The Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA) is the oldest maritime trade union in the United States still currently in existence, established in 1875.Merchant mariners deliver critical defense cargo to United States armed forces in times of military conflict.[2] This increase in speed greatly reduced safety in the engine room due to fires and boiler explosions.[2] When wages started to be cut again, cities such as Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit took after the Buffalo association and created organizations of their own.This organization called itself the National Marine Engineers Association and chose Garret Douw of Buffalo as its president.After Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association's formation, the union lobbied Washington legislators to pass bills in 1884 and 1896 that would make it law for all American vessels to possess only American officers and to grant the ability for marine engineers to attain licenses, respectably.[10] The maritime school offers over fifty courses to union members and outside engineering professionals (as of May 1, 2007) and provides living arrangements for attendees.
Colleges like the
California Maritime Academy
train engineering cadets in engine rooms who may seek to join MEBA after graduating.