As patriotic conservatives, we often celebrate the bold and adventurous spirits that drive individuals to push beyond their limits. It is in this same spirit that we must reflect on the tragic end of Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood, a couple whose journey y captivated our hearts, only to ultimately result in heartbreak.
The allure of the open waters has long captured human imagination, as beautifully encapsulated by theらし: “Wherever we want to go, we go. That’s what a ship is, you know. It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails; that’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is…what the Black Pearl really is…is freedom”. For Clibbery and Packwood, their quest for freedom was more than a metaphor; it was a reality they lived by.
Brett Clibbery, 70, and Sarah Justine Packwood, 54, were an experienced couple who lived on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. They were both seasoned sailors and hikers who had previously sailed through the Panama Canal and from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia. Their love for adventure was matched only by their love for each other, as they married on their sailboat, Theros, in 2016.
Theros, dubbed the “Green Odyssey,” was not just a means for their journey; it was a symbol of their commitment to a green, off-the-grid lifestyle. The couple had been documenting their eco-friendly lifestyle through their travel blog and YouTube channel, ‘Theros Adventures. They were preparing for their most ambitious journey yet – a transatlantic voyage from Halifax to the Azores using only wind, solar, and electric power.
On June 11, Clibbery and Packwood set sail from Halifax Harbour, buoyed by a sense of excitement and anticipation. Their last communication was on June 13 near Sable Island, where they reported calm seas and fair winds. In a video posted on their YouTube channel, Clibbery sounded upbeat, optimistic about their journey and eager to reach their destination.
But fate had other plans. Six weeks after their journey began, their bodies were found in a life raft washed ashore on Sable Island, nearly 300 kilometers southeast of Halifax. The couple’s tragic journey leaves us with more questions than answers. What went wrong? Why did they abandon their beloved yacht? These questions may forever remain unanswerable.
As we reflect on the lives lost, we are reminded of the power and the fury of the sea. In the words of an anonymous sailor, “A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned, for he’ll begoing out on a day when he shouldn’t. But we do be afraid of the sea, and we do only be drownded now and again”. Clibbery and Packwood were not afraid of the sea, but sometimes even the bravest of souls cannot tame its fury.
The story of Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood is a poignant reminder of the risk and beauty that come with pursuing grand adventures. Their legacy will live on in the hearts of all who appreciate the freedom and thrill that the sea offers. As we mourn their loss, we are reminded to cherish the explorers among us, who dares to push beyond the horizon and bring us stories of the unknown.
