Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mate (BM) Asbestos Exposure

⚠️ Asbestos Risks for Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mates (BM)

Boatswain’s Mates (BMs) are among the most skilled and experienced deck personnel aboard U.S. Merchant Marine ships. As senior deck crew leaders, they supervise rigging, oversee cargo gear, direct painting and maintenance activities, manage mooring operations, and train Ordinary Seamen (OS) and Able Seamen (AB). During the mid-20th century through the late 1990s, Merchant Marine vessels were constructed with extensive asbestos—particularly in deck machinery, insulation, fireproof coatings, adhesives, paint systems, and winch equipment.

Because BMs personally oversaw rigging, deck repairs, line handling, shipboard preservation, and machinery operations, they routinely worked near deteriorating or disturbed asbestos-containing materials (ACM). They also directed working parties during shipyard periods, where significant lagging removal and demolition created extreme airborne asbestos dust.

Decades later, thousands of Boatswain’s Mates developed mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural disease, and asbestosis due to heavy asbestos contamination aboard commercial vessels.

🛠️ Typical Duties of a Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mate (BM)

⚓ Supervising Deck Crews & Shipboard Rigging

The Boatswain’s Mate is the senior deckhand responsible for:

• directing deck operations

• assigning daily maintenance duties

• instructing OS and AB crew in rigging practices

• overseeing line handling, mooring, and anchoring

• ensuring safe use of tackle and lifting gear

Many older tackle components—including blocks, sheaves, and winch brakes—were built with asbestos friction linings and heat-resistant gaskets. BMs routinely inspected, lubricated, and repaired them, directly disturbing ACM materials.

🪝 Cargo Gear Oversight

Boatswain’s Mates are heavily involved in:

• setting up cargo booms

• preparing cranes and derricks

• managing winches

• overseeing loading and unloading operations

• ensuring secure rigging for heavy lifts

Cargo gear machinery such as winches, gypsy heads, and wildcats commonly contained:

• asbestos brake pads

• high-heat insulation

• ACM gaskets and seals

Frequent friction-based operation released fine asbestos particles that circulated across upper decks and cargo areas.

🎨 Deck Preservation & Surface Maintenance

Daily preservation work includes:

• scraping

• sanding

• needle-gunning

• painting bulkheads, decks, and rails

• removing rust and old coatings

Older merchant ships used paint systems that incorporated asbestos fibers for durability and fire resistance. Scraping or chipping these coatings released asbestos dust, especially in windy deck conditions or confined areas below deck.

BMs directly supervised these jobs and often demonstrated techniques, exposing themselves repeatedly.

🔧 Hatch, Mooring & Deck Equipment Management

Boatswain’s Mates oversee:

• hatch cover operations

• securing cargo holds

• mooring lines and tugs

• windlasses and capstans

• emergency tow gear

Many of these items contained ACM such as:

• gasket seals

• insulated brake assemblies

• asbestos packing materials

Over years of wear, these components deteriorated, releasing airborne fibers during every operation.

🧹 Cleaning, Safety & Deck Administration

BMs are responsible for:

• overall deck cleanliness

• equipment inventory

• emergency equipment preparation

• firefighting gear inspection

• lifeboat readiness

Firefighting blankets, heat shields, and older emergency equipment frequently included asbestos cloth or woven ACM materials.

🚢 Shipyard & Repair Party Leadership

During drydock and repair periods, BMs:

• supervise deck repair teams

• assist in insulation tear-outs

• oversee tank and hold cleaning

• inspect rigging and deck structures

Shipyard asbestos removal—particularly lagging, adhesives, and deck coverings—produced extreme fiber levels. Boatswain’s Mates were often present during these operations and directed crew in contaminated spaces.

🧱 Asbestos Exposure Risks for Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mates (BM)

1. Demolition of Asbestos Lagging During Repairs

Boatswain’s Mates were frequently involved in assisting or supervising:

• removal of pipe insulation

• tearing out old lagging

• clearing debris from repair areas

This was one of the highest exposure sources on merchant vessels, as older ACM insulation crumbled easily into dust.

