German man lives underwater for 120 days in SeaPod off northern coast of Panama

Approximately 11 m (36 ft) underwater, Rudiger Köch (Germany) was laying in bed and reading his book.
For five months, the aerospace engineer lived in a first-of-its-kind underwater SeaPod – designed almost like a Bond lair – in an attempt to demonstrate the ocean as one of the company’s latest alternative habitat possibilities.
While submerged in his pod, he ate his meals, responded to emails, and worked out on his exercise bike… all as schools of sparkling fish and exotic marine life swam past his windows.
Co-founder of Ocean Builders, Rudiger is a retired aerospace engineer who teamed up with CEO Grant Romundt to develop this unique project. They decided the best way to test their prototype was by living in it, and Rudiger chose to descend between 26 September 2024 and 24 January 2025, to surpass the 100-day record set by American Joseph Dituri.
“Spending 120 days underwater was more than setting a Guinness World Records title – it was about pushing human boundaries, pioneering sustainable ocean living, and showing the world what's possible when we dare to dream beneath the waves,” said Romundt. “I'm incredibly proud of our team, inspired by the resilience we've shown, and excited for the future we're creating.”
And by the time Rudiger came up for air, he had obtained the title for longest time spent living in an underwater fixed habitat (male).
The ambitious pair wanted to design a sleek and sustainable look for the pods, which feature a rounded above-ground living space (occupied by Rudiger’s team during the attempt) with 360° panoramic windows. Rudiger then descends to his below-ground living space via a staircase within a vertical tube.
Externally, that below-ground living space provides a shelter for fish and acts as an artificial reef, providing an environmental benefit for the structure. Special technology prevents the building from rusting and releases nutrients for marine life, and further inventions were made to the wastewater recycling system to eliminate the need for an external water supply.
Within his underwater 30 sq m (320 sq ft) confines, Rudiger’s living space included a bed, toilet, TV and internet – and even an exercise bike. Meals and supplies were delivered by boat from the Puerto Lindo coast, and a team of medical professionals kept watch on his health from upstairs.
The only thing missing? Ironically, a shower!
For 120 days, Rudiger kept himself busy talking to curious journalists and reading the classic Jules Verne novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
"In the night, you can hear all the crustaceans," he said to France 24. "There's the fish out there, and there's all that stuff, and that wasn't here before we came."
He later told Guinness World Records about how these close-up experiences impacted his appreciation for the natural world: “By providing an immersive experience with marine life, the SeaPod creates a deeper connection to the ocean, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of its importance.
“We hope this unique perspective inspires a lasting commitment to protecting the ocean’s health, which is crucial for the future of our planet.”
And once Rudiger’s 120 days were done, he was able to celebrate with Guinness World Records representatives, who awarded him with his certificate. In a room filled with Ocean Builders supporters, he was able to explain to all the interested listeners the benefits of living in the water.
“I’ve been asked, and I think some people think, that this might be a few fancy people with too much money on their hands. To me this notion seems to be rooted in status quo bias,” he said. “Are we going to reach for the oceans, or are we going to reach for the stars? We at Ocean Builders choose the latter - we go out to the ocean!”