Seas the Day: Jess & Miriam complete Pacific adventure
They’ve done it! After 165 days at sea and 8,213 nautical miles rowed, Jess and Miriam have officially landed in Cairns, Australia, after rowing through the Pacific Ocean completely unsupported.
On Saturday 18th October, at 6.42m (local time in Cairns), Jess and Miriam on their boat, Velocity, crossed the finish line to cheers and an emotional crowd of family, friends and supporters.
Their arrival marks the culmination of a journey filled with determination, resilience, and many unforgettable moments.
Support from Ava Global Logistics
Ava Global Logistics congratulate Jess and Miriam on reaching Cairns, the culmination of an incredible journey. The Ava team have been following every step of their adventure and are proud to have supported them along the way.
Their determination and spirit have been truly inspiring, and it means a lot to be part of a cause as special as this. Well done, Jess and Miriam.
Battling the elements
The weeks leading up to this milestone have been nothing short of eventful. The team celebrated hitting 6,000 nm with some presents on the big waves, which Miriam described as “carnage.”
At one point, strong headwinds forced them to deploy the para-anchor, a kind of underwater parachute on a long rope, to keep the boat from drifting too far off course.
Jess explained:
“Some may say this is a great opportunity to get some more rest, but we couldn’t be more uncomfortable! We’re both stuck in the stern cabin together as the bow cabin is full of equipment and also quite wet from all of our wet weather gear.
I have to say, we’ve been very lucky that we’ve not had to use the para-anchor until this point, and the last time was on our first attempt when we spent over a week on the anchor, spinning around like in a washing machine with no rudder or daggerboard!”
More recently, the duo passed through the Vanuatu islands — their closest encounter with land, all expedition, with just 4 nautical miles of clearance on either side. They described an incredible sunset as they threaded through, though progress was slowed by unhelpful currents.
At sunrise the next day, headwinds and countercurrents pushed them backwards until they deployed the para-anchor once more, using the time to scrub Velocity’s hull and carry out essential maintenance. By sunset, the winds shifted in their favour, and they were moving forward again.
Highs among the hardship
Thankfully, they soon came off the para-anchor and made strong progress towards Australia. Spirits lifted when they caught yellowfin tuna and enjoyed what they called a “luxury dinner” at sea.
It’s also been a remarkable few weeks beyond the daily grind of rowing. The pair officially passed through the International Date Line, a surreal milestone, and spotted glimpses of the Tongan Kingdom, the Fijian Islands, and later the approach to the Vanuatu Islands. Each sighting was a reminder that land was drawing closer, that the impossible was gradually becoming real.
Crossing into the Coral Sea was another emotional highlight, marking the moment Jess and Miriam could officially say they had rowed the full Pacific Ocean.
Amidst the exhaustion, Velocity finally lived up to her name. Just days before arrival, Jess and Miriam recorded their fastest progress yet — 84 miles in 24 hours, smashing their previous best of 74 miles set in the first month. Messages of excitement from friends and family spurred them on as the finish line drew nearer.
Making waves on shore
On land, the Seas the Day campaign has been making waves of its own. With media features in The Times, The Guardian, and the BBC, their story has reached an ever-wider audience.
Having hit two targets, the team have now raised over £97k for The Outward Bound Trust. So close to their third revised target of £100k, with the opportunity for one more push by donating through the givestar link.
What a fantastic achievement after a heavy few months of challenges and support from everyone involved, and a testament to the incredible support behind Jess and Miriam’s mission.
Even their online following has exploded, hitting 100,000 Instagram followers before they landed in Cairns — a milestone they say felt surreal from the isolation of the open ocean.
A historic moment
Now, with their feet finally on solid ground in Cairns, the enormity of what they have achieved is beginning to sink in.
From battling storms and headwinds to sharing sushi at sea, their journey has been one of challenges, humour, and heart. And as they step into the next chapter, they’ve made history, a lifelong friendship, and inspired countless others along the way.
