Man Attempting to Cross Atlantic in Makeshift Hamster Wheel Boat Arrested
A daring attempt to run across the Atlantic Ocean to London using a homemade hamster wheel boat has landed a Florida man, Reza Baluchi, in hot water. Baluchi’s audacious adventure was cut short when he was apprehended by the US Coast Guard (USCG) about 70 miles off the coast of Georgia on August 26th. His dream was to make it all the way to the UK.
Court documents reveal that the USCG deemed Baluchi’s makeshift vessel “manifestly unsafe.” It relied on buoys and wiring to stay afloat. His voyage coincided with the looming threat of Hurricane Franklin, a formidable category four storm, making its way through the Caribbean and towards the US.
Baluchi, however, showed a determined spirit by refusing to disembark from his unconventional vessel for three days. Eventually, officers managed to safely extract him, bringing him back to shore two days later.
According to the court papers, Baluchi claimed to have a Florida registration on board but was unable to locate it. He also revealed his intended destination—London, England.
In a concerning twist, Baluchi brandished two 12-inch knives (about the size of a 30cm ruler) and threatened self-harm if officers attempted to remove him. Law enforcement personnel stayed vigilant on the scene, and on the following day, August 27th, Baluchi allegedly threatened to “blow himself up.”
These threats prompted the involvement of bomb disposal experts after he was observed holding wires. However, on August 28th, shortly after officers tried to deliver food and water, Baluchi admitted that the threat was a hoax, stating that the bomb was not real.
On August 29th, officers successfully removed Baluchi from his vessel and transported him ashore in a small boat, concluding this latest encounter with the coast guard. Notably, Baluchi has had previous run-ins with the authorities involving similar homemade vessels in 2014, 2016, and 2021.
Baluchi’s adventurous spirit may be commendable, but his unorthodox endeavors have raised safety concerns and legal repercussions, leaving his dreams of an Atlantic crossing unfulfilled.