HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — A devastating fire likely forced a Canadian couple to abandon their eco-friendly sailboat before their bodies washed up on Sable Island, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
Brett Clibbery, 70, and Sarah Packwood, 54, both from British Columbia, had embarked on a voyage to the Azores aboard their sustainable vessel, Theros, departing Halifax on June 10, 2024. The couple, known for their YouTube channel documenting their eco-conscious sailing adventures, vanished under mysterious circumstances before their bodies were discovered in a dinghy on July 10, approximately 95 nautical miles from Nova Scotia’s coast.
Investigation Rules Out Collision, Points to Fire
Authorities initially considered the possibility of a collision at sea but ultimately found compelling evidence of a fire.
“The data collected is consistent with an occurrence involving a fire on board the sailing vessel,” the TSB stated in its report, published on February 12. The report outlines the events that led to the tragedy and raises concerns about onboard safety measures.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Tragedy
Theros set sail with an automatic identification system (AIS) that transmitted its location to nearby ships and shore stations. A commercial satellite communication device also allowed real-time position tracking and text messaging. However, on June 13, at 12:21 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT), the vessel’s AIS signal ceased transmission. The last position update at 4:36 p.m. placed Theros 34 nautical miles southwest of Sable Island.
On June 18, a concerned individual alerted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Halifax, noting that Theros‘s position had not been updated. However, without an emergency distress signal or a filed sailing plan with scheduled communication check-ins, authorities saw no immediate cause for alarm.
By July 2, with no sign of the vessel in the Azores, Theros was officially deemed overdue. Search efforts ramped up, with a Canadian Armed Forces aircraft conducting reconnaissance along the expected route. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the vessel was found.
Then, on July 10, the grim discovery was made—two bodies in a dinghy on the south side of Sable Island. They were later identified as Clibbery and Packwood, confirming they had abandoned the ship under unknown circumstances. Theros itself was never recovered.
Key Findings and Analysis
The TSB assessed various factors, including the possibility of a collision with a commercial tanker. However, data from the tanker’s route, AIS logs, and radar indicated no interaction with Theros. Additionally, drift modeling suggested that the dinghy likely came from a location south of Sable Island, along the vessel’s anticipated course, but could not pinpoint the exact origin.
Investigators uncovered critical details:
- Theros stored an inflatable life raft with a hydrostatic release near the cabin hatch. Neither the life raft nor the emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was found.
- One crew member wore a flotation suit that exhibited fire damage, with the left side melted from top to bottom. The damage suggested it occurred while the suit was being worn.
- The second crew member was not wearing a flotation suit, though one was found in the dinghy.
- The couple had planned to stow the dinghy on the stern for the voyage.
- Theros had been retrofitted with an electric propulsion system, incorporating an electric car battery.
Conclusion: Fire Was the Likely Cause
Authorities concluded that the fire likely forced Clibbery and Packwood to abandon their vessel. The lack of a distress signal, missing emergency equipment, and the fire damage on one flotation suit all point to an onboard blaze rather than a collision. The absence of a reported incident from commercial vessels in the area further reinforces this theory.
The tragedy highlights the risks associated with oceanic travel, particularly for independent sailors relying on alternative energy systems. This case underscores the importance of ensuring emergency preparedness, registering EPIRBs, and maintaining robust communication protocols at sea.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the loss of Theros and its crew serves as a somber reminder of the ocean’s unforgiving nature. Authorities continue to urge sailors to take necessary precautions to avoid similar disasters.
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Ten years of experience reporting. From car chases and courtroom verdicts to House fires, Holsford thrives during breaking news and finds it a privilege to help drive the conversation in Rockland County and the Greater New York Area. Born in San Bernardino, Thomas is a New York boy at heart. He received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, specializing in political science and sociology, from the University of Illinois
