James Brett Clibbery, 70, and Sarah Justine Packwood, 54, a Canadian couple from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, were discovered deceased in a 10-foot inflatable lifeboat on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The discovery occurred nearly a month after they departed from Halifax Harbor on their environmentally conscious yacht, Theros.
Through their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures, the couple had been chronicling their journeys. Their goal was to prove that one could undertake long-haul travel without relying on fossil fuels. Their 42-foot yacht was powered by electricity, solar panels, batteries, and a repurposed car engine. They embarked from Halifax on June 11, their destination being the Azores, a cluster of Portuguese islands roughly 2,000 miles away.
The trip, referred to as “The Green Odyssey,” was expected to last 21 days. However, on June 18, 2024, news broke that Clibbery and Packwood had gone missing. The last recorded location of Clibbery’s GPS device was approximately 40 miles southwest of Sable Island on June 13. By July 10, their bodies were found washed up on Sable Island, a location often called the “graveyard of the Atlantic” due to its high number of shipwrecks.
James, Clibbery’s son, shared his sadness in a Facebook post that underscored the depth of their loss: “They were incredible individuals, and nothing can fill the void their, as yet unexplained, passing has left. Life won’t be the same without your wisdom, and your wife swiftly became a source of knowledge and kindness. I miss your smiles. I miss your voices. You will always be missed.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are currently investigating the deaths. Initial reports do not point to foul play. It is believed that the couple’s lifeboat originated from their larger vessel, Theros. The investigation is exploring multiple possibilities, including the notion that a passing cargo ship that failed to spot them may have hit the yacht. The Theros has not been found, and the investigation continues.
In an April 12 video, Clibbery explained the couple’s mission: “We’re doing everything we can to show that you can travel without burning fossil fuels.” Packwood added, “It’s probably the biggest adventure of our lives so far.”
The couple’s story was shared in a 2020 article in The Guardian, which detailed their initial meeting in London in 2015. Clibbery, a retired engineer, was preparing to donate a kidney to his sister when he met Packwood, a humanitarian worker from the UK. The couple wed on the Theros in 2016 and relocated to Canada in 2018, continuing their sailing endeavors.
The RCMP announced that DNA tests are being conducted to verify the identities of the remains. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has identified one set of remains as Clibbery’s, and investigators are confident the other remains are Packwood’s.
Their bodies were found on Sable Island, a crescent-shaped sandbar renowned for its wild horses and dangerous waters. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic reveals it is located about 190 miles southeast of Halifax and has been the site of over 350 shipwrecks since 1583.
The first documented shipwreck was the HMS Delight in 1583. Historical records reveal the ship was part of Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s expedition to North America when it ran aground on Sable Island. The survivors were subjected to harsh conditions, and numerous lives were lost before rescue arrived.
In 1737, the Catherine, on its way from Boston to London, fell victim to Sable Island’s treacherous waters. During a violent storm, only a small number of the crew survived, clinging to the wreckage until they were rescued by passing ships.
The 19th century witnessed numerous shipwrecks on Sable Island. The Francis, a British brig, was lost in 1800 with no survivors. In 1854, the ship Arcadia met its end, resulting in the deaths of 68 passengers and crew. This series of incidents emphasized the need for lifesaving measures on the island.
The Humane Establishment was founded in 1801 to address the high number of shipwrecks. This organization provided lifesaving services, including lighthouses, houses of refuge, and lifesaving stations. The Humane Establishment crew worked tirelessly to rescue shipwreck victims and maintain the island’s infrastructure, operating for 150 years until 1958, after 11 years without a shipwreck.
One of the most significant wrecks of the 19th century was the British barque, Crofton Hall. In 1898, the ship ran aground on the northeast bar of Sable Island during a severe storm. Rescue efforts were impeded by the harsh weather, and artifacts from the Crofton Hall are now part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s collection.
In the same year, the French liner La Bourgogne collided with another vessel in dense fog, sinking rapidly and resulting in the loss of over 500 lives. This disaster is one of the deadliest shipwrecks in Sable Island’s history.
The early 20th century saw continued shipwrecks on Sable Island. In 1927, the passenger steamer Columbia ran aground during a storm. The passengers and crew were rescued by the Humane Establishment’s lifesaving crew, highlighting the significance of their work.
The freighter Manhasset was wrecked in 1947, marking another significant event in Sable Island’s maritime history. The ship was caught in a storm and driven onto the island’s sandbars. The crew faced a harrowing ordeal as they waited for rescue in the harsh conditions.
In 1999, the fishing vessel Merrimac ran aground. Advances in navigation technology have reduced the frequency of shipwrecks, but the island’s reputation as a dangerous maritime zone continues.
Sable Island is also known for its population of wild horses. These horses, descendants of animals brought to the island in the 18th century, symbolize the island’s rugged beauty and resilience. The island is now a protected National Park Reserve managed by Parks Canada, with efforts ongoing to preserve its unique ecosystem and historical significance.
