News Digest

Man rescued trying to reach Bermuda from US in a floating bubble

An Iranian exile has been rescued by the U.S. coastguard after a failed attempt to float 1,662 km 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 yesterday when he became exhausted.

For children in need … to inspire those that have lost hope for a better future.

A statement on Mr Baluchi’s website said he planned the trip to raise money

Air crew were able to safely pick up Mr Baluchi and the bubble on Saturday morning, Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said in a statement. 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. 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. Mr Baluchi was granted asylum in the U.S. in 2003 after being arrested in Iran for so-called pro-Western and anti-Islamic activities, including eating during the holy month of Ramadan.