James Brett Clibbery, age 70, and Sarah Justine Packwood, 54, residents of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, were discovered dead in a 10-foot inflatable lifeboat on the shores of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The couple was reported missing nearly a month after they embarked on a journey from Halifax Harbor on their eco-conscious yacht, Theros.
Their travels were chronicled on their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures, with the goal of showcasing long-distance sailing without reliance on fossil fuels. Their 42-foot yacht was powered by electricity, solar panels, batteries, and a repurposed car engine. They set out from Halifax on June 11, with the Azores, a cluster of Portuguese islands roughly 2,000 miles distant, as their destination.
The couple’s voyage, named “The Green Odyssey,” was intended to last 21 days. However, Clibbery and Packwood were declared missing on June 18, 2024. Clibbery’s GPS device last recorded their location approximately 40 miles southwest of Sable Island on June 13. Their remains were found on Sable Island, often called the “graveyard of the Atlantic” due to its extensive history of shipwrecks, on July 10.
Clibbery’s son, James, publicly mourned his father and step-mother in a Facebook post, emphasizing the depth of their absence: “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 conducting an investigation into the couple’s deaths. Although initial findings don’t point to foul play, several theories are being considered. One is that their yacht may have been hit by a passing cargo ship that didn’t spot them. Their lifeboat is thought to have originated from Theros. No wreckage from the yacht has been discovered yet and the investigation continues.
In an April 12 video, Clibbery outlined 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 journey was covered in a 2020 article in The Guardian, which recounted their meeting in London in 2015. Clibbery, a retired engineer, was about to donate a kidney to his sister when he met Packwood, a UK-based humanitarian worker. They married on the Theros in 2016 and relocated to Canada in 2018, continuing their seafaring lifestyle.
DNA tests are underway to confirm the identities of the remains. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service identified one set of remains as Clibbery’s, and the other set is believed to be Packwood’s.
Sable Island, the site where their bodies were located, is a crescent-shaped sandbar renowned for its feral horses and treacherous waters. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic reports that it is situated about 190 miles southeast of Halifax and has been the location of over 350 shipwrecks since 1583.
Historical records show that one of the earliest recorded shipwrecks on Sable Island was the HMS Delight, which ran aground in 1583. The ship was part of Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s expedition to North America. The survivors experienced harsh conditions, with many succumbing before they could be rescued.
In 1737, the ship Catherine, en route from Boston to London, fell victim to the perilous waters of Sable Island during a violent storm. Only a small number of the crew survived, clinging to the wreckage until they were rescued by passing vessels.
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 went down, resulting in the deaths of 68 passengers and crew members. These incidents highlighted the need for lifesaving measures on the island.
One of the most notable 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. The crew struggled to survive in the brutal conditions, and rescue efforts were hampered by the stormy weather. Artifacts from the Crofton Hall are now part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s collection.
The same year witnessed the wreck of La Bourgogne, a French liner that collided with another ship in heavy fog. The collision caused the ship to sink rapidly, resulting in the death of over 500 people. This disaster is one of the deadliest shipwrecks in Sable Island’s history.
The early 20th century continued the legacy of shipwrecks on Sable Island. In 1927, the Columbia, a passenger steamer, ran aground during a storm. The crew and passengers were rescued by the Humane Establishment’s lifesaving crew, emphasizing the vital role they played.
The Manhasset, a freighter, 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 endured a grueling ordeal as they awaited rescue in the harsh conditions.
The Merrimac, a fishing vessel, ran aground in 1999, adding to Sable Island’s history of shipwrecks. The frequency of shipwrecks has decreased due to advances in navigation technology, but the island’s reputation as a treacherous maritime area persists.
Beyond its shipwreck history, Sable Island is recognized for its population of feral horses. These horses, descendants of those 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 initiatives in place to conserve its distinctive ecosystem and historical significance.
