Gosport and Fareham lifeboat crews have busy weekend in the Solent

RESCUERS were called into action seven times in three days as a clutch of people got into trouble in waters around the Solent.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jul 2016, 20:04 BST
Updated 18th Jul 2016, 21:10 BST

Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (Gafirs) dealt with a host of emergencies, including a boat that had run aground and several broken-down vessels and they also had to pluck dangerous debris out of the shipping channel.

On Friday lunchtime the lifeboat went to track down a boat with two navigation lights still attached to it.

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On Saturday Gafirs was called to help a RIB that had experienced engine difficulties and was adrift.

Later the crew helped the coastguard to assist a broken-down jet ski at Lee-on-the-Solent.

Later, while on routine patrol, Gafirs discovered a yacht that had run aground on Ryde Sands.

On Sunday the crew was paged at 4am to reports of a man in the water at Stokes Bay. However, police had already managed to help him out. The crew then went to help two vessels, both of which had suffered engine problems.

Gafirs chairman Keith Thomas said: ‘It was an extremely busy weekend for our independent lifeboat station and I’m glad we managed to help so many people.’

Related topics:GosportFarehamLee-on-the-Solent