Tauranga Coastguard is marking the annual national fund raising appeal with an open day at the Sulphur Point boat ramps on Sunday, May 8.

The theme of the national fundraising appeal, which runs until May 15, is ‘Train one, save many'.

It costs $34.30 per week to give a coastguard volunteer practical training, both in the water and the air, to ensure they can respond to each call for help with speed and accuracy and help fulfil the charity's mission to save lives at sea.

So far this year, Tauranga coastguard volunteers have been called out more than 140 times going to the rescue of some 320 people.

Twenty one of the call outs had police involvement, says Tauranga Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker.

Tauranga radio operators have handled more than 26,000 calls, which is down on previous years.

'We aim to raise funds to ensure our volunteers receive the very best practical training so we are prepared for the next time you ask for help,” says Simon.
'And to ensure coastguard can continue to do what we do – saving lives at sea.”

This is the first year the coastguard has had a national MayDay appeal and Coastguard NZ is calling on New Zealanders for help.

From 10am till 2pm on Sunday at the Sulphur Point boat ramps there is a flare display, a sausage sizzle and the coastguard boats Tect Rescue and Rescue Two are on display for people to inspect.

Tauranga dealers also have a range of boats for sale.

The MayDay Appeal is supported by ASB. The bank's chief community partnership officer, Linley Wood says financial support from New Zealanders is essential to ensure coastguard volunteers can continue to assist people out on the water.
'ASB is pleased to be supporting this much-needed volunteer programme and Kiwis have the opportunity to join us this MayDay by getting behind Coastguard's Appeal,” says Linley.

'Our ASB branches nationwide are available to collect funds from the public on behalf of Coastguard, so please visit us to make your donation over the next two weeks.”

Donations can be given by:

Visiting an ASB branch and making a donation, visiting www.coastguard.co.nz
making an automatic $25 donation by calling 0900 SOS SOS (0900 767 767),
or making a direct payment into the Coastguard ASB account 12-3209-0434030-01 (please reference with MayDay and your surname).