Gosport Lifeboat Station

General information

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 emergency 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.