James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood die in tragic Sable Island National Park Reserve incident.
Fatal Sable Island National Park Reserve deaths of James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood – Obituary.
The bodies of two sailors, James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood, who aimed to sail from Nova Scotia to the Azores using green energy, were discovered washed ashore at a Canadian national park this month, four weeks after their last sighting, authorities reported.
On July 10, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to reports of a 10-foot inflatable lifeboat with human remains found on Sable Island National Park Reserve, according to a news release from the agency.
While the authorities initially did not identify the remains, they suspected they belonged to a 70-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman from British Columbia. A Facebook post by James Clibbery’s son later identified them as James Brett Clibbery and his wife, Sarah Justine Packwood. The couple had departed Halifax Harbor in Nova Scotia on June 11, heading for the Azores, and were reported missing on June 18.
“The past few days have been very hard,” the younger Mr. Clibbery shared in the post, mentioning that DNA tests would be conducted to confirm their identities. “With all the news, it is hard to remain hopeful.”
“There isn’t anything that will fill the hole left by their so far unexplained passing,” he added.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced an investigation into the deaths. A spokesperson for the agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Sable Island, described by the Canadian government as a “thin crescent of shifting sand,” lies about 180 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is known for its diverse wildlife and proximity to over 350 shipwrecks.
The couple frequently documented their sailing adventures and travels on social media.
In a video on their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures, Mr. Clibbery explained that they named their trip to the Azores “The Green Odyssey” to demonstrate the feasibility of traveling without fossil fuels. Their 42-foot GibSea sailboat was powered by electricity and solar energy.
“It is to show that you can travel and cover long distances without burning fossil fuels, without boarding a plane and emitting carbon dioxide,” Mr. Clibbery stated.
In their final social media post on June 11, Mr. Clibbery, clad in a bright orange jacket with his silver hair blowing in the wind, described the start of their journey.
With his hands steady on the helm, he noted their speed and the distance covered so far. Mr. Clibbery then looked at the camera and, with a smile, said, “We’re sailing.”
Fatal Sable Island National Park Reserve deaths of James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood – Obituary. The bodies of two sailors, James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood, who aimed to sail from Nova Scotia to the Azores using green energy, were discovered washed ashore at a Canadian national park this month, four weeks…
Fatal Sable Island National Park Reserve deaths of James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood – Obituary. The bodies of two sailors, James Brett Clibbery and Sarah Justine Packwood, who aimed to sail from Nova Scotia to the Azores using green energy, were discovered washed ashore at a Canadian national park this month, four weeks…