The Seattle Maritime Festival kicks off on Thursday with the world’s biggest tugboat races, a chowder cook-off, survival suit races, quick and dirty boat building competition and lots of family fun.

If you want to be part of the tugboat race, you have until the end of today to bid on a chance to ride aboard Seattle's fastest tugboat during the Seattle Maritime Festival.

An eBay auction for a chance for four people to ride on Crowley's tugboat, Hunter, ends tonight and has already reached $400.

"The Hunter has won every single year that it has competed since 1995," said Crowley's Chris Peterson, vice president, marine services. "And this year should be no exception. This is a great opportunity for a group to take part in the excitement while also giving back to a worthwhile cause."

All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Seattle-based not-for-profit Ryther Child Center, a recognized leader in behavioral health services for Washington state children and their families facing complex challenges.

To participate in the auction, click here. To learn more about Ryther, visit www.ryther.org.