An Australian navy vessel has assisted a Lithuanian solo rower who was caught in a tropical cyclone while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California.
Aurimas Mockus was evacuated aboard the Royal Australian Navy's landing ship HMAS Choules on Monday, where he underwent a medical assessment, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said in a statement.
The 44-year-old adventurer spent three days stranded in the Coral Sea, about 460 miles east of the coastal town of Mackay in Queensland. He is sailing in a closed boat from San Diego, heading to the Queensland capital Brisbane.
He began his 7,500-mile journey in October and was just days from Brisbane when he was caught in a storm that was forecast to cross the Australian coast within days.
Brisbane is located 500 miles south of Mackay by air.
A statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said Mr Mockus activated the emergency beacon on Friday after becoming stranded in rough seas due to 50mph winds caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
On Saturday, rescue services sent a plane which contacted Mr Mockus and said he was “tired”.
The navy said the warship was heading south with Mr Mockus, beyond Brisbane, to Sydney.
The cyclone continued to move south and was 280 miles east of Brisbane on Monday, authorities said. It was expected to turn west and cross the Australian coast on Thursday or Friday.
Mr. Mockus aspired to be one of the few rowers to row across the Pacific Ocean single-handedly and non-stop.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
