Following an emergency distress signal, the Australian Navy launched a dramatic rescue operation. The 44-year-old adventurer was rescued, but his boat was unable to be saved, with only a couple of oars and some personal belongings recovered.
Aurimas Mockus, the rower, was taken aboard the HMAS Choules, an Australian Navy amphibious assault ship, for medical evaluation. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which coordinated the operation, stated that due to very unfavorable sea conditions, Mockus’s boat could not be recovered, with only two oars and some personal items salvaged.
Mockus, who began his journey in October, had been attempting to row the 12,000-kilometer journey across the Pacific. Just before reaching his destination, he was caught in the storm. The 44-year-old adventurer was stranded in the Coral Sea, about 740 kilometers east of Queensland, for three days.
Rescue authorities said that Mockus activated his emergency distress signal after rowing in stormy seas and winds reaching 80 km/h from the tropical cyclone. Following the distress call, an aircraft was dispatched to establish radio contact with Mockus. After the operation, Navy officials reported that Mockus was "exhausted."
Mockus was attempting to become one of the few rowers to cross the Pacific Ocean solo and nonstop.