A Lithuanian man on the final stretch of an attempt to row non-stop across the Pacific Ocean is awaiting rescue after encountering a cyclone near the Australian coast.
Aurimas Mockus sent a distress signal on Friday night from a position around 90 km west of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and 740 km east of the city of Mackay in Queensland province, independent Australian newswire AAP reported.
A rescue plane failed to find the solo rower on Saturday but made contact with Mockus, who said he was tired.
“Mr Mockus has reported he has no major injuries,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said, having spoken to him through an interpreter.
AAP said the man’s boat was pictured by the air force being battered by massive waves and high winds. HMAS Choules, a Royal Australian Navy landing ship, is on its way but is not expected to arrive until Monday morning, Australian time.
Mockus, an experienced traveler and member of Lithuania’s civil defense force, has been battling the elements throughout his 12,000 km struggle across the ocean.
He set off from the Californian city of San Diego in October, aiming for Brisbane, on Australia’s east coast. He was days away from reaching his destination, having rowed about 70 nautical miles a day.
“About to get maximum power from a passing typhoon,” he posted on social media on Thursday. “You really don't need to paddle, you just need to survive two days and it will be better.”
Only three people have rowed solo across the Pacific without stopping. The first was a Briton, Peter Bird, in 1983, followed by compatriot John Beeden in 2015 and Australian Michelle Lee in 2023.
A rescue plane failed to find the solo rower on Saturday but made contact with Mockus, who said he was tired.
“Mr Mockus has reported he has no major injuries,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said, having spoken to him through an interpreter.
AAP said the man’s boat was pictured by the air force being battered by massive waves and high winds. HMAS Choules, a Royal Australian Navy landing ship, is on its way but is not expected to arrive until Monday morning, Australian time.
Mockus, an experienced traveler and member of Lithuania’s civil defense force, has been battling the elements throughout his 12,000 km struggle across the ocean.
He set off from the Californian city of San Diego in October, aiming for Brisbane, on Australia’s east coast. He was days away from reaching his destination, having rowed about 70 nautical miles a day.
“About to get maximum power from a passing typhoon,” he posted on social media on Thursday. “You really don't need to paddle, you just need to survive two days and it will be better.”
Only three people have rowed solo across the Pacific without stopping. The first was a Briton, Peter Bird, in 1983, followed by compatriot John Beeden in 2015 and Australian Michelle Lee in 2023.
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