Royal Canadian Navy bans booze at sea

The Royal Canadian Navy has banned alcohol at sea following a series of “questionable incidents” involving drunken sailors.

Sailors were previously permitted to drink while off duty, however the new rules mean they will only be able to drink alcohol on “special occasion” with the permission of the captain.

The “near-total” ban follows a number of incidents involving drunken sailors, and brings the force into line with restrictions already imposed upon navies in the US, Britain and New Zealand.

As reported by Canada’s Global News, Royal Canadian Navy commander Vice Admiral Mark Norman said the consumption of alcohol on board and its effects had been a “growing concern” over the last couple of years with increased misconduct among sailors.

He said: “This review has outlined the steps we will take as an institution to ensure that our people are better informed and prepared to meet the expectations set out for our modern professional fighting force.

“While the vast majority of our officers and sailors understand how to conduct themselves appropriately, I’m confident that they will be better equipped to represent their country, their service and their ships, at home and abroad.”

In July, Commander Norman ordered warship HMCS Whitehorse back to Canada from an exercise in the US after three sailors were accused of sexual misconduct, shoplifting and drunkenness while the ship was in port in San Diego, according to reports by Global News. 

Earlier this year the New Zealand Navy imposed a similar ban on alcohol upon its sailors, while in August the UK’s Royal Navy took steps to curb “excessive drinking” after a fatal shooting on board a submarine in 2011.