Mesothelioma & Asbestos on Merchant Marine Ships

The U.S. Merchant Marines refers to the licensed crew of civilian mariners who work aboard private and federally owned commercial vessels responsible for transporting cargo both domestically and internationally.

Asbestos-containing materials and products were widely used in ship construction and repairs until the late 1970s. Asbestos exposure in merchant marines led to significant risk of asbestos diseases including mesothelioma. Merchant marines with mesothelioma and their families may be entitled to financial compensation.

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Asbestos and Merchant Marines At a Glance

• Unlike Navy service members, merchant marines operate and maintain civilian vessels, including cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships, tugboats, and dredges.
• Asbestos materials like insulation, cement, gaskets, and pump packing were widely used on Merchant Marine vessels during construction, maintenance, and repair.
• While many merchant marines working before the late 1970s faced exposure, engine department workers had the highest risk of exposure to asbestos on merchant marine ships.
• Mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 to 50 years, so merchant marines may develop symptoms decades after asbestos exposure, even after leaving the shipping industry.
• Not all merchant marines are eligible for VA benefits, but they may qualify for other mesothelioma compensation options.

How Merchant Marines Were Exposed to Asbestos

Large merchant vessels engaged in domestic and international trade are powered by complex, mechanical systems to travel long distances. Merchant marines and shipyard workers involved in the construction or maintenance of these high heat systems aboard older vessels faced significant risk of exposure to asbestos on merchant marine ships.

As an effective heat-resistant material, asbestos had many applications on Merchant Marine vessels, especially below deck in the engine and boiler rooms. Merchant marines who cut, installed, removed, or otherwise manipulated asbestos-containing products often spent hours each day working in dusty rooms and compartments inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Products Used by Merchant Marines

Asbestos on Merchant Marine ships was widespread, both above and below deck. Asbestos-containing materials were most commonly found in engine rooms as part of high-heat systems like boilers, turbines, and related equipment. Common asbestos products include:

• Asbestos pipe insulation and pipe covering: Asbestos wrap insulation and “half-moon” pipe covering was often cut by merchant marines and wrapped around pipes that connected to boilers and equipment. This insulation was routinely cut and replaced during overhauls and general maintenance.
• Asbestos gaskets and packing: Merchant marines routinely scrapped out old gaskets and packings from pumps, compressors, and steam traps during maintenance. Cutting and replacing new asbestos gaskets released asbestos dust in the confined spaces where mariners worked.
• Winch Brake linings: Asbestos brake linings were used in cargo-handling machinery aboard Merchant Marine ships. Asbestos dust could be released into the air when these linings were cut, sanded, or replaced during maintenance.

Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used on Merchant Marine Ships

Merchant Marine ships included a range of commercial and government-contracted ships, particularly during and after World War II. These fleets consisted of cargo ships, oil tankers, passenger liners, and the large “Victory” and “Liberty” ships built to support wartime logistics and postwar commerce.

Major U.S. shipping companies such as Matson Navigation Company and Standard Oil Company operated many of these vessels, along with other private carriers under government contract.

Asbestos on Merchant Marine ships was found in marine boilers manufactured by various companies including, but not limited to:

• Babcock & Wilcox
• Cleaver-Brooks
• Foster Wheeler
• Kewanee Boiler Company

Additional manufacturers of asbestos gasket material found on Merchant Marine vessels may have included:

• Garlock
• Flexitallic

Mesothelioma in Merchant Marines

Asbestos exposure among merchant marines is the primary cause of mesothelioma and is also linked to other deadly cancers, including lung cancer. Historically, shipyard workers, veterans, and merchant mariners have faced elevated risks of asbestos-related diseases due to work aboard ships and in shipyard environments.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that maritime workers experience higher rates of injury and illness than the average U.S. workforce. This reflects the hazardous conditions common in vessel operations and shipyards.

