The Lithuanian was battling 80km/h winds and heavy seas brought on by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is forecast to move south on Sunday.
The Lithuanian was battling 80km/h winds and heavy seas brought on by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is forecast to move south on Sunday.
By Callum Godde
March 2, 2025 — 11.33am
A Royal Australian Navy ship is bound for the Coral Sea after a Lithuanian man rowing from California to Brisbane got into trouble.
Aurimas Mockus activated his emergency beacon on Friday night about 740 kilometres east of Mackay and 90 kilometres west of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Rowing solo from San Diego to Brisbane, Mockus was battling 80km/h winds and heavy seas when he called for help, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
A Cairns-based Challenger jet failed to spot the vessel on Saturday but managed to make contact with Mockus, who said he was tired.
An aircraft was sent from Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh near Adelaide, and another will be sent on Sunday to maintain communications.
HMAS Choules, a 16,000-tonne navy landing ship, is en route from Brisbane to help.
“Further information on the condition of the rower and his boat will be sought from him today,” a safety authority spokesperson said.
Weather conditions have eased near the Coral Sea but it’s still within the influence of the cyclone, which was about 510 kilometres east of Rockhampton on Sunday morning.
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The category two cyclone is forecast to move south, roughly parallel to the coastline, on Sunday before weakening slightly and moving south-east on Monday.
It’s then expected to slow and turn west from Tuesday, travelling back towards the southern Queensland coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology says strong to gale-force winds may hit K’gari on Sunday.
AAP
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