Canadian Navy Bans Sailors from Consuming Alcohol While at Sea

The Canadian Navy has imposed a ban on its sailors from consuming alcohol while at sea, unless their ships are tied up or the crew is celebrating a special occasion like Christmas or a barbecue.  

The order came from head of the Canadian Navy Royal Commander, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who said: "Most misconduct unfortunately involves the misuse of alcohol. Anytime our ships are at sea, there will not be access to alcohol," the Star reports.

Earlier, the sailors were allowed to drink while off duty, but now they won't be allowed off-duty as well unless it is a special occasion.

This near-total ban brings the Canadian Navy on the same level as those of the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

According to BBC, there won't be any beer-vending machine in the warships and the cost of alcohol in the bars at the ships at sea will be increased too.

Commander Norman informed the media that "questionable incidents" with regard to drunken sailors had prompted the department to take the decision.

"This is about a growing concern over a period of a couple of years where we had growing indicators of misconduct across the navy," he said.

The restrictions will take effect immediately. In July, HMCS Whitehorse was ordered to return back to Canada from the United States after three sailors on the ships indulged in sexual misconduct, shoplifting and drunken behaviour while onboard.

An inquiry was launched and on Friday, Commander Norman released the findings of the investigation that was led by commodore Craig Banes, commander of the Atlantic fleet.

"The RCN needs to provide clearer, more exacting guidance to promote and communicate its expectations regarding personal conduct to its officers and sailors," the report stated.