Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association - MEBA

Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association - MEBA M.E.B.A. represents skilled engineers and deck officers in the Merchant Marine & shoreside industries The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.)

is the nation’s oldest maritime union. was born out of necessity on the Great Lakes and Mississippi River in the 1870s. Back in 1875 a collection of local marine engineers’ association representatives, fed up with the intolerable working conditions of the day, banded together. Boiler explosions aboard steamboats and unfair working conditions coupled with measly paychecks drove these trailblazers t

o unite for the protection of mariners. In February of 1875, the leaders of five steamship unions met in Cleveland and the National Marine Engineers’ Association was born. Early on, the M.E.B.A. forefathers battled for beneficial legislation to certify and license waterborne engineers. They also prevailed in securing U.S. officers – both deck and engine – aboard U.S.-flagships displacing foreign seamen. Those early struggles and many others paved the way for the worker protections and benefits M.E.B.A. members have today. As M.E.B.A. moved into the new century, it began to look less like a professional society and more like a labor union. The M.E.B.A. grew stronger on all coasts as international shipping took on a new focus in American commerce. The desire to commit to the goals of organized labor caused the M.E.B.A. to affiliate with the AFL for the first time in 1919. For the next few decades, the M.E.B.A. would peak and fall with the global demand for shipping. Maritime business would skyrocket with each of the two World Wars but suffer during the Great Depression. American maritime labor would recognize the higher calling of the nation’s defense and served the country admirably in both wars. The merchant marine continues to serve as a vital expression of American military power.

This week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), joined by Representatives Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)...
08/28/2026

This week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), joined by Representatives Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Brendan Boyle (PA-2), introduced the bipartisan American Mariner Tax Fairness Act to strengthen America's merchant mariner workforce. The bill would extend the foreign earned income exclusion to qualifying U.S. merchant mariners who spend at least 90 days in a 12-month period aboard qualifying U.S.-flag vessels engaged in foreign trade.

"I want to thank Representatives Fitzpatrick and Suozzi for their bipartisan work in advancing this legislation and delivering on a key objective of a strong U.S. maritime policy," said Adam Vokac, President, M.E.B.A.

Read more: https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2026/8/fitzpatrick-introduces-bipartisan-american-mariner-tax-fairness-act-to-strengthen-u-s-maritime-workforce 👈

M.E.B.A. & AMC spearheaded this newly introduced legislation that would benefit our membership and American mariners at ...
08/28/2026

M.E.B.A. & AMC spearheaded this newly introduced legislation that would benefit our membership and American mariners at large...

Fitzpatrick Introduces Bipartisan American Mariner Tax Fairness Act to Strengthen U.S. Maritime Workforce August 27, 2026 Targeted tax relief would help address mariner recruitment and retention challenges and strengthen national readiness WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA...

Caption this!What's happening here? Tell us in the comments.👇️
08/27/2026

Caption this!

What's happening here? Tell us in the comments.👇️

M.E.B.A. and MM&P Staten Island Ferry crews stepped up to the plate for the annual "Battle of New York Harbor" softball ...
08/27/2026

M.E.B.A. and MM&P Staten Island Ferry crews stepped up to the plate for the annual "Battle of New York Harbor" softball doubleheader last week against the U.S. Coast Guard at SIUH Community Park, home of the Staten Island FerryHawks. They spotted the Coast Guard a few too many runs in the first game, but the ferry crews came out swinging to win the second, splitting the series. M.E.B.A. standouts included Capt. Joe Ajar, Capt. James Toolen and Mate Patrick McGrath, who all hit dingers, with McGrath delivering a bases-loaded grand slam to spark the comeback victory. M.E.B.A. Port Engineer Michelle Murgolo and MM&P member Kenny Mitchel also made key contributions with double plays, while families enjoyed a memorable day featuring a Coast Guard helicopter flyover, Staten Island ferries and the M.E.B.A.-crewed MAERSK DENVER contributing to the backdrop. Thanks to NY/NJ Patrolman Kenny Smith for the pics!

Why join M.E.B.A.? Pension. Healthcare. Training. Job security. A career with a backbone. Learn more about what membersh...
08/25/2026

Why join M.E.B.A.? Pension. Healthcare. Training. Job security. A career with a backbone. Learn more about what membership means at mebaunion.org. 👈

Most students never hear about a career at sea until someone tells them it exists.That's changing. At this year's Americ...
08/24/2026

Most students never hear about a career at sea until someone tells them it exists.

That's changing. At this year's American School Counselor Association conference, more than 40 maritime companies, academies, and unions, including M.E.B.A., showed up to make the case directly to the people who guide students toward their next step. No four-year degree required. Real training. A stable, skilled career with room to grow.

If you're a mariner, an engineer, or thinking about becoming one, M.E.B.A. is one of the paths worth knowing about.

Read more from The Waterways Journal at the link below.

We Work the Waterways and maritime groups promoted maritime careers to school counselors through Mariners Row at the ASCA annual meeting.

Training that moves careers forward. Calhoon gives M.E.B.A. members the certifications and hands-on hours they need to m...
08/23/2026

Training that moves careers forward. Calhoon gives M.E.B.A. members the certifications and hands-on hours they need to move up, from entry-level to chief engineer or captain.

Learn more: mebaschool.org

08/22/2026

These aren't just big ships carrying cargo. Look closer and you'll see skilled mariners and proud American companies standing behind them, securing our economy, protecting our national security, and keeping the country moving forward. The U.S. shipping industry supports 650,000 American jobs, coast to coast. It's also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to move cargo anywhere in the world. These companies do more than trade. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, they sailed into a war zone to move military cargo. They've helped destroy chemical weapons precursors from Syria. Right now, U.S. mariners are actively supporting our nation's efforts in Iran. The Mariners of the U.S. shipping industry. Hard at work. Securing the future of our country.

08/19/2026

Secretary-Treasurer Roland "Rex" Rexha on M.E.B.A. Good and Welfare, the union's member-to-member charity.

"Good and Welfare is a charity for M.E.B.A. members, by its members, and to its members. You never know when you'll need help, and your brothers and sisters will be at your side to help you. This year alone, we raised $200,000 in support of our members. If disaster strikes, a hurricane or sickness, you can be helped by the brothers and sisters you work with every day. If you give to charity, don't overlook M.E.B.A. Good and Welfare as a potential donation."

— Roland "Rex" Rexha, M.E.B.A. Secretary-Treasurer

If you could take four months off tomorrow, what would you do with the time? M.E.B.A.'s paid vacation structure makes it...
08/18/2026

If you could take four months off tomorrow, what would you do with the time? M.E.B.A.'s paid vacation structure makes it possible. Tell us below. 👇️

Address

444 N Capitol Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Telephone

+12026385355

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association - MEBA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association - MEBA:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category