Florida Man arrested for trying to cross Atlantic in human-powered hamster wheel
Reza Baluchi, 41, was found 70 miles off the coast of Georgia on August 26, 2023, in a homemade vessel that consisted of a hamster wheel attached to a flotation device. He told Coast Guard officials that he was trying to row to London.
Baluchi has a history of attempting to cross the Atlantic in unconventional ways. In 2014, he tried to row across the ocean in a kayak, but he was rescued after two days. In 2016, he tried to cross the ocean in a human-powered hydrofoil, but he was also rescued.
This time, Baluchi was not so lucky. He was arrested on charges of obstruction of a boarding and violation of a Captain of the Port order. He is currently being held in federal custody.
Baluchi’s latest attempt to cross the Atlantic has drawn attention to the dangers of solo ocean crossings. In recent years, there have been several high-profile deaths of solo sailors. In 2019, British sailor Emma Lewis died after her boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean. And in 2021, American sailor Jessica Watson was rescued after her boat was damaged in a storm.
The risks of solo ocean crossings are not to be taken lightly. Sailors who attempt these journeys must be highly experienced and well-prepared. They must also be aware of the dangers of the ocean, such as storms, currents, and marine life.
Baluchi’s latest attempt to cross the Atlantic is a reminder of the dangers of these journeys. It is also a reminder of the determination of some people to achieve their goals, no matter how risky.