🚢 Navy Fast Combat Ship Asbestos Exposure
Navy fast combat support ships (AOE-class) were essential to fleet operations, rapidly supplying fuel, ammunition, and provisions while underway. Many of these vessels, built before asbestos regulations, were constructed using large amounts of asbestos-containing materials in mechanical systems, crew areas, and cargo holds.
Asbestos lined boiler rooms, turbines, pipe insulation, and control panels—posing a silent but deadly risk. Sailors, particularly those working below deck, often disturbed deteriorating insulation during maintenance. In poorly ventilated spaces, microscopic asbestos fibers remained airborne and were inhaled. This prolonged exposure has been directly linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer among veterans.
🔧 Why Asbestos Was Used in Fast Combat Ships
-
Boiler and turbine insulation – Heat protection in high-temp systems
-
Fireproof wall panels – Found in control and electrical rooms
-
Pipe wrap insulation – Steam, fuel, and hot water lines
-
Tile adhesives and deck mastic – Used throughout berthing spaces
-
Valve gaskets and pump seals – Found in fluid control systems
These materials were frequently disturbed during overhauls, drills, and emergency repairs.
🚀 Fast Combat Ship Missions
| Vessel Type | Missions |
|---|---|
| AOE (Fast Combat Support Ships) | Refuel, rearm, and resupply ships during missions |
| AO (Oilers) | Transport and pump fuel to aircraft carriers, destroyers |
| AE (Ammunition Ships) | Deliver munitions to fleet vessels in combat zones |
👨🔧 Estimated Personnel Exposed
| Role | Exposure Description |
|---|---|
| Machinist’s Mates | Serviced asbestos-lined turbines and propulsion units |
| Electrician’s Mates | Worked near fireproofed breaker panels and wiring |
| Boiler Technicians | Maintained steam systems wrapped in asbestos |
| Damage Controlmen | Patched insulated bulkheads and valve packing |
| Crew & Officers | Slept and worked in areas with asbestos floor tiles |
Thousands of crew members rotated through these high-risk environments.
⚠️ Common Asbestos Materials Found
-
Pipe insulation (steam, fuel, water systems)
-
Boiler wrap and engine room lagging
-
Electrical insulation (breaker boxes, switchgear)
-
Floor tiles & adhesives (crew spaces, mess halls)
-
Gaskets and valve packing (mechanical compartments)
🔥 High-Risk Areas
-
Engine Rooms – Confined, overheated areas where fibers lingered
-
Boiler Spaces – Heavy wrap degraded during maintenance
-
Electrical Compartments – Friable asbestos behind controls
-
Living Quarters – Tile adhesives broke down over time
🩺 Long-Term Health Risks
-
Mesothelioma – Deadly cancer linked exclusively to asbestos
-
Asbestosis – Lung damage and scarring
-
Lung Cancer – Greatly increased by asbestos exposure
-
Pleural Plaques – Lung lining thickens, restricts breathing
💰 Legal Options for Veterans
Many Navy veterans have received compensation, including:
-
Boiler technician exposed to insulation wrap during deployments
-
Electrician rewiring asbestos-filled panels
-
Crewman assigned near degrading tile mastic
-
Damage controlman applying fire-sealing caulk in confined spaces
💵 Sample Asbestos Settlements
| Case Summary | Settlement Amount |
|---|---|
| Engine room tech exposed to thermal wrap | $4.7 million |
| Electrician in breaker compartments daily | $4.4 million |
| Boiler tech with exposure to valve insulation | $4.2 million |
| Crewman with mesothelioma from tile adhesive | $3.9 million |
🏢 Asbestos Manufacturers & Contractors
| Company | Role in Exposure |
|---|---|
| Ingalls Shipbuilding | Built AOE ships with asbestos insulation |
| Johns-Manville | Supplied thermal lagging & boiler wrap |
| Owens Corning | Produced insulation & adhesive products |
| Raybestos | Manufactured valve packing & brake linings |
| Bendix | Control systems with asbestos components |
| General Electric | Switchgear containing asbestos |
| Westinghouse | Electrical housing using asbestos |
| Eagle-Picher | Supplied asbestos cement & adhesives |
| Uniroyal | Fireproof flooring & tile adhesives |
🪖 Asbestos Trust Funds & Veterans
-
Over $30 billion available in trust funds
-
No court required, filing is confidential
-
Claims do not affect VA benefits
-
Spouses & families may file wrongful death claims
🎖️ VA Benefits for Fast Combat Ship Veterans
-
100% VA disability rating for mesothelioma
-
Monthly payments over $3,800 for qualified veterans
-
DIC benefits for surviving family members
-
Free mesothelioma treatment at VA-approved centers
📝 How to File a Claim
-
Free Case Review – Confirm ship service and diagnosis
-
Gather Records – Medical and ship assignment documentation
-
Submit Claims – Legal and trust fund filing on your behalf
-
Receive Compensation – No fees unless you win; most cases close in 12–18 months
🕒 Statute of Limitations
-
Legal Claims – 2–3 years from diagnosis
-
Wrongful Death – 2–3 years from date of passing
-
Trust Fund Claims – Varies by fund (act quickly)
❓ FAQs
Q: Did AOE-class ships contain asbestos?
A: Yes, they were heavily insulated with asbestos up through the late 1970s.
Q: Can I file even if I served in the 1960s?
A: Yes, claim deadlines start from your illness diagnosis—not service dates.
Q: Can my family file if I’ve passed away?
A: Yes, surviving spouses and dependents are eligible for legal and trust fund claims.
Q: Will this affect my VA benefits?
A: No. Filing does not interfere with your current VA disability or pension.
🛡️ Why Choose Mesothelioma Help Center
-
25+ years experience with military asbestos cases
-
Access to classified ship plans and naval records
-
Multimillion-dollar verdicts for Navy clients
-
No legal fees unless we recover for you
📞 Free Legal Help for Navy Veterans
If you or a loved one served aboard a Navy fast combat ship and developed an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to compensation.
Call 800.291.0963 for a free legal case review.