US frigate commander sacked after drunken Vladivostok port call

The commander and top officers of a San Diego-based navy frigate have been relieved of duty after a rowdy, booze-fuelled port visit to Vladivostok, Russia.

Commander Joseph Darlak, skipper of the USS Vandegrift, has been removed by Captain John Schultz after an investigation "due to loss of confidence after demonstrating poor leadership and failure to ensure the proper conduct of his wardroom officers" during the three-day September stop, the US Navy said.

Executive officer Lieutenant Commander Ivan Jimenez and the ship's chief engineer and operations officer were also relieved of duty "for personal conduct involving use of alcohol and not adhering to established liberty policies", the statement said.

The names of the two lower-ranked officers were not released because their positions are not considered public under navy policy, and naval officials did not give specifics.

In a post on the official Facebook page of the navy's 7th Fleet, the commander celebrated the visit as it began on September 20.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to visit Vladivostok and experience all the city has to offer," Darlak said in the post. "Our sailors are especially looking forward to making new friends."