Coast Guard Gives Bubble Man An Ultimatum
The man who plans to make the 1,000 mile journey from Florida to Bermuda in a bubble has been “given an ultimatum” by the U.S. Coast Guard – that he is to provide a self-rescue plan or his “trip could be terminated.”
Reza Baluchi has already attempted to make the journey, and was rescued by the Coast Guard back in 2014, when he was reportedly found in a disoriented state and asking for directions to Bermuda.
Mr Baluchi was rescued by a Coast Guard aircrew some 70 miles off Florida in 2014, with the rescue mission costing the Coast Guard more than $140,000.
Back in 2014, the Coast Guard warned Mr Baluchi of the dangers of his voyage to Bermuda, saying they had “grave concerns regarding his safety” in his “human powered travel from Miami to Bermuda in the hydro pod.”
The Coast Guard Captain said as the “vessel” was being powered by Mr Baluchi “running and leaning from one side to the other,” he was “putting himself in grave danger on the high seas.”
Audio of the Coast Guard warning Mr Baluchi in 2014
Florida’s Sun Sentinel reports that, “While waiting for better weather to take his hydro pod floating bubble out to sea, the endurance athlete and Pompano Beach resident was given an ultimatum by the Coast Guard Friday — provide a self-rescue plan or else.
“If Mr. Baluchi intends to attempt another hydro pod adventure on the high seas he will need to provide his plan for vessel escort and self rescue before departing,” Petty Officer Eric Woodall said in a statement.
“The Coast Guard has a proud history of providing lifesaving service to mariners in distress. However, we will not unnecessarily risk the lives of our Coast Guard men and women. As part of our dedicated service to this nation, we are obligated to ensure taxpayer money and resources are used efficiently and appropriately.”
Mr Baluchi is now apparently weighing his options and told the Sentinel, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to fight with the Coast Guard. I want peace. I’m a lover, not a fighter. I want to find a lawyer to help me.”
“I don’t want a boat to follow me. I know it’s dangerous inside the ocean, I don’t want to risk other people. It’s my choice, my life. I wanted to do something unique. Show children that anything is possible if you want it. Why are they doing this to me? This is the freedom I have?”
According to the Sentinel, the Coast Guard said that if Mr Baluchi does not comply with the outlined requirements “his trip could be terminated.”
ABC News video report on the attempted bubble journey
Idiot!!!!
Maybe the fake hunger striker should try this as her new weight loss programme.
How long are you pathetic losers going to use the “fake hunger striker” joke? Hasn’t it been played out yet, being the same one-liner heard at cocktail receptions, happy hour and social media over and over and over ever since government was neutered? It was funny for like two days.
It was a fake. Total phoney.
& your 100% undeniable proof of it being fake? Either produce it or keep your false accusations to yourself.
What do you want, a hi-def video?
Find new material.
She wont be back anyway. Her contract was for a single performance.
While waiting for better weather to take his hydro pod floating bubble out to sea, the endurance athlete and Pompano Beach resident was given an ultimatum by the Most Fard Friday .. Take Fayhe the Usuper with you or forget about it .
People ALWAYS use a distraction to divert from their embarrasment.
Thank you Coast Guard for proving that this guy and his fans need Psychological Evaluation.
Find a new code name.
It is new. It was only a couple of weeks ago.
You’re the ones still putting “-gate” on the end of everything. That’s getting lame.
While waiting for better weather to take his hydro pod floating bubble out to sea, the endurance athlete and Pompano Beach resident was given an ultimatum by the Coast Guard Friday , take Fayhe with you or forget about it .
This has NOTHING to to with my friend so leave her out of this A..HOLE
Your kids would rather have their Dad alive and well. There are other ways to be a hero Dad.
Actually, maybe this would help strengthen the gene pool.
I don’t think he’s too bright. I doubt it would be that hard for him to get a sponsor and crowd fund to pay for an escort. But instead he’s talking about spending money on a lawyer.
Oh well get a plan or your bubble shall be burst…
Let him go. Darwin will take care of him & the human gene pool will be deeper.
This man is inspiration to me. I admire his desire to do this. I too do not like authority and I would just go ahead and make the journey regardless of what they say. He is a fellow extreme sportsman, I am an extreme kayaker. I once kayaked the Drake Passage and then the Gates of Hell in the Congo River.
Nobody would fault the Coast Guard for letting this idiot die. He’s like the kind of person who goes out in the middle of a hurricane or other storm – just selfish and putting other people at risk for his idiocy.
And if this person makes it to bermuda’s shores – he too, will hope to get his pathway to status.
The part where he says he ‘wants to find a lawyer’ to help him….maybe someone needs to tell him that it’s definitely not a lawyer he needs.
On another note …. I actually thought that was Minister Faye in that ‘bubble’
I just happened upon this.
Sunday April 17th 2016.
Was checking my email for bills and I wondered what was going on at Bernews.
With all the things in life to do and enjoy a- holes still typing garbage.
Get a life folks.
Shalom.
Cmon over, just make sure you have $65 head tax for Bob Richards, and if you wait around long enough, you might even get status …
C’mon over, make sure you pack $65 in a ziplock for Bob Richards landing fee, and if you stay long enough, you could even get status, from Michael.
He looking for a few good men.
We will leave the front door open for you.
Um, I don’t know when it was the last time you checked but, THERE IS NO F!@#ING DOOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guess you didn’t get the MEMO about the Open Door Policy.
Come for a vacation, stay a little extra and we will turn a blind eye, as long as you don’t get into any trouble, hang out on Front Street and spend your summer sailing around the sound…
think its page 45 of the Secret Document you keep hearing about
Do they get any dumber?
Bubble man I will welcome you to Bermuda when you make it.
I have made a 1000NM Florida to Bermuda Crossing so I know what you are trying is possible. Please don’t mind the comments above I bet most of the bad comment people cant even swim they just seen to try to make themselves feel better in front of your courage.
Bubble man there are many in Bermuda Like me we are called water rats.
When you make it I will have your pair of Bermuda shorts,a T-shirt and a bottle of black waiting for you.
Did you make that journey in a vessel that weighed 75 lbs and had the windage of three barn doors , had no ability to steer itself , no reserve bouyancy , no head (toilet) , no galley (kitchen) , no stateroom (bedroom) and you were awake the entire journey while you paddled with your hands for the entire 1000 miles ?
I made it to Bermuda on my first crossing with little to no captain skills or experience.
Don’t underestimate Humans we are Gods creation and are capable of great things if we try are best and only fear Him..
Eccentrics LEAD the rest FOLLOW.