CCTV shows last sighting of Brit round-the-world sailor who vanished in Gran Canaria as he’s seen in kebab shop with dog

Published on September 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
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CCTV has been released showing the last time a British round-the-world sailor was seen before he disappeared.

, was five months into a global solo sailing trip when on August 18.

A man with curly hair and a dog in his lap at a counter.James Nunan is pictured ordering a kebab on CCTV CCTV footage of James Nunan at a kebab shop counter in Gran Canaria, with customers seated at tables behind him.He is last seen in a blue T-shirt with his dog on his lap Photo of James "Jemsie" Nunan. Map of Gran Canaria showing the last known location of missing sailor James Nunan.

James from , better-known to family and friends as Jemsie, had been at the pub, Paddy’s Anchor, in the island capital .

Hours later, heat the kebab shop six minutes away from the pub.

Spanish cops have now released an image of James, in their desperate attempt to locate him.

He is pictured ordering food at the 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 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.

Timeline of James Nunan's disappearance

August 18:

  • 18:16: James films himself on Facebook Live walking at Playa del Confital beach
  • 22:00: He is last seen leaving Paddy’s Anchor bar in Las Palmas
  • 22:39: Bank records show he purchased food from Rico Doner Kebab

August 19: His passport is reported “lost or stolen” to an Irish consulate in Gran Canaria

August 22: James’ mum reports him missing to Essex Police

Between August 24/25: A call was made in relation to James’ boat

August 25: Police find his boat 50 miles off the south coast of Gran Canaria

August 27: Police say they have also found his dog Thumbelina

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.”

Man on sailboat in Las Palmas.James was sailing around the world when he vanished Small brown and white dog wearing a pink collar.James’ Jack Russell, known as Thumbelina, was found

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 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 .

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, & Development Office has confirmed it is “supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in “.

The National Police in Las Palmas and officials on the island have been approached for comment.

Photo of James "Jemsie" Nunan.He was headed for Brazil on his world tour Rico Doner Kebab shop storefront in Las Palmas.Police confirmed he last used his card to buy food at Rico Doner Kebab

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