Family holds hope of finding missing son

The family of a Perth man missing at sea off Boat Harbour west of Denmark say they are not surprised he selflessly helped save his friend after she was swept off the rocks on Saturday.

Jack Thomas Bray, 31, was with his friend Erica at the popular but dangerous fishing spot when she was swept into the ocean by a wave while posing for a photo at about 3pm.

Erica managed to scramble to safety but Mr Bray, who jumped in with a boogie board to help rescue her has not been found despite the extensive sea search.

Speaking on behalf of his family today, friend Robert Farrell said Jack had a strong ocean background and his passion for camping and fishing had brought him to Denmark for the first time with Erica.

“The family still holds strong hope that Jack is still alive and will be found,” he said.

“For those who have had the privilege to have known Jack will not be surprised by his actions on Saturday.

“There has been many times before and our friends can say that if you're in trouble jack would come and that can be in any ways or terms whether it be physical danger or just emotional, he has helped me out many ways in the past.”

Mr Bray’s mother Pauline Prouse praised the efforts of police and marine rescue volunteers including State Emergency Services and Albany and Denmark surf lifesaving clubs.

Ms Prouse said she only met Erica, who was in Australia on a working holiday from Canada, for the first time after the incident when she was being treated in hospital.

“She was just extremely grateful; grateful is not the right word but she was so happy and as I said to her she has been given the chance, make sure she has a wonderful life,” Ms Prouse said.

“He has only just started seeing her, it was a casual thing. She is a young girl working over here from Canada and he just brought her down to do some fishing and camping and see the scenery before she headed away but she sounds like a lovely girl.”