Lithuanian man Aurimus Mockus had got down to row throughout the Pacific Ocean solo in September final 12 months, partly in tribute to the Ukrainian folks killed within the Russian invasion.
The Australian Division of Defence has now rescued Mockus after a misery alert was triggered on Friday.
He’s secure and present process a medical evaluation on board HMAS Choules, the division confirmed.
“Defence accepted a request from the Australian Maritime Security Authority (AMSA) to help a search and rescue operation after AMSA obtained an emergency beacon alert from a vessel positioned about 740km east of Mackay, Queensland, on 28 February 2025,” mentioned Vice Admiral Justin Jones, chief of joint operations.
“To help the AMSA-led search and rescue effort, Defence deployed a Royal Australian Air Pressure P-8A Poseidon plane from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, and Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules from Brisbane in Queensland.”
HMAS Choules discovered Mockus at 6.30am native time at the moment after setting out on March 1.
The vessel will now return to Fleet Base East, at HMAS Kuttabul Sydney.
Mockus had tried to row from San Diego to Australia.
Simply days out from his predicted landfall in Queensland, although, he was pressured to activate his emergency beacon.
The Australian Maritime Security Authority mentioned this occurred on Friday evening.
“Situations within the space are treacherous with winds as much as 100km/h and heavy seas,” AMSA mentioned in a Fb publish.
AMSA search and rescue plane and a Royal Australian Air Pressure maritime patrol plane had been deployed.
They had been capable of set up radio contact with Mockus.
