A British construction worker has gone missing while on a global sailing journey, leaving his yacht and pet dog adrift near the Canary Islands with no sign of him. James Nunan, 34, began his adventure in March on the Kehaar yacht he purchased in Slovenia. Accompanied by his miniature Jack Russell named Thumbelina, he aimed to sail around the world, but things took a turn when his unmanned boat was found off Gran Canaria’s coast.
Known as “Jemsie” to his family, Nunan, a tradesman from Reading, had been in contact with his relatives until August 18, when he was last seen making a transaction at a kebab shop in Las Palmas. His voyage, which had been a long-held aspiration, had already taken him to Gibraltar and Lanzarote before reaching Gran Canaria.
Described as a free spirit by his half-sister Nikita Goddard, Nunan lived in a van in Scotland before deciding to sail the world. He had been keeping in touch with his family and friends during his journey, but concerns arose when he went missing after the last contact on August 18.
Despite his disappearance, Nunan was spotted at a bar in Las Palmas on that same day, where his passport and rucksack were reportedly stolen. His father has traveled to Gran Canaria to search for him, while Essex Police are assisting his mother in the UK. The Foreign Office confirmed they are aiding Nunan’s family and are in contact with local authorities in Spain.
Essex Police stated that they are working with international authorities to locate Nunan and are providing support to his family during this challenging time. They hope for his safe return and are actively involved in the search efforts alongside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.