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INUVIK - A week after a search began for a group of missing boaters, families are still on the land searching for the bodies of two missing men.

The search was started on Wednesday, July 23 for the boaters, who were expected to arrive at a whale camp at Kendall Island on the coast of the Beaufort Sea.

Victor Allen: Elder was one of five boaters involved in an accident on the Mackenzie Delta last week. Allen's body is still missing.

On the boat were Victor Allen, Isaac Shingatok, Delma Kisoun and her children Peyton and Asta Kisoun-Hind.

Inuvik RCMP Staff Sgt. Bill Eubank said the RCMP could not officially divulge the names of people involved, out of respect for their families' wishes.

"The names have not been officially released, but they have been circulated on the Internet," Eubank said.

The sergeant said the search led rescuers to the area where the boat tipped over, which is believed to have been caused by large waves.

The bodies of Kisoun and her daughter Asta were found during the search. Peyton was found alive onshore, waiting to be picked up.

Eubank said the RCMP continued to assist with the search, but called it off late Sunday night.

"The last crews came in late Sunday early Monday," said Eubank, adding the operation was well-assisted by members of the community and other organizations.

"There were over two dozen people involved with the search initially," he said.

Even though RCMP are not officially involved, the search continues this week, said Eubank. "We've been assisting the family and friends who want to stay searching."

Eubank said the RCMP has been giving assistance to people who have come forward looking to help.

"We've been giving directions and lending some equipment to search parties," he said.

Alana Mero was one of the organizers who helped with the air search as well.

She said the air search started on Thursday night and ended Sunday evening.

Mero said the assistance on the search made it easier for the location of the missing people. "It was amazing, we had a big response on this search," she said.

"We had all the search organizations helping and even some people offering boats for the search parties."

Search parties worked hard to find the location of the boat and the missing people. "We spotted some debris from the air and knew where to look," said Mero.

Finding the location took a lot of time, she added.

"We used extensive search patterns to find them."

Back in town, Mayor Derek Lindsay was aware of how this will affect the community.

"This is a great loss for the community," he said.

"He was one of the elders in town that was active with the Inuvialuit youth in teaching them the traditions."

Lindsay said he will always remember Allen's way of telling a great story.

"I remember when he would tell me stories about him and my father-in-law," he said. "I always enjoyed sitting with Victor and hearing his stories."