Why a Florida Man Was Arrested for Attempting to Cross the Atlantic in a Hamster Wheel Vessel

A Florida man reportedly attempted to sail across the Atlantic Ocean to reach London using a hamster wheel vessel. Reza Baluchi's pursuit of reaching London on his unique vessel was allegedly interrupted by the U.S. Coast Guard, about 70 miles (110km) off Tybee Island, Georgia, on August 26, 2023, BBC reported.

On being intercepted by the Coast Guard officials, Baluchi allegedly refused to step out of his vessel for three days. As per the court papers associated with this incident, Baluchi threatened to kill himself and also claimed that he had a bomb inside the vessel when he was being urged by officials to get out. 

On September 1, Baluchi allegedly abandoned his vessel and surrendered to authorities. Officials checked the vessel and reportedly determined that the 'bomb' threat was fake. Baluchi is facing federal charges of obstruction of a boarding, and violation of a Captain of the Port order.

As per officials, the vessel that Baluchi was attempting his pursuit was shaped like a wheel, with paddles to propel it in the forward direction. According to the U.S. Coast Guard officers, the vessel was inept for the long journey that Baluchi planned to undertake.

This is not Baluchi's first time with the U.S. Coast Guard officials, BBC reported. In the past he had attempted three similar 'voyages' and every time had been intercepted by authorities. 

In 2014, Baluchi was rescued from near St. Augustine attempting a similar journey, BBC reported. 

Seven years later, he was intercepted by authorities 30 miles south of St. Augustine, while trying to reach New York from Florida, BBC reported. 

On December 2023, Baluchi agreed to stop attempting such risky voyages following a yearlong pretrial diversion agreement approved by Judge Frederico Moreno, in the Southern District of Florida, USA Today reported.