Vessels of all shapes and sizes sailed into town for four days of festivities attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors in August 2010.
They came from all over the country and left with great memories of the town.
Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, PD Ports and Hartlepool Marina Ltd have submitted a bid to host the event again in 2023.
In the meantime, take a look at these great pictures. Do they bring back memories? Are you in them or were you too young to remember?
1. Unprecedented crowds
2010's Tall Ships Races in Hartlepool brought the biggest crowds that the marina had ever seen with thousands of visitors streaming into town. Photo: Mail file
2. A bustling Hartlepool Marina.
Tall ships and kayaks from all over the world moored in Hartlepool marina and neighbouring docks for the four day festival. Photo: nep
3. First through the gates
These visitors had their cameras at the ready when they were among the first through the gates. Photo: CRAIG LENG
