Gosport and Fareham lifeboat volunteers give out public safety message after seeing record number of incidents

SEARCH and rescue teams are urging the public to be safe on the water after crews attended a record number of incidents.

By Millie Salkeld

Published 11th Aug 2020, 07:00 BST

Updated 11th Aug 2020, 10:25 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

It comes after a man’s body was found in the Solent, with police informing the family of a missing jet-skier of the tragic discovery on Monday morning.

Three people’s lives have been saved by crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service as its volunteers attended 19 incidents in just 12 days.

These include a dramatic rescue of a man drowning off Southsea, two casualties with spinal traumas, a person with a serious head injury, and a double jet ski crash in Lee-on-the-Solent. They also stepped in when a toddler fell onto a lit barbecue at Stokes Bay.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

The independent lifeboat charity, based in Lifeboat Lane, has issued calls for people to be careful in the sea.

Gafirs community director Jake Robinson said: ‘We want people to be safe in the sea and we advise people to check signs at beaches for information on currents, check the safety information on water crafts that they are buying and to swim on beaches with lifeguards.’

The lifeboat crews were also involved in a significant multi-agency search for Elezaj Shkelzen, whose jet ski was found unmanned on August 4.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

A man’s body was found in the Solent yesterday, and the family of 33-year-old from Oxfordshire have been informed.

Police said formal identification is yet to take place and the missing persons investigation for Mr Shkelzen is still ongoing.

Since August 1, Gafirs has been called out to six medical emergencies, including a man who was drowning near Clarence Esplanade on Saturday evening. Teams have praised two members of the public who came to his aid.

Jake said: ‘We had been out on a call and were heading back when we got the call which meant we got the man in three minutes but two men had seen him in trouble and went to help him with a buoyancy aid.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved.

This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1]

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier. — Lifeboat Crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are urging the public to take extra precautions after they saw a record 19 incidents in 12 days, many of which were to serious incidents in which three lives were saved. This comes after the UK's Coastguard also issue fresh warnings urging people to be careful in the sea, after recording its highest number of call-outs in a single day for more than four years. [1] Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have attended six medical emergencies including; a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside station. Beyond medical calls, GAFIRS have rescued; a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, two jet skis which had crashed into each other, and a significant multi-agency search for a missing jet skier.

‘Many people think drowning means death but it just means you are submerged under water and have inhaled water into your lungs. The man could still thrash about and luckily the two men saw him.

‘I would like to commend their bravery, who despite the risk to themselves, most likely saved his life.’

SEE ALSO: Man, 55, in serious but stable condition after having 'medical episode' in water at Eastney beach

The man was handed over to South Central Ambulance Service and was conscious and breathing at the time. His current condition is unknown.

Crews have also been involved in the rescue of stranded and sinking vessels and the search for an intoxicated fisherman.

Jake said: ‘We have seen an increase in the use of personal water crafts such as paddle boards and kayaks and we want to remind people to check the safety information, to make sure someone is ashore watching out for them and to take communication with them.

‘We aren’t expecting radios but to take your phone in a waterproof bag.

‘In the case of the fisherman he was found safe and well but we urge people not to go into the sea intoxicated. Please don’t drink and swim.

The charity, which has 50 staff including 20 lifeboat crew members, has to raise approximately £50,000 to keep its service running each year and receives no funding.

Jake added: ‘It is humbling the support we get from the public across Gosport, Fareham, Portsmouth, Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent.

‘Without their generous donations we wouldn’t be able to be there when people need it.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Gosport Fareham Police Southsea

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.