Sailors punished after drinking at sea

4.00pm

The navy has disciplined 13 crew members on its Anzac frigate HMNZS Te Kaha after they broke the navy's rules about drinking on board.

The 13 sailors were charged after an incident on the ship when it was at sea early last month.

The navy said their alcohol consumption broke the ship's rules and they were charged the following day.

Their alcohol consumption was not excessive but the incident was serious because they broke several rules and undermined the basic rules of safety at sea, said defence spokeswoman Commander Sandy McKie.

"Their behaviour was totally inconsistent with the navy's core values of courage, comradeship and commitment," she said.

The sailors faced a range of punishments including reduction in rank, stoppage of leave, fines and terms in the defence prison at Burnham near Christchurch.

Cdr McKie said the punishment reflected the navy's determination to send a clear signal to sailors that such selfish behaviour was not acceptable.

- NZPA