Family Missing at Sea in California: Distress Signal May Help ID Passengers

As I wrote earlier today, a small vessel carrying four passengers has gone missing in California, off the coast of Monterey.

There is no indication about the identities of the people on board; however, a man issuing distress calls has described that he is on the boat with his wife, child and nephew.

"Coast Guard, Coast Guard, we are abandoning ship. This is the (Charm Blow), we are abandoning ship," he said during one of the calls.

He also revealed intentions to fashion a raft out of a cooler and a life preserver ring. Another call mentioned that the sailboat was sinking fast, and its motors had stopped running.

"There is still no information on where the boat was coming from, where it was going or who the people on board are," describes Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Mike Lutz.

Police are asking the public to help identify the family, as rescue efforts have proved fruitless until now.