COPS suggest the Brit who went missing on a solo sailing trip may have fallen in the sea from the yacht mast as the hunt for him continues.
James Nunan, 34, was five months into his round-the-world trip when he mysteriously vanished on August 18.
He was last pictured ordering a kebab
James Nunan went missing from his solo trip around the world
James from Reading, better-known to family and friends as Jemsie, had been at the pub, Paddy’s Anchor, in the island capital Las Palmas.
Hours later, he vanished after going for a late-night snack at the kebab shop six minutes away from the pub.
Authorities now believe James may have “suffered an accident” as he attempted to climb up the mast in challenging conditions.
They are understood to have reached that conclusion because his life jacket and a harness or chair he used to climb up the pole were missing from his boat.
A Civil Guard source, quoted by Spanish press, said: “The main hypothesis is that James could have suffered an accident as he tried to climb up the mast in adverse wind and sea conditions.
“But all lines of investigation are still being pursued and the case is not yet closed.”
Earlier this month, Spanish cops released an image of James in their desperate attempt to locate him.
He is pictured ordering food at the kebab joint, wearing a blue T-shirt with his Jack Russell on his lap.
In one photograph, three diners appear to be enjoying a meal behind him as he stands at the checkout.
It comes as official records show James reported his passport as lost or stolen at the Irish Embassy on August 19 – a day after he was last seen or heard from.
At the time, his half-sister Nikita said: “We know he’d had a drink but as a family we don’t believe he would recklessly set sail in the dark at night,” she said.
“It doesn’t make sense for it to be ‘oh he fell overboard’ because he was drunk, there are a lot of holes in the story.”
Paddy’s Anchor previously shared appeals by James’ worried family on social media saying: “Many of you have been asking, so we want to share this post from Jemsie’s family.
“His sister is still searching for him after he was last seen here in Las Palmas.
“His boat has since been found off the coast of Gran Canaria, but there has been no contact from him since.”
A call was made between August 24 and 25 in relation to James’ boat as police found it a day later 50 miles offshore.
At first they said James’ Jack Russell, known as Thumbelina, wasn’t on board but later said she was found with the boat.
There remains no information on where James could be.
A witness came forward to claim he spoke to James as he said the Brit was drunk but not acting in any unusual manner.
He had reportedly told him about his sailing adventures and that he planned to head to Lanzarote.
Some pub staff also claimed they were told not to speak to anyone about his mysterious disappearance.
A man reportedly answered phone calls at the pub saying: “It’s an open investigation and we’ve been told not to speak to anyone and I’ve just got to go with that I’m afraid.”
Asked if it was local police or Mr Nunan’s family who had asked him not to speak, he said: “I can’t talk about it, sorry.”
After his boat was found with the dog on board, it was towed back to Argineguin in the south of Gran Canaria.
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard said: “We are looking into this case. Several lines of investigation are being pursued.”
Jemsie had been about five-and-a-half months into his solo sailing trip when he vanished – and had been planning to travel to Brazil.
Nikita added that a distress signal was sent out in relation to his boat between August 24 and 25.
The dog found on board has since been taken to an animal shelter.
Jemsie’s father has travelled to the island searching for any signs of the missing 34-year-old.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is “supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain“.
The National Police in Las Palmas and court officials on the island have been approached for comment.
He was headed for Brazil on his world tour
Police confirmed he last used his card to buy food at Rico Doner Kebab