I feel like we shouldn’t be here! Classic amphibious vehicles sail up the Thames for the annual Traditional Boat Festival

Henley is famous for the Royal Regatta, where top rowers from all over the world take to the water to race for victory.

But yesterday crowds gathered to see a different kind of boat sail down the Thames.

A fleet of amphibious vehicles entered the Oxfordshire waters as part of the annual Traditional Boat Festival.

Working both on land and in the water, the amphibious vehicles surprised the public by jumping into the river.

An army green car in the water had a very special crew member on board: a dog.

An army green amphibious vehicle sails down the River Thames with a dog on board

A 4WD Dutton Surf amphibious vehicle moves through the water with the driver wearing a stylish striped jacket at the wheel

The Traditional Boat Festival took place in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The event dates back to the 1970s, when a group of boat owners became concerned about the demise of non-motorised vessels ‘left abandoned and rotting along the Thames’.

Prizes were introduced for vintage and classic, as well as military and amphibious vehicles, and these are still hotly contested.

Today the event also includes a dog show and an air demonstration team.

Some of the earliest known amphibious vehicles date back to the 18th century.

But this unique form of transport was further developed during World War II.

One of the most important amphibious vehicles to emerge from the war was the Tracked Landing Vehicle, or LVT: a tractor developed for the U.S. Marine Corps.

According to Britannica, the LVT began its operational life as nothing more than a floating truck.

The crowd watches in awe as the blue amphibious vehicle effortlessly drives onto land after sailing across the river as part of the Traditional Boat Festival

A couple sit in the back of their amphibious vehicle as they sail down the Thames

The driver (or captain) skillfully maneuvers the engine as the car drives under a bridge

Two more amphibious vehicles race across the river as passers-by watch from the banks

A couple races through the water in their red amphibious vehicle, decorated with a British flag.

A man sits behind the wheel of his amphibious vehicle. A rubber duck dressed as a sailor sits on his dashboard

The amphibious vehicles on display at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival were a little more advanced.

One man piloted (or captained) a Dutton Surf, which could reach a top speed of five knots on the water.