Asbestos on U.S. Navy Support & Transport Ships
Support ships varied in design and purpose, but nearly all relied on asbestos for fireproofing, insulation, and heat resistance. Below is an expanded look at the types of support ships, their high-risk asbestos areas, and the roles most affected by exposure.
Auxiliary Ships: Auxiliary ships provided essential support to combat vessels, including repairs, supplies, and medical aid.
High-Risk Areas: Engine rooms, piping systems, and insulation materials were heavily laden with asbestos. These areas required constant maintenance, exposing workers to asbestos dust.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Boilermen, mechanics, and engineers were at the highest risk due to their work with boilers, turbines, and other heat-intensive machinery insulated with asbestos.
Escort Carriers: Escort carriers were smaller aircraft carriers used for convoy protection and air support.
High-Risk Areas: Electrical systems, bulkheads, and sleeping quarters often contained asbestos for fireproofing and insulation.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Electricians and maintenance crew were frequently exposed while repairing electrical systems and maintaining ship infrastructure.
Cutters (Coast Guard): Cutters were versatile ships used for search and rescue, law enforcement, and defense.
High-Risk Areas: Navigation equipment, engine rooms, and fuel storage areas were common sources of asbestos exposure.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Repair crews and machinists faced exposure while maintaining navigation systems and repairing engines insulated with asbestos.
Merchant Marine Ships: Merchant Marine ships transported goods and personnel, often operating under civilian crews.
High-Risk Areas: Insulation, boiler rooms, and cargo holds were major asbestos hotspots. Poor ventilation in these areas increased the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Civilian deckhands and shipbuilders were at high risk, especially during ship construction and maintenance.
Tankers & Oilers: Tankers and oilers transported fuel and other liquids to support naval operations.
High-Risk Areas: Fuel storage areas, pump rooms, and asbestos-coated fireproofing materials were common sources of exposure.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Pipefitters and fuel operators were exposed while working on fuel lines and pumps insulated with asbestos.
Tenders & Tugs: Tenders and tugs provided towing, maintenance, and logistical support to larger ships.
High-Risk Areas: Engine components and welding areas were often insulated with asbestos.
Veteran Roles Most Affected: Tug operators and machinists were exposed while repairing engines and welding asbestos-coated parts.
Jobs with the Highest Asbestos Exposure on Support Ships
The roles aboard support ships varied, but certain jobs consistently faced higher levels of asbestos exposure due to the nature of their work. Below is an expanded explanation of these high-risk roles:
Engineers & Mechanics
Responsibilities: Engineers and mechanics maintained boilers, turbines, and fuel lines, all of which were insulated with asbestos.
Exposure Risks: These workers frequently removed and replaced worn-out asbestos materials, releasing fibers into the air. The confined spaces of engine rooms amplified the danger.
Electricians & Communications Operators:
Responsibilities: Electricians and communications operators worked on ship-wide electrical systems, including wiring, panels, and circuit boards.
Exposure Risks: Asbestos-coated wiring and panels were common, and repairs often required cutting through asbestos insulation, releasing fibers into the air.
*Welders & Shipfitters: *
Responsibilities: Welders and shipfitters cut, welded, and installed metal parts, many of which were covered in asbestos insulation.
Exposure Risks: Shipyard workers were particularly vulnerable, as dismantling old asbestos components during repairs or retrofits released large amounts of asbestos dust.
Merchant Mariners & Civilians:
Responsibilities: Merchant Mariners and civilian workers operated and maintained ships, often without the safety protocols provided to Navy personnel.
Exposure Risks: These workers were exposed to asbestos in poorly ventilated ships, where fibers lingered in the air for extended periods.
Dockworkers & Refueling Teams:
Responsibilities: Dockworkers and refueling teams handled gaskets, pipes, and insulation while fueling and maintaining ships.
Exposure Risks: These workers often operated in close quarters with high concentrations of asbestos, especially when handling asbestos-laden materials.
Health Risks for Support Ship Veterans
Support ship veterans who served aboard vessels such as supply ships, repair ships, and transport ships often faced significant health risks due to asbestos exposure. Unlike warships, which were designed for combat, support ships played critical roles in maintaining and supplying naval operations. However, these ships were also heavily constructed with asbestos-containing materials, exposing veterans to hazardous fibers during their service. The health effects of asbestos exposure often take decades to manifest, leaving many veterans unaware of the risks they faced until long after their time aboard support ships. Below are the primary health risks associated with asbestos exposure:
Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the thin lining surrounding the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers can become embedded in the body’s tissues, causing chronic inflammation and scarring that may lead to cancer decades later. Support ship veterans, particularly those involved in maintenance, repairs, or engineering roles, were at high risk due to prolonged exposure to asbestos in confined spaces such as engine rooms, storage areas, and repair zones.
Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, leading to scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. This scarring reduces lung elasticity, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. While asbestosis is not cancer, it significantly impacts quality of life and increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Support ship veterans often developed asbestosis after years of exposure to airborne asbestos dust, particularly in areas where asbestos insulation was used, such as boiler rooms, engine compartments, and repair workshops.
Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the tissues of the lungs and is one of the most common asbestos-related diseases. Veterans exposed to asbestos on support ships faced a heightened risk of lung cancer, especially if they smoked during or after their service. Smoking and asbestos exposure have a synergistic effect, meaning the combined risk is far greater than from either factor alone. Veterans who worked in asbestos-heavy environments, such as engine rooms, maintenance areas, and shipyards, were particularly vulnerable to developing lung cancer.
Stomach, Colon, and Throat Cancer: Cancers of the stomach, colon, and throat are also linked to asbestos exposure. Ingested asbestos fibers, often swallowed after being inhaled, can lodge in the digestive tract, causing chronic inflammation and scarring that may lead to cancer over time. Similarly, inhaled fibers can irritate the throat, causing cellular damage that increases the risk of cancer. Support ship veterans were frequently exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during maintenance activities, repairs, and in poorly ventilated compartments, increasing their risk of developing these cancers years after their service.
Support ship veterans played a vital role in naval operations, but their service often came with hidden dangers. The widespread use of asbestos on these vessels has left many veterans facing serious health challenges later in life. Recognizing the risks and seeking appropriate medical care and compensation is essential for those affected.
Legal Options for Support Ship Veterans
Support ship veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service and later developed asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other cancers, have several legal options to seek compensation and support. These options include filing for VA benefits, pursuing claims through asbestos trust funds, and filing lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers. Below is an overview of these legal avenues:
VA Benefits for Asbestos-Exposed Veterans: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their military service and developed related illnesses. Support ship veterans, like their counterparts on warships, are eligible for these benefits if they can demonstrate that their asbestos exposure occurred during their service. The VA recognizes that asbestos exposure on support ships, particularly in roles such as machinists, pipefitters, boiler technicians, and repair personnel, is a qualifying condition for benefits.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products for support ships filed for bankruptcy due to the overwhelming number of lawsuits. As part of their bankruptcy agreements, these companies established asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
Lawsuits Against Asbestos Manufacturers: Veterans also have the option to file personal injury lawsuits against the companies that supplied asbestos products to the Navy. These lawsuits target the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing materials, not the government or the Navy itself.
Support ship veterans who were exposed to asbestos have multiple legal options to seek justice and compensation for their illnesses. Whether through VA benefits, asbestos trust fund claims, or lawsuits against manufacturers, these avenues can help veterans and their families cope with the financial and emotional burdens of asbestos-related diseases. Contact us today at 833-4-ASBESTOS to get a free consultation and case evaluation.