GAFIRS Lifeboat comes to the rescue as vessel runs aground overnight

A volunteer lifeboat service has worked overnight to rescue a vessel that got into trouble in Portsmouth Harbour.

Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service were called out to help with a boat that had become stuck near Pewit Island. The crew were able to secure the yacht take the casualty to safety.

A GAFIRS spokesperson said: “Last night the GAFIRS team again worked through the night after being alerted to a vessel which had gone aground in the vicinity of Pewit Island. Using specialist equipment, the crew were able to secure the yacht and evacuate the casualty by lifeboat to a place of safety.

“This task is number 88 of the year, and the second night in a row our volunteers have worked through the night to keep our local water users safe.”

The incident comes a day after it was reported that a police investigation is underway after “disgusting” verbal threats were made to lifeboat and Coastguard crews during the operation to bring Channel-crossing migrants ashore in Gosport. GAFIRS condemned the abuse against its colleagues calling it “extremely concerning” and said volunteers should be allowed to carry out their lifesaving work “without fear of physical violence”.