The move comes two days after an earlier ballot run by Prospect in which professional grades in MCA overwhelmingly backed a motion expressing no confidence in the agency’s chief executive Peter Cardy.

On a turnout of 75%, 80% of Prospect’s 180 members in the agency said they had no confidence in Cardy to deliver the increases in pay vital to recruit and retain the skilled staff needed to meet the agency’s role of growing the UK Merchant fleet, preventing the loss of lives at sea and combating coastal pollution.

The strike ballot and no confidence vote reflect escalating unrest over pay within the agency. Last year MCA specialists undertook a campaign of action short of a strike over the imposition of the 2006 pay award, which amounted to a real terms pay cut.

The move compounded existing frustration at the disparities between MCA surveyors and comparable Department for Transport colleagues in the Marine Accident Investigation Branch who are paid literally twice as much. (The MCA stating rate of £33,000 is dwarfed by the MAIB entry rate of £63,000). Talks have yet to begin over MCA’s award for 2007, which will be subject to pressure to meet the public sector pay cap of 2%.

Prospect negotiator John Ferrett said: "Although still reeling after MCA’s decision to impose a below inflation award, which flew in the face of previous commitments to remedy pay disparities, our members had been encouraged when the new chief executive was appointed last year.

"But repeated failed promises of action have exhausted their patience. The pay gap between MCA surveyors and other industry colleagues is already leading to a drift of staff which the board admits will leave it in crisis in a few years. Yet it is still unable to present a robust case to challenge the Treasury remit given to MCA."

It is hoped that the ballot on strike action will coincide with a ballot of MCA coastguards, represented by the PCS union, who are also considering strike action over pay.

Ferrett said if members vote in favour of a strike, it will be the first time Marine Surveyors have taken such action and would lead to a backlog at ports across the country.