Man who tried to cross the Atlantic on a giant hamster wheel arrested over bomb threat

Reza Balochia with a large metal drum he built, in which he hoped to walk across the water from Florida to London. Photo: Jim Russell/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP

An adventurer who tried to travel from Florida to London on a hamster wheel during a hurricane has been arrested after a three-day standoff with the US Coast Guard (USCG).

< Reza Baluchi, 51, told authorities he planned to "escape" to London and threatened to kill himself when he was ordered off the ship, according to the criminal case.

The former Iranian-born athlete from Florida was rescued 70 miles off the coast of Georgia on August 26, shortly before the arrival of Hurricane Idalia.

“Based on the condition of the vessel, which was afloat due to wires and buoys, officers The U.S. Coast Guard concluded that Baluchi was making a manifestly unsafe journey,» the filing in the U.S. District Court in Florida reads.

The vessel, which Mr. Baluchi calls a «hydropod» or «bubble,» is a large metal drum surrounded by buoys and paddles that are driven by an internal runner. He previously said he spent $4,500 (£3,600) to design and build it.

Reza Baluchi 39;hydropod& #39;

Authorities spent three days trying to get Baluchi to board the Coast Guard vessel, but he allegedly threatened to kill himself with a 12-inch knife and blow himself up while clutching wires.

On the third day, Baluchi admitted that he did not have a real bomb and surrendered in Miami Beach on September 1. He faces federal charges of obstructing boarding and violating the Harbor Master's order.

Mr. Baluchi attempted similar trips in 2014, 2016, and 2021, but were all thwarted by authorities.

p>He tried to get from Florida to New York in 2021 but was washed ashore at a distance of 25 miles.

Mr. Baluchi on his boat

Mr. Baluchi told local FOX 35 that he was trying to raise money for charitable causes.

He said: “My goal is not only to raise money for the homeless, money for the coast guard, fundraising for the police department, fundraising for the fire department. They are in public service, doing it for safety and helping other people.”

He added: “I will never give up on my dream. I get stopped four or five times, but I never give up.”