A couple rescued from their 33-foot boat during a galeforce storm in the Bay of Plenty are throwing support behind Coastguard's annual appeal to raise funds for its volunteer training programme.

Tauranga Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

As part of Coastguard's fourth annual MayDay appeal, Tracey and Glenn Brown are sharing their frightening experience on how vital public donations are being put to good use, saving the lives of Kiwis in trouble on the water.

In the Eastern region there are currently 581 volunteers, investing more than 96,460 hours and responding to more than 660 calls for assistance in the past year.

A year ago the Thames couple were heading home from Marlborough onboard their 33-foot ‘The Lady Jessie' when they got into strife near Plate Island in blustery weather and strong swells.

Battling the sea for four hours and trying to take shelter close to land, Glenn put the anchor out taking all the chain, as well as an extra 60m of rope, which wasn't holding.

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard was alerted and arrived to find the boat 20 metres from rocks.

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard president Shane Beech describes weather that evening as a 'horrible, gnarly night, horizontal rain and big waves” with the volunteer crew working in some of the worst conditions ever encountered.

Unable to tow the boat to safety, the couple were successfully transferred to the rescue vessel with Tracey treated for hypothermia and shock.

Weeks later the boat was discovered on the sea floor and as a consequence the couple lost all their possessions and home.

'The Coastguard crew put themselves at risk to save us; it was amazing and we really are very thankful,” says Tracey.

Tauranga Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker says donations are vital in training volunteers, who play a critical role in the organisation's ongoing mission to save lives at sea.

With about 75 volunteers and operators, the Tauranga charity deals with various water related issues, including boats breaking down, water pumps failing and people missing.

'It's a chance for the whole country to get behind the message and get the message out for the need for service like ours. And for individuals to be suitably trained and qualified for the good of the people on the water and obviously for the good of the people who are part of our organisation,” says Simon.

'I think we do see however people are taking a bit more responsibility for their own safety on the water so a lot of the messages are obviously getting out there.”

Onboard once again, is former All Blacks coach and keen fisherman, Sir Graham Henry, resuming his role as ambassador for the appeal, which is calling on Kiwis to donate one hour of their pay through www.hourforcoastguard.co.nz.

Kiwi yachtsmen Dean Barker and Grant Dalton are also pledging their support.

For information on donations click here.