01
M.E.B.A. Vacation
Vacation that works as hard as you do.
Our vacation plans average between 27/30 and 30/30, and we pay it out whenever you want. You can bank or backdate your vacation to ensure full covered years for pension and healthcare.
30/30
Senior Officers
One day off for every day worked
27/30
Junior Officers
Nine paid days off for every ten worked
18 mo
Medical Extension
One 90-day contract can cover your medical for up to 18 months through banked vacation
02
How Accrual Works
How your vacation accrues.
Whether you choose deep sea, shoreside, or inland work, M.E.B.A. contracts offer flexible vacation accrual designed to fit your path.
30/30*
Senior Officers
Masters, Chief Mates, Chief Engineers, 1st Engineers
*Most MEBA contracts accrue 30 days of vacation for every 30 days of covered employment. In other words, one day off with full pay and benefits for each day you work.
27/30*
Junior Officers
2nd Mates, 3rd Mates, 2nd AEs, 3rd AEs
*Accrue vacation days that vary by contract but typically average 27 vacation days for every 30 days of covered employment. Nine fully paid days off for every ten worked.
Optional
Overtime conversion
Additional paid vacation days can be accrued by converting overtime onboard into vacation days. This is entirely optional and provides flexibility to extend medical benefits and pension coverage.
03
Your Medical, Protected
Your vacation protects your family's healthcare.
You can use your vacation days to extend your medical benefits for up to 2 years. If for some reason you cannot work, you and your family will be protected.
Step 01
Sign up
30
Days of covered employment
30 days to start
30 days of covered employment after signing up grants you and your family 6 months of medical coverage.
→ 6 months covered
Step 02
Extend
60
Days work, vacation, or OT
60 days to extend
Any combination of 60 days of covered employment, vacation, or converted overtime extends your medical coverage for another 6 months.
→ +6 months each cycle
Step 03
Bank
Years
Of coverage, without working
Bank it for years
With a bank of vacation days, you can extend your medical coverage for years without working. After one 90-day trip, you can get medical coverage for up to a year and a half.
→ up to 18 mo. per trip
04
Stories at Sea
“I did 20 years. I retired at 46. And I’ve been collecting ever since.”
Marshall · Retired Master · Hapag-Lloyd · Member since 1989
05
The Filing Process
How to take your vacation.
Eligibility
When you can file
Once you have 30 days of covered employment, you can apply for vacation. The Vacation Plan pays full base wages and benefits on time earned for your requested non-working days.
Payouts
Partial and full payouts
Vacations can be taken in full or partial payouts up to 5 times, then required to pay all time. 30 days of new covered employment resets your partials. Maximum on the books: 90 days regular vacation plus 90 days converted overtime.
How to File
Where to submit
Vacation can be filed at any Union Hall, or remotely with the Vacation Department via mail, fax, or email. You choose the method that works for your schedule.
Ready to see what M.E.B.A. can do for your career?
Six steps. $150 to start. The best pension, healthcare, and training in the industry from day one. Download the application or find your nearest hall.
