Alleged Theft by Sailors Leads to Navy Action

Prompted by the alleged theft by two sailors of items from a foreign merchant vessel in the Persian Gulf, Navy surface ships around the world have been ordered to take a one-day “stand-down” so that sailors can discuss ethics and their role as “their nation’s ambassadors.”

The stand-down, to be done in the next 15 days, was ordered by Vice Adm. Timothy W. LaFleur, commander of Naval Surface Forces, in reaction to an incident aboard the guided missile destroyer Higgins. The order affects 143 ships.

Two sailors from the Higgins are accused of stealing three cameras, a watch and $200 in cash from a ship flying the flag of Singapore during an inspection Jan. 6 in the gulf.

The Navy routinely boards ships in the gulf to inspect for contraband, weapons and suspected terrorists. On New Year’s Day, for example, Navy ships seized 2,800 pounds of hashish and arrested 15 crew members in what officials believe was a ring dedicated to funneling money to Al Qaeda.

Although the Navy boarding teams ask for permission to search, the sailors are armed and prepared to fight their way aboard if necessary.

The stand-down, a pause in operations, will allow officers and senior enlisted sailors to discuss the proper way to board foreign vessels and to conduct searches. Sailors will be warned that theft and other unlawful acts can lead to punishment.

The two sailors on the Higgins are to undergo a captain’s mast, a proceeding that can lead to a fine, loss of privileges or dismissal from the service. The items were discovered after the Singapore ship reported to the Higgins that things were missing after the search.

Conduct reflecting poorly on the Navy “builds or reinforces negative impressions against the U.S.,” said Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Charles Brown. “Reputations are often won and lost by one incident.”