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A final 24-hour stretch. One more day up and down the unforgiving ocean. Another round of raw palms clutching relentless paddles.

However following over 15,000 kilometers at sea – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey through Pacific waters that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind near Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, their rowing boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close.

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

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

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We drifted outside the navigational path and considered swimming the remaining distance. To at last reach our destination, after extensive preparation, seems absolutely amazing."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

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

Over 165 days at sea, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, one rowing alone at night while her crewmate slept 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 pair have relied on an inconsistent solar power setup for only partial electrical requirements.

During most of their voyage through the expansive ocean, they operated without navigation tools or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, crossed commercial routes and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, disabled all electrical systems.

Record-Breaking Achievement

And they've kept rowing, one stroke after another, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

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

Additionally they collected more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Daily Reality at Sea

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization away from their compact craft.

On "day 140-something", they reported a "chocolate emergency" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to mark the English squad's victory in the World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, had not been at sea prior to her independent Atlantic journey in 2022 in a record time.

She now has a second ocean conquered. Yet there were periods, she admitted, when they doubted their success. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we managed a bypass and just limped along with little power for the rest of the crossing. Whenever issues arose, we just looked at each other and went, 'of course it has!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we addressed challenges collectively, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she stated.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."