Maldon’s Hythe Quay has welcomed seagoing ships for over 1,000 years and today is a base for many of the surviving Thames Sailing Barges, some offering passenger charters or sail training and keeping rare skills and types of vessel alive, all with a fascinating history including for example use at Dunkirk. Maldon is also the home of many other historic vessels including the steam tug Brent, Essex sailing smacks (some nearly 200 years old) and many others.

Once vital for trade, Maldon’s cargo was moved to and from London, Kent, the south coast, Yorkshire and Northumberland, as well as across the Channel to the Netherlands, France and Belgium. However siltation and the opening of the Chelmsford to Blackwater Canal in 1797 greatly reduced traffic though  by the middle of the 19th century, Maldon, Heybridge Basin and Chelmsford began working together, and the area saw healthy levels of trade until World War I. A steep decline in cargo carrying over the last century put the region’s maritime heritage at risk, leaving the waterways, the harbour buildings and local vessels in a vulnerable position.

Today, passenger vessels such as the restored Thames barges form the main traffic on the estuary and regular Open Days are held when on board visits can be made on some of these.

Repair and maintenance facilities are important - heritage craft, whether made from metal or wood, and powered by engines or sails – need a lot of attention.  Maldon has five boatyards in operation - which help maintain these craft. Included are the historic Cook’s Yard which dates back to 1894 now operated by Topsail Charters and  Downs Road Boatyard where there are currently three apprentices, but the aim is create more opportunities for young people to get involved. Bringing back to Maldon additional working traditional sail loft and more sailmakers is another ambition - ADM Sails, based in Heybridge, has been carrying out modern and traditional sailmaking for the past 14 years.