James Brett Clibbery and his wife, Sarah Justine Packwood, departed Nova Scotia on June 11, aiming to sail to the Azores. Earlier this month, remains believed to be theirs were discovered. Authorities found the bodies of two sailors, who had planned a green-energy voyage from Nova Scotia to the Azores, washed ashore at Sable Island National Park Reserve—approximately four weeks after they were last seen.
On July 10, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of a 10-foot inflatable lifeboat containing human remains on Sable Island, a remote Canadian national park, according to an agency press release. Although the remains were not officially identified, authorities believe they belong to a 70-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman from British Columbia. A Facebook post by James Clibbery, the man’s son, identified them as James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood. The couple, who set sail from Halifax Harbor on June 11, were reported missing on June 18.
In his post, the younger Clibbery described the discovery as deeply distressing, noting that DNA tests would confirm the identities. “The past few days have been very hard,” he wrote, adding, “There isn’t anything that will fill the hole left by their, so far unexplained, passing.”
The RCMP has launched an investigation into their deaths, though no further comments have been made. Sable Island, located about 180 miles southeast of Halifax, is known for its wildlife, shifting sands, and proximity to over 350 shipwrecks.
James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood shared their sailing adventures online, including plans for their eco-conscious voyage, named “The Green Odyssey.” Using a 42-foot GibSea sailboat powered by solar energy and electricity, the couple sought to demonstrate sustainable long-distance travel. “You can travel and cover long distances without burning fossil fuels,” Mr. Clibbery explained in a video on their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures.
Their last social media post, shared on June 11, showed Mr. Clibbery at the helm, his silver hair swept by the wind as he enthusiastically described the early stages of their journey. Smiling at the camera, he declared, “We’re sailing.”
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