The death penalty comment made this click bait for me, but I actually think the real story is even more interesting. Any government penalty involving loss, whether of money, freedom or even life, is frightening. But when individuals act in free ways (like building or inhabiting a structure in international waters), it is a unique challenge. How does it impact rules about where borders are? Is there a real safety issue for ships or housing occupants? Who built it? Why? Were permissions needed? met? Is it good housing? fun? dangerous because of weather? pirates?
I always vote to "push the desire for freedom button," but the questions raised by individual choices are extremely valuable when considered by non-dualistic thought. For me, the latter element makes this a more important story than one of passing interest that resulted from click bait.