Reza Baluchi, known for unusual seafaring attempts, was stopped by the Coast Guard 70 miles off Georgia’s coast.
A Florida man, Reza Baluchi, was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard after attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a “human-powered hamster wheel.” He was discovered around 70 miles off the coast of Georgia while Hurricane Franklin approached, raising immediate concerns for his safety.
The Coast Guard reported that Baluchi’s vessel was kept afloat only by wiring and buoys, making it structurally precarious. After officers reached him, he engaged in a standoff for three days before being arrested on August 28. Baluchi threatened to harm himself if they boarded, displaying two knives as a warning.
At one point, Baluchi also threatened to detonate a bomb, which later proved to be non-existent. This led officers to consult the Navy about the supposed device before he revealed it was a bluff, according to a federal court complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for Southern Florida.
Baluchi stated his goal was to reach London using his handmade “hydro-pod” vessel. The journey was one of several such attempts he has made over the years. In 2014, the Coast Guard found him similarly trying to cross the ocean in an inflatable bubble, intending to circle the Bermuda Triangle.
He now faces an obstruction of boarding charge. Federal court records indicate he has signed a bond agreement for $250,000, though conditions of his release have not been publicly detailed.
His legal representative has been directed to appear on his behalf, and Baluchi has yet to respond to further questions about the incident.
