In a plan that sounds like it comes straight from a James Bond novel, a tech entrepreneur wants to launch a floating city for tech startups that will rest in international waters, far from the reach of any government.

The idea behind Blueseed is to have a floating city anchored at sea off the coast of California, just outside the 12 mile limit for U.S. territorial waters. This way the companies on board can hire anyone from around the world, without having to worry about visas and work permits.

Those with the proper paperwork can still reach the Silicon Valley tech centers with just a short ride by boat or helicopter, while those without visas can continue to work as off-shore tech pirates.

This all reminds me a bit of the pirate radio scene around Britain in the mid 1960's, when floating radio ships broadcast commercial pop radio across the country. The government eventually stopped it by making it an offense to service the ships with food and crew changes.

If all of this sounds like some fantasy pipe dream, it's important to know that there is real money behind Blueseed. Venture capitalist and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel has already committed $500,000 to the project, and 133 tech startups have requested space on the ship.

If all goes to plan, the ship is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2013.

Blueseed, via PopSci