Scottish brothers set new world record for fastest human-powered crossing of the Pacific Ocean

Three Scottish brothers have set a new world record after completing the fastest human-powered crossing of the full Pacific Ocean. 

Rowers Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean arrived in Cairns, Australia on Saturday August 30 following a mammoth 139 days five hours and 52 minutes at sea, as they rowed 9,000 miles across the world’s largest ocean. 

The Edinburgh-born trio are the first team ever recorded to row from South America to Australia.  

Prior to their record, the fastest time to cross the full Pacific Ocean was 159 days 16 hr 58 mins, achieved by Fedor Konyukhov (Russia), who rowed 7,393 miles (6,424 nautical miles; 11,897.9 km) from Chile, to Australia in 2014. 

The trio took on the epic challenge to raise awareness and fund projects that provide clean water for life to people living in Madagascar through their Maclean Foundation, and have so far raised more than £795,000 as supporters from around the globe – including megastars Ewan MacGregor, Mark Wahlberg, and Flea – rallied behind the campaign. 

The voyage, which began on April 12  threw significant challenges at the rowers, including Ewan and Jamie facing crippling seasickness for the first two weeks, a terrifying scare with Lachlan thrown overboard during a night shift only to be pulled back on the boat by his older brother Ewan, and a race against time to complete the row as extreme weather conditions stalled their progress.

The adventurers also had to deal with a broken water maker, faulty auto helm, and countless injuries as they spent up to 14 hours per day on the oars.

The Scots were reunited with more than 50 friends and family who made the trip from the UK – including their mum, Sheila.

‘Things got tough towards the end and we seriously thought we might run out of food,’ Jamie said.

‘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. 

‘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. 

‘It was the most incredible, relentless and often surreal experience of my life. While I might miss the routine, the solitude, the sunsets, and sunrises and so much more, right now I’m just very glad to be back on land with my friends and family who I’ve missed so much. The whole thing will take a while to sink in.’

While the mid-Pacific – from California to Hawaii – is well travelled, relatively few have attempted the full Pacific from South America to Australia. 

Earlier this year, Lithuanian solo rower Aurimas Mockus had to abandon his Pacific crossing attempt due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Ewan, who left his job as an engineer at Dyson to take on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, added: ‘The days have been long and yet the weeks have flown past, it’s strange to think of the time that we’ve spent out here.

‘This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I couldn’t have even contemplated it without my brothers. 

‘There have been countless setbacks to overcome, some leaving us lost, but we’ve always lifted each other up. 

‘We’ve shed tears of joy and laughed till our cheeks hurt. And 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.’

The row captured global attention, with Mark Wahlberg – who said he wanted to play the trio in a movie – keeping especially close attention, even joining the brothers for an Instagram live to wish them luck in the others prior to arrival.

Jamie played bagpipes to Ewan McGregor from the ocean, while Sam Heughan and Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were also among those calling in to the boat to show support. 

The All-American Rejects invited Jamie to join the band’s performance at Comic Con in San Diego live from sea, playing the intro to their hit Swing-Swing on the bagpipes. 

Youngest brother Lachlan, who marked his 27th birthday during the five-month voyage, was inspired to support clean water projects in Madagascar after visiting the country following university. 

‘We’ve completed the row but the journey isn’t over,’ he said,

‘We have a charity target of £1 million which will provide clean water for life to 40,000 people living in Madagascar, and we won’t stop until we get there. Clean water is the most basic of needs, and it’s too often taken for granted.

‘While we’re looking forward to getting back to Scotland to see our dad, and to enjoy life back at our croft in Nedd in the Highlands, we’re also very excited to get back out to Madagascar as it’s a very special place for us.’

The brothers’ boat, Rose Emily, was named after the sister they never knew, as their parents lost her during pregnancy. Built alongside ocean rowing legend Mark Slats, it is believed to be the fastest and lightest ocean rowing boat ever made.

The brothers first caught the bug for ocean rowing in 2019 when they set out to row the Atlantic Ocean. Despite being relative novices to the sport, the trio broke three world records when they rowed from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in 35 days.

The expedition was in support of The Maclean Foundation, which funds clean water projects in Madagascar and beyond. 

Read more News stories here.

Subscribe to read the latest issue of Scottish Field.