A missing crew member of the capsized boat Cheeki Rafiki was fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, his family have revealed.

Hopes of finding the four men faded on Friday after the capsized yacht was found with its life raft on board and the US Coast Guard has finally called off its search.

Prayers were said yesterday in the home communities of Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, and crew members James Male, 23, from Southampton, Steve Warren, 52, from Bridgwater, Somerset, and Paul Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset.

Mr Goslin's family paid tribute to him in a statement which read: "As you can imagine we were deeply saddened by the news on Friday night and are struggling to come to terms with the fact that Paul, our wonderful husband, son, father, grandfather, won't be found alive and returned home to us.

"Paul was deeply loving and exceptionally intelligent and we know will be missed by everyone that knew him.

"Paul had been a passionate sailor for many years and loved everything to do with the water. He'd been talking about sailing across the Atlantic for many years. We are, therefore, trying to take some comfort in the knowledge that he was fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams."

The statement, which was released by the Foreign Office, went on: "The past week has been a difficult one for us all. However, our own family and friends have supported in so many different ways. We have also drawn strength from the other families.

"Paul would have been humbled by the immense support shown to us all by the public."