Equipment

The service operates two frontline boats in addition to a canoe section and two land vehicles. Other equipment, training and rescue facilities include dive rescue, medical rescue and fire fighting.

Gosport Lifeboat

Gosport Lifeboat is a self righting, 7.4m Avon rigid hulled inflatable boat. It is powered by a 330hp Iveco turbo diesel engine driving a Castoldi water jet. The craft's speed is over 35 knots and can reach any part of the patrol area within 10 minutes of launch. Equipment carried includes sophisticated navigation equipment including radar, chart plotting, GPS (including AIS to allow tracking from the station) and an echo sounder, advanced first aid equipment, search and flood lighting, flares, two fixed VHF radios DSC Compatible and one hand-held VHF radio.

Gosport ILB (Inshore Lifeboat)

Gosport ILB is a 4.5 mtr Avon WB450 and has been designed by the service as a patrol craft and secondary lifeboat. She is powered by a single 60hp outboard engine. A specially designed trailer enables her to be taken to inland incidents. She is equipped for rescue work including, flares (including para illuminates), tow lines, GPS (including AIS to allow tracking from the station) One VHF radio DSC Compatible and first aid equipment.

Gosport Rescue 5 / 6 / 7

These are three of our smallest boats, which are carried in our response trailer, these are primarily used for inland incidents on lakes, rivers etc where we cannot take a conventional craft, one is also designed to be used for ice rescue.

Canoes

GAFIRS Cadets use a variety of canoes and kayaks to complete their training and to conduct lifeguarding patrols.

These canoes range from 'Plastic' Selki rescue canoes to our own specially designed 'Shark' rescue canoes that were specifically designed for the service.

With our 4x4 Landrover Defender and a purpose built trailer, these canoes can be either launched immediately outside of the Lifeboat Station or transferred to local waters and lakes with ease.

GAFIRS Cadets also have the use of Paddleboards to aid beach lifeguarding, and use a full range of personal protective clothing (PPE) ranging from buoyancy aids, wetsuits, radios, first aid packs and rescue aids.

All GAFIRS Canoes and Kayaks are brightly coloured in traditional lifeguard rescue colours and many were graciously donated to our service from Ex-serviceman's organisations or local industry.

Landrover Defender

Set out as a multipurpose rescue unit, the long wheelbase Landrover carries first aid, oxygen, Paramedic equipment and rescue stretchers. Additionally we carry light rescue tools and scene lighting equipment for protracted incidents. The Landrover was converted by MMB.

Tractor

The four wheel drive Merecedes MB-Trac1000 tractor is used for boat launch and recovery, and heavy rescue work. It was converted in-house by our members to suit our varied needs.