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4h ago

Scottish Brothers Set Pacific Rowing Record With 139-Day Peru-to-Australia Crossing

Their nonstop, unsupported 9,000-mile crossing raises about £800,000 for clean-water projects in Madagascar.

Scottish brothers (L-R) Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan MacLean celebrate as they arrive into Cairns in northern Queensland on August 30, 2025. The three Scottish brothers stepped ashore in Australia on August 30 after claiming a new record for rowing non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean, "over the moon" to be back on dry land. They set off in a carbon fibre dinghy from Lima in Peru in April for the 9,000 miles (14,500 kilometres) journey, enduring violent storms and sickness during their 139 days at sea. (Photo by Brian CASSEY / AFP) (Photo by BRIAN CASSEY/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • They landed in Cairns on 30 August after 139 days, five hours and 52 minutes at sea, completing a continuous voyage of roughly 9,000 miles.
  • The trio are the first recorded team to row the full Pacific from South America to Australia, eclipsing the prior solo benchmark set in 2014.
  • Severe weather forced a switch from a planned Sydney finish and included storms that swept Lachlan overboard before he was pulled back to safety.
  • They completed the effort without resupplies or an escort in the custom carbon‑fibre boat Rose Emily, co-designed with ocean-rowing veteran Mark Slats.
  • Donations reported at roughly £0.7–£0.85 million move them toward a £1 million target to bring clean water to about 40,000 people in Madagascar, drawing wide public and celebrity backing.