childhood dining table onto a rotating leg for storage convenience.
“It’s been two years of blood, sweat and many tears,” he said at the end of his tour. “Yes, Orla is a million miles from the shell I bought. But so too am I! I wasn’t a particularly well young man when I started the boat and watching the smile on my face at seeing her complete is the achievement I am most proud of.”
Johnny closed: “Though construction on Orla has largely come to an end, it’s made me realise that I get the greatest joy doing something practical and hands on. The first 21 years of my life, I thought I was best suited to traditional education and writing from behind a desk – yet Orla has fundamentally shifted my mindset. Indeed, the project has fundamentally changed what it is that I now want from life.”
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Johnny’s video went viral, with more than 2.5 million users tuning in for a glimpse of the completed project. “Can’t believe it’s been two years and the finale has shown up in my feed,” one person said. “Congratulations on your success! Now go enjoy Orla!”
A second person praised: “Congratulations, followed your journey from the start. Awesome achievement, enjoy.” A third added: “The transformation is crazy! Spent a lot of time in those boats doing drills and whatnot offshore.”
Whilst a fourth user gushed: “What a amazing journey for you, Orla, and us following along from home. So glad to hear this is not the end goal video, but a major milestone. Here’s to setting the course for the future.”
Finding a negative, however, one sceptic simply penned in response to the clip: “Step one. Have money.” However, Johnny set the record straight: “Sorry to disappoint but not quite the case! No money from friends/family, just all hard graft, the generosity of followers, and lots of marketing/brand partnerships. Worked hard for it all.”