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A final 24-hour stretch. One more session navigating merciless swells. One more day of blistered hands clutching relentless paddles.

However following over 15,000 kilometers across the ocean – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey over the Pacific Ocean that included close encounters with whales, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes off Cairns continuously drove their compact craft, the Velocity, from the terra firma that was now painfully near.

Supporters anticipated on shore as a scheduled lunchtime finish shifted to 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then dusk. Finally, at 6.42pm, they came alongside Cairns Yacht Club.

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

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We drifted outside the navigational path and thought we might have to swim to shore. To finally be here, following years of planning, just feels incredible."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The UK duo – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – pushed off from Lima, Peru on May fifth (an earlier April effort was halted by steering issues).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her partner rested minimal sleep in a cramped cabin.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a water desalinator and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on a less-than-reliable solar system for only partial electrical requirements.

Throughout the majority of their expedition through the expansive ocean, they've had no navigation equipment or beacon, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, crossed commercial routes and survived violent tempests that, on occasion, silenced all of their electronics.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Still they maintained progress, one stroke after another, during intensely warm periods, under star-filled night skies.

They established a fresh milestone as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, continuously and independently.

Furthermore they gathered more than £86,000 (A$179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Daily Reality at Sea

The pair did their best to stay connected with society outside their tiny vessel.

Around day one-forty, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to celebrate England's Red Roses victory in the 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. However there were instances, she admitted, 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 desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and just limped along with little power during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'typically it occurred!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we problem-solved together, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, hiked England's South West Coast Path, climbed Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."