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One more day. Another day battling through merciless swells. One more day of blistered hands holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage across the Pacific that included intimate meetings with marine giants, 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 a scheduled lunchtime finish evolved into afternoon, subsequently 4pm, then early evening. Finally, at 6.42pm, they reached the Cairns marina.

"Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe expressed, at last on firm earth.

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We ended up outside the channel and thought we might have to swim to shore. To ultimately arrive, after extensive preparation, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The UK duo – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – departed from Lima, Peru in early May (a first try in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Over 165 days at sea, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, paddling together in daylight, single rower overnight while her crewmate slept just a few hours in a confined sleeping area.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on a less-than-reliable solar system for limited energy demands.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or location transmitters, turning them into a "ghost ship", nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, traversed marine highways and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, disabled all electrical systems.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.

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

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

Life Aboard

The women attempted to maintain communication with civilization outside their tiny vessel.

During the 140s of their journey, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – reduced to their final two portions with over 1,000 miles remaining – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to mark the English squad's victory in the World Cup.

Personal Insights

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

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. However there were instances, she admitted, when failure seemed possible. As early as day six, a path over the planet's biggest sea appeared insurmountable.

"Our energy was failing, the desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, we accomplished a workaround and just limped along with reduced energy during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we just looked at each other and went, 'typically it occurred!' Still we persevered."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we resolved issues as a team, and we were always working towards the same goals," she said.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys as a team again. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."