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Official Royal Navy ceremonies were called off because the crews of two ships had been drinking, it has been claimed.

The crews of HMS Echo, a survey vessel, and the frigate HMS Sutherland reportedly cancelled an evening parade and tourist trips on the Isle of Scilly after a drinking session on Saturday night leaving around 500 people disappointed.

The official explanation for the cancellation of the all visits to HMS Sutherland and the full Royal Navy Sunset Ceremony outside Star Castle Hotel are 'sea conditions'.

However, the crews have been "coming and going all day", one witness said.

"We also saw four crew ashore who raised the standard up at The Star Castle.

"Yet they couldn't be bothered to put a crew ashore for the sunset ceremony."

A regular at The Star Castle Hotel told the Mirror: "After two nights of chaos they've probably been banned from coming ashore.

"They took and crashed a golf buggy last night."

One disgruntled tourist said: "We've trekked to the quay twice for our boat tour and walked up for the sunset procession.

"The only spokesperson was a red-eyed navy guy who looked very sheepish telling us the crew couldn't get ashore as we looked out to flat seas and boats coming and going."

A local boat charter company tweeted: "HMS Echo can land liberty men (sailors allowed to go ashore) but Sutherland can't land sunset party?

"Disappointing."

The Isles of Scilly twitter account had the message: "All visits to HMS Sutherland have been cancelled today due to weather conditions, but Water Carnival and lifeboat visit still going ahead!"

Last night someone released the brake of a golf buggy parked on a street in Hugh Town on St Mary's at approximately 8.30pm, Isles of Scilly Police confirmed.

Police officers are investigating.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Regrettably a ceremony due to take place on the shore was cancelled because sea conditions meant personnel could not be safely transported from the ship.”

There is no suggestion that any Navy personnel are not allowed to relax off duty.

HMS Sutherland, a Type 23 frigate, was due to be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Sunday and 10am to 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

A sunset ceremony was meant to take place outside the Star Castle Hotel from 5.30pm to 6.30pm today.