US Coast Guard rescued man trying to run from Florida to Bermuda inside inflatable bubble

An Iranian exile has been rescued by the US Coast Guard after a failed attempt to float 1,033 miles from Florida to Bermuda in an inflatable bubble. Reza Baluchi was picked up about 70 nautical miles east of St Augustine suffering from fatigue and disorientation. Coastguards had warned Mr Baluchi on Wednesday of the dangers he faced making the proposed trip and suggested he give up.



He refused, but activated his locator beacon on Saturday when he became exhausted. Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said air crew were able to safely pick up Mr Baluchi and the bubble on Saturday morning. His inflatable hydro-pod bubble is made of 3mm-thick plastic which he propels forward by running inside like a hamster on a wheel.



Mr Baluchi planned to run in the bubble in the mornings, cool off in the sea while leashed to the floating sphere, and sleep in a hammock inside it at night. In addition to protein bars, he planned to catch and eat fish. Mr Baluchi's said he had planned to make the trip to raise money "for children in need" and "to inspire those that have lost hope for a better future".


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Mr Baluchi was granted asylum in the US in 2003 after being arrested in Iran for so-called pro-Western and anti-Islamic activities, including eating during the holy month of Ramadan. He has made headlines before with previous efforts to break long-distance running and cycling records, including a six-month journey in which he ran around the perimeter of the US to raise money for a children's hospital. He also endured a seven-year bike trip that he said brought him across 55 countries on six continents. His self-professed mission is to promote world peace and unity.