Florida Man's Giant Bubble Ride to Bermuda Washes Out

MIAMI, FL — A Florida man’s dream to ride a handmade inflatable bubble from Miami to Bermuda was popped by the U.S. Coast Guard over the weekend.

It seems Ray “Reza” Baluchi had been ordered by the Coast Guard in advance of his journey not to go.

“I hereby order you not to depart because your vessel and the conditions under which you are attempting to complete your voyage in Bermuda is unsafe,” Capt. Austin Gould wrote in an April 15 letter to Baluchi. The coast guard posted the letter to its Twitter feed over the weekend. “Violation of this order may result in criminal penalties of up to 7 years confinement and a $40,000 fine.”

Gould explained that Baluchi’s plan was to travel from Florida to Bermuda in the inflated bubble without a support boat to provide a safety net during the long voyage.

“I am most concerned with your statement that ‘A support boat may put the lives of others in danger …’ as this shows a lack of planning and concern for your life as well,” Gould’s letter noted.

Baluchi, 44, describes himself as an “ultra-marathon runner” on his website. It was his intent to trek 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Miami to Bermuda while raising “money for children in need and to inspire those that have lost hope for a better future,” his website says.

Baluchi intended to survive on tuna, protein bars and seawater purified through a filter during the five-month journey. He also brought along Gatorade and chewing gum along to combat sea sickness.

The Coast Guard is not sure just when Baluchi embarked on his journey, but said a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale found the “makeshift hydro pod approximately 7 miles off the coast of Jupiter en route to Bermuda” around 2 a.m. Sunday. Crews remained with Baluchi through the night “to ensure his safety and to prevent other vessels from colliding with the hydro pod,” a media release stated. When the Coast Guard Cutter Gannet made it to the scene later on Sunday, “Mr. Baluchi voluntarily ended his own voyage,” the release noted.

Baluchi was taken aboard the Gannet and the hydro pod was ultimately towed back to shore.

“This was an inherently unsafe voyage attempt that put the lives of Mr. Baluchi and other mariners in danger,” Gould, the Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander, was quoted in the media release as saying. “This proposed adventure unnecessarily risked the lives of Mr. Baluchi, the maritime public, and our Coast Guard men and women. Additionally, the Coast Guard is obligated to ensure taxpayer money and resources are used efficiently and appropriately.”

The weekend’s run-in with the coast guard was not Baluchi’s first, the agency noted. He made a similar attempt in October 2014 that was also cut short when a rescue was required, the Coast Guard said. That rescue cost more than $140,000 in expenses, the agency said.

Whether Baluchi will face criminal charges in connection with his most recent attempt remains unknown. As of Monday morning, the Coast Guard confirmed he had not yet been charged.

It is also unclear if Baluchi will make another attempt. As of Monday, his website had not been updated to indicate future plans.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard