 In February 1955, the union began pursuing the "first pension plan ever for U.S. merchant marine officers", which was well underway by November 1955.In 1957, Wilbur Dickey resigned the union's presidency and Ray McKay took the position on January 17, 1957.Later that year, on October 29, 1957, McKay and then-president of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association H.L.