International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots

What International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots does

The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P), founded in 1887 and headquartered in Linthicum, Maryland, is a U.S. labor union representing licensed deck officers — Masters, Mates, Pilots — across the American merchant marine. The organization is structured into five membership groups covering distinct employment sectors: Offshore (deep sea tanker and container operations), United Inland (Great Lakes, rivers, tugs and barges), Pilot (harbor and docking pilots), Federal Employees (Civil Service mariners aboard Military Sealift Command and other federal vessels), and Atlantic Maritime (ferry and regional coastal operators). MM&P negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of these members, advocates for federal maritime policy including the Jones Act and cargo preference, and operates a member service stack that includes MITAGS training and STCW certification, the MM&P Federal Credit Union, MM&P Plans (health and benefits administration), legal resources, an Employee Assistance Program, and the Women's Caucus. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and a member of its Transportation Trades Department, and is also a member of the American Maritime Partnership coalition.

MM&P's operating model is dues-funded and distributed: revenue derives from recurring membership dues paid by working mariners, with no product sales, advertising revenue, or outside investment. Membership acquisition occurs through organizing campaigns at non-union maritime companies (a notable 2025 win brought 125 licensed deck officers at Alaska Tanker Company and Overseas Shipholding Group into the union, the largest such win in at least 50 years), collective bargaining representation elections, and a Prospective Applicants pipeline feeding into the MITAGS Maritime Apprenticeship Program. The organization maintains physical union halls in Linthicum (international headquarters), Seattle, and Oakland, with stated coverage extending to the Atlantic, Gulf, Great Lakes, and Inland Waterways regions. Communications run through bridgedeck.org, the Wheelhouse Weekly newsletter, The Global Seafarer (bimonthly), and the quarterly MM&P Magazine (The Master, Mate & Pilot), supported by YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram channels. The organization is led by President Don Josberger, International Secretary-Treasurer Lars Turner, and Vice Presidents Tom Bell and Melany Velleca (Pacific Ports).

Name

International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots

Legal name

International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots

Website

https://bridgedeck.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

MM&P is a U.S. labor union representing licensed deck officers (Masters, Mates, Pilots) across the American merchant marine. It negotiates collective bargaining agreements, advocates for Jones Act policy, and operates member services including MITAGS training, a credit union, and health benefits across five maritime sector groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Labor Union Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Labor (Dockworkers/Longshore) Staffing (BPACAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pilotage Authority & Dispatch Services (Pilot Stations, Rostering, VTS Interface) (TLAHAGAG)

Keywords

• Maritime labor union
• Collective bargaining services
• Deck officer representation
• Maritime training programs
• Seafarer advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Linthicum Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Membership Dues: MM&P generates revenue through membership dues paid by its member mariners who work in various sectors of the maritime industry including offshore, inland waterways, pilots, federal employees, and Atlantic maritime operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MM&P is a labor union representing licensed deck officers (Masters, Mates, Pilots) in the U.S. maritime industry, organized into five sector-specific membership groups: Offshore, Federal Employees, Atlantic Maritime, Pilot, and United Inland. The union negotiates collective bargaining agreements, advocates for fair wages and safe working conditions, and provides member benefits including health plans, a federal credit union, and training through MITAGS. It also engages in federal policy advocacy on issues such as the Jones Act and cargo preference.

Product overview

The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) is a labor union representing maritime professionals. The organization offers membership services organized into five membership groups (Offshore, Federal Employees, Atlantic Maritime, Pilot, and United Inland) providing collective bargaining and advocacy. Supporting services include MM&P Plans (health and benefits administration), the MM&P Federal Credit Union, and MITAGS training programs for professional development and STCW certification. The union disseminates information through the Wheelhouse Weekly newsletter, The Global Seafarer magazine, and The Master, Mate & Pilot magazine. Additional support services include the Women's Caucus (advocacy group), mental health resources, and legal resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MM&P Federal Credit Union: Credit union services for union members
• The Master, Mate & Pilot
• The Global Seafarer
• Wheelhouse Weekly

