Aurimas Mockus, a solo rower attempting to traverse the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Brisbane, has activated his emergency beacon as he faces perilous conditions off the coast of Queensland. On Friday night, approximately 740 kilometers east of Mackay, Mockus confronted winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour and heavy seas peaking at seven meters. The situation escalated on Sunday as a category two cyclone began moving south along the coastline.
By Sunday morning, the cyclone, located about 510 kilometers east of Rockhampton, posed an immediate threat to Mockus, who has been navigating treacherous waters since departing the United States in mid-October 2024. As of Sunday afternoon, Mockus’s team had not provided any further updates on his condition.
A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft captured images of Mockus’s small vessel precariously rolling on massive waves in the Coral Sea. The images highlight the severity of the storm as it intensifies near his location. Mockus conveyed his current state to his team through an interpreter via the Challenger rescue plane, emphasizing the chaos surrounding him.
“Right now, I’m being carried at a very high speed, but not yet in the direction I need. I’m drifting a bit too far west – toward the approaching typhoon.” – Aurimas Mockus
Mockus expressed hope that a northern wind could help him escape the cyclone's grasp, stating, “I hope the north wind will allow me to escape the typhoon… There are 500 nautical miles left if I manage to row directly toward Brisbane. But that’s hard to say because the typhoon is waiting ahead.”
The adventurer detailed his harrowing experience over the previous night, describing it as “utterly sleepless.” He recounted how he navigated around the Chesterfield Islands’ reefs with immense effort. “From here on it’s in God’s hands. The most important thing is to endure the next few days – they will be crucial,” he added.
In response to Mockus's dire situation, the Royal Australian Navy has dispatched HMAS Choules to assist him in the Coral Sea, with an expected arrival by Monday morning. This support could prove vital as Mockus continues his journey against overwhelming odds.
Should he reach Queensland within 22 days from Sunday, he will set a new Guinness World Record for this specific rowing route. However, as he battles nature’s fury, that record seems contingent upon surviving the cyclone and maintaining his course.
With 500 nautical miles left to row directly toward Brisbane, Aurimas Mockus remains focused on his goal while grappling with unpredictable weather that threatens his expedition. The coming days are critical not only for his record attempt but for his survival in these tumultuous waters.