SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- In the final push to make it to Australia, Lithuanian Aurimas Mockus nearly became one of the few rowers to make the journey alone across the Pacific Ocean from California to Australia, but a storm got in the way of his chances. Aurimas Mockus left San Diego in a custom rowing boat on October 14, 2024, in an attempt to make it 12,000 kilometers (nearly 8,000 miles) to Australia without help or stops. Man to journey across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Australia in solo rowing boat Aurimas Mockus leaves from San Diego's Shelter Island on October 14, 2024, to journey across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Australia in a solo rowing boat (FOX 5/KUSI) He nearly made it and would have been among just a few to ever make the lengthy feat. Mockus was just days away from his destination of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia, when he activated an emergency beacon on Friday, February 28, about 740 kilometers (460 miles) east of the Queensland state coastal city of Mackay, the Associated Press reports. Mockus was stranded in the Coral Sea for three days in rough seas and winds from Tropical Cyclone Alfred before he was rescued that Monday, March 3, by Royal Australian Navy landing ship HMAS Choules, according to the Associated Press. In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus' boat is photographed in heavy seas in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Australia, Saturday, March 1, 2025, while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California. (Australian Defense Force via AP)In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Choules use an inflatable boat to rescue Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus, Monday, March 3, 2025, who struck a storm in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Australia while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California. (CPOIS Helen Frank/Australian Defense Force via AP)In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Choules used an inflatable boat to rescue Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus, second left, Monday, March 3, 2025, who struck a storm in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Australia while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California. (CPOIS Helen Frank/Australian Defense Force via AP)In this photo provided by the Australian Defense Force Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Choules used an inflatable boat to rescue Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus, second right, Monday, March 3, 2025, who struck a storm in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Australia while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California. (CPOIS Helen Frank/Australian Defense Force via AP) “Because of highly unfavorable sea conditions, Mr. Mockus’s boat could not be recovered except for two oars and some personal items,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which coordinated the rescue, said in a statement to the Associated Press. Mockus’ website stated he was sailing with the message “Lithuania stands together.” He also aimed to honor “Ukrainians who died in the war and to remind the world that we cannot stop helping the country fighting for the freedom of us all.” The Associated Press contributed to this report ...read more read less