Lithuanian ocean rower Aurimas Mockus runs headlong into Tropical Cyclone Alfred

A rescue mission is currently underway for a Lithuanian ocean rower who has found himself in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the Queensland coast.

A rescue mission is currently underway for a Lithuanian single-seat ocean rower Aurimas Mockus who has found himself in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the Queensland coast. Picture: Supplied

A rescue mission is currently underway for a Lithuanian ocean rower who has found himself in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the Queensland coast.

Aurimas Mockus aboard a single-seat ocean rowing boat sent out an emergency beacon after his vessel ran headlong in gale-force winds and raging seas caused thrown up by the category-2 cyclone.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the “severe” conditions included 80km/h winds and heavy seas.

An AMSA spokesperson said on Sunday morning that it had established contact with Mockus, who set out from San Diego four months ago with the goal of reaching Brisbane in record-breaking time.

A rescue mission is currently underway for a Lithuanian single-seat ocean rower Aurimas Mockus who has found himself in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the Queensland coast. Picture: Supplied

The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules is currently headed from Brisbane to the Coral Sea to assist.

The cyclone, which is currently 510km off the coast of Rockhampton, will potentially make landfall in south east Queensland on Thursday afternoon bringing with it heavy rainfall, extreme winds and huge tides.

In an update on Sunday morning, AMSA said weather conditions had eased but the “area is still within the influence of Tropical Cyclone Alfred”.

If Mockus had made it to Queensland in less than five months, he would have set a new Guinness world record.

Originally published as Lithuanian ocean rower Aurimas Mockus runs headlong into Tropical Cyclone Alfred