Male sailors aboard an Australian warship were known as "the Untouchables" because they used "Mafia-style" stand-over tactics to threaten and intimidate other sailors, an inquiry has heard.
The commission of inquiry into the alleged "predatory" conduct of sailors aboard HMAS Success has previously heard that male sailors allegedly bullied junior female sailors into having sex with them and that "bounties" were allegedly placed on the heads of new female recruits as to who could have sex with them first.
Sailors allegedly used drugs and steroids and drank excessively while on shore leave.
Two sailors allegedly had sex on board, in violation of the ship's strict "no touching" policy and there had been rumours that two sailors had engaged in a sex act at a bar during shore leave in China in April last year, the inquiry has heard.
Shortly after, as the ship docked in Singapore Chief Petty Officer Jason Thomas, Petty Officer Orlando Barrett, Petty Officer Jake Thompson and Able Seaman Daniel Gordon were removed after they were alleged to have made threats of violence against other crew members.
Today the inquiry heard that, in an email, the ship's commander Simon Brown wrote to his superiors that a small group of male sailors were intimidating and threatening other sailors and "feel they are untouchable".
"They believe they can do whatever they want," Commander Brown wrote in the email on May 9 last year.
"They have resorted to Mafia-style actions."
Commander Brown denied he had been "out to get" those sailors.
When asked by counsel for CPO Thomas, Colonel Gary Hevey why he had not questioned the officer about the allegations, Commander Brown said he did not want to "exacerbate" the problem.
"My concern ... turned immediately to the welfare and safety of my ship's company," he said.
The inquiry continues.
Bellinda Kontominas is a Herald Court Reporter.
My critique --
This report shows the discrimination in the women sailors and the irresponsibility of the sailors towards their work. They have break the rule and intimidate others. Legal action could be charged on these people. However, the commander concern is true. they should make the welfare and the safety of his ship's company as priority.
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