Edinburgh brothers set a new fastest nonstop unsupported Pacific row

Three brothers from Edinburgh claimed a new record for the fastest nonstop, unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean when they landed in Cairns, Australia, on Saturday after roughly 139 to 140 days at sea. Jamie, Ewan and Lachlan MacLean set off from Peru in April and completed a journey of about 9,000 miles, covering roughly 14,000 to 14,500 kilometres, in a carbon fibre boat named Rose Emily.

The crossing, which the trio said was intended to raise funds for clean water projects in Madagascar, was punctuated by violent storms, seasickness and a near-disaster at sea. The brothers were forced to make lengthy detours to avoid cyclones and the New Caledonia archipelago, and they could not land or accept outside assistance because their attempt was unsupported. Accounts differ over one dramatic incident: some reports say Lachlan was washed overboard during a 36-hour storm in July and was recovered after being dragged behind the boat on a safety line, while other accounts identify Ewan as the crew member who went overboard. The brothers and family members said the person was pulled back aboard after frantic efforts by their siblings.

The MacLeans carried about 500 kilograms of...