The eighth charity OSCAR Dragon Boat race, organised annually by Spinnaker, took place on 15 September with teams from 21 companies within the UK shipping community taking part. The event aims to raise funds enabling treatments and research by the bone marrow transplant team at Great Ormond's Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) in London.

The Baltic Exchange fielded two teams of 10 this year and competed against teams from Spinnaker, A.M. Nomikos, Brittania P&I, Cheniere, Conyers Dill & Pearman, CoolCo, JP Morgan Asset Management, Lomar Shipping, Miller Insurance, Munich Re, Navigator Gas, NorthStandard P&I, Oceonix, Oldendorff, ONE (Ocean Network Express), Steamship Mutual, Thomas Miller, Tysers, U.K. Club and Union Maritime.

You can check out the full gallery of photos of the Baltic teams in action at this year's Dragon Boat Race here.

Training for the event is somewhat frowned upon so it was a nervous and excited crowd that gathered at the Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre in London, including a mix of those competing and those kind enough to lend their support. The event began with two rounds of racing and the fastest six teams found themselves in the final - A.M. Nomikos, Baltic Exchange, Cheniere, Navigator Gas, Tysers and U.K. Club. 

It was a tense and fast final with all six boats mostly neck and neck, but only one could win - and this year it was Cheniere! We were subsequently told the difference between the winning boat and last place was only 1.85 seconds. 

Any soreness at losing was immediately swept away at the announcement of the amount raised this year for GOSH; close to £400,000 - and a special mention must go to Union Maritime who were responsible for the lion's share of this amount.  A delicious BBQ meal was also on offer and Oldendorff once again sponsored liquid refreshments throughout the day.

If any Members would like to contribute to this deserving cause, there is still time to donate here: Baltic Exchange Fundraiser for GOSH

Image Credit: Tim Browne