A man in Germany is halfway through his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest underwater habitat stay.
Rüdiger Koch, a 59-year-old aerospace engineer from Germany, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record.
He aims to set the record for the longest time spent living in an underwater habitat.
His goal is to stay submerged for 120 days, a feat that would surpass the current record of 100 days set by American Joseph Dituri in 2023.
The journey begins with Rüdiger Koch’s mission to live underwater
Koch started his underwater journey on September 26, 2024. He is currently located in a capsule off the coast of Puerto Lindo, Panama, in the Caribbean Sea.
As of now, he has already spent over 60 days beneath the waves, which means he is halfway to his ambitious goal.
His planned return to the surface is set for January 24, 2025. Koch’s living space is a compact 322 square feet.
The capsule is equipped with essential amenities, including a portable toilet, a computer, a TV, and even a stationary bike for exercise.
He also has access to satellite internet, allowing him to stay connected with the outside world.
Daily life underwater presents unique challenges and experiences.
Life underwater presents unique challenges and experiences. Koch has shared that he misses some comforts, like a real shower.
Instead, he has to make do with the limited facilities available in his capsule.
Despite the challenges, he stays positive, joking about being still married despite his time away from family.
“The last time I checked, I was still married.”
Koch has a day counter installed in his living space to track his time underwater.
This device serves as a reminder of how far he has come and how much longer he needs to stay submerged to achieve his record.
Support and monitoring are key to success.
Koch is not completely isolated. He has a support team from a research lab located above the water that monitors his health and well-being.
The underwater habitat is connected to a chamber on the surface via a vertical tube.
This tube allows food to be sent down to him and also provides a way for team members to visit.
So far, his only visitors have been a doctor, his wife, and his children.
While he enjoys having company, he also appreciates the solitude that comes with living underwater.
Koch describes life beneath the surface as much calmer than the hustle and bustle of city living.
“I don’t feel like I’m suffering down here, not at all,” Koch said. “That hardest is probably, sometimes I would like to go diving.”
Environmental impact is crucial for sustainability.
Koch’s project isn’t just about breaking a record. He also aims to demonstrate that living underwater could be a viable option for humanity in the future.
He believes that the oceans could provide new opportunities for human expansion.
His underwater habitat also serves an environmental purpose, acting as an artificial reef.
This structure provides shelter for various marine life, contributing positively to the underwater ecosystem.
Koch has noted the diverse marine life he has observed from his windows.
He enjoys listening to the sounds of the ocean, including the movements of crustaceans and fish.
“In the night, you can hear all the crustaceans,” he remarked.
The experience so far has been challenging.
Reflecting on his experience, Koch admits that the hardest part is sometimes wishing he could go diving.
Despite the challenges, he does not feel like he is suffering in his underwater capsule.
Instead, he finds it to be a unique opportunity to focus on his goal and connect with nature in a way that few people ever get to experience.
As he continues his journey, Koch remains committed to his mission.
He hopes to inspire others with his record-breaking attempt and encourage discussions about the potential for underwater living.
He hopes to open new avenues for underwater exploration and habitation.
“What we are trying to do here is prove that the seas are actually a viable environment for human expansion,” he explained to AFP.