Johnny Sturgeon, a man who has spent the last two years transforming an abandoned oil rig lifeboat into a liveable space, has shared how the completed project has revolutionised his life. Johnny embarked on the restoration of Orla in 2023, despite having no prior experience in construction, and he is now the proud owner of a fully operational floating home.
“678 days later, she is finally finished,” Johnny announced in a TikTok video. “So for the very first time, welcome to the tour of Orla.”
A thrilled Johnny began by showing off the exterior of his boat home, which he had revitalised by repairing holes, applying a fresh coat of paint, and installing 1,100 watts of solar panels.
He also added CCTV cameras, new windows, grab rails, and signage. Inside, Johnny revealed that he had cleared several decades’ worth of grime and diesel spills, as well as numerous seatbelts, to “make way for a modern home”.
He proudly displayed his bathroom, complete with a composting toilet, a “steamy shower”, and plenty of storage space, before moving on to the living area. Fully equipped with a table and seating area, work surfaces, and a cooker, Johnny disclosed: “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.”
Johnny shared that the comfortable benches flanking the sides of his lifeboat serve as beds for guests, while his own bedroom – a snug, sage green retreat – provides all the comfort he desires. He’s ingeniously rewired the lifeboat’s original control panel into light switches and transformed his childhood dining table with a rotating leg for easy storage.
Reflecting on the journey, Johnny confessed: “It’s been two years of blood, sweat and many tears,” and acknowledged the profound transformation he has undergone, not just the boat. “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.”
He concluded by expressing how the project has reshaped his future aspirations: “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.”
The video showcasing Johnny’s endeavour has captivated over 2.5 million TikTok viewers.
One user commented, “Can’t believe it’s been two years and the finale has shown up in my feed,” adding, “Congratulations on your success! Now go enjoy Orla!”.
One person commended: “Congratulations, followed your journey from the start. Awesome achievement, enjoy.”
Another remarked on the diligence it took: “The transformation is crazy! Spent a lot of time in those boats doing drills and whatnot offshore.”
Meanwhile, a TikTok user expressed admiration saying: “What an 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.”
On the flipside, a critic curtly commented on the clip, “Step one. Have money.”
But Johnny was quick to clarify, asserting, “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.”