Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus rescued by Australian navy after being caught in Tropical Cyclone Alfred

March 2, 2025

A Lithuanian rower caught in Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been rescued by the Australian navy.

Aurimas Mockus was attempting to row from San Diego to Brisbane when he was caught in the path of the category one system off the Queensland coast.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) initiated a search and rescue operation after receiving an emergency distress signal from the 44-year-old adventurer late Friday night.

Authorities made radio contact with him on Saturday, about 740 kilometres east of Mackay and 90km west of Cyclone Alfred, which was causing winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour and seas of between five and seven metres. 

The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules was dispatched from Brisbane to the Coral Sea on Sunday to assist.

Aurimas Mockus location

Where Tropical Cyclone Alfred was when the emergency beacon was set off.

In a statement, an AMSA spokesperson confirmed Mockus had been safely rescued.

Darius Degutis, Lithuania’s Ambassador to Australia, said he was “extremely thankful for the dedication and professionalism of all those involved in saving Aurimas”. 

“It is thanks to their efforts that he is safe today,” he said.