Royal Navy tug boat crews are being balloted for strike action amid claims they are being locked out of contract discussions.

The latest boat from the Sause Bros. Ocean Towing Co. is rated at 1,200 miles per gallon per ton of cargo. Ten years ago, say company officials, tugs were rated at 514 mpgpt.

This action releases the excess water that's accumulating into the bilge, the lowest section of the boat. When the bilge is full, the tugboat uses large pumps to release it. If they weren't able ...