The family of a man swept away in the Waioweka River near Opotiki last week, are remaining close to the search effort

52 year-old father of four, David Roe, has been missing since Friday after going overboard and being swept downstream.

Emergency services carried out an initial search of the area and found the vessel nearby.

The Whakatane Beacon, reports a family member says Roe had been crossing the river by boat to return home for dinner.

They say the family has remained at their property in the Waioweka Gorge near where the incident occurred - where road closures leave them largely isolated with limited communication.