The Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF) is a shipping industry charitable organisation overseen by a board of trustees who represent Nautilus International, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT), several UK based shipping companies and the UK Chamber of Shipping.
The MEF strives to be a centre of excellence for seafarer training and provides support to the maritime sector for defined education and training purposes. It aims to provide ‘gold standard’ new entrant seafarer training programmes and further development opportunities for ratings and officers. It also provides funding support to specific activities and projects with identified outcomes that facilitate and promote the education and training of seafarers in maritime skills.