Navy investigates drunken sailor complaints

The Royal Canadian Navy is investigating after more than a dozen incidents involving drunken sailors from a number of countries were reported to police in the Florida Keys, according to a statement released by the navy.

The supply ship HMCS Preserver is now back in Halifax harbour after returning from mid-September exercises in the Caribbean.  

The incidents occurred while the ship was docked in Key West, Fla., along with half a dozen foreign and U.S. ships.

There were 5,000 sailors in all, 250 of them from HMCS Preserver.  

During the brief visit, there were at least 14 incidents involving dozens of sailors. Some sailors were returned to the HMCS Preserver by local police or shore patrol, read the statement, but it was not made clear how many Canadians may have been involved in incidents.

The navy will be looking at allegations of drunkenness, falling down in the streets, slumping over in bars, drunk driving on scooters and public mischief.    

"As a matter of due diligence, HMCS Preserver is looking into each incident to ensure the conduct of our Canadian sailors [was] consistent with Canadian Forces' code of service discipline," read the navy's statement to CBC News.   

Aylson Crean, a spokesperson for the Key West Police Department, said there were no charges laid against any Canadian sailors by police.

"If someone looks like they are having too much or a little out of hand, we take them back to their ship and hand them over to whoever is in command there," said Crean.  

The navy's investigation is ongoing and could result in charges when complete, according to the statement.