The Giant Paperboat Launch, part of the 3 Harbours Arts Festival, took place at Cockenzie harbour in East Lothian on 4 June 2009. Several giant paperboats lined up ready for launching at 20.00 on the shoreline.

The giant paper boats assemble at Cockenzie harbour

The first launch attempt of the largest paperboat at the shoreline was thrawted by the incoming tide, as the boat clung resolutely to a spot inches away from the shore.

The first launch attempt of the largest paper boat

Undaunted the launching crew carried the vessel round the harbour to position themselves at the wall of the harbour mouth to get the paperboat into some deeper water by adopting the ‘drop launch” technique.

It was all great fun watching the Giant Paperboat Launch and a testament to all the effort , enthusiasm and hard work by the local community that goes into organising and running the annual 3 Harbours Arts Festival which runs until the 14th June, so there still time for you to join in some of the events. You can check out the events programme on the Festival site.