Scottish brothers attempt 14,000km Pacific rowing record - and reveal deep-sea drama that almost halted journey

Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 19/08/2025

- 11:58

The Maclean brothers told GB News they’ve been battered by back-to-back cyclones and even chased by a giant marlin in their tiny boat

Three Scottish brothers are closing in on the end of a gruelling 14,000 kilometre row across the Pacific, but say the final weeks have been some of the toughest yet.

The Maclean brothers told GB News they’ve been battered by back-to-back cyclones and even chased by a giant marlin in their tiny boat.

Jamie Maclean admitted it has felt like “one setback after another”, as the trio fought through storms and stared down threats from the deep.

At one point, a huge marlin tailed their vessel, sparking fears it could spear straight through the hull.

“You’re always on edge,” Jamie explained to The Peoples Channel. “Marlins often chase the little fish that hide under the boat and sometimes pierce straight through it.”

Thankfully, the predator backed off.

“This one left us alone, so we lived to row another day,” he added.

The brothers have been rowing in two-hour shifts non-stop since leaving Lima in April, without a safety boat or resupplies, and are aiming to raise £1million for clean water projects in Madagascar.

Their record attempt would mark the fastest ever unsupported row between Peru and Sydney.

You can support the brothers on their voyage here

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