Rüdiger Koch, a 59-year-old aerospace engineer from Germany, is halfway through his ambitious journey to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent in an underwater habitat. Currently living in a 322-square-foot capsule off the coast of Puerto Lindo, Panama, Koch has been submerged for over 60 days and plans to stay until January 24, 2024 — a total of 120 days.
Koch’s underwater home, located 36 feet beneath the Caribbean Sea, is equipped with essentials like a portable toilet, TV, satellite internet, and even a stationary bike. He’s living in relative comfort, although he jokes that the thing he misses most is a real shower. “That’s the first thing I’ll do when I get back on land,” he told CBS News.
Koch isn’t just aiming for a record; he believes that living underwater could be the future for humanity. His project is also benefiting marine life—his habitat doubles as an artificial reef, providing shelter for fish and crustaceans.
The current record is held by American Joseph Dituri, who spent 100 days underwater in 2023. Koch hopes his experience will show the world that the seas are a viable space for human exploration and expansion.