Products and services

• MM&P Union Membership (Offshore Membership Group) Core union membership product for maritime professionals working aboard deep sea and international vessels (e.g., OSG, Alaska Tanker Company), providing collective bargaining representation, workplace safety advocacy, and contract negotiation services.
• MM&P Federal Employees Membership Membership product for mariners employed by federal agencies such as the Military Sealift Command (e.g., USS Frank Cable), providing collective bargaining and federal employee rights advocacy.
• MM&P Pilot Membership Membership product for harbor and docking pilots (e.g., Savannah Docking Pilots) who guide vessels in and out of ports, providing collective bargaining and pilot-specific contract representation.
• MM&P Atlantic Maritime Membership Membership product for mariners working in Atlantic coastal operations (e.g., Staten Island Ferry, Statue City Cruises), providing collective bargaining and regional contract representation.
• MM&P United Inland Membership Membership product for mariners working on inland waterways, Great Lakes, rivers, tugs, and barges, providing collective bargaining and inland-route contract representation.
• MM&P Plans (Health & Benefits) Health insurance, benefit plans, and premium payment administration services for union members, with provider lists, forms, IRAP forms, and a premium comparison tool.
• MM&P Federal Credit Union Credit union services available exclusively to MM&P union members, providing financial services tailored to the maritime workforce.
• MITAGS Maritime Training Programs Maritime training programs delivered through the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, covering STCW certification, license advancement, and professional development for members and prospective mariners.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P is an affiliated union of the AFL-CIO, participating in its Constitutional Conventions, supporting resolutions on maritime policy, and benefiting from the federation's political and advocacy resources. MM&P International Secretary-Treasurer Lars Turner spoke at the AFL-CIO's 30th Constitutional Convention.
• Transportation Trades Department (TTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P is one of the 39 transportation labor unions that belong to the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, which issues policy statements guiding advocacy work on maritime issues including strengthening the U.S.-flag fleet, cargo preference, and maritime workforce development.
• American Maritime Partnership (AMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P is a member of the American Maritime Partnership, a coalition working to defend the Jones Act and support the domestic maritime industry. AMP has launched campaigns opposing Jones Act waivers and advocating for American maritime strength.
• MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P partners with MITAGS to provide training courses for members including license advancement programs, STCW certification, and specialized maritime training at both East and West coast facilities.
• MIRAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIRAID is listed as a member of the American Maritime Partnership alongside MM&P, representing shared advocacy for the domestic maritime industry and Jones Act protection.
• International Federation of Ship Masters Associations (IFSMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P participates in IFSMA activities and distributes the IFSMA newsletter to members, representing international collaboration among ship masters associations.
• Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P supports the SOCP's SASH (Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment) initiatives and the EMBARC program for building respectful maritime workplaces.
• Maritime Administration (MARAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMM&P maintains an advocacy relationship with the Maritime Administration, participating in National Maritime Day commemorations and collaborating on maritime workforce development initiatives.
• MatsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatson was a sponsor of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Day commemoration event. MM&P members serve aboard Matson vessels including MOKIHANA and KOAMKUIKI.
• American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMMV is a non-profit advocating for merchant marine veterans. MM&P sponsors AMMV events including Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Maritime Officers (AMO): AMO is a U.S. maritime labor union representing licensed deck and engine officers on U.S.-flag vessels. Directly comparable to MM&P as a competing union for the same pool of U.S.-flag licensed officers and a fellow AFL-CIO TTD affiliate.
• Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA): MEBA represents licensed marine engineers aboard U.S.-flag vessels and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. A direct peer representing the parallel licensed-officer profession (engine room) within the same U.S. maritime labor structure.
• Seafarers International Union (SIU) of North America: SIU represents unlicensed merchant mariners aboard U.S.-flag vessels and is part of the AFL-CIO. A direct peer covering the unlicensed mariner counterpart of MM&P's licensed deck officers in the same U.S.-flag maritime labor pool.

Regional players

• Masters, Mates and Pilots (Canadian counterpart — MM&P Canada): Canadian maritime officers association affiliated with the International Federation of Ship Masters' Associations, representing pilots and deck officers in Canada. Mirrors MM&P's scope (Masters, Mates, Pilots) across the Canadian maritime labor market.

Broad incumbents

• International Federation of Ship Masters' Associations (IFSMA): Global federation of national ship masters' associations with which MM&P participates. Comparable as the international umbrella and standards body linking MM&P's mission to a worldwide network of ship masters associations.
• AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD): Coalition of 39 transportation labor unions including MM&P. A comparable policy/advocacy coalition covering broader U.S. transportation labor (maritime, rail, trucking, aviation) that shapes MM&P's regulatory environment.
• International Longshoremen's Association (ILA): Major U.S. AFL-CIO port labor union representing dockworkers/longshoremen. Adjacent peer in U.S. maritime labor, covering the port-side counterpart of MM&P's seafarer representation.
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Large AFL-CIO-affiliated union with overlapping membership in transportation, freight, and logistics. Comparable as a major U.S. transportation labor organization, though not focused on maritime.

Others

• American Maritime Partnership (AMP): Coalition of U.S.-flag carriers, maritime labor (including MM&P), and supporters defending the Jones Act. A direct advocacy peer/partner governing the regulatory environment in which MM&P's member base operates.
• Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS): Core maritime training partner of MM&P providing STCW certification and license advancement. A strategically aligned enabling organization — not a competing union, but central to MM&P's value proposition and member career pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mmp_union
• YouTubebridgedeck.org/mmp-youtube-channel
• Facebookfacebook.com/IOMMP
• Instagraminstagram.com/BRIDGEDECK

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots