Family of Jona Kinivuwai not giving up hope of finding him

Jona Kinivuwai’s family has not given up hope in finding the swimmer feared to have drowned after he was swept out at a Rye beach.

Jona Kinivuwai’s family has not given up hope of finding him. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The family of a missing man feared drowned after he vanished in waters off the Mornington Peninsula last weekend have pleaded with the public and emergency services not to give up hope.

Jona Kinivuwai was swept into a rip at Rye’s Number 16 beach while swimming with a friend about 7pm on Sunday, sparking a massive search and rescue operation in the hours after his disappearance.

The swimmer missing off 16th Beach in Rye has been identified as 20-year-old Jona Kinivuwai. Picture: Supplied

Mother Luse Kinivuwai is the mother of missing swimmer Jona, describing him as a "beautiful boy". Picture: supplied.

But on Friday, the official search for the 20-year-old was scaled down by authorities.

The Airwing will continue to monitor the scene from above while police will patrol the coastline on foot.

The aspiring rugby star’s family told the Herald Sun they would not give up hope as they continued to search Rye’s rugged back beach.

Jona’s brother, Joji, said the family are considering hiring a private search and rescue team to add to the police Airwing’s efforts.

“We haven’t stopped looking since, once the weather gets better the police divers will be able to get back in there and keep looking,” he said.

“But the weather and rock areas are difficult to send them in.

“We’re doing our own volunteer search with family and friends, and people in the local community have kept helping us search for him too which has been a great help.

“We’re considering hiring our own private search and rescue team too, depending on what the water police can do.

“We’ve had family from all across Victoria and other states come to help and support us.

“We just want him found and to want to see him again.”

Joji Kinivuwai and family at 16th Beach at Rye where his younger brother, Jona, was swept out to sea last night. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A GoFundMe had on Friday raised more than $11,000 for the family, who are expected to use those funds to hire their own search team to assist with authorities.

Choppy conditions and massive swells during the week hampered the search for Jona as his family held their collective breath.

“We want to express our heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support, beautiful messages of love and prayers for our beautiful beloved son and brother,” the family said in a statement.

“We as a family are in agonising pain and desperately want to see Jona home and are standing here in faith that God in his infinite wisdom, grace and mercy will grant Jona a safe passage home soon.

“We sincerely ask that you stand alongside us in prayer for this.”

Brock Parker, president of Harlequin Rugby Club said Jona always had a smile on his face and loved supporting his mates.

“Jona is a great member of Quins, constantly with a smile, he is a talented rugby player and a great kid that is always there for his mates,” he said.

“Our thoughts and support are with his family and friends at this terrible time.”

Police were also called to the Rye Pier — on the bay side of the peninsula — last Saturday following reports of an unconscious scuba diver in the water about 10am.

Emergency crews performed CPR on the man but he died at the scene.

The death marked the second drowning at the site in just over four weeks.

A man also died at the Rye Pier about 3pm on January 5, while another was pulled from the water at Rosebud on December 28.

The search for Jona is expected to enter it’s seventh day on Saturday.