Maritime Lawyer

Maritime Law - Asbestos and the Navy

Just like the rest of the country, the United States Navy was a firm believer in the good that asbestos could do for ships. Beginning in the 1930s and ending in the 1970s, the Navy used asbestos-containing products in both its ships and its shipyards. It was primarily used for its ability to resist both fire and heat. These were important traits, considering the fire safety requirements for sea-going vessels. Asbestos was so effective that the Navy mandated the use of it and ended up using the natural mineral in more than 300 different materials for construction and repair aboard warships and in shipyards.

Asbestos was chiefly used as insulation in the engine and boiler rooms. This means that it affected those who worked below deck the most. Chief among those were boilermakers. Boilermakers were assigned the task of maintaining, installing, and repairing the asbestos-insulated boilers in naval vessels, which easily released asbestos fibers during normal operations.

In any ship built before 1970, it would be extremely difficult to find a portion that is free of asbestos. In addition to its use in engine and boiler rooms, asbestos was also used in mess halls, navigation rooms, and sleeping quarters. This means that sailors and shipyard workers alike were immersed in the dangerous material. In addition to the rooms with asbestos, numerous products, including adhesives, gaskets, valves, and cables, also contain asbestos.

For more information on asbestos and ships, contact the maritime lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-866-950-9000 to discuss your situation and to determine your legal options.