04 Jul Six Incidents in One Day for GAFIRS Lifeboat Crew
It was an extraordinary day for the crew of Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS), an independent lifeboat station based in Stokes Bay.
The day began before most had even woken up — with pagers sounding for Incident 34 of the year. But little did the volunteers know that this was just the beginning of a relentless run of callouts that would take them through six separate incidents in a single day.
Incident Timeline:
• 06:03 – Incident 34
A report of a boat adrift in Stoke Lake prompted the first call of the day. On assessment, it was decided the best tool for the job wasn’t a boat, but the station’s Land Rover, which was deployed to get crew quickly to the scene and respond on land.
• 14:22 – Incident 35
Pagers sounded again for a person reported in the water. The crew began to mobilise, but a stand-down was issued just as they were preparing to launch.
• 14:45 – Incident 36
Just 20 minutes later, an AIS Man Overboard (MOB) signal was received. The crew launched immediately, tracked the signal, and determined it was a false alarm with good intent.
• 17:16 – Incident 37
The team were tasked to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour where a child in an inflatable had been swept into danger. Thankfully, a passing RIB stepped in to recover the child just as the GAFIRS crew were departing the station.
• 17:51 – Incident 38
A multi-agency response unfolded at South Parade Pier, following reports of a person in distress in the water. GAFIRS launched alongside Portsmouth Lifeboat, Rescue 175, Langstone Harbour Patrol, and Police. Thankfully, the individual was found safe and all teams were stood down.
• 18:15 – Incident 39
GAFIRS were requested to assist with a vessel under tow where the assisting vessel was experiencing difficulty. Our crew took over to ensure a safe and controlled recovery.
• Bonus – Community Safety Engagement
While returning to base, the crew were flagged down to offer water safety advice to kayakers — a reminder that prevention is just as important as rescue.
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A Testament to Training and Dedication
Six incidents in one day. Each one different. Each one demanding. This remarkable run of callouts shows just how highly trained, committed, and resilient our volunteers are.
GAFIRS receives no government funding but relies mainly on the generosity of the public.
Every rescue, every callout, every life saved — is made possible only through the generosity and support of our local community. We are an independent charity, powered by people.
Thank You to Our Families
A special thank you goes to the families and loved ones of our crew. Your day, like ours, was disrupted again and again — your support behind the scenes is just as vital as the crew on the water.
To the entire team: Well done. Your professionalism and readiness to respond at a moment’s notice is a credit to GAFIRS and the wider community we serve.