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Iranian rescued trying to reach Bermuda from US in bubble Iranian rescued trying to reach Bermuda from US in bubble
(2 days later)
An attempt by an Iranian exile to travel more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Florida to Bermuda in a giant inflatable ball has ended in failure.An attempt by an Iranian exile to travel more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Florida to Bermuda in a giant inflatable ball has ended in failure.
Reza Baluchi, an endurance runner, was rescued by the US Coast Guard on Saturday after suffering from fatigue.Reza Baluchi, an endurance runner, was rescued by the US Coast Guard on Saturday after suffering from fatigue.
The Coast Guard had asked him to halt his attempt last Wednesday after he was found disoriented and inquiring how to get to Bermuda, but he refused.The Coast Guard had asked him to halt his attempt last Wednesday after he was found disoriented and inquiring how to get to Bermuda, but he refused.
He was granted asylum in the US in 2003 after fleeing Iran.He was granted asylum in the US in 2003 after fleeing Iran.
In a post on his website, the peace activist said he was attempting the journey in his homemade "Hydro Pod" to raise money for children and to "inspire those that have lost hope for a better future". In a post on his website, the peace activist said he was attempting the journey in his homemade Hydro Pod to raise money for children and to "inspire those that have lost hope for a better future".
He said he had planned every detail in order to survive the challenge. He described himself as an "excellent fisherman," saying he would survive on protein bars on days he was unable to catch any fish.He said he had planned every detail in order to survive the challenge. He described himself as an "excellent fisherman," saying he would survive on protein bars on days he was unable to catch any fish.
US Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said they had first received reports of the giant inflatable ball 70 nautical miles off the US coast last Wednesday.US Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said they had first received reports of the giant inflatable ball 70 nautical miles off the US coast last Wednesday.
A Coast Guard crew made contact with Mr Baluchi to convey the dangers of his trip and ask him to end it, Ms Fajardo said, but he had refused.A Coast Guard crew made contact with Mr Baluchi to convey the dangers of his trip and ask him to end it, Ms Fajardo said, but he had refused.
She said he was eventually rescued on Saturday morning after activating his locator beacon due to fatigue.She said he was eventually rescued on Saturday morning after activating his locator beacon due to fatigue.
Mr Baluchi's homemade "Hydro Pod" is a large ball made of 3mm-thick (0.12 inches) plastic and has a paddle system that propels it forward when someone runs inside it. Mr Baluchi's homemade Hydro Pod is a large ball made of 3mm-thick (0.12 inches) plastic and has a paddle system that propels it forward when someone runs inside it.
The Iranian man has made headlines in the past with previous efforts to break long-distance running and cycling records, including one six-month journey in which he ran around the perimeter of the US.The Iranian man has made headlines in the past with previous efforts to break long-distance running and cycling records, including one six-month journey in which he ran around the perimeter of the US.
He also successful tested the "Hydro Pod" in 2013, according to his website, taking about 12 hours to travel 33 miles (53 km) from the Californian coast to Catalina Island. He also successfully tested the Hydro Pod in 2013, according to his website, taking about 12 hours to travel 33 miles (53 km) from the Californian coast to Catalina Island.
He sought refuge in the US in 2003 after being arrested in Iran for anti-Islamic activities, including eating during the holy month of Ramadan, according to his lawyer at the time, Suzannah Maclay.He sought refuge in the US in 2003 after being arrested in Iran for anti-Islamic activities, including eating during the holy month of Ramadan, according to his lawyer at the time, Suzannah Maclay.
Ms Maclay said he had also served 18 months in prison in Iran for associating with "counter-revolutionaries".Ms Maclay said he had also served 18 months in prison in Iran for associating with "counter-revolutionaries".