Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has written to Ministers in the Foreign Office and Department for Transport, urging them to put more pressure on the US authorities to continue the search for the missing crew of the Cheeki Rafiki.
The four British yachtsmen were sailing from the Caribbean to Southampton when their vessel capsized in the Atlantic Ocean on Friday. The US authorities led a 48 hour search which has since been called off due to bad weather conditions. However, an upturned yacht with its life raft missing has been spotted.
Having received correspondence from a number of her constituents, Caroline wrote to Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP at the Foreign Office and Stephen Hammond MP at the Department of Transport, asking them to do all they can to ensure that the search is resumed.
Caroline said:
"I am shocked that the rescue efforts have been terminated so quickly, in spite of robust evidence that the men could still be alive. These are able and experienced seamen who are well prepared for dealing with difficult situations.
It is vital that the search is resumed as soon as possible and I hope that our colleagues in the USA recognise the urgency of this matter."
The news has sent shockwaves through Gosport's yachting community.
