Gafirs called to help struggling teenagers

The Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service crew was paged by UK Coastguard on Sunday evening.

The pair – aged between 14 and 16 – had been spotted clinging to a piece of wood in the creek, behind Fleetlands, by a security guard.

Gafirs launched at 9.30pm and rushed to the scene through Portsmouth Harbour.

Coxswain Pete Byford said: ‘When we arrived, we carried out a search of the local area, from The Hoeford pub northwards, using thermal-imaging equipment and search lights.’

Gafirs worked alongside Coastguard mobile teams from Hill Head and Portsmouth to carry out an extensive search of the area, which included the pontoons and shoreline.

‘While one of my crew was searching a pontoon he spoke to a motorboat owner who said he saw two youths get out of the water onto the pontoon,’ added Mr Byford.

‘The owner also confirmed he had let them through a gate and on to dry land.’

The boat owner said he knew the identities of the two youths and this was passed on to UK Coastguard so they could investigate.

Gosport lifeboat was stood down at 10.30pm.