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A final 24-hour stretch. One more day up and down the unforgiving ocean. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes off Cairns continuously drove their compact craft, their rowing boat Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival became 2pm, then 4pm, then dusk. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached the Cairns marina.

"Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe said, eventually on solid ground.

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and contemplated a final swim to land. To finally be here, after extensive preparation, proves truly extraordinary."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

The English women – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – pushed off from Lima, Peru on 5 May (an earlier April effort was derailed by a rudder failure).

During 165 ocean days, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, rowing in tandem during the day, individual night shifts while her partner rested minimal sleep in a cramped cabin.

Survival and Challenges

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and an integrated greens production unit, the duo depended upon an inconsistent solar power setup for limited energy demands.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they operated without navigation tools or beacon, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, crossed commercial routes and endured raging storms that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

And they've kept rowing, one stroke after another, across blazing hot days, below stellar evening heavens.

They have set a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

And they have raised more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Life Aboard

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

During the 140s of their journey, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – reduced to their final two portions with over 1,000 miles remaining – but permitted themselves the luxury of unwrapping a portion to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 achieving record pace.

She has now mastered another ocean. But there were moments, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. Starting within the first week, a path over the planet's biggest sea appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, we accomplished a workaround and simply continued struggling with little power during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' But we kept going."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. What was great was that we worked hard together, we resolved issues as a team, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she remarked.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, ascended Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. No other partner would have sufficed."