Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Rod Hall identified the missing man as Charles D. Wilson, 56.

Wilson's 27-foot sailboat "H2OIQ" was spotted by a Coast Guard patrol helicopter 25 miles west of Ka'ena Point at 9:30 a.m., said Hall. The sailboat's sail was in the water, which attracted the helicopter's attention, Hall explained.

A Coast Guard swimmer lowered from the helicopter boarded the sailboat and found no one aboard.

The Coast Guard recovered Wilson's wallet and cell phone from the sailboat.

According to Hall, Wilson had left a telephone message for an acquaintance saying he was sailing to Waikiki or Wai'anae. The message was dated Oct. 8 and it is believed he left Ke'ehi Marina either that night or early the next day, said Hall.

The Coast Guard conducted an aerial search today using a helicopter and C-130 airplane.

The 110-foot Coast Guard cutter Kiska was expected to arrive at Sand Island at 10 p.m. with the sailboat in tow and will head back to sea to join the overnight search effort, Hall said.