>> at that stage the wave came over and hit the front of the boat which in turn caused the window to break and the water was coming in. priscilla was sitting there looking at me. i was looking at the waves. i was like this is quite scary. >> the couple sends an urgent call for help. it's picked up by the rescue team in new zealand. >> i thought here we go. what we got now. we were told it was a boat in distress and if we could go out and try to find it. >> the may day calls gives a vague position. the pilot knows finding the boat will be tough. >> the helicopter actually went over us. it didn't see us because of the squalls in the water. >> it's now a nerve-racking 25 minutes since the rescue call was made. and at any moment the tormenter may sink. finally the rescue crew spots the boat. >> the boat was actually beginning to sink rather rapidly.