Friends are still holding out hope for a miracle while the search continues for a missing boater.

Nour Ali, 42, is a Kurdish refugee who arrived in Winnipeg seven years ago. He and others were on a boat in Lake Winnipeg on Saturday when it capsized. 

The Manitoba RCMP says that members from Powerview and Selkirk responded to several calls for help shortly after 4:30 near Belair. Five people were on the boat when it capsized.

"A number of people who were on the water, came to their assistance. Three male occupants of the boat, aged 37, 48 and 65, were rescued from the water and taken to hospital," the RCMP says in a release.

Ali's father, who just arrived in Canada a year ago, was later found dead.

Omar Rahimi is a friend of Ali's. Rahimi says they met at Ali's work and connected because they are both Kurdish refugees.

"He is a genuine person," Rahimi says. "He loves to help refugees. He loves the Syrian people. He has a great heart for the Syrian people and what happened to them."

Several agencies continued the search for Ali on Sunday, including Selkirk and Powerview RCMP along with the RCMP Inland Water Transport, Emergency Medical Services, STARS, Victoria Beach Fire and Rescue, East Beaches Fire Department, the Canadian Coast Guard and CFB Trenton/17 Wing, to assist in the search.

The search was unsuccessful on Sunday and called off for the day early in the evening. The RCMP says a dive team will assist on Monday.

Friends continue to hope and pray for a miracle Rahimi says. "He helped everyone no matter background. He always was there for everyone."