The families of the four missing British sailors have been on an "emotional rollercoaster" but hopes are "much higher" after the US Coast Guard confirmed it would resume its search, one of the sailor's wives has said.

Cressida Goslin, wife of Paul Goslin, described the resumption of the search in the Atlantic Ocean as wonderful as she prepared to meet foreign minister Hugh Robertson before going on to the US Embassy to meet the homeland attache.

Ms Goslin said the families were ready to request a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron to ask him to apply pressure on US president Barack Obama after the Coast Guard called off their search but now do not need to. She said: "It's been a complete emotional rollercoaster, we've had discussions with the Foreign Office in the night even though the US wouldn't budge and then we thought they would, and then they wouldn't. We're just really pleased.

"Hopes are still high."