Overview
Merchant marines — civilian sailors who crew commercial vessels — faced continuous asbestos exposure while living and working aboard ships. Ships were constructed with hundreds of asbestos-containing products, and merchant mariners were exposed to these materials for months at a time during voyages.
Unlike shore-based workers who could leave contaminated areas, merchant marines lived aboard ships where asbestos was present in engine rooms, sleeping quarters, mess halls, and throughout the vessel.
Asbestos on Commercial Ships
| Ship Area | Asbestos Materials | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engine room | Boiler insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets | Extreme |
| Boiler room | Thermal insulation, refractory materials | Extreme |
| Crew quarters | Wall panels, floor tiles, ceiling materials | High |
| Galley/mess | Oven insulation, fire barriers | Moderate |
| Cargo holds | Bulkhead insulation, deck materials | Moderate |
How Merchant Marines Were Exposed
Shipboard Positions at Risk
Engine department:
- Marine engineers — Machinery operation and repair
- Oilers — Engine room maintenance
- Wipers — Cleaning and general maintenance
Deck department:
- Able seamen — Ship maintenance
- Bosun — Deck crew supervisor
- Ordinary seamen — General duties
Steward department:
- Cooks — Galley work near insulated equipment
- Stewards — Crew quarter maintenance
Extended Exposure
Merchant marines faced unique exposure circumstances:
- Voyages lasting weeks or months: No escape from contaminated air
- Confined sleeping quarters: Asbestos in walls and ceilings
- 24/7 exposure: Living and working in same environment
- Poor ventilation: Ship spaces trapped asbestos fibers
Merchant marines qualify as “seamen” under the Jones Act, which provides special legal rights including the ability to sue employers for negligence in providing an unsafe vessel.
Related Occupations
Maritime workers with similar exposure:
- Shipyard workers — Ship construction/repair
- Longshoremen — Port workers
- Boilermakers — Marine boiler work
Related Industries
Health Consequences
Merchant marines are at elevated risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Risk multiplied by exposure
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Legal Options
Merchant marines diagnosed with mesothelioma have strong legal options:
Jones Act Claims
The Jones Act provides merchant mariners:
- Right to sue vessel owners for negligence
- Maintenance and cure (medical and living expenses)
- Unseaworthiness claims against defective vessels
Additional Claims
- Asbestos trust funds: Against insulation and equipment manufacturers
- Third-party lawsuits: Against asbestos product makers
- VA benefits: If served in military merchant marine
The Jones Act gives merchant marines more favorable legal rights than standard workers’ compensation. An experienced maritime attorney can maximize compensation.