Navy rescues Lithuanian rower caught in cyclonic conditions

A rower attempting a world record who was swept up in cyclonic conditions, battling 100kmh winds and waves up to seven metres off the Queensland coast has been rescued by the Navy.

Lithuanian man Aurimas Mockus was attempting to row from San Diego to Brisbane. Source: Instagram

A Navy vessel dispatched from Brisbane to the Coral Sea has rescued a Lithuanian rower caught in cyclonic conditions.

Australian Martime Safety Authority received an emergency beacon alert on Friday night from the vessel of Aurimas Mockus, which was located around 740km east of Mackay and about 90km west of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Photos of the vessel taken by the Department of Defence show the cyclonic conditions being endured by the rower.

On Monday morning Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules – a 16,000-tonne navy landing ship – confirmed it had rescued Mr Mockus and was bringing him to shore.

Mr Mockus was attempting a world record row from San Diego to Brisbane and became caught up in cyclonic conditions, battling 100kmh winds and heavy seas – waves of five to seven metres.

Aurimas Mockus is rowing from San Diego to Brisbane. (Supplied: Instagram/Aurimas Mockus)

The 44-year-old Lithuanian sailor encountered the severe weather brought on by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

AMSA’s Essendon-based Challenger had arrived on scene earlier Sunday morning and was able to establish communications with the rower, who reported he was fatigued.

Aurimas Mockus is rowing from San Diego to Brisbane. (Supplied: Instagram/Aurimas Mockus)

Prior to his rescue, a spokesperson said they had communicated with Mr Mockus and he was not injured.

“AMSA has communicated with Mr Mockus through an interpreter via our Challenger rescue aircraft,” the spokesperson said.

Photos of the vessel taken by the Department of Defence show the cyclonic conditions endured by the rower.

A photo of the vessel taken by the Department of Defence on the weekend.

On Friday Mr Mockus posted to his social media account saying he “successfully sailed the reefs of Chesterfield Islands”.

“The most important thing is to hold back the next few days.” the post said.

The video shows monstrous waves and his vessel sails through the open waters.

Originally published as Navy rescues Lithuanian rower caught in cyclonic conditions