Police have provided a significant update on a British sailor who went missing over a month ago. Detectives believe that James Nunan, 34, may have met with an accident off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain, while sailing to a nearby island after a night out. It is suspected that he fell from the mast of his yacht into the sea.

Reports indicate that James, originally from Colchester, was last sighted at a kebab shop late on August 18 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, following a social outing. His family, who traveled to the island and met with Civil Guard investigators, were informed of a new sighting on August 19 when James reported his passport missing at a police station.

His yacht, which he intended to sail to Brazil during his solo journey, was found approximately 50 miles off Gran Canaria, about 100 miles from where he had anchored it in mid-August. His dog, Thumbelina, was found alone on the boat and later placed in an animal shelter.

Authorities are focusing on the possibility that James fell from the mast of his yacht due to the absence of his life jacket and climbing equipment. While the main theory is an accident at sea, investigations are ongoing. Police have been granted permission to track his electronic devices and have conducted checks on his hospital records and bank accounts.

James moored his yacht in Las Isletas, Las Palmas, before his last known visit to Paddy’s Anchor, the Irish pub he frequented. His sister mentioned that he planned to head to Lanzarote before crossing the Atlantic to Brazil. The family described the search for James as emotionally and physically draining.

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