For the family of James "Jemsie" Nunan, the past five weeks have been a test of endurance, hope, and heartbreak. The 34-year-old adventurer from Colchester vanished in August 2025 while on a solo sail-around-the-world journey, leaving his loved ones and authorities scrambling for answers on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria.
Nunan, who grew up in Reading, Berkshire, had poured his savings and sweat into this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. Working as a bricklayer to fund his dreams, he had set his sights on far-flung destinations, with Brazil among his planned stops. But somewhere between the bustling streets of Las Palmas and the open waters off Gran Canaria, his journey took a mysterious and alarming turn.
According to BBC reporting, Nunan was last believed to be seen at about 22:39 BST on August 18, 2025, after spending time at a local pub, Paddy's Anchor, and later at Rico Doner Kebab. He had told a fellow customer that he intended to travel next to Lanzarote. Earlier that evening, at 18:16, he filmed himself on Facebook Live, walking among a large crowd at Playa del Confital beach—a moment that now stands as one of the last confirmed sightings of the sailor.
But the timeline grew murkier as days passed. Nunan's family, particularly his half-sister Nikita Goddard, initially believed those late-night hours on August 18 were the last anyone saw of him. However, as Goddard explained to the BBC, new evidence soon emerged: "We had been told of a new sighting on 19 August—when James reported his passport missing at a police station at 06:15." Documents confirming this police station visit were later discovered on his boat, which was found by authorities days later.
That boat, the very vessel that was supposed to carry Nunan on his global adventure, became the focal point of the search. On August 25, police located the boat 50 miles (80 kilometers) off Gran Canaria's south coast—about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Las Palmas, his last known location. The boat's anchor was raised, its engine switched off, and at first glance, it appeared deserted. The initial search brought additional heartache: Nunan's loyal dog, Thumbelina, who had accompanied him on his journey, was not onboard.
But in a twist that offered a sliver of hope, officers contacted the family on August 27 with unexpected news: Thumbelina had in fact been found alive and well on the boat. She was taken in temporarily by a foster carer while the family worked to bring her home to the UK. For the Nunan family, the dog's survival was both a comfort and a mystery—what had happened to Jemsie?
Goddard, 31, has been at the heart of the family's search efforts on Gran Canaria. "It's been emotionally and physically exhausting and draining for the family," she told the BBC, her voice underscoring the toll the ordeal has taken. Alongside other relatives, she has retraced her half-brother's steps, spoken with locals, and appealed for CCTV footage that might shed light on his disappearance. "We've also tried retracing his steps and spoken to people along the way, seeing if they've seen him," she said. The family has also received support from Essex Police and the UK Foreign Office throughout the ordeal.
The timeline of events, pieced together from witness accounts, official records, and the family's own investigation, paints a picture of a man who was both careful and resourceful. On the night of August 18, Nunan had his backpack stolen while ordering food at the kebab shop, but he managed to retain his passport, which he wore around his neck. The next morning, he took the responsible step of reporting the missing passport to police. Goddard emphasized that this detail was crucial: "This showed my half-brother was thinking clearly and warned against assumptions that he was 'drunk and fell off the boat.'"
Despite these efforts and the support from authorities, the search has grown increasingly desperate as the weeks have dragged on. Nunan's mother reported him missing to Essex Police on August 22, and a pan-pan call—a maritime distress signal—was made in relation to his boat between August 24 and 25. Yet, with each passing day, the sense of urgency and anxiety only deepens for those waiting back home and on the island.
For Goddard, seeing the boat in person was a gut-wrenching experience. "It's hard looking at it. It's sad and frustrating," she admitted. "I know he was good at what he was doing. He'd done a lot of preparation and sailing ahead of the trip. We're doing everything we can to try and find him, but it's a lot on the family and especially my mum and Jemsie's dad." The family continues to hold onto hope, refusing to give in to despair. "Everyone is trying to live on the hope that he's still alive," Goddard said, her words echoing the resolve and love that underpin the search.
The case has drawn attention not only for its mystery but also for the emotional resilience of Nunan's family. Their appeals for information and willingness to engage with the local community have kept the story alive, even as concrete leads remain elusive. The Foreign Office has maintained its support, and Essex Police have remained in contact, but the reality is stark: as of September 16, 2025, the search for James Nunan has entered its fifth agonizing week.
Background details only deepen the sense of loss. Nunan had dreamed of exploring the world, and his journey was meant to be a celebration of freedom, adventure, and discovery. Instead, it has become a story of uncertainty, with a family left to grapple with questions that seem to multiply with each new day. The survival of Thumbelina, while miraculous, offers no answers—only more questions about what truly happened on those fateful days in August.
As the investigation continues, the Nunan family urges anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward. Their search is not just for a missing sailor, but for a brother, a son, and a friend whose absence has left a void impossible to fill. For now, they cling to hope, determination, and the possibility that somewhere, somehow, James "Jemsie" Nunan might still be found.