During the Weekend, our Chairman Peter Brown and lead Fundraiser Joyce Thomas, left their normal GAFIRS uniform behind and donned their best 'bib and tucker' when they attended the Hampshire (The County Magazine) awards ceremony for 2012 at the Royal Marines Museum at Southsea.

13 different awards were up for grabs and GAFIRS were amongst many prestigious organisation and individuals that had been shortlisted.

In a ceremony covering all aspects of Hampshire Life, GAFIRS was delighted to come 1st in the category 'Emergency Services Hero's for 2012', and walked away with an inscribed Shield and Silver Framed Certificate. All details of the award will be published in the May edition of Hampshire, The County Magazine, which is due for release on May 16th.

Last Saturday, GAFIRS held the dedication ceremony and formal launch of the Jim & Mollie Newton, our new rescue craft that will officially be known as Gosport Lifeboat.

Over 120 VIP's, guests and visitors from around the globe packed the promenade to hear the dedication service jointly conducted by Alverstoke Reverends Ted Goodyer and Phil Hiscock, and to see the naming ceremony conducted by our GAFIRS patron, Yachtswoman Dee Caffari.

With music provided by Gosport Brass Band under the direction of Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Simon Nicholls to the delight of a large public audience who braved the showers, the event was described as a fantastic success by Peter Brown, our GAFIRS chairman.

"Today marks a milestone for GAFIRS in the launch of our latest lifeboat that was only made possible after a large donation from the Newton family and followed by significant local donations over the last 8 years. GAFIRS have built the new lifeboat completely from a bare hull and fitted it out to the highest specification. Everyone is delighted with the new lifeboat which, with its increased sea-keeping qualities, speed and size, will afford much better protection to our crews whenever they launch on a rescue mission."

After the ceremony GAFIRS lifeboats exercised with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter which clearly demonstrated the excellent capabilities of the new boat.

GAFIRS has taken delivery of their new drysuits just in time for the official launch of the new front-line rescue boat next month.

Prior to the new suits, each crewmember had funded and supplied their own protective equipment resulting in a range of styles and differing levels of protection.

The new, high quality, suits, manufactured by Northern Diver, are individually made-to-measure and carry GAFIRS branding to help identify the crew.

Costing nearly £400 each, providing the suits for all of the 24 volunteer crew members has come at a great expense but one which is easily justified given the harsh conditions under which GAFIRS operate.

After an appeal last year, the purchase was helped by the NatWest Community Fund and individual donations from the public. Without this generous support it would not have been possible to purchase this much-needed equipment.

GAFIRS still need to buy more protective equipment for shore crew and trainees, and the crew's lifejackets and helmets are nearing the end of their serviceable lives so the fundraising for these items will continue indefinitely ensuring our volunteers remain as safe as possible when helping those in distress.

GAFIRS crewman Paul Goulder raised £300 to provide more vital equipment for the rescue service by completing the Great South Run last year.

The generous donation was used to purchase two sets of "Mudders" which are a cleverly designed overshoe enabling crew to walk on top of the deep mud that fills much of the coastline around Gosport and Fareham at low tide.

Inspired by the Great Blue Heron, the Mudders mimic how nature overcomes the difficulties of travelling across mud. Expanding with each step, the user's weight is spread over a large area to prevent sinking. Then, as the user lifts their foot, the Mudder contracts, minimising the suction that would otherwise hinder progress.

Many of GAFIRS' taskings involve reaching casualties who are immobilised in mud and the new footwear will greatly improve efficiency and safety in such cases.

Paul has completed the 10 mile run every year since 1990, and since joining GAFIRS, 6 years ago, has done so to raise funds for the independent lifeboat station. Last year he completed the event in a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes and came 5252 out of 23000. Paul has already entered into the Great South Run for this year on 28th October 2012.

That was the call on New Year's Day when hundreds of brave swimmers took to the chilly waters of the Solent on the annual GAFIRS New Year's Day charity swim.

Not deterred by the wind and rain and watched by thousands of people, this year 297 hardy souls took the plunge which was the largest number ever recorded by GAFIRS, who managed the event providing lifeboats, lifeguards, divers, first aiders and shore safety cover.

The swimmers, who were all dressed in a fabulous and colourful range of costumes and hats, each raised funds for over 37 separate charities in what has become the largest event of its type along the south coast.

Keith Thomas, the GAFIRS Event Coordinator said: 'It was really great to see so many people, even entire families and clubs, having so much fun whilst raising money for good causes. They all behaved impeccably and the atmosphere was terrific, even if the weather was wet and windy'.

No incidents were reported to swimmers during the event, but whilst most were enjoying a warm drink afterwards in the lifeboat station, GAFIRS first aiders treated a woman who had fallen over nearby and the lifeboat was tasked by Coastguards to assist a lone sailor in Portsmouth Harbour who required urgent assistance after unsuccessfully entering the water to clear a fouled propeller.

We have just heard that GAFIRS (Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service) is one of three local winners in the NatWest Community Force grant scheme, thanks to the wonderful local people in our community who voted in support of our charity.

GAFIRS, who urgently need a wide range of replacement Lifejackets, Drysuits and Helmets, is to receive a grant of from NatWest to put towards the costs of new personal protective equipment for lifeguard and lifeboat crews.

Mike Allen, Operational Vice-Chairman said 'We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response and support from the Gosport and Fareham communities and delighted to be selected by NatWest, Thank you!'

GAFIRS have now received sufficient sums from NatWest and from the appeal in the Portsmouth News to proceed with the purchase of new Drysuits, just in time for the winter, but replacements for the entire range of Personal Protective Equipment (estimated to be in excess of £10,000) will still need to be funded, hopefully without touching operational running costs or emergency reserves.

