A long-held gala tradition in Cockenzie and Port Seton will not return this year.

Cockenzie and Port Seton Gala organisers’ hopes of taking the gala court out on the ‘high seas’ on local fishing boats – as has been tradition on gala day for decades – have been sunk for another year due to safety rules.

The tradition saw the Seton Queen and her royal party board the royal barge – a local fishing boat – at Cockenzie Harbour and, with the help of the ‘Royal Navy’, repel an attack from ‘pirates’ before making their way to safety at Port Seton Harbour.

The carefully choreographed and colourful ‘battle’, involving several decorated fishing boats, was always one of the highlights of gala day and drew big crowds watching onshore.

However, just like last year, the sailings won’t take place due to a ruling from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) which excludes fishing boats from carrying children.

Passenger vessels could be used but none are available on the day of the gala, May 20, meaning the age-old tradition cannot go ahead this year.

A spokesperson for Cockenzie & Port Seton Community Gala said: “For the second year running, gaining permission for our local fishing fleets to carry the local children out to sea has proven difficult.

“The MCA have changed their legislation, which forbids us from using our local fishing boats on gala day, which is very sad and disappointing as this has been a tradition for many years.

“Despite our best efforts to try and obtain a passenger-carrying vessel from other areas, they were either too far away to come or had other bookings on May 20, 2023.

“As a committee we have worked very hard in the background and, like all the people involved within the gala day, we are disappointed that we are unable to have the boats as part of our gala for this year.

“We have already begun to look into vessels for future galas, when we can hopefully carry on with the tradition.

“As ever, we would like to thank the local fishermen for their ongoing support in our quest to allow the gala court out on the seas once more”.