Dee Caffari joins Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service
by Peter Brown 19 Oct 2011 17:29 BST
19 October 2011
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) are delighted to report that local round the world yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, has very kindly agreed to become the independant* voluntary service’s new Patron.
GAFIRS has been delivering maritime rescue and safety services to the seafaring communities of Gosport and Fareham since the late 1960’s when they were based in a small deckchair hut in Stokes Bay. Today’s rescue service is a world apart. GAFIRS is now a declared rescue facility to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and on 24 hour pager call-out to Solent Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. Often afloat in less than 15 minutes and covering much of the Solent and its approaches, GAFIRS lifeboats average some 125 ‘wet’ Search and Rescue incidents each year, whilst lifeguards and first aiders respond to numerous incidents along the coastline. In times of regional emergency like floods and periods of heavy snowfall, GAFIRS also regularly supports the emergency services effort inland.
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.”
* As one of 61 totally independent lifeboat services GAFIRS does not receive any financial support from central government and no funding from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. All GAFIRS members are unpaid volunteers.