A Navy sailor is facing a court-martial for allegedly indecently assaulting three of her shipmates while on board HMNZS Canterbury.

Able Steward Roselia Daniella Epati pleaded not guilty to three charges of indecent assault at Auckland's Devonport Naval Base on Monday.

The alleged offending took place while the four were on board HMNZS Canterbury in February 2021.

Prosecutor Sub Lieutenant Ben Ruback said the case was about a sailor who acted in a sexually inappropriate manner with her shipmates, including a superior officer.

Ruback told the military members, in February 2021, HMNZS was in Lyttleton in Christchurch.

That evening, Epati consumed alcohol with other shipmates before going ashore.

As she was leaving the ship, she touched the bottom of the first complainant before attempting to touch the woman's genital area, he said.

In the early hours of the following morning, Epati returned to the ship and an officer saw her struggling to climb the brow of the ship, Ruback said.

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"One of her hands forcibly groped his crotch."

Epati was told to apologise and go to bed, but instead she went into the mess and told a fellow shipmate she was in trouble for touching the second complainant.

She then is alleged to have demonstrated what she did by extending one of her hands and groping the shipmate, the hearing was told.

The third complainant disclosed she had been touched inappropriately to another shipmate.

Matthew Hague, acting on behalf of Epati, asked the military members to keep an open mind as a number of matters would be disputed.

Judge Maree Mackenzie is presiding over the court-martial.

What is a court-martial?

The court-martial oversees cases where a breach of military discipline or other offences may have occurred.

Possible sentences include prison and dismissal from the forces, detention, demotion, severe reprimand or a fine.

A judge presides over the court-martial, and a panel of military members will decide if the accused is guilty or not guilty.

If found guilty, the military members and the judge will decide the sentence.

Court-martial decisions can be appealed.a