Canadian Navy Bans Drinking at Sea

December 12, 2014

HMCS Whitehorse (Photo: Joshua Scott/U.S. Navy)
HMCS Whitehorse (Photo: Joshua Scott/U.S. Navy)
The Royal Canadian Navy on Friday imposed an almost total ban on sailors drinking at sea after a warship had to be recalled from an international exercise because inebriated crew members got into trouble.
 
Sailors had hitherto been allowed to drink off duty. Now, they will only be able to sample alcohol on special occasions such as Christmas, if the captain gives permission. In addition, beer vending machines will be removed from vessels.
 
"The consumption of alcohol will be prohibited while ships are at sea," Royal Navy Commander vice admiral Mark Norman told reporters. "Unfortunately alcohol does contribute to misconduct and has done in the past and we just want to try and regulate that as best we can."
 
In July, Norman ordered the HMCS Whitehorse back to Canada from an exercise in the United States after three sailors were accused of sexual misconduct, shoplifting and drunkenness while the ship was in port.
 
Norman said the Whitehouse affair and several other unspecified "questionable incidents" involving drunken sailors meant he had "lost confidence in our collective ability as a navy to conduct ourselves appropriately ashore".
 
The new rules will still not be as tough as those in the United States, where all ships are dry.
 
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by David Gregorio)

Logistics News

Joint Statement on Red Sea Attacks From ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO

Joint Statement on Red Sea Attacks From ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO

Xeneta Ocean Container Shipping Market Update

Xeneta Ocean Container Shipping Market Update

Coal Shipments Plummet 6%, China's the Driver

Coal Shipments Plummet 6%, China's the Driver

CV International, Capes Shipping Agencies Announce New CFO

CV International, Capes Shipping Agencies Announce New CFO

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Sources: Saudi Aramco and Commonwealth LNG in negotiations for an offtake agreement
British Airways wants the UK to be added to China's Visa Waiver Scheme
Firefighters continue to fight a wildfire in southern France despite its decreasing intensity