Navy welcomes fellow mariners to Australia
The Royal Australian Navy was among the first to welcome the Scottish Maclean brothers to Australia after their 140-day rowing feat across the Pacific.
CAPTION: Commanding Officer ADV Cape Peron Lieutenant Commander Harrison Ingham with Maclean brothers, left to right, Ewan, Lachlan and Jamie, in Cairns, Queensland. Story and photos by Lieutenant Jessica Craig.
The trio, who rowed from Peru to Australia to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar, were greeted at sea by a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) from Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Peron, which ferried Australian Border Force officers out to conduct passport and quarantine checks so the brothers could expedite family and friend reunions once ashore.
The echoing call of bagpipes provided a moving serenade as Cape Peron’s RHIB escorted the brothers’ custom-built boat into the Cairns Marina.
Commanding Officer Cape Peron Lieutenant Commander Harrison Ingham said his team’s small contribution was a great way to honour fellow mariners.
“Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean have shown exceptional strength and courage in taking on the mammoth challenge of rowing 9000 miles in the name of ocean stewardship,” Lieutenant Commander Ingham said.
“It was a small contribution from the Royal Australian Navy to send an RHIB out to welcome them, but one my team was honoured to do for fellow mariners who share the same passion and connection to the ocean as we do.”
Once ashore, the brothers thanked the Navy for the welcome and reiterated their dedication to ensuring the world’s waters are clean and habitable for all.
Boatswains mates Able Seaman Noah Brady and Able Seaman Hayden Sleath, who were on the RHIB, said they were in awe of the brothers’ strength and tenacity.
“It’s a tremendous effort from them to travel so far in such a small platform. To be involved in the slightest bit is phenomenal,” Able Seaman Sleath said.
Able Seaman Brady agreed.
“We know what it’s like being at sea on a patrol boat – for them to undertake a record-breaking row as they did is incredible,” he said.
The brothers will enjoy some much-needed recuperation in Cairns with family and friends before heading to Sydney for further fundraising efforts, then returning home to Scotland where it is expected they’ll receive another moving welcome.
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