After being stopped by the Coast Guard for trying to cross the Atlantic in a human-sized hamster wheel, a guy was taken into custody.
Reza Baluchi, 44, is charged with federal offenses after being rescued in a human-sized hamster wheel 70 miles off the coast of Georgia.
On August 26, the Coast Guard’s Valiant cutter located Mr. Baluchi in the area and intercepted him.
He stated that after being questioned, he intended to sail to London aboard his ship.
According to the criminal complaint submitted to the US District Court, USCG personnel found Baluchi was conducting a demonstrably unsafe cruise based on the condition of the vessel, which was afloat thanks to wiring and buoys.
A large metal drum with inflated buoys on either side and paddles propelled by a runner within was described as the “manifestly unsafe” watercraft.
Before claiming he would run the hamster wheel to London, Mr. Baluchi apparently was unable to present officials with the registration papers for his water vehicle.
The man then declared he had a bomb on board the ship and threatened to murder himself with a 12-inch knife if anyone tried to stop him from finishing the journey.
He finally revealed on August 28 that he didn’t actually have a bomb on board after a two-day standoff during which the Coast Guard tried to convince him to leave the ship.
At the USCG Base in Miami Beach, Florida, the following day, officers were able to convince him to get off the boat.
The prosecution complaint stated that one male passenger, later identified as Baluchi, was aboard the vessel.
“USCG personnel boarded the vessel and asked the customary boarding questions, such as demanding the vessel’s registration.
Baluchi told the USCG officials that his vessel had a Florida registration, but he couldn’t find it.
He also disclosed to USCG personnel that London, England was his ultimate destination.
“This morning, the FCSO responded to a call about a vessel washing ashore in the Hammock area,” the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office stated on Twitter.
“I want to thank the worried people who reported this. We’re pleased to report that no injuries have been sustained by the vessel’s occupant.
According to court records, Mr. Baluchi apparently tried such dangerous journeys before.
According to the documents, he attempted similar excursions in 2014, 2016 and 2021, but each time they resulted in Coast Guard action.
He gained global attention in 2021 when he attempted to travel from Florida to New York using a similar method but washed ashore after traveling only 25 miles.
He is accused of violating a captain of the port order and obstructing a boarding.
