Dramatic: Australian Warship Rescues Rower Stuck in Cyclone

Stormy Rescue: An Australian Naval warship saved a Lithuanian rower caught in a cyclone while trying to cross the Pacific Ocean solo.

The rower, Orimas Mokus (44), told his rescuers he was stranded on his boat for three days in the Coral Sea, 740 kilometers east of the coastal city of Mackay in Queensland. Mokus, who embarked on an ambitious journey from San Diego, USA, towards Brisbane, was pulled from the water early Monday morning and transferred for initial medical evaluation.

Mokus also shared that during the three days he was alone in the turbulent sea, he faced harsh weather conditions, high waves, and complete solitude. As a seasoned and professional rower known for his challenging long-distance rowing expeditions, Mokus did not hesitate to risk himself once again by facing extreme conditions. "The sea is my second home. I love the strength it demands from you, and every journey is a test of determination. In such a journey, you must be prepared for any scenario because nature does not consider your dreams. You have to work with what it gives you," he said previously.

The Royal Australian Navy reported that "the rower was safely brought aboard, and despite showing signs of fatigue and dehydration, fortunately, his condition is stable."

A sea survival expert commented, "Three days at sea is a tremendous physical and mental challenge. The fact that Mokus managed to hold out until the rescue testifies to the magnitude of the miracle that happened here."