FL Man Tried To Cross Atlantic In Homemade Hamster Wheel: Complaint

FLORIDA — A Florida man faces charges for attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a homemade, human-size, floating hamster wheel-looking vessel he calls a Hydro Pod.

Reza Baluchi, 51, was charged with obstruction of a boarding and violation of a captain of the port order, according to a criminal complaint filed against him in the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida.

While preparing for Hurricane Franklin, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew members came across Baluchi in his vessel on Aug. 26 about 70 nautical miles east of Tybee Island, Georgia.

He told them that he was traveling to London and claimed to have a Florida registration for his Hydro Pod, but couldn’t find it.

“Based on the condition of the vessel, which was afloat as a result of wiring and buoys, USCG officers determined Baluchi was conducting a manifestly unsafe voyage,” according to the complaint.

Crew members took a small boat to speak with Baluchi and told him that he would need to leave the vessel. He told them that he had a 12-inch knife and would attempt suicide if they tried to remove him.

Efforts to remove Baluchi from the hamster wheel continued the next day. He showed the Coast Guard crew two knives and threatened to hurt himself if they boarded his Hydro Pod.

He also threatened to blow himself up, the complaint said. “USCG officers believed this to be a valid threat, as they observed Baluchi holding wires in his hand.”

The Coast Guard consulted with the Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit based at Kings Bay, Georgia about the alleged bomb.

On Aug. 28, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Campbell came to support the Valiant’s crew and sent a small boat with food, water and information about the incoming hurricane to Baluchi. He again refused to leave the Hydro Pod and also said that the bomb wasn’t real, court records show.

By Aug. 29, the Coast Guard was able to remove Baluchi from his homemade vessel. He was brought to USCG base in Miami Beach on Sept. 1.

This isn’t the first time the Coast Guard has encountered Baluchi in his Hydro Pod; he’s attempted similar trips in 2014, 2016 and 2021, records show.