Lithuanian rower caught in Tropical Cyclone Alfred rescued by Australian ship
A solo sailor was rescued by an Australian vessel early today around 740km from the Mackay coastline as Tropical Cyclone Alfred made for dangerous ocean conditions.
Lithuanian man Aurimus Mockus had set out to row across the Pacific Ocean solo in September last year, partly in tribute to the Ukrainian people killed in the Russian invasion.
The Australian Department of Defence has now rescued Mockus after a distress alert was triggered on Friday.
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Chief Petty Officer Medic Peter Gough leads Aurimas Mockus to the ship's hospital onboard HMAS Choules. Department of Defence
He is safe and undergoing a medical assessment on board HMAS Choules, the department confirmed.
"Defence accepted a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to support a search and rescue operation after AMSA received an emergency beacon alert from a vessel located about 740km east of Mackay, Queensland, on 28 February 2025," said Vice Admiral Justin Jones, chief of joint operations.
"To support the AMSA-led search and rescue effort, Defence deployed a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, and Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules from Brisbane in Queensland."
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HMAS Choules arrived at 6.30am local time today to rescue the rower. Department of Defence
HMAS Choules found Mockus at 6.30am local time today after setting out on March 1.
The vessel will now return to Fleet Base East, at HMAS Kuttabul Sydney.
Mockus had attempted to row from San Diego to Australia.
Just days out from his predicted landfall in Queensland, though, he was forced to activate his emergency beacon.
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Mockus had attempted to row from San Diego to Australia. Department of Defence
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said this occurred on Friday night.
"Conditions in the area are treacherous with winds up to 100km/h and heavy seas," AMSA said in a Facebook post.
AMSA search and rescue aircraft and a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft were deployed.
They were able to establish radio contact with Mockus.
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