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Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

bbc.com

21–30 of 66 posts

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#21

So a man can't cross the Atlantic in a hamster wheel, but rich people can go to the bottom of the Atlantic? Unfair

Had he ever demonstrated that could get further than his own state, you might have a point. But those reading TFA all the way to the end know that it’s not the first time the Coast Guard has pulled him out of the water, and it’s not been far from where he started.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#22

I don't understand why they have to intervene besides giving him warnings. At some point, tell him he's not their responsibility anymore if he refuses again and go do something more productive. Countless human hours spent preventing someone from doing something that would harm no one but himself. There are probably good Samaritan laws forcing public officers to provide "help" if they are informed of a situation and n…

He had 3 other tries that all ended with Coast Guard intervention. On this one he disobeyed Coast Guard orders and claimed he had a bomb. Chances are he was also in violation of rules/laws regarding water craft permits, identification and any/all safety protocols.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#23

I don't understand why they have to intervene besides giving him warnings. At some point, tell him he's not their responsibility anymore if he refuses again and go do something more productive. Countless human hours spent preventing someone from doing something that would harm no one but himself. There are probably good Samaritan laws forcing public officers to provide "help" if they are informed of a situation and n…

What you described are not good Samaritan laws. Those are about lowering legal responsibility for people doing their best to help someone in peril. I.e. you did your best and accidentally injured someone while trying to prevent their death, do can't be sued for the injury.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#25

I don't understand why they have to intervene besides giving him warnings. At some point, tell him he's not their responsibility anymore if he refuses again and go do something more productive. Countless human hours spent preventing someone from doing something that would harm no one but himself. There are probably good Samaritan laws forcing public officers to provide "help" if they are informed of a situation and n…

> would harm no one but himself.

Is a danger for himself but also to other ships that could crash against that structure. The sea is a busy road and this thing can easily sink a small boat carried by the wind, or crush somebody if carried by a wave onboard of a bigger ship and falling over a worker.

Plus recent spy issues of people mapping sensible locations while pretending to be a lost tourist, that must be addressed.

Saving his life is just the cherry on top. To save the rescue team to risk their lives later is the main goal. The man is an idiot that should know better and respect the sea.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#26
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I was curious what law is actually being broken by doing this? > [US Coast Guard] officers determined Baluchi was conducting a manifestly unsafe voyage," the criminal complaint says. Since when is it illegal to do things that are unsafe in America? Why can I own a gun and fireworks and liquor and gas stoves and toxic chemicals then? > Officials said he refused to step off the vessel and threatened to kill himsel…

Most people have guns, ammunitions, liquor, gas stove and toxic chemicals at home, and nothing happen.

Yes, exactly.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#27

So a man can't cross the Atlantic in a hamster wheel, but rich people can go to the bottom of the Atlantic? Unfair

Had he ever demonstrated that could get further than his own state, you might have a point. But those reading TFA all the way to the end know that it’s not the first time the Coast Guard has pulled him out of the water, and it’s not been far from where he started.

What wasn’t clear from the article is if he needed to be pulled out of the water or if the coast guard “rescued” him because they just assumed he was insane. (Which seems reasonable). He does however seem to not want to be rescued and allows to hamster wheel himself to a probable death. I do wonder why he isn’t allowed to, people do all sorts of insane things and die doing it and they’re allowed to, such as difficult climbs without ropes.

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#28
post #11

How exactly does he steer that thing?

He doesn't. One of his previous attempts to go from Florida to New York ended after he drifted 30 miles south of where he started.

In a very still environment, I would think steering would work by being off center, I can't imagine how he would go straight..

Re: Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

#29
70 miles off shore is international waters. Most countries limit extends 12 miles these days. (excluding resource extraction)

Why does the coastguard have jurisdiction? Because it was launched from the USA? At what point is your vehicle a ship? i.e. is a surfboard a ship?

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