Another Bermuda Bound

[hpeer]

Anyone got pics?

Man floating in bubble rescued by Coast Guard

Oct 4, 5:56 PM (ET)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A man trying to reach Bermuda in an inflatable bubble was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after he began suffering from fatigue.
Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said in a statement that air crew were able to safely pick up Reza Baluchi and the bubble Saturday morning. He was transported to a nearby Coast Guard station and found to be uninjured.

Officials originally received a report of Baluchi floating in the bubble on Wednesday. The Coast Guard arrived on the scene about 70 nautical miles east of St. Augustine to find him disoriented and inquiring how to get to Bermuda.
Crew members conveyed the dangers of the proposed trip and asked Baluchi to end it.

He refused, but activated his locator beacon Saturday because of fatigue.

Excite News - Man floating in bubble rescued by Coast Guard

[Steve Olson]

"And the man reported that a number of members of Cruisers Forum told him to, 'Live your dream and just go for it!!!'"

[Macblaze]

Coast Guard link.

[accomplice]

Clearly his error was in using one of those production bubbles, and not a semi-custom blue-water bubble.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Steve Olson

"And the man reported that a number of members of Cruisers Forum told him to, 'Live your dream and just go for it!!!'"

Well said, Steve!
We live in a world of instant gratification, obsessive inflated egos, and Barnum and Bailey fame seekers whose world is quantified by the number of friends on Facebook and the desire of everyone to know what you're doing from brushing your teeth to having sex. This is a shallow, superficial society declining every day as fame, notoriety, and circuses outweigh character, substance and competence. These brain dead thrill seekers deserve no help when it entails the manpower and costs required for their rescue. But then again, "Live your dream and just go for it!" You only live once, right?

[Southern Star]

After someone refuses to abandon a suicide stunt when first asked by the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard should be able to refuse any follow up rescue attempt when the inevitable happens (unless there are children aboard).

[dpddj]

Deprived Darwin of another supporting statistic.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by accomplice

Clearly his error was in using one of those production bubbles, and not a semi-custom blue-water bubble.

or a if it was a multi bubble configuration he would have made it

[Ukeluthier]

Originally Posted by ontherocks83

or a if it was a multi bubble configuration he would have made it

A Dubble Bubble?

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Ukeluthier

A Dubble Bubble?

A Tribble would more stable on the gulf stream - if it was built for blue water of course.

[Blue Stocking]

When he hit 36N in November he would no longer be sweating from exertion.

[CaptTom]

The CG has the authority to terminate a voyage that is "manifestly unsafe." I wonder why they didn't do that in this case. I guess he was only putting himself in danger, not passengers or crew. It's good to know that there's still some respect for individual liberty and the right of the "captain" to decide when to abandon "ship."

I just wonder what the headline would have been if one of those helicopters had crashed, killing some of the rescuers.

On the other hand, I suppose it was a good training opportunity for the CG crews involved, and maybe someday their sharpened skills will save someone who truly deserves it.

[a64pilot]

I don't understand, he was inside of a blow up ball? I guess his thought was to walk to Bermuda? How do you breathe in something like that?
If this is true, can you imagine bad weather? Has to be something I'm not understanding, nobody is this stupid

[barnakiel]

It could be smarter to have a support craft alongside I think. Most stunt/extreme sportsmen would.

How odd he or she got stopped. You clearly have no freedom where you live (Florida?)

But if he or she were alone and without support craft, I think CG may have had the upper hand.

Wonder if he or she will go ahead better prepared. Sounds like most interesting way to cross water!

b.

[a64pilot]

How about a big ball, with a motorcycle in it? That way you don't get tired. What could go wrong