Overview

• Aurimas Mockus, a Lithuanian rower, was caught in Cyclone Alfred's treacherous conditions 740 kilometers off Queensland's coast during his 12,000-kilometer solo journey across the Pacific Ocean.
• Mockus endured four days of life-threatening conditions, with his small boat repeatedly capsizing in waves up to 16 meters high and navigation systems failing.
• The Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Choules rescued Mockus after a coordinated search effort involving aircraft and emergency beacons, despite challenging weather conditions.
• Mockus reunited with his wife in Sydney after nearly six months apart, expressing gratitude to rescuers and relief at surviving what he described as 'hell on earth.'
• The rower, who undertook the journey partly to honor Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion, hopes to recover his damaged boat and has no immediate plans to attempt another crossing.