A LIFEBOAT crew have carried out seven rescues in just three days.

Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) dealt with numerous incidents over the weekend with multiple people getting into trouble in the Solent.

Their first call came from the UK Coastguard on Friday July 15, to reports of debris floating in the Solent, off Gilkicker in Gosport.

GAFIRS located part of a boat with two navigation lights still attached to it, floating near to Outer Spit Buoy and took the debris to shore.

On Saturday, July 16, GAFIRS were called into action three times, the first was to investigate a red flare that had been set off near Gilkicker.

A RIB had experienced engine difficulties and was adrift so the crew assisted the owners and the vessel was eventually able to make its own way into Portsmouth Harbour.

At just after 1pm, they were launched by UK Coastguard to assist a broken down jet ski off the hovercraft slipway at Lee-on-the-Solent, but by the time the lifeboat arrived the 13-year-old male had managed to safely reach the shore.

Later, while on routine patrol, GAFIRS discovered a yacht that had run aground on Ryde Sands and a crewman was dispatched on foot to check on the casualties, finding them safe and well.

On Sunday, July 17, the crew were called at 4am to reports of a male in the water at Stokes Bay, in Gosport, but police had already assisted the man by the time they arrived.

Later that day, GAFIRS assisted two vessels which had suffered engine problems.

GAFIRS chairman Keith Thomas said: "It was an extremely busy weekend for our independent lifeboat station and I’m glad we were managed to help so many people."