Sailor Missing for 5 Weeks. Family Clings to Hope He Still Lives

Family members of a missing sailor — who has yet to be found after his boat and dog were discovered off the coast of the Canary Islands last month — are sharing new insight into the prolonged and emotional search for him. 

The international rescue efforts to find 34-year-old James Nunan first began after the British man was last seen on Aug. 19 on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, during his solo trip across the world that began in March. By Aug. 22, his concerned mom Maura Norton reported him missing to British officials, the BBC and the Irish Mirror reported.  

In late September, more than a month after Nunan disappeared, his aunt Joan Davis told the Mirror that she doesn’t believe it’s possible that the boater vanished on his own accord.

“No, definitely not. Not in a million years,” Davis told the paper. “Too fond of his mother, he told her everything.” 

On Aug. 18, Nunan recorded a Facebook Live while he walked around with people on Playa del Confital beach, after which he visited Paddy’s Anchor bar in Las Palmas, where he told another man he planned on traveling to Lanzarote, another of the Canary Islands, the BBC reported.

By 10:49 p.m. local time, Nunan bought dinner at a kebab spot, as shown on CCTV. His backpack was stolen outside of the restaurant, though he was seen there eating food with his passport around his neck. Updated information revealed that on the next day, Tuesday, Aug. 19, Nunan went to a police station to report that his passport was missing, according to the BBC. Three days later, his mom reported him missing.

Nunan’s half-sister Nikita Goddard previously told The Telegraph, “We are told there was a ‘pan-pan’ alert made in regards to his boat — it’s one step down from a mayday.” The BBC reported that the call took place between Aug. 24 and 25.

Then, on Aug. 25, Nunan’s boat was found by police 100 miles from his last known location in Las Palmas. His 18-month-old puppy Thumbelina was found alive onboard and taken to a shelter on the island, according to The Telegraph. The discovery fueled more questions and concern from his family. 

Nunan’s aunt told the Mirror that she fears something nefarious happened to her nephew because personal items were missing from his boat and there are “too many holes and gaps in the story,” making the family doubt that Nunan fell into the ocean. 

The boat did have an official paper from police on board, which confirmed that Nunan visited the station on Aug. 19, the BBC reported. 

For Nunan’s sister, the paper is proof that he was of sound mind before his disappearance. She implored people not to assume that he got “drunk and fell off the boat,” the BBC reported.

Nunan’s family and Spanish authorities did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the British Embassy in Madrid previously told PEOPLE, “We are providing support to the family of a British man reported missing in Gran Canaria and are in contact with local authorities.” 

In the weeks since Nunan vanished, his family has traveled to the island to look for him and is filing paperwork to bring Thumbelina back to England, according to the BBC. 

“It’s been emotionally and physically exhausting and draining for the family,” said Goddard, who added that it’s been especially hard for Nunan’s mom and dad, according to the outlet.

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The family has organized a GoFundMe to support their ongoing efforts to find the missing boater.

Nunan’s aunt and sister also continue to urge people to come forward with information. 

“Everyone is trying to live on the hope that he’s still alive,” Goddard said, according to the BBC.