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.

Show us your engine room. The bridge. The deck at dawn. The view from somewhere most people will never stand.One winner ...
06/19/2026

Show us your engine room. The bridge. The deck at dawn. The view from somewhere most people will never stand.

One winner takes home $1,000. M.E.B.A. Stories at Sea closes June 30. Submit up to 10 photos or videos per month. Include who, what, when, and where — and a completed waiver at the link below.

bit.ly/MEBAStories

M.E.B.A. Secretary-Treasurer Roland "Rex" Rexha joined the AFL-CIO Convention in Minneapolis last week for a panel on fa...
06/18/2026

M.E.B.A. Secretary-Treasurer Roland "Rex" Rexha joined the AFL-CIO Convention in Minneapolis last week for a panel on fair trade and good jobs in shipbuilding and maritime. Also on the panel: Roxanne Brown, International President of the United Steelworkers, and Ambassador Katherine Tai, former U.S. Trade Representative. Moderated by Rana Foroohar of the Financial Times.

Watch the full panel here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZN_ssRxOWAU?t=1494

Union leaders and activists from around the country are gathering i...

L.A. Patrolman Jacob LeBeouf made a recent West Coast ship visit on the tanker ALASKAN NAVIGATOR, which is operated by A...
06/17/2026

L.A. Patrolman Jacob LeBeouf made a recent West Coast ship visit on the tanker ALASKAN NAVIGATOR, which is operated by ATC (OSG). The ship spent years in layup before being resurrected, revamped and relaunched. It's now operating at full force. From left to right are 1st A/E Ruben Toledo, 1st A/E Timothy Bunstine, C/E Mikel Avery, 2nd A/E John Rizzo and 3rd A/E Joshua Christensen.

M.E.B.A. had a great showing at the Chamber of Shipping of America's awards event last month in New Orleans. Several M.E...
06/17/2026

M.E.B.A. had a great showing at the Chamber of Shipping of America's awards event last month in New Orleans. Several M.E.B.A. companies and their ship crews were honored for their ongoing excellent safety records at sea. In this photo, several M.E.B.A. members helped accept the award doled out to Keystone which was presented with the Jones F. Devlin Safety Award, a recognition that reflects the hard work and dedication of the crews who make safety a priority every day. Seen here (l-r) are 1st A/E Marshall Sanford, Chief Mate William Miller, 2nd A/E Lee Davis and NOLA Representative Denis Alegria.

A week into your contract, you realize you forgot something you really needed.What was it? Drop it below. 👇
06/16/2026

A week into your contract, you realize you forgot something you really needed.

What was it? Drop it below. 👇

Last week marked the 106th anniversary of the Jones Act.M.E.B.A. has joined a coalition of maritime organizations urging...
06/16/2026

Last week marked the 106th anniversary of the Jones Act.

M.E.B.A. has joined a coalition of maritime organizations urging the Trump administration to end its emergency Jones Act waiver program. The waiver has allowed at least 88 foreign-flag voyages between U.S. ports since March, carrying crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and other energy cargoes.

"In reality, this misguided decision has no effect on the price of gasoline, but rather makes our homeland more vulnerable to national security threats and prioritizes foreign vessel operators over American maritime workers." — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department

American ships. American crews. American security.

Read more: https://dredgewire.com/maritime-labor-coalition-renews-call-to-end-jones-act-waiver-on-laws-106th-anniversary/

By Mike Schuler U.S. maritime labor leaders used the 106th anniversary of the Jones Act on Friday to renew calls for the Trump administration to end its emergency waiver program, arguing the policy undermines American mariners, domestic shipping companies, and broader efforts to rebuild the nation.....

Happy Flag Day. 🇺🇸The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S...
06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day. 🇺🇸

The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed vessels.

American ships. American crews. American security.

06/14/2026

A message from M.E.B.A. President Adam Vokac.

"I'd like to thank all the Mariners who are operating in a war zone right now or have been. It's not what you wanna do but it is what we signed up to do. You are the reason that we have and need a US Merchant Marine. Thank you for your patriotism, and your service."

— Adam Vokac, President, M.E.B.A.

Every day at sea earns a day at home. 120 days out. 120 days off. At base pay.Thinking about a maritime career? Know som...
06/12/2026

Every day at sea earns a day at home. 120 days out. 120 days off. At base pay.

Thinking about a maritime career? Know someone who should be? Link in bio.

Have you submitted yet? 📷 🎥M.E.B.A. Stories at Sea is open through June 30. 📅 One winner takes home $1,000. 💰️ Submit up...
06/10/2026

Have you submitted yet? 📷 🎥

M.E.B.A. Stories at Sea is open through June 30. 📅
One winner takes home $1,000. 💰️
Submit up to 10 photos or videos per month from current or past deployments. 📸 Include your caption, and a completed waiver form. ✅️

Submit at bit.ly/MEBAStories 👈

Address

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

Telephone

+12026385355

Website

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