Aurimas Mockus, a Lithuanian adventurer, is fighting for his life in the Coral Sea after his attempt to row across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Brisbane took a dramatic turn.
The 740km east of Mackay, Queensland, Mockus activated his emergency beacon on Friday night, prompting a rescue mission by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa).
The Perilous Journey
Mockus, who set off from the US in mid-October 2024, has been battling treacherous winds of up to 100km/h and massive seas of up to seven meters.
On Sunday, Amsa reported that Mockus was exhausted but had no major injuries.
The Challenge rescue plane from Cairns managed to make contact with Mockus, who said he was tired and struggling to stay on course.
Race Against Time
The Royal Australian Navy ship, HMAS Choules, is en route to the Coral Sea to assist Mockus, with an expected arrival time of Monday morning.
Meanwhile, images taken by an RAAF aircraft show the tiny vessel rolling on massive waves, highlighting the immense challenge Mockus faces.
With Tropical Cyclone Alfred looming, Mockus is running out of time to reach the safety of the Australian coast.
A Desperate Plea
In a heart-wrenching message, Mockus told his team that he was in "God's hands" and that the coming days were "crucial." He said, "Last night was utterly sleepless, but with immense effort I successfully navigated around the Chesterfield Islands' reefs.
From here on it's in God's hands. The most important thing is to endure the next few days – they will be crucial." With his battery power running low, Mockus is conserving energy, leaving only his communication devices active.
The Storm Ahead
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to move south, parallel to the coastline, before weakening slightly and moving to the south-east on Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns of strong to gale-force winds that could impact K'gari (Fraser Island) on Sunday. Mockus's team is anxiously waiting for an update on his condition, as the clock ticks down to his potential rescue.
A Record-Breaking Attempt
If Mockus makes it to Queensland, he would be the first person to row across the Pacific on this route. He is also attempting to set a new Guinness record by reaching Australia in less than 22 days from Sunday.
Only a few people have crossed the Pacific single-handedly, including Britons Peter Bird and John Beeden, and Australian Michelle Lee.
The Rescue Efforts
The Australian Navy and Amsa are working tirelessly to rescue Mockus, with HMAS Choules and several aircraft involved in the operation.
The situation is precarious, and the outcome is far from certain. As the world watches, Mockus's bravery and determination are being put to the ultimate test in the treacherous waters of the Coral Sea.
