Tauranga Harbour will be seized by pirates for a day in the annual Harbour Classic Charity Yacht Regatta this year.

The regatta, a fundraising project of Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club in conjunction with the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, is in its 15th year and will be run on Tuesday, March 5.

Pirates will seize the Tauranga Harbour in March.

Organiser Alan Hitchcock says skippers (provided by the Yacht Club) and their crew of willing sailors will have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and participate in some old fashioned sailing.

'It can probably happen with just the skipper and his mate, but people love to get involved and have a bit of fun.

'It will be a fun day out and you don't need any sailing experience. It is a real social thing.”

The theme for this year's regatta is 'Pirates on the Harbour” and participants are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

Alan says in previous years the regatta has raised funds for many organisations in Tauranga including Waipuna Hospice, Riding for the Disabled and Amped4life, as well as many Rotary funded youth activities.

Each year between 120 and 220 people have participated either individually or as part of a corporate team and the yacht club provides as many boats and skippers as required, with teams ranging from four to 10.

The day starts with a lunch at the yacht club, with refreshments on board during the regatta and a sumptuous BBQ dinner, music entertainment from local singer Aaron Bloomfield and prize giving in the evening.

If you would like to be involved and book a space or a boat for 'Tauranga's best fun day out on the water”, email [email protected] or view the website at www.ttprotary.co.nz