US carrier captain made 'bawdy' videos

The captain of an American aircraft carrier has been relieved of his command after circulating bawdy videos among his crew that featured slurs against homosexuals, simulated masturbation and toilet humour.

Captain Owen Honors, 49, right, who made the videos several years ago while second-in-command of the USS Enterprise, has now been reassigned to administrative duties.

Admiral John Harvey of US Fleet Forces Command said Honors had performed "without incident" as captain of the Enterprise, but had shown poor judgment over the videos. He added: "His profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command."

Honors produced the videos some three years ago as "entertainment" for the 5,800 crew members. They included suggestive scenes of women showering together, sailors in drag and a mock anal exam – particularly embarrassing for the Navy, as the Pentagon seeks to implement a new policy allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military.

One Navy official said: "This is the sort of thing you'd expect from a 19-year-old recruit."