Asbestos fibers carried home on merchant mariner’s clothing may also have exposed family members, particularly those involved in laundering contaminated clothing. Those with secondary asbestos exposure are also at risk of developing asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Compensation for Merchant Marines

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos as a merchant marine, an experienced attorney can help. ELSM Law has helped dozens of merchant marines pursue compensation options through asbestos lawsuits and trust fund claims.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Certain companies that sold asbestos products commonly used in the maritime industry and on merchant vessels may have since gone bankrupt and therefore cannot be targeted in a typical asbestos lawsuit. However, trust funds have been established to help mesothelioma and lung cancer victims gain compensation from these companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will have a database of products and qualifying occupations to determine whether you might be eligible for compensation from these trust funds.

The following list includes examples of companies that previously filed for bankruptcy and established asbestos trust funds, along with select Merchant Marine ships recognized by those trusts as approved exposure sites:

Merchant Marine Ship Name	Asbestos Trust Funds
S.S. Borinquen	Babcock & Wilcox
S.S. Empire State	J.T. Thorpe, Inc.
S.S. Gopher State	Owens Corning
S.S. Lurline	Babcock & Wilcox
S.S. Mormacdove	Combustion Engineering
S.S. Pacific Victory	Fibreboard Corporation
S.S. Thomas Lynch	Babcock & Wilcox

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) has obtained nearly $5 billion in settlements on behalf of our clients. Asbestos lawsuits for merchant marines are not filed against the U.S. Merchant Marine or the owners of private or public vessels. These lawsuits specifically target companies that knowingly manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing products that contributed to mariners developing mesothelioma.

Jones Act Claims for Merchant Mariners

Workers’ compensation does not typically cover individuals who worked primarily on vessels, such as crew members, engineers, and deckhands. However, an ELSM Law attorney can help you pursue compensation under the Jones Act, a federal law that protects maritime workers, or “seamen,” who are injured while working on a vessel.

This act may allow merchant marines to obtain compensation by filing a negligence claim against their employer or vessel owner.

VA Benefits for Merchant Mariners

Merchant mariners may qualify as veterans for VA benefits depending on when and how they served. Some World War II-era merchant mariners are recognized as veterans under federal law.

Others, such as civil service mariners after 1950, are not considered active military service members for VA eligibility, according to guidance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Legal Support for Merchant Marines

Our attorneys have four decades of experience working with victims of mesothelioma, including clients who have suffered from exposure to asbestos on merchant marine ships. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma while serving as a merchant marine, it is important to act quickly and begin the process of filing a mesothelioma claim.

At ELSM Law, our experienced legal team, is dedicated to obtaining swift financial compensation with as little burden on our clients as possible. Our attorneys and staff handle the entire process, giving you more time to focus on medical treatment, family, and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are merchant marines eligible for veteran’s benefits?

Merchant marines are not typically eligible for VA benefits, however merchant marines that served between 1941 and 1946 under certain conditions may qualify for benefits. One of ELSM Law's accredited VA attorneys can help determine what benefits you may qualify for as a merchant marine, free of charge.

Which merchant marine jobs had the highest risk of asbestos exposure?

While merchant marines serving in nearly any role aboard vessels or in shipyards may have been exposed to asbestos, those working in engine and boiler rooms faced some of the highest risks of exposure and asbestos-related disease. High-risk occupations included boiler workers, insulators, and machinists.

Can family members of merchant marines develop mesothelioma?

Yes, spouses and children of merchant marines may develop mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure caused by asbestos fibers brought home on contaminated work clothing. Family members who handled or laundered dusty work clothes were at particular risk. ELSM Law has experience helping mesothelioma victims pursue compensation through lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims involving secondary asbestos exposure.

How do former Merchant Marines file mesothelioma claims?

Contact ELSM Law to set up an in-person, no-cost consultation. One of our experienced mesothelioma attorneys will review your case, address any questions and concerns you may have, and outline your legal options for filing mesothelioma claims and securing the financial compensation you deserve.