THE navy knew within days that claims crewmen ran a competition on how many female sailors they could sleep with were false, but did nothing to set the record straight, the Federal Opposition claims.

THE Royal Australian Navy is denying that the decision to recall about 1600 sailors from warships over summer is a result of a recruiting crisis, claiming it merely forms part of a new family-friendly policy.

THE Australian Defence Force is paying submariners a bonus of up to $60,000 to stay in the navy as it struggles to retain staff and lure recruits.

MAITLAND was named yesterday as one of 12 Australian towns and cities to have a new Royal Australian Navy vessel named in its honour.

NEWCASTLE shipbuilder ADI expects to hear next month if it has won the $750million contract to build 12 patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy at Carrington.