Discover the Warship-Choules: Ratings & Maritime News

On March 3, 2025, a daring rescue unfolded as the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS 'Choules' successfully retrieved Lithuanian ocean rower Aurimas Mockus from perilous conditions off the Queensland coast. Mockus found himself battling the fierce elements created by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with winds reaching up to 130 km/h and daunting waves, approximately 740 kilometers east of Mackay. The courageous solo adventurer was attempting a remarkable 12,000 km journey across the Pacific Ocean, starting from San Diego and aiming for Brisbane. After activating his emergency beacon on February 28, Mockus faced a harrowing ordeal as the cyclone unleashed its fury, prompting a swift response from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, who orchestrated the search and rescue operation. A Challenger jet based in Cairns was dispatched but initially failed to locate Mockus on March 1. However, they did manage to establish communication with the exhausted rower, who was frantically trying to keep his boat afloat by bailing out water and pleading for immediate assistance. Having begun his journey in October, Mockus had been making steady progress, averaging around 70 nautical miles per day. Unfortunately, as he braced for the maximum impact of the cyclone on February 27, he expressed hope for survival over the next few days. Though the weather conditions improved slightly, the effects of the category-two cyclone lingered on March 2, with hazardous wind speeds of up to 100 km/h and monstrous seas measuring between five to seven meters. Once on board HMAS 'Choules,' Mockus underwent a medical evaluation and was expected to return to Sydney’s Garden Island naval base with the vessel. Unfortunately, due to the treacherous sea conditions, his rowing boat could not be salvaged, with only two oars and some personal belongings retrieved. For visual coverage and reports on this remarkable rescue, visit: - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/03/navy-ship-on-rescue-mission-for-stranded-ocean-rower-aurimas-mockus-off-australias-east-coast) - [GVA](https://www.gva.be/buitenland/golven-van-zeven-meter-hoog-litouwse-oceaanroeier-gered-uit-storm-voor-australische-kust-tijdens-poging-tot-wereldrecord/46837323.html) - [Baird Maritime](https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/emergency-services/search-and-rescue/royal-australian-navy-ship-rescues-distressed-boater-in-cyclone-hit-seas)

The Australian Defence Force is currently investigating the unexpected breakdown of the HMAS Choules, a $100 million amphibious landing ship purchased from the United Kingdom last year. Despite being reported in optimal mechanical condition prior to the incident, the Defence Materiel Organisation's chief executive, Warren King, revealed during a recent Senate budget estimates hearing that one of the two main propulsion transformers onboard the Choules has failed. This incident took place in June 2012 while the vessel was en route from Sydney to participate in Exercise Hamel, forcing it to return at reduced power. The Defence Force is actively working to understand the root cause of this malfunction.

The ex-RN RFA HMAS Choules is currently facing issues indicative of premature ageing. The vessel, while en route to Queensland for Exercise Hamel, experienced a defect that necessitated her return to Sydney. During this incident, Siemens, the transformer manufacturer, inspected all other transformers onboard and confirmed they were operating within specifications. However, upon the removal of the two starboard side propulsion transformers, a thorough investigation revealed concerning signs of premature ageing. Further inspections of the remaining transformers onboard HMAS Choules have shown varying degrees of similar issues. The transformer manufacturer has not yet established whether these findings contributed to the failure of the starboard propulsion transformer. Efforts are now underway, in collaboration with Siemens, on-site support agencies, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, to assess the timeframe for replacing the remaining transformers. Additionally, the Defence Materiel Organisation has reached out to the UK Ministry of Defence to facilitate further investigations. Should HMAS Choules experience additional delays in her operational return, HMAS Tobruk and the Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield will be tasked with delivering humanitarian assistance or disaster relief, should the government require such support.