Couple found dead in washed up lifeboat month after going missing while trying to sail 2,005 miles in wind-powered yacht
A COUPLE have been found dead in a washed up lifeboat a month after going missing while trying to sail across the Atlantic in a yacht.
Sarah Packwood, 54, from Warwick, and Brett Clibbery, 70, were heading to the Azores in a wind and solar-powered vessel called ‘Theros’.
But the pair were reported missing a week after leaving Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 11 in their 42ft sailing boat.
Their two bodies were found in a three-metre life raft after it washed ashore on Sable Island – 180 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia – last week.
It remains unclear how the couple got into trouble, but police in Halifax have launched an investigation into their deaths.
Brett, a Canadian, and Sarah first met at a bus stop in London in 2015 before getting married on the yacht a year later.
They also had a Celtic marriage ceremony at Stonehenge and then moved to Canada where they bought land on Salt Spring Island, near Vancouver.
Poet, musician and reiki healer Sarah was an “accomplished sailor” learning at university in England.
In a farewell video message before the couple departed, Sarah said: “Captain Brett and First Mate Sarah set sail on the 2nd leg of The Green Odyssey on board Theros – GibSea 42 foot sailboat.
“Powered by the wind and sun. Heading east to the Azores. It’s probably the biggest adventure of our lives so far.”
The duo had previously sailed 5,000 miles together along the Pacific Coast of Canada, the USA and South America.
Brett’s son James posted a tribute on Facebook which read: “The past few days have been very hard.
“My father James Brett Clibbery, and his wife, Sarah Justine Packwood, have regrettably passed away.
“There is still an investigation, as well as a DNA test to confirm, but with all the news, it is hard to remain hopeful.
“They were amazing people, and there isn’t anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained passing.
“Living will not be the same without your wisdom, and your wife was quickly becoming a beacon of knowledge, and kindness.
“I miss your smiles. I miss your voices. You will be forever missed.”
