They say an army marches on its stomach - well the UK Royal Navy sails on its alcohol and other vices, in excess.
Pre 1815 to 1970
From before the end of the Napoleonic Wars copious beer and over proof rum rations led to drunken sailors.
1970 rum ration abolished
Due to DUI concerns not to mention nuclear weapons handling concerns. Crew instead allowed to purchase beer, with amount limited to how much could be stowed.
1986 on HMS Resolution(SSBN)
Seaman Richard Humphreys in Under Pressure: Living Life And Avoiding Death On A Nuclear Submarine, September 2019 paperback edition reports, page 175: the “crew of 143 men could drink roughly the equivalent of three cans a day for an average patrol length of, say, 60 days [= A grand total of 25,740 cans of beer per patrol, on patrol.] "...of an evening, some of the crew and I could easily be drinking at least nine to twelve cans of beer each.”
Do times change?
2011, April 8 on HMS Astute (SSN)
One naval officer killed and another injured in a shooting on board HMS Astute berthed at Southampton Docks. During a changeover of armed guards, 22-year old Able Seaman Ryan Donovan opened fire with an assault rifle in the sub's control room, hitting two officers before being overpowered...In the 48 hours before going on guard duty, Donovan had drunk 20 pints of cider, lager, and spirits, leaving him well beyond the drink-drive limit when on duty. Heavy drinking before duties was common practice amongst the crew.
2017, October 3 and 2017 October 9 HMS Vigilant(SSBN)
Submarine Matters reported that the Captain and his XO were removed for “inappropriate” relationships with 2 female crew members causing 5 officers to threaten to resign.
What is it about HMS Vigilant?
2020, October 14 Daily Mail reports:
“...dubbed “HMS Sex and Cocaine” has seen a coronavirus outbreak among its rule-breaking crew. Highly-secretive HMS Vigilant saw more than 35 crew members test positive after several left the Kings Bay US Navy [SSBN] base in Georgia, a source has revealed. Among those who tested positive - a quarter of the vessels team - was a doctor and an executive officer.”
2020, October 19 Daily Mailagain reports:
A Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander in charge of the HMS Vigilant’s nuclear missiles was found to be drunk while on duty when he turned up for a shift with a bag of barbecue chicken. .
Stay tuned for nuclear missile armed, HMS Vigilant's, next misadventures.