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One more day. One more session navigating the unforgiving ocean. One more day of blistered hands gripping unforgiving oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers at sea – an extraordinary 165-day expedition over the Pacific Ocean that included close encounters with whales, defective signaling devices and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind off Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, their rowing boat Velocity, away from solid ground that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival became 2pm, followed by 4pm, then twilight hours. Finally, at 6.42pm, they arrived at Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe stated, 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, after extensive preparation, proves truly extraordinary."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The UK duo – aged 28 and 25 respectively – 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, working as a team through daytime hours, individual night shifts while her crewmate slept a bare handful of hours in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a water desalinator and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the pair have relied on a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

Throughout the majority of their expedition over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or beacon, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, crossed commercial routes and survived violent tempests that, at times, shut down every electronic device.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Yet they continued paddling, stroke by relentless stroke, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the first all-female pair to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, non-stop and unsupported.

Additionally they collected in excess of £86k (A$179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Existence Onboard

The duo made every effort to keep in contact with the world away from their compact craft.

On "day 140-something", they reported a "chocolate emergency" – reduced to their final two portions with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to mark the English squad's triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 in a record time.

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. But there were moments, she conceded, when failure seemed possible. As early as day six, a way across the world's largest ocean appeared insurmountable.

"Our electrical systems were diminishing, the water-maker pipes burst, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and just limped along with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Whenever issues arose, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we problem-solved together, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she said.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, hiked England's South West Coast Path, climbed Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Further adventures likely await.

"We had such a good time together, and we're already excited to plan new adventures as a team again. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."