SANTA was delivered to residents by boat to revive a historic Christmas tradition.
The former St Peter Port Lifeboat from Guernsey, Sir William Arnold, which is based in Heybridge Basin dropped Santa off in town.
More than £600 was raised for the RNLI, going to the Maldon fundraising branch.
Families attended the event, with festive refreshments including mulled wine and mince pies offered by the Heybridge Basin Sailing Association.
Children received gifts from Santa after he got off the lifeboat.
The lifeboat used to take Santa to Guernsey and took part in the tradition in the 1960s.
The funds raised will go to the RNLI charity services and support it in continuing to save lives through lifeboat search and rescue, lifeguards, water safety education and flood rescue.
The Maldon fundraising branch is made up of a small group of volunteers who devote their time to raising vital funds for the RNLI.
A spokesman for the event said: “The Sir William arrived back into the basin with their special guest on board to the delight of onlookers that had gathered, amongst them many children.
“With the lifeboat tied up in the lock it was safe for Santa to disembark and hand out treats to the children who had braved the cold.
“In conjunction with Heybridge Basin Sailing Association, who provided much welcomed mulled wine and mince pies, and through the selling of lifeboat souvenirs and collection boxes, the event raised over £600 for the local branch of the RNLI.”
The Maldon fundraising branch is based at Maldon Hythe Quay.
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