Dignitaries or ditched caps, rescuers on hand

Coastguard skipper Allan Wetherall keeps one ear tuned to the radio and both eyes on the sea as he steers through the flotilla out in force for the Anniversary Day Regatta.

From a distance, the inner harbour looks like the marine version of Auckland's Southern Motorway at rush-hour.

Boaties radio their positions and estimated times of arrival back home, but no one is calling for help.

The Lion Foundation Rescue boat moves into the thick of the sailing fleet and has plenty of time to motor between yachts in mid-race.

The morning started quietly for skipper Mr Wetherall and crew-members Sue McBride, Alison Heslop, Karl Hargreaves and Ivan Vasey.

The volunteers began their shift at 6pm on Sunday and after a restless night's sleep moored off Rangitoto Island, they are back on deck for the rest of their 27-hour stretch.

Auckland has about 700 volunteers who give up their free time to spend a total of 112,000 hours a year patrolling local waters.

The rescue crew clearly love the work and are passionate about what they do. Since coming on duty they have had just one job, a breakdown off Takapuna, but are in good spirits.

Leaving the Marine Rescue Centre at Mechanics Bay in the morning with guests on board, Mr Wetherall heads for HMNZS Te Kaha.

The rescue boat bobs at a respectable distance as Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright negotiates her way from her escort craft up the frigate's ladder in a choppy sea.

Whether this is official Coastguard business or not, it illustrates one role played by the organisation - being there fast if someone ends up in the drink or disaster strikes.

Coastguard was on the scene in five minutes when a ferry and charter boat collided last month. Within 10 minutes, four of the organisation's vessels were on hand to assist police.

When they are not volunteering their free time, partners Mr Wetherall and Ms McBride run their own companies.

Mr Hargreaves is a roofer, Ms Heslop a company director and Mr Vasey a lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Their Coastguard service ranges from six months to eight years.

Mr Wetherall recalls being out on the sea "catching fish, drinking beer and telling lies" and deciding it was time to give something back.

Ms Heslop, a yachtswoman, wanted to combine her love of the sea with helping others.

Mr Hargreaves loves to leave behind his regular life and any worries and go out on Coastguard duty.

About noon, the crew prepare for their first rescue of the day.

The rescue boat has come across a parade of heritage vessels and something is spotted floating in the water.

To be fair, the Milo Cricket cap could have been on top of a head but this turns out to be a great public relations opportunity.

Armed with a boat-hook, Mr Hargreaves scoops up the cap.

Mr Wetherall believes it came from the Soren Larsen and sets course towards the tall ship.

After some skilful driving, he pulls alongside and Mr Hargreaves holds out the hook for the ship's owner to grab the cap - to cheers and clapping from his passengers.

Coastguard, a non-profit organisation, relies on community funding and the goodwill of boaties.

Members pay $75 a year, which includes one free breakdown assist and then 50 per cent off the cost of future callouts.

Like roadside rescue operations, non-members who break down at sea are encouraged to join before they receive help.

Unfortunately, only about 5 per cent follow it through.

Lunch is enjoyed moored off Rangitoto and the early afternoon slips by without any calls for assistance.

Ms McBride says they can go hours without a job and during the downtime they carry out training exercises.

Experience tells them they will be busy in the early evening when the boats start making their way home, only to find the battery flat or the fuel low.

Hopefully, the breakdowns - and the odd lost cap - will be the extent of their day's rescues.

Helping out

* The Auckland region has 700 volunteers who give up their free time to spend a total of 112,000 hours a year on patrol.

* Coastguard members pay $75 a year, which includes one free breakdown assist and then 50 per cent off the cost of future callouts.