After a second lucky Lifeboat Lotto winner of £2700 in October, another £1300 was won last week in the GAFIRS Lifeboat lottery.

Are you signed up to the GAFIRS Lifeboat lottery? For a small weekly contribution you can help GAFIRS save lives at sea and along the coastline of Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham, and also play the Lifeboat lotto, and you could be a lucky lifeboat lottery winner!

Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service took the plunge today, and conducted the first-ever sea trial of their brand new lifeboat. Whilst far from complete, this first sea trial was to establish that the on-board systems were fully functional and the craft operated successfully under load.

Kevin Newman, one of the lifeboat developers, said 'When the boat hit the water we all had our hands in our mouths, but the trial launch went very smoothly and all the team were really impressed with the performance of our new lifeboat, but we still have lots to do before the official launch in April 2012'

Lifesavers from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) were honoured by the Royal Lifesaving Society (UK) at London's Guildhall on Saturday.

Nine long-serving GAFIRS members received a wide range of honours recognising service to lifesaving spanning many years. John Lee was made an Honorary Life member after 35 years of service, Joanne Young received the Medal of Honour for exceptional service, and Tom Keogh was awarded Wessex Young Lifesaver of the Year 2010.

Coxswains Mike Allen and Chris Rudd, together with Steve Hobbs, each were recognised for 30 years of exceptional service, as was coxswain Brian Pack, who received the RLSS Service Cross for 20 years lifesaving service. John Martyn received a bar to his Service Medal for 16 years Service, and Ian Sweet received his Service Medal reflecting 12 years of dedicated service. Bob Needham received the RLSS (UK) Certificate of Thanks and most of the nominee's also received the RLSS (UK) Certificate of Merit.

GAFIRS Chairman Peter Brown said "Our lifesavers and lifeboat crews are delighted to be recognised and rewarded by the Royal Lifesaving Society. Our GAFIRS men and women have worked tirelessly over the years to deliver water safety and be on emergency pager call-out to HM Coastguard. Already this year we have launched on over 100 Search and Rescue missions, visited dozens of schools providing water safety education, and spent many hours training lifeguards of the future…"

The awards were presented by Lord Norrie, Patron of the RLSS (UK) and Dr Klaus Wilkens, President of International Lifesaving Europe.

Gosport Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) proved it's value again recently, when it was involved in the multi-agency search for a person heard crying for help in Portsmouth Harbour Entrance.

The ILB, with it's excellent manoeuvrability and shallow draft, was able to conduct shoreline searches in the darkness and very close to the beaches and around man-made obstructions without fear of grounding.

Unfortunately, and despite an intensive search, a body was later found on the foreshore at Hayling Island.

Round the world yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, has very kindly agreed to become the voluntary service's new Patron. Dee, who lives and works locally, recently visited the lifeboat station and met cadets, lifeguards and lifeboat, and was given a guided tour of the facilities.

GAFIRS Chairman Peter Brown said, "It is absolutely fabulous that Dee has agreed to become our patron. Dee has dared to dream and repeatedly, against all the odds, has shown that perseverance, dedication, training and self-belief can deliver outstanding sailing successes! Dee will undoubtedly be a true inspiration to all our young cadets, lifeguards and lifeboat crews as they strive to save lives at sea."

Dee Caffari added, "It is an honour to become the patron at GAFIRS. The work these volunteers do is truly amazing and it feels extra special to support such an important service that exists right on my doorstep."

If you get into trouble in the Eastern Solent the last person you would expect to be rescuing you in a lifeboat would be the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, but recently, that's exactly what might have happened!

On their annual visit to the local independent the Mayor and Mayoress went on patrol in Gosport Lifeboat and took turns at the helm. Coxswain Brian Pack said 'They did really well, but I had to keep my hand firmly on the throttle!'

Once again this year our cadet section entered into the BCU National Championships. This year 9 teams entered into the competition - held at Emberton Sailing Club, Milton Keynes - 4 of which were from GAFIRS.

The Cadets, along with an adult support team from GAFIRS returned from the action packed weekend with 4 gold medals, the best ever achieved by the cadets.

The biggest achievement this year was our ladies team coming away with Gold for the Best overall team at the championships. This award has never been given to a ladies team before by the BCU.

Well done to everyone that competed and helped out with the event.

Medals Won by GAFIRS:

Gold for best overall
Becca Bowden
Sophie Hughes
Catherine Young

Gold for best Sunday Incidents
Becca Bowden
Sophie Hughes
Catherine Young

Gold for best Saturday Skills
Tom Keogh
Mark Dodd
Edward Hayes

A rescue dog named Cuthbert was among the crew of a broken-down speedboat in need of assistance today. It had been his first outing on a boat and the rough conditions may have contributed to a bout of seasickness as one of our crew discovered first hand.

Gosport Lifeboat was tasked to the vessel in the vacinity of Spitbank Fort, just outside Portsmouth Harbour and once on-scene transferred the crew to the relative comfort of the Lifeboat and towed the stricken boat back to Langstone Harbour.

GAFIRS has issued new callsigns for its main rescue boats bringing the service in line with the current naming convetions of SAR units across the UK.

"Gosport Rescue One" becomes "Gosport Lifeboat" and "Gosport Rescue Three" becomes "Gosport ILB" (inshore lifeboat).

The tide receded to its lowest height in several years today revealing the end of the GAFIRS slipway.

The strong currents over the years have eroded the surrounding sand and shingle leaving a drop of over 40cm.