Tragic Discovery of Missing Sailors in Nova Scotia

The bodies of two adventurous sailors, who had set out from Nova Scotia with dreams of reaching the Azores using environmentally friendly energy, were discovered washed ashore at a Canadian national park earlier this month. This grim finding came four weeks after their disappearance, as confirmed by local authorities.

On July 10, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received distress calls regarding a 10-foot inflatable lifeboat that had been found on Sable Island National Park Reserve, which contained human remains. According to a news release from the agency, the identification of the bodies is still pending, but investigators believe they belong to a 70-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman hailing from British Columbia.

The families were later identified through a heartfelt Facebook post by the couple’s son, James Clibbery. He revealed that the deceased were his father, James Brett Clibbery, and his stepmother, Sarah Justine Packwood, who departed from Halifax Harbor on June 11, aiming for the Azores. They were reported missing just a week later, on June 18.

In his emotional post, James Clibbery expressed the profound sorrow experienced by his family, stating, “The past few days have been incredibly challenging.” He mentioned that DNA testing would be conducted to confirm the identities of the remains, adding, “With all the news, it is hard to remain hopeful.” He poignantly noted, “There isn’t anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained, passing.”

The RCMP is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. A spokesperson for the agency has yet to provide further details regarding the investigation as of Monday.

Sable Island, known as a “thin crescent of shifting sand,” lies approximately 180 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Canadian government emphasizes the island’s rich biodiversity and its proximity to over 350 shipwrecks, making it a notable location in maritime history.

The couple had extensively documented their sailing adventures and travels on social media platforms. In a video posted on their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures, James Brett Clibbery described their journey to the Azores as “The Green Odyssey.” Their goal was to demonstrate that it is feasible to traverse long distances without relying on fossil fuels. They proudly shared that their 42-foot GibSea sailboat was powered entirely by electricity and solar energy.

“It is to show that you can travel, and you can do long distances without burning fossil fuels, without climbing onto a plane and filling the air with carbon dioxide,” Mr. Clibbery stated in the video. In their final social media post on June 11, he appeared optimistic, wearing a bright orange jacket, with his silver hair blowing in the wind. He excitedly spoke about the start of their journey, taking note of their speed and the distance they had already covered. With a smile, Mr. Clibbery looked into the camera and declared, “We’re sailing.”