🔗 Share this article

One last sunrise to sunset. Another day battling through merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey over the Pacific Ocean that included close encounters with whales, malfunctioning navigation equipment and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes off Cairns kept pushing their small vessel, their boat Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival became 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then dusk. Finally, at 6.42pm, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"The concluding hours proved absolutely punishing," Rowe expressed, finally standing on land.

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We drifted outside the navigational path and considered swimming the remaining distance. To finally be here, after extensive preparation, just feels incredible."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The British pair – aged 28 and 25 respectively – set out from Peruvian shores on May fifth (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, single rower overnight while her partner rested minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a seawater purification system and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the duo depended upon an inconsistent solar power setup for only partial electrical requirements.

For much of their journey across the vast Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or location transmitters, creating a phantom vessel scenario, almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and survived violent tempests that, periodically, disabled all electrical systems.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, one stroke after another, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the pioneering women's team to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

Furthermore they gathered over eighty-six thousand pounds (Australian $179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Daily Reality at Sea

The duo made every effort to keep in contact with the world beyond their small boat.

Around day one-forty, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – reduced to their final two portions with over 1,000 miles remaining – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey during 2022 establishing a record.

She now has a second ocean conquered. Yet there were periods, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. Beginning on the sixth day, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, yet after numerous mends, we managed a bypass and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'of course it has!' Yet we continued forward."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we resolved issues as a team, and we were always working towards the same goals," she stated.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, trekked England's coastal trail, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. There might still be more.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."