The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Australian Navy successfully rescued an adventurer who encountered a cyclone while rowing across the Pacific Ocean.
Lithuanian national Aurimas Mockus, aged 44, was attempting to row from San Diego, United States, to Brisbane, Australia, when he hit Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The cyclone caused the rower to be stranded for three days in the Coral Sea, located roughly 740 kilometers from the Queensland state coastal city of Mackay.
Royal Australian Navy HMAS Choules L100 has successfully rescued a Lithuanian solo rower from the Coral Sea after after spending time enduring heavy 🌊 and strong 🌬️ gusts! 💪🇱🇹 🇦🇺
On Friday 28 Feb 2025, #YourADF accepted a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority -… pic.twitter.com/Z9DxLB8bos
— Australian Patriot. (@JimThom90458694) March 3, 2025
Mockus activated his emergency beacon on February 28, 2025 after rowing into stormy seas with rough winds of 80 kph.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received the distress signal and immediately dispatched a search and rescue team.
Mockus’ location was tracked with the help of a P-8A Poseidon from the RAAF, which established radio contact on the afternoon of March 1, 2025. The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules was then dispatched from Brisbane to the Coral Sea on March 2, 2025 to assist with the rescue.
The AMSA confirmed through a statement and a social media post that Mockus had been rescued safely, and posted a video clip that captured part of the rescue.
The AMSA also highlighted the importance of carrying an emergency beacon at all times, crediting the device for the speedy rescue.
According to local media outlet ABC News, Darius Degutis, Lithuania’s Ambassador to Australia, said he was “extremely thankful for the dedication and professionalism of all those involved in saving Aurimas”.
Mockus began his 12,000-kilometer journey in October 2024, and was days away from Brisbane when he ran into the tropical cyclone.