2. ACM Paint, Adhesives & Deck Coatings

Ships built before 1980 used asbestos in:

• marine deck paint

• non-skid coatings

• adhesive mastics

• tile backing

• anti-sweat insulation coatings

During scraping, sanding, or needle-gunning, asbestos fibers became airborne, coating decks, rails, and rigging.

3. Winch and Mooring Machinery Insulation

Winches, capstans, and windlasses included:

• asbestos brake shoes

• heat-resistant gasket materials

• insulated housings

Friction from machinery operation released fine asbestos dust directly into the breathing zone of deck crews.

4. Cargo Hold Entry & Hatch Operations

Cargo holds contained:

• insulated steam pipes

• ACM flooring

• asbestos-lined bulkheads

• contaminated dust accumulation

BMs entering holds for inspection or maintenance breathed in concentrated asbestos fibers.

5. Lifeboat & Firefighting Equipment ACM

Fire blankets, heat shields, and some lifeboat components incorporated asbestos weaving. BMs handled and inspected these materials often.

6. Contaminated Ventilation in Deckhouses

Deckhouses, bosun lockers, and passageways often had:

• asbestos ceiling tiles

• ACM floor tile and mastic

• insulated ductwork

Normal vibration dislodged fibers continuously.

📊 Why Boatswain’s Mates Have Strong Asbestos Claims

1. Deck leadership roles created prolonged daily exposure

BMs supervised and participated in nearly every deck evolution.

2. Duties frequently disturbed ACM directly

Scraping, rigging, and machinery operations generated airborne fibers.

3. Documentation of ACM use aboard merchant ships is extensive

Ship logs and maritime archives verify asbestos presence in hundreds of components.

4. Shipyard exposure increased risk dramatically

Many BMs supervised repair parties during major ACM tear-outs.

📂 How Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mates Prove Asbestos Exposure

📄 Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Documents

Confirm BM rating, vessel assignments, and sea service.

📘 Ship & Engineering Records

Identify ACM use in:

• deck machinery

• coatings

• insulation

• rigging equipment

• hatch systems

🛠 Shipyard Work Orders & Drydock Logs

Show when asbestos removal or repair occurred during the BM’s service.

👥 Witness Statements from Crew

Shipmates often confirm:

• insulation decay

• dusty decks or holds

• heavy gear shedding ACM

• winch brake dust

These statements strongly support claims.

💼 Real Examples of Compensation for Merchant Marine Deck Leaders

📌 Case 1 — BM on Bulk Carrier

Directed deck maintenance involving ACM paint removal.
Compensation: $4.1M

📌 Case 2 — BM on Tanker

Heavy exposure from winch brakes and insulated mooring gear.
Compensation: $3.9M

📌 Case 3 — BM During Shipyard Overhauls

Direct exposure to lagging demolition.
Compensation: $4.3M

💙 Benefits Available to Boatswain’s Mates

💵 Asbestos Trust Funds

Over $30 billion is available.

⚖ Legal Claims Against Product Manufacturers

Not against the Merchant Marine or U.S. government.

❤️ Survivor Claims for Families

Spouses and dependents may qualify.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🟦 Did Boatswain’s Mates have some of the highest deck exposure levels?

Yes—BMs supervised and participated in nearly all deck operations involving ACM.

🟦 Do shipyard periods count as exposure?

Absolutely—shipyard ACM removal was a major source of exposure.

🟦 Can BMs file if ships are scrapped or no longer exist?

Yes—records are archived through the Coast Guard and maritime registries.

📞 Get Help Identifying Your Asbestos Exposure as a Merchant Marine Boatswain’s Mate (BM)

If you served as a Boatswain’s Mate aboard a pre-1980 merchant ship, you were likely exposed to asbestos across multiple shipboard duties. Specialists can identify the ACM materials used on your vessels and determine which compensation programs you qualify for.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 for a free Merchant Marine exposure review.