Maldon Little Ship Club's annual Row and Gig Race took over the waterfront at Promenade Park this weekend.

Thousands flocked to the park to spectate the exciting annual race on Saturday, March 1, which saw boats race down the River Blackwater, some detouring to the Heybridge Basin, before finishing at the end of the Prom.

Over 100 fancy-dress clad rowers set sail on the water, with 31 craft taking part. On the shore, Maldon Mayor Andrew Lay, accompanied by the Mayoress, judged the best-dressed crew. 

A spokesperson for Maldon Little Ship Club said: "This is the largest Charity event MLSC organises each year, but we could not do it without support and cooperation from many of Maldon's maritime businesses, Maldon District Council and local sailing clubs, particularly Blackwater Sailing Club, which provides two escort boats to make the event as safe as possible.

"We would also like to thank Maldon Gig Rowing Club for their help and all the participants for their enthusiasm, support and efforts to dress up and raise sponsorship for the RNLI."

The RNLI are on call all day every day to save lives. (Credit: Chris Paul Bourne / KEBS Pictures)

The event raised over £12k for the RNLI, a charity that are on-call all day every day to save lives at sea.

The main fundraisers include the 'Flamboyant Basin Oars' who raised £5400, followed by the Marconi S C gig 'Electra' which raised £3444. Debbie Grafton individually raised an amazing £480 and the Cadet crews led by Tom and Rosa Finch an incredible sum of £813.

There was a medical emergency early on in the race onboard one of the boats, which resulted in crews from the Marine Police Launch and West Mersea Lifeboats assisting with first aid on the water. The casualty was later taken to hospital, with a spokesperson for Maldon Little Ship Club reporting a positive outcome.

The Row and Gig Race has taken place for over 45 years on the River Blackwater and is firmly a part of Maldon's rich Maritime Heritage.