Aurimas Mockus activated his emergency beacon on Friday night about 740km east of Mackay, Queensland, and 90km west of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
He is travelling solo on the rowing boat from the Californian city to Brisbane and was battling winds of 80km/h and heavy seas when he called for help, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
A Cairns-based Challenger jet didn't spot the vessel on Saturday but managed to make contact with Mr Mockus, who said he was tired.Â
An aircraft was sent from Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh near Adelaide and another will be dispatched on Sunday to maintain communications.
HMAS Choules, a 16,000-tonne navy landing ship, is en route from Brisbane into the Coral Sea to assist.
"Further information on the condition of the rower and his boat will be sought from him today," an AMSA spokesperson said.
Weather conditions have eased near the Coral Sea but it's still within the influence of the cyclone, which was about 510km east of Rockhampton on Sunday morning.
The category two cyclone is forecast to move south, roughly parallel to the coastline, on Sunday before weakening slightly and moving to the southeast on Monday.
It's then expected to slow and turn west from Tuesday, travelling back towards the southern Queensland coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology says strong to gale-force winds may impact K'gari, also known as Fraser Island, on Sunday.
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