A man has been rescued while trying to run from the United States to Bermuda – across 1,033 miles of ocean – in an inflatable plastic bubble.

Reza Baluchi was rescued by the United States coast guard 70 miles east of St. Augustine, Florida.

Baluchi had been warned by the coastguard on Wednesday that he should abandon his attempt, but he continued. He was found by rescuers in a disorientated state, asking for directions to Bermuda, but he insisted he would continue. The Coastguard monitored his progress and responded when, on Saturday, he activated his GPS location device to request a rescue.

Baluchi had planned to cross the treacherous stretch in his “hydro pod bubble”, surviving on water and protein bars he had stored in the bubble, while also fishing. He was cooling off in the sea and sleeping in a hammock inside the bubble.

Baluchi “has a dream to run through all 194 recognised countries in the world to inspire us and unites us as a people”, according to his website.

Baluchi was granted asylum in the United States in 2003 following his arrest in Iran for pro-Western and anti-Islamic activities.

He has previously run around the perimeter of the United States over six months, as well as claiming to have undertaken a seven year bike trip across six continents. He says he aims to promote world peace and unity through his activities.

Baluchi was attempting to cross from Florida to Bermuda, a distance of 1,033 miles