Father and son sailors missing off Catalina Island

Rescue crews were searching the waters near Catalina Island for a father and son whose abandoned skiff was found early today, officials said.

Michael Silliman, 54, and his 19-year-old son, Shaun, left Newport Harbor for the island Saturday morning aboard the 43-foot sailing vessel Windwalker, a family member told U.S. Coast Guard officials. At about 7:40 a.m. today, Los Angeles County lifeguards discovered a partially submerged 10-foot skiff belonging to Silliman about one mile northwest of Catalina's Goat Harbor, said Lt. j.g. Stephanie Young of the Coast Guard in San Pedro.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the father and son is asked to contact the Coast Guard at (310) 521-3801.

-- Corina Knoll