‘Bubble Man’ is on his own, says Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard has insisted it will not risk the lives of its servicemen and women if extreme runner Reza Baluchi goes ahead with a second attempt to cross the Atlantic in a hydro pod.
The Iranian exile made headlines this month when he was saved by the Miami division of the US Coast Guard in a rescue that cost American taxpayers more than $144,000.
Mr Baluchi was plucked from the ocean about 70 nautical miles off the coast of St Augustine, Florida, after the Coast Guard received reports of the runner sounding disoriented while asking officials for directions to Bermuda.
Lt Cmdr Gabe Somma told The Royal Gazette: “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.
“To date, no one from Mr Baluchi’s team has contacted the Coast Guard. If Mr Baluchi intends to attempt another hydro-pod adventure on the high seas, he will need to meet with the Captain of the Port to provide his plan for vessel escort and self-rescue plans before departing.”
The cost of Mr Baluchi’s rescue mission was broken down as $78,000 for two aircraft deployments and $66,000 one rescue helicopter, according to the US Coast Guard.
“As part of our dedicated service to this nation, we are obligated to ensure taxpayer money and resources are used efficiently and appropriately,” Lt Cmdr Somma added.
According to an article on his website, Mr Baluchi intends another attempted crossing from Miami to Bermuda in January in a modified version of the hydro pod — a floating plastic bubble supported by a metal frame.
“Reza plans to save money, design a fourth-generation bubble and return to Miami to bubble across the Bermuda Triangle again in January,” the article read. “His fourth-generation bubble will be his best design yet. He’s going to make it faster with 4ft deep fins that will propel through the water quicker, especially with the 28 soccer balls he will stick between the frames that wrap around the circumference of the bubble.”
