Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service

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 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 emerg

ency 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.

This weeks lifeboat lotto numbers are … 🛟  3– 7 – 14 – 15 🛟  There was no winner today so next week’s jackpot is now £41...
03/09/2026

This weeks lifeboat lotto numbers are …

🛟 3– 7 – 14 – 15 🛟

There was no winner today so next week’s jackpot is now £4100! 💰


If you would like to join the Lifeboat Lotto please call our freephone number 0800 009 4357 or email [email protected].

An application form can also be downloaded from our website

At Lifeboat Lotto we work with local independent lifeboats to raise money for vital training and equipment Find out more about each of our lotto’s below LOCAL LOTTOSSouthport Lifeboat Lotto GAFIRS Lifeboat Lotto Island Independents Lifeboat Lotto Maryport Lifeboat Lotto Hamble Lifeboat Lotto LATES...

🚨 Tasking 76 🚨 On Monday evening at 11:07pm, our crew were alerted to reports of a person in the water, words that no re...
03/09/2026

🚨 Tasking 76 🚨

On Monday evening at 11:07pm, our crew were alerted to reports of a person in the water, words that no responding crew member ever wants to hear.

With a swift turnaround at the station, the crew made their way to Gosport Marina to launch the Ian Fuller, which was the closest and quickest option to reach the reported casualty.

Thankfully, while en route, the crew were stood down by HM Coastguard after confirmation that the casualty was safe and well.

Although this incident had a positive outcome, it serves as a reminder of just how quickly a situation can escalate near the water

Well … 90 swimmers went in and 90 swimmers came out. The weather, tide nor technology played ball today and for that we ...
30/08/2026

Well … 90 swimmers went in and 90 swimmers came out. The weather, tide nor technology played ball today and for that we can only apologise.

The Gosport Golden Mile Swim was created, organised and run by volunteers, just like the rest of our operational service, so we hope you’ll go easy on the feedback!

The most important thing is that everyone is safe, £2427 was raised for your local lifeboat service and hopefully there were a few smiles along the way.

This event embodied everything we are as a community, regardless of age, ability or experience, everyone dug deep together to earn their well deserved medal.

Thank you, everyone who volunteered, swam or supported to make this event happen.

An even bigger thank you to Sunrise Chimney Sweeps, Stoked Watersports and The Bayside Cabin for sponsoring the caps, medals and equipment!

The question is …. Will it be back next year?

With the wind (hopefully) easing over the next 12 hours, the Golden Mile Swim event team are busy with their final prepa...
29/08/2026

With the wind (hopefully) easing over the next 12 hours, the Golden Mile Swim event team are busy with their final preparation ahead of tomorrow’s event. If you have entered or are planning to come and support from the sidelines please read the following info.

Fingers crossed the ☀️ returns!

This weekend our crews had the chance to carry out some training with both Nomad Sailing and Wight Scene. A perfect oppo...
25/08/2026

This weekend our crews had the chance to carry out some training with both Nomad Sailing and Wight Scene. A perfect opportunity for trainees to work on casualty vessel familiarisation and transferring crew whilst underway.

A huge thank you to both Nomad Sailing and Wight Scene for supporting us! As a service, we are continuously training new operational members, along with up skilling existing members. We are always grateful to those we meet in the Solent, that take time out of their day to support us.

With our Gosport Golden Mile Swim event just around the corner, we are looking for kayak support to aid our swimmers in ...
20/08/2026

With our Gosport Golden Mile Swim event just around the corner, we are looking for kayak support to aid our swimmers in their quest for swimming greatness.

If you are a competent kayaker or SUP user who would like to help, please contact Kelly on [email protected].

At this stage we can only accept volunteers who can provide their own equipment. This includes a SUP or kayak and a personal floatation device or lifejacket. Kayak support is required between 9:30am - 12:30pm.

On Sunday 6th September, our very own Non - Executive Director Lenie Stephens-Voorhorst will be tackling her fear of hei...
16/08/2026

On Sunday 6th September, our very own Non - Executive Director Lenie Stephens-Voorhorst will be tackling her fear of heights by abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower. Lenie has been fundraising hard and is so close to her target! We’d like to wish Lenie the best of luck for her event and, if you can spare a penny or two, you can donate via the link below - Thank you!☀️

Help Helena MJ Stephens-Voorhorst raise money to support GAFIRS

Sometimes, when our crews are called upon, it simply isn’t appropriate to take photographs. Some situations are incredib...
14/08/2026

Sometimes, when our crews are called upon, it simply isn’t appropriate to take photographs. Some situations are incredibly challenging, and protecting those involved has to come first.

It’s also a reminder that mental health matters. If you’re struggling, please don’t feel that you have to deal with things alone - talking to someone and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Our crews have now reached 70 jobs, after being tasked seven times in the last week. It’s been an incredibly busy period for our volunteers, both physically and mentally.

Please look after yourselves, and look out for each other. 💙

🚨 Did you know…?  If you spend time in or on the Solent, there’s almost a 50% chance your local lifeboat isn’t RNLI - it...
14/08/2026

🚨 Did you know…?

If you spend time in or on the Solent, there’s almost a 50% chance your local lifeboat isn’t RNLI - it’s an independent lifeboat, funded entirely by local donations and powered by volunteers.

GAFIRS is one of them. We operate two lifeboats, maintain weekend and bank‑holiday watchkeeping, and respond to pager callouts 24/7/365. Day or night, if someone needs help, we go.

But here’s the part most people don’t see:

🛟 Lifeboat crew may be the ones on the water, but nothing happens without the team behind them.

Our tractor drivers, launch & recovery crews, bridge watchkeepers, shore teams, and fundraisers are the reason the lifeboat launches at all. Every rescue starts long before the boat hits the water.

And because of how we operate, you don’t need to live near the station to join us. If you want to help, we want to meet you.

📅 RECRUITMENT MORNING – 31st October, 9–11am
Come down, meet the crew, explore the lifeboats, and find out how you can make a real difference, on the water, on the shore, or behind the scenes.

👥 All backgrounds welcome
Operational crew • Launch & recovery • Tractor drivers • Bridge watchkeepers • Fundraising • Support roles

💡 Full training provided with many oppotunities to gain formal qualifications

🌊 Be part of something that saves lives.
Join your local independent lifeboat.

Trainee marine engineers from HMS Sultan's Marine Engineering Training Group (METG) have assisted us in repairing some e...
13/08/2026

Trainee marine engineers from HMS Sultan's Marine Engineering Training Group (METG) have assisted us in repairing some engine damage to our Inshore Lifeboat (The Ian Fuller).

With the agreement of the Commanding Officer, the team at HMS Sultan offered to carry out the repair as part of the training of new personnel. The work gave trainee Leading Engineering Technicians Marine Engineering (LETMEs) valuable experience working on an unfamiliar engine, contributing towards completion of their Level 3 Apprenticeships, while providing GAFIRS with vital support at no cost.

Now repaired, the Ian Fuller ILB will undergo sea trials and then return to service supporting HM Coastguard. A huge thank you to everyone at HMS Sultan for their time, expertise and willingness to support our independent lifeboat service. Collaborations like this make a real difference and help us continue to provide a vital service to our local waters.

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Gosport
PO122TR

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