Scottish Brothers Break Record with Epic 9,000-Mile Pacific Row

Sat Sep 13 2025 11:01:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Lachlan, Ewan, and Jamie MacLean have set a new world record for the fastest unassisted trans-Pacific row, completing their journey in 139 days.

Three Scottish brothers, Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan MacLean, have captured headlines by successfully rowing 9,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Australia in 139 days, breaking the previous record. The adventure was fraught with challenges, including fierce storms and near disasters at sea. Despite these hardships, the brothers managed to raise over £700,000 for clean water projects in Madagascar, showcasing their resilience and commitment to a cause close to their hearts.

Three brothers from Edinburgh have claimed a new record for rowing non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean after almost 140 days at sea.

Jamie, Ewan and Lachlan MacLean endured violent tropical storms, which forced them into making lengthy detours on their 9,000-mile (14,484km) journey from Peru to Australia.

During one storm, Lachlan was swept overboard by a large wave before being pulled back into the boat.

The brothers, who have been reunited with their family and friends in Cairns, in eastern Australia, said they were looking forward to pizza - and a decent night's sleep.

Ewan told BBC Breakfast: It's still slightly surreal - it's going to take a wee while for our feet to touch the ground, but what an amazing reception we've had in Cairns.

Jamie said the crossing had been physically and mentally relentless, but added: Together we form a pretty good team, and together we've overcome this massive challenge.

The Scottish trio have beaten the previous record of 162 days for the fastest full, unassisted, non-stop Pacific row, set by Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov in 2014.

Their final time was 139 days, five hours and 52 minutes.

The MacLeans did much of their training in the sea near a croft they have in Assynt in the north west Highlands.

Their carbon fibre boat is called Rose Emily, in memory of their sister who died in 1996, six-and-a-half months into the pregnancy following complications.

The brothers, who have so far raised more than £700,000 of a £1m target for clean water projects in Madagascar, had hoped to complete their journey in an even quicker time.

But bad weather hampered the final stretch of their journey, including high winds overnight on Thursday and Friday.

To complete the row unsupported, they could not land on an island to resupply, or accept help from any passing boats.

The brothers had to bring with them all their food - 500kg of freeze-dried food and 75kg of oats.

Morale was a key concern for the rowers, with sleep deprivation one of the biggest challenges.

While looking forward to fresh food and a comfy bed, Lachlan said he would miss nights under star-filled skies and close encounters with whales, dolphins, and sea birds.

Jamie, 32, described the adventure as the most incredible, relentless and often surreal of his life. Despite the weariness that set in during their last days at sea, the brothers reflected positively on their shared experience and the challenges they conquered together.