Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service
About Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service
We are one of the busiest lifeboats in the UK covering Eastern Solent and Portsmouth Hbr. Run by volunteers. Need us? Call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service Description
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service is an independent lifeboat service founded in 1969. As a Declared Facility for HM Coastguard, GAFIRS provides emergency lifeboat services and free marine rescue cover in Portsmouth Harbour and through the north eastern and central Solent to Titchfield Haven.
GAFIRS delivers a vital service for both recreational sailors and professional shipping. Our emergency crews are available on pager call-out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and in all weathers. On average GAFIRS responds to over 110 emergency incidents per year, making us one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the country.
Whilst our primary role is to provide marine rescue services in the Solent, we also respond to other incidents in Hampshire which require the services of our trained personnel. We are affiliated to the Royal Life Saving Society and the British Canoe Union and our cadet members provide a canoe rescue service. Our communication, navigation and seamanship skill are to international standards with many of our crew being Royal Yachting Association certificated and some holding instructor qualifications.
GAFIRS is a registered charity and all members are unpaid volunteers who give their time freely to assist others, but even so in costs about £50, 000 a year to cover our day-to-day running costs; this does not include capital costs such as replacing equipment and lifeboats. Whilst we have an abundance of enthusiasm and commitment, we need the support of others to help fund our lifeboat service and continue with our rescue and lifesaving work. We are most grateful and give you our thanks for any support can give us.
Reviews
Heatwave prompts warning from lifeboat and emergency services as several people are rescued and GAFIRS are called out 4 times in 24 hours.
Read the story and see video here: http://gafirs.org.uk/…/heatwave-prompts -warning-as-several…/
Gosport Lifeboat was dispatched on Sunday to a sinking vessel off Lee-on-the-Solent. Working alongside our Shore crew, Coastguard Hill Head Mobile and the Ambulance Service, the boat was recovered and the casualties treated shoreside.
Our station open day is well underway. Pop on down before 1600 to meet the people behind the blue lights and sirens
Tomorrow, Alan is going to attempt a 24-hour straight 100-mile marathon on his kick-scooter, all to raise money for GAFIRS. This is a big challenge and we are asking for your support, even if you can only spare a few pounds. Read his story here: http://gafirs.org.uk/…/100-miles-in-24- hours-on-a-kick-sco…/
GAFIRS and Hill Head Mobile were tasked tonight to a child who had been swept away by the tide off Stokes Bay. Despite crews arriving in good time to launch, by then a good samaritan had already performed a rescue. Crews assisted the casualty to the boathouse where we provided aid until the arrival of the ambulance who conveyed them to hospital. #RespectTheWater
Our open day is fast approaching! Sunday 14th July 11:00-16:00. We have a record 14 exhibitors on display this year, and it’s free. Click our event here to find out more.
Both lifeboats were scrambled on Sunday evening to reports of a person in the water at the top of Fareham Creek. Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team and an MOD Police RIB were also mobilised. On our arrival, the causality was being rescued from the water by the Coastguard Rescue Team. He was brought ashore where one of our lifeboat medical team assessed and treated him until the arrival of an ambulance, who conveyed him to Queen Alexandra Hospital. The gentlemen’s dog was also rescued at the same time. This is another incident which demonstrates our strong inter-agency working between teams to achieve a successful outcome. Incident 34 of 2019.
A (very early) good morning from Portsmouth Harbour where GAFIRS have been part of a response to a person in the water. Approx 25 personnel involved including: Police vessels, Gosport Lifeboat, two coastguard rescue teams and ambulance with co-ordination from HM Coastguard Ops Centre and further support from the Queens Harbour Master Portsmouth. Person with Police and being assessed by paramedics. Incident 32 of the year.
Tonight's GAFIRS shout was a sombre one as we learn of a tragedy within our community. The lives of three lifeboat crew have been lost to the sea as they attempted to rescue a casualty in ferocious conditions on the French coastline. They launched into battering winds and unforgiving waves because, despite the weather, there was someone who truly needed their help, but in doing so, they made the ultimate sacrifice. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues and the friends and family of Les Sauveteurs en Mer. We will now return to our beds after our callout, conscious that we came home safe, but with a bitter reminder of the risks as today, some of our extended family didn't return. Our flag will fly at half-mast tomorrow in their honour.
Great day remembering those involved in #dday75 this week alongside the US Coastguard Eagle.
Today our crews assisted a casualty who had been struck on the head by a vessel's boom and required urgent assistance. More info about the call here: http://gafirs.org.uk/…/lifeboat-crews-a ssist-casualty-stru…/.
Sunday afternoon training was interrupted today as GAFIRS are called to assist a vessel outside Portsmouth Harbour suffering from engine failure.
http://gafirs.org.uk/…/crews-get-divert ed-from-training-to…/
We are no longer 'unsung heroes' as Justine has taken to the recording studio to sing and raise money for GAFIRS. The album is well worth a listen! http://gafirs.org.uk/…/a-new-way-someon e-is-raising-funds-…/