CROWDS turned out to watch the 52nd annual Southend Barge Match off the pier.
The barges set sail at 11am, with calm water and a slight sea breeze providing good sailing conditions.
David Renouf, Southend Barge Match committee chairman, was pleased the day went according to plan.
He said: “We’re very pleased with how it went. There was a competitive day’s barge racing and it was great to see crowds turn out and watch.”
Andrew and Louise Moring, the mayor and mayoress of Southend, were among those to watch events unfold from the pier.
An exhibition in the Royal Pavilion at the end of the pier was on show across the bank holiday weekend and provided information for those wanting to discover more about the history of the barges and the race.
The match’s final results saw Niagra take first place in the Staysail class, followed by Reminder and then Melissa.
Adieu won the Bowsprit class, with Marjorie and Cambria taking second and third places.
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