Let's look at the numbers: each year 2,326 Coastguard volunteers carry out 2,800 rescues which sees more than 7,330 people make it home from sea.

But the charity receives only 15 per cent of its funds from the government, while the other 85 per cent comes from organisations and individuals who recognise the importance of their work.
Rescued boaties Terry and Steve with the Coastguard Thames crew who rescued the pair when their boat capsized in the Firth of Thames in January. Photo: Supplied.

This Friday see's the start of the Coastguard's annual MayDay appeal, and they're calling for donations to help volunteers continue to save lives at sea, such as Steve, Terry and Colin's.

Earlier this year in January the trio were boating in the Firth of Thames when their 16ft tinny capsized and left the men submerged in the churning sea for nine hours.

'We'd been lost at sea for about eight hours, we were in total darkness and our bodies were freezing and numb,” remembers Terry.

'We saw vehicle headlights in the distance across the water, it was a car travelling on the coast road.

'We wondered if those people in that car had any idea of the peril we were in - all sorts of things were going through our minds.”

For the first two hours the men tried to keep each other's spirits up, then the next few hours they fell into silence as they were 'engulfed in our own thoughts, terrified of what our fate might be”.

Terry says the three men can't find the words to describe the gratitude and thanks they feel for their rescuers and their wives who raised the alarm.

'We wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them,” adds Terry. 'No one ever expects it to happen to them. We are lucky to be alive and we have been eternally thankful every single day since the accident.”

The 16ft tinny which capsized in the Firth of Thames earlier this year. The boaties on board spent nine hours in the water before they were plucked to safety by Coastguard Thames volunteers. Photo: File

Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes says the MayDay appeal is an important component of their fundraising stream.

The charity relies on public donations so they can continue saving lives at sea and Coastguard is urging the public to support the vital service they provide by making a donation.

'It's vital to our organisation to raise awareness of the work we do,” says Patrick. 'This year we're extremely grateful to have Sir Graham Henry on board again as our official ambassador.

'He's a keen boatie himself and you'll be seeing Graham around the traps, spreading our message and encouraging the public of New Zealand to get behind Coastguard.”

Adding to Patrick's message, Sir Graham says Coastguard volunteers are generous, everyday Kiwis who have day jobs but give up their time to save lives at sea.

'Coastguard is a great organisation doing great things to keep kiwis safe on the water,” says Graham.

'I really hope New Zealanders get behind this great cause and make a donation this MayDay.”

Coastguard's annual MayDay appeal kicks off on May 1st and runs through to May 31st.

Sir Graham Henry with Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes. Photo: Supplied.