Jeremy Austin wants boaties to put the $300 they would spend filling up with fuel for a weekend's fishing toward upgrading Wanganui's coastguard headquarters.
He and Coastguard Wanganui vice-president Bill Greening are sending out letters to the 953 boat owners on the organisation's register, asking for donations. The letters will be followed up by phone calls.
Boat owners who use the service are being asked to dig deep for the organisation that keeps them safe while they are out at sea.
Mr Austin wants them to peg their contribution to how much they pay in petrol for their fishing hobby, or how much they value the mates they fish with.
About 600 of the boaties registered with Coastguard Wanganui are paid-up supporter members - the $60 they pay each year has been called "the cheapest form of marine insurance there is", Mr Austin said.