Gafirs lifeboat service called into action over busy bank holiday

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (Gafirs) had to help the police and then assist after a jet-ski crash.

In the first incident, Gafirs was called to help a young man who had suffered a fit on board a yacht in Portsmouth Harbour.

Working alongside the police launch Sir Humphrey Gale, Gafirs crewman and trainee paramedic Jake Robinson was transferred on to the police boat to assess the casualty.

After an assessment, the man was treated by paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service.

The second incident, on Sunday, included the service helping to tow a 30ft Bavaria yacht which had got into difficulties near Horse Sand Fort in the Solent.

Later that day in the afternoon, Gafirs helped in a multi-agency rescue operation after two jet skis collided off Calshot. A 12-year-old was taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance.

Senior coxswain Chris Rudd said: ‘Gosport independent lifeboat crews are on watch every weekend in the summer months and especially at bank holidays. These are often our busiest times and this weekend proved just that.

‘I’m glad our volunteer crews were on watch and able to make a real difference to the safety of the Solent.’