US Navy vessels built between the 1930s and 1980s reportedly contained asbestos throughout their mechanical spaces — boiler rooms, engine rooms, fire rooms, pipe tunnels, and berthing compartments. Boilermakers, machinist's mates, electricians, pipefitters, and damage controlmen may have been exposed to asbestos fibers from pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and deck tile during normal service operations and repair work.
The information on this site is drawn from NARA military archives, VA records, Bureau of Ships specifications, and publicly filed asbestos litigation. Nothing here constitutes legal advice. Scroll down to find a specific vessel or use the search below.
Navy Veterans: Two Ways to Recover — Use Both
VA Presumptive Benefits (38 CFR § 3.309): Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may be entitled to VA disability compensation with no statute of limitations — file at any age after discharge. Your DD-214 plus a diagnosis is typically sufficient to establish a presumptive service connection. No causation burden. Approval timeline: 6–18 months. Potential lump sum: $500,000–$1M+.
Civil Lawsuit (concurrent — not exclusive): VA benefits do not bar a separate civil claim against asbestos product manufacturers. The federal maritime statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis (46 U.S.C. § 30106). Both tracks run simultaneously. An experienced maritime asbestos attorney can pursue both.
Action: Locate your DD-214, enroll in the VA Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program, and consult a maritime asbestos attorney about the civil track — all in parallel.
Asbestos-Containing Materials Commonly Found Aboard Navy Vessels