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One last sunrise to sunset. Another day battling through merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands gripping unforgiving oars.

Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles at sea – an extraordinary 165-day expedition through Pacific waters that included close encounters with whales, defective signaling devices and sweet treat crises – the sea had one more challenge.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, their boat Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.

Supporters anticipated on shore as an expected noon touchdown became 2pm, followed by 4pm, then dusk. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached the Cairns marina.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe expressed, finally standing on land.

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and considered swimming the remaining distance. To finally be here, following years of planning, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – set out from Peruvian shores on 5 May (a first try 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, individual night shifts while her partner rested just a few hours 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 a less-than-reliable solar system for only partial electrical requirements.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or signaling devices, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The women endured 30-foot swells, navigated shipping lanes and endured raging storms that, at times, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

Still they maintained progress, each pull following the last, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the initial female duo to paddle over the South Pacific, continuously and independently.

And they have raised in excess of £86k (Australian $179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Life Aboard

The duo made every effort to maintain communication with civilization away from their compact craft.

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – down to their last two bars with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, had not been at sea until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 achieving record pace.

She has now mastered another ocean. But there were moments, she admitted, when they feared they wouldn't make it. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters felt impossible.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we managed a bypass and barely maintained progress with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' Yet we continued forward."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we resolved issues as a team, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she remarked.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, ascended Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"We had such a good time together, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys together as well. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."