Three Scottish brothers—Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean—stepped onto the shores of Cairns, Australia, on August 30, 2025, and into the record books after completing the fastest unsupported row across the full Pacific Ocean. The siblings, hailing from Edinburgh, shattered the previous world record by traversing more than 9,000 miles from Peru to Australia in just 139 days, five hours, and 52 minutes—a feat that has left the global adventure community in awe and their supporters back home bursting with pride.
Their journey, which began in April from Lima, Peru, was anything but smooth sailing. The brothers faced violent storms, injuries, and relentless exhaustion. At one harrowing moment, as reported by AFP and The Guardian, one brother was swept overboard—an incident that could have ended in tragedy but was resolved thanks to quick action and teamwork. As Ewan recounted, “This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I couldn’t have even contemplated it without my brothers.”
The Macleans’ vessel, a custom-built carbon fibre boat named Rose Emily, became their world for nearly five months. With only 280kg of space and no safety boat or resupplies, the trio rowed in two-hour shifts, day and night, through some of the most remote and treacherous waters on the planet. According to The Scotsman, their supplies included 500kg of food—among them, 75kg of oats and a menu of high-calorie comfort meals. Yet, as the end neared, their rations dwindled, and the threat of running out of food loomed large. “We seriously thought we might run out of food,” Jamie admitted. “Despite how exhausted we were, we had to step up a gear and make it before supplies ran out, but now we get to eat proper food.”
Upon arrival, the brothers rowed into the Cairns Marlin Marina, playing the bagpipes—a nod to their Scottish heritage—and waving the Scottish, Australian, and United Kingdom flags. More than 50 family members and friends, including their mother Sheila, were on hand to greet them with tears, hugs, and, perhaps most importantly, pizza. Ewan, the eldest at 33, even radioed ahead to the marina with a playful request: “Do you have pizza and beer? I repeat, do you have pizza and beer? Over.” The brothers’ first meal on land was a freshly baked margherita pizza, a treat that tasted all the sweeter after months at sea.
But this wasn’t just an adventure for adventure’s sake. The Maclean brothers undertook the Pacific crossing to raise funds for clean water projects in Madagascar through their own charity, the Maclean Foundation. Their efforts have so far raised more than £790,000 (over $1.6 million), with the ultimate goal of reaching £1 million to provide clean water to 40,000 people. “Ocean rowing has given us newfound appreciation for things we used to take for granted—like going for a shower, lying in bed, or simply leaning on something stationary,” Jamie reflected. The brothers have pledged to continue their fundraising efforts, determined to see their projects through to completion.
The magnitude of their achievement is underscored by the fact that, while the mid-Pacific route from California to Hawaii is relatively well-traveled by ocean rowers, few have ever attempted the full crossing from South America to Australia. Lithuanian solo rower Aurimas Mockus, for example, had to abandon his attempt this year due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The previous record for the fastest full, unassisted, nonstop Pacific row was 160 days, set by Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov in 2014, who covered 7,393 miles. The Macleans not only smashed that record by more than 20 days but also became the first team to complete the full crossing, rowing over 9,000 miles.
This is not the first time the Maclean brothers have made headlines in the world of ocean rowing. In 2020, they became the fastest and youngest trio to row the Atlantic Ocean, completing the journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in 35 days and raising over £200,000 for charity. Remarkably, they achieved these feats without ever having rowed professionally. Their father, whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE, played a role in inspiring their charitable efforts, and the family’s whisky heritage was honored through sponsorships from distilleries such as Rare Whisky 101 and Talisker.
Their Pacific crossing also drew support from celebrities and the public alike. Actor Mark Wahlberg dubbed them “warriors,” while Ewan McGregor and Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, offered their encouragement. Even residents at the Chamberlain Care Home in Edinburgh took up rowing lessons in solidarity—a gesture Jamie described as “humbling.” The brothers’ journey was followed by thousands on social media, where they shared updates about battling horrendous winds, navigating the Great Barrier Reef, and the emotional toll of such an extreme endeavor. “At times we’ve cried with sadness and with fear, but our spirits have been lifted, time and time again, by the support of so many rallying behind us,” Ewan said.
Physically, the toll was immense. Months of broken sleep in cramped quarters, constant rowing, and the ever-present danger of the open ocean pushed the trio to their limits. “We’ve shed tears of joy and laughed till our cheeks hurt,” Ewan noted. Jamie added, “Things got tough towards the end and we seriously thought we might run out of food.” Yet, through it all, the brothers lifted each other up, never losing sight of their shared goal.
The Macleans’ record-breaking row stands as one of the most remote and physically demanding open-water rows ever attempted. Their story is not just about endurance, but also about family, charity, and the power of community. As they look ahead, the brothers plan to keep fundraising and spreading awareness for clean water access—a cause that’s become deeply personal after their time at sea.
For now, though, the brothers are content to enjoy dry land, the embrace of loved ones, and the simple pleasures they once took for granted. Their journey across the Pacific may be over, but the impact of their achievement—and the inspiration they’ve provided—will ripple far beyond the shores of Cairns.