MELBOURNE, Australia — In a dramatic rescue operation on Monday, the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Choules saved a Lithuanian rower who found himself caught in a tropical cyclone during an ambitious attempt to row solo across the Pacific Ocean from California. The resilient adventurer, Aurimas Mockus, underwent a medical evaluation on the warship, as confirmed by Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
Mockus’s journey was abruptly interrupted by the unforgiving weather conditions, rendering his boat unrecoverable except for two oars and a few personal items, according to a statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. This authority coordinated the rescue efforts and ensured Mockus’s safety.
Stranded in tumultuous storm conditions for three days in the Coral Sea, nearly 740 kilometers (460 miles) off the coast of Mackay, Queensland, the 44-year-old rower had persevered in his enclosed boat since leaving San Diego. His ultimate destination was the Queensland capital, Brisbane. However, as Mockus neared the end of his extraordinary 12,000-kilometer (7,500-mile) voyage, he was met with the wrath of the storm, which is predicted to strike the Australian coast soon.
The dire situation prompted Mockus to trigger an emergency beacon on Friday. The rescue authority noted that Tropical Cyclone Alfred had stirred up seas with winds reaching 80 kph (50 mph), putting Mockus in a perilous situation. A surveillance plane was deployed and made contact with Mockus the following day, during which he reported feeling “fatigued.”
Following the rescue, Mockus will be transported beyond Brisbane to Sydney in New South Wales aboard the warship, the navy stated. Meanwhile, the cyclone continued its southward trajectory, positioned 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Brisbane on Monday, and is predicted to veer westward to make landfall later in the week.
This daring crossing attempt highlights the extraordinary challenges faced by solo rowers navigating the Pacific Ocean nonstop. Historically, a few have succeeded in such ventures; notably, Briton Peter Bird attempted the feat in 1983, nearly completing the entire route alone. Another Briton, John Beeden, managed the journey in 2015, reaching the city of Cairns, Queensland.
In 2023, Australian Michelle Lee became the pioneering woman to complete the Pacific crossing, rowing from Ensenada, Mexico, to Port Douglas, Queensland. Another ambitious Australian rower, Tom Robinson, sought in 2022 to become the youngest to cross the Pacific, albeit with a planned stop in the Cook Islands. Although Robinson survived 265 days at sea, a wave capsized his boat, leaving him precariously clinging to his vessel before a cruise ship rescued him after detouring to reach him.
Mockus’s experience underscores the unpredictable and often treacherous conditions adventurers face in their quest to conquer the vast Pacific, echoing the remarkable resilience and courage required for such endeavors